One of the Indianapolis Colts' more interesting preseason positional battles -- backup running back -- has, at least for now, been settled in favor of Kenton Keith.
The former Canadian Football League standout survived Saturday's final cut to 53. Not as fortunate was DeDe Dorsey, who was thought to be the front-runner to serve as Joseph Addax's backup after spending the 2006 season with the team. Dorsey was one of 22 players released.
Team president Bill Polian and coach Tony Dungy were not available to comment on the roster moves.
Also waived were wide receivers John Standeford, Trent Shelton and Craphonso Thorpe, running back Clifton Dawson, quarterback Josh Betts, tight ends Matt Farbotko, Gijon Robinson and Jonny Harline, offensive linemen Joe Lobdell, Matt Ulrich and Sam Wilder, linebackers Brandon Archer, KaMichael Hall and Victor Worsley, defensive end Ryan LaCasse, defensive tackle Ramel Meekins and defensive backs Duane Coleman, Tanard Davis, Antonio Perkins and Scott Ware. The team also terminated the contract of veteran defensive end Bo Schobel.
Standeford, a former Purdue University standout, was on the roster for Super Bowl XLI, as were Dorsey, Ulrich, LaCasse and Schobel.
More roster modifications might be made once the Colts consider players released by other teams. That might include a running back to compete with Keith.
In the preseason, Keith rushed 12 times for 64 yards while Dorsey managed 76 yards on 28 carries.
Big cuts were Dorsey, and I think Craphonso Thorpe and Trent Shelton were surprise cuts. Both Thorpe and Shelton seemed to really contribute a lot at WR, as well as special teams.
