Lorenzen gets start for Colts; Tamme and Johnson see field
Sports - Sports News Headlines
Written by Dan Rieffer   
Sunday, 24 August 2008 22:59
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Former Kentucky Wildcat Jared Lorenzen started for the Indianapolis Colts against the Buffalo Bills Sunday night in place of Peyton Manning's usual backup, Jim Sorgi. Sorgi, who was expected to play into the third quarter, was a late scratch with what the team called a gimpy knee. Fellow former Cats Jacob Tamme and Steve Johnson also saw the field, but were limited to one catch each. The Bills beat the Colts 20-7.

Lorenzen played the entire first half and finished the night with 7 completions on 11 attempts for 52 yards - no touchdowns, no interceptions. Lorenzen is battling Quinn Gray for a roster spot as the Colts' third-string quarterback. Gray relieved Lorenzen Sunday night to start the second half and threw four interceptions over the game's final two quarters.

For the preseason, Lorenzen is 35-65 (53.8%) for 314 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Gray is 37-69 (53.6%) for 525 yards with 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

Tamme's lone reception of 12 yards came with just over three minutes remaining in the game. The Boyle County H.S. product leads the Colts in catches and receiving yards this preseason - 10 receptions, 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. During the game broadcast on NFL Network, the commentators noted that Indianapolis has been pleased with Tamme. According to the NFL Network's Sterling Sharpe, Indy offensive coordinator Tom Moore said that with Tamme the Colts would be in a lot better situation this season as opposed to last if starting tight end Dallas Clark should be sidelined for any amount of time due to injury.

Johnson, the Bills 7th round draft pick, made his only grab with 4:29 to go in the third quarter - a four-yard gain. Johnson has a total of 3 receptions for 11 yards this preseason. He is among nine receivers currently on Buffalo's roster. Johnson is not listed on the team's current depth chart. The Bills expected starters at receiver are Lee Evans and Josh Reed. Roscoe Parish, Justin Jenkins, Felton Huggins and James Hardy are listed behind Evans and Reed.

NFL teams make their first round of roster cuts this week.