Friday night the Colts went a long way to building my confidence in them. Sure they lost what turned into an ugly battle against the Bengals, but the first team looked awesome.

Peyton was sharp, directing the team down the field and throwing a TD pass to Reggie Wayne. Then the first team D came in and clamped down on the Bengals attack and forced them to a quick punt.

The second and third units were a little iffier. First of all the first team O line simply would not block for backup Cory Sauter. Sauter was sacked and showed no initiative to avoid the rush. For his effort he was cut on Saturday.

The Colts roster this morning after the cuts looks like this:

• Quarterbacks (3): Peyton Manning, Joe Hamilton, Jim Sorgi
• Running backs (4): Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes, James Mungro, Tom Lopienski
• Wide receivers (6): Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, Aaron Moorehead, Brad Pyatt, Troy Walters
• Tight ends (3): Marcus Pollard, Dallas Clark, Ben Hartsock
• Offensive line (8): Tarik Glenn, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Diem, Rick DeMulling, Tupe Peko, Makoa Freitas, Jake Scott, Ryan Lilja
• Defensive line (10): Dwight Freeney, Larry Tripplett, Josh Williams, Montae Reagor, Brad Scioli, Raheem Brock, Josh Thomas, Robert Mathis, Keith Wright, Jason Stewart
• Linebackers (7): David Thornton, Rob Morris, Cato June, Gary Brackett, Jim Nelson, Keyon Whiteside, Gilbert Gardner
• Defensive backs (10): Nick Harper, Donald Strickland, Joseph Jefferson, Mike Doss, Idrees Bashir, Anthony Floyd, Cory Bird, x-Bob Sanders, Jason David, Von Hutchins
• Place-kicker (1): Mike Vanderjagt
• Punter (1): Hunter Smith
• Long snapper (1): Justin Snow
• Physically unable to perform (2; don't count against roster): LB Kendyll Pope, TE Ben Utecht.
x -- roster exemption

Probably the biggest surprise, at least for me was the cutting of OL Brad Sciullo. A starter for most of the season last year I figured his job was safe, especially in light of the fact that a guy like Erin Rideaux was placed on the practice squad.

There is also talk about bringing in Tim Couch although I seriously doubt he would want to spend a season holding a clipboard. Besides he was cut by the Pack who thinks he sucked so why would we need him.