Colts’ success at expense of Stokley, Morris
Brandon Stokley and Rob Morris haven’t enjoyed the Indianapolis Colts’ unbeaten season as much as they’d like.
Both players have seen their playing time cut significantly this season as the Colts have rolled to a 12-0 record going into today’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stokley – who caught 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago – has been the victim of opposing defenses trying to slow down Indianapolis’ high-powered offense. With teams dropping seven and sometimes eight defenders back into pass coverage through the early portion of the Colts schedule, offensive coordinator Tom Moore opted to go more often with a two tight end alignment that has featured Dallas Clark and Bryan Fletcher.
While the ploy has worked for the team – Indianapolis leads the league with 366 points – Stokley has just 34 receptions for 392 yards and one touchdown.
“The last few weeks in row I haven’t played a lot. This week might be a lot, I don’t know,” he said. “Some games it’s 60 (plays) and some games it’s four. Just as long as we keep winning.”
Morris has been the primary backup to linebacker Gary Brackett this season after starting 60 games the previous four years.
Morris, the Colts’ top pick in the 2000 draft, was released at the end of the 2004 season but signed a one-year contract with the team last summer.
He has played primarily on special teams this season, although he played most of the fourth quarter at linebacker in last week’s win over Tennessee.
Tryout time for Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are spending the last four games holding auditions instead of preparing for the playoffs.
A series of injuries to several key starters and one highly publicized suspension has left the reigning NFC champions using a lineup filled with players that usually close out preseason games rather than start regular-season ones.
Mike McMahon is making his fourth start for quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Rookie Ryan Moats and third-year pro Reno Mahe will get extended action because running back Brian Westbrook went down for the season this week. Rookie Reggie Brown is starting his sixth game for banished wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Second-year pro Jamaal Jackson is starting his fifth game for center Hank Fraley. Rookie Todd Herremans is making his third start for left tackle Tra Thomas.
Around the league
Chicago safety Mike Brown (strained calf) and starting right guard Terrence Metcalf (separated shoulder) will miss today’s game in Pittsburgh because of injuries. … A groin injury that has sidelined St. Louis cornerback Travis Fisher for five games could keep him out the rest of the season.