Standeford, Others Battle For Final Roster Spots

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Receiver John Standeford brought a glowing resume to the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. <br/><br/>He was the Big Ten's career receiving leader and Purdue's career leader with 14

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 2:29 pm

By: News On 6

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Receiver John Standeford brought a glowing resume to the Indianapolis Colts in 2004.

He was the Big Ten's career receiving leader and Purdue's career leader with 14 100-yard games. He played in the Rose Bowl and, of course, had golden hands. All it really got the Monrovia, Ind., native was a chance to play with his hometown team.

Now, after spending most of the last three seasons on Indy's practice squad, Standeford's task is simple: Impress coaches enough Friday night at Cincinnati to earn a full-time gig or find another team willing to give him a shot in the NFL.

``I hope I've done enough,'' Standeford said. ``I've come in here every day, worked hard every day, never missed a practice, and I think I've shown them consistently that I'm able to learn and make plays. But if you think about this week's game that way, you'll just get yourself stressed out.''

For Standeford and a handful of other Colts players, that's what the frayed nerves are all about this week _ winning a roster spot. Indianapolis must trim its roster from 75 to 53 by midafternoon Saturday.

Those still in the locker room have already survived one cut this week.

Getting through another, though, is entirely different.

A quick glance reveals how many battles still are being waged.

Undrafted rookie Ed Johnson has started in place of defensive lineman Anthony McFarland and has likely earned a spot on the roster. But guys like defensive ends Jeff Charleston and Ben Ishola are still trying to prove themselves.

Ishola is trying to become the first Indiana player to make the Colts active roster since Bernard Whittington in 2000. He has a special season-long developmental exemption even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster.

``There is a sense of pride there, in representing Indiana,'' Ishola said. ``But I really don't think too much about that.''

At linebacker, undrafted rookie Ramon Guzman has been praised by coach Tony Dungy. There are 10 drafted players vying for jobs in the secondary.

On offense, the toughest decisions likely will come at receiver, where the Colts usually keep five or six players. Pro Bowlers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne and first-round draft pick Anthony Gonzalez have locked up three spots. The others likely will be filled by a cast that includes veteran Aaron Moorehead, Craphonso Thorpe, Trent Shelton and Standeford.

But the real consternation will set in Saturday.

``The toughest part is going to be sitting around Saturday,'' Standeford said. ``Going into the game, I feel comfortable, so you really don't worry about that.''

Dungy acknowledged that part of Friday night's evaluation will be seeing how those players contend with the high-stakes situation.

The youngsters and veterans fighting to keep their jobs will have ample opportunity to prove themselves, since most starters likely will be benched against the Bengals.

And even if things appear locked up now, everything could change after Friday night _ and not just because of potential injuries.

``We've had some past performances in the last week that have really opened our eyes,'' Dungy said. ``I remember Raheem Brock, his first year, picking up a fumble and running it in. I remember (kick returner) Brad Pyatt really lit it up that last week and solidified his spot, and that's really what you're hoping to see.''

So what does Standeford need to do?

It's anybody's guess. He has five receptions for 54 yards in three preseason games, all with the backups, and one more opportunity to show he belongs.

``I just look at it like any other week. I want to do my best,'' Standeford said. ``You just try to go out and give your best effort because you can't control anything else.''