Indy Football Report John Oehser's game coverage of the Indianapolis Colts-Cincinnati Bengals

Indianapolis Colts WR Taj Smith scores against Bengals (AP Photo)

Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser's live, in-game coverage of the Indianapolis Colts' 2009 preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals . . .

We're live. Welcome . . .

FIRST QUARTER I

As expected, it's almost all backups and reserves.

The Colts' starting offense was QB Jim Sorgi, RB Chad Simpson, WR Taj Smith, WR Dylan McDermott, TE Jacob Tamme, OT Dan Federkeil, OG Jaimie Thomas, C Kyle DeVan, OG Jamey Richard,  LT Tony Ugoh, TE Jamie Petrowksi.

The starting defense: DE Josh Thomas, DT Dan Muir, DT Ed Johnson, DE John Gill, LB Philip Wheeler, MLB Mike Tauiliili, LB Jordan Senn, CB Jacob Lacey, CB Nick Graham, S Jamie Silva and S Matt Giordano.

FIRST QUARTER II: The Colts got stopped three and out and allowed a quick easy, touchdown drive. I'll update the drive shortly, but hardly surprising. This is par for the course for the Colts in the preseason finale.

 FIRST QUARTER III: The Bengals' first touchdown drive covered 61 yards on five plays. It's mostly starters for the Bengals and mostly backups for the Colts. RB Cedric Benson ran well. LB Wheeler and DT ED Johnson were the only starters or front-line guys in the game for the Colts.

FIRST QUARTER IV: Sorgi looks good early. I'd be surprised if there's any debate at all around the Colts about who the backup quarterback is this season. Reserve QB Curtis Painter has talent, but for this season, Sorgi more prepared to lead the offense.

FIRST QUARTER V: They're talking on the Colts' broadcast about WR Taj Smith being the fifth receiver this sesaon. I think that's misleading. I don't see there being a fifth guy at the spot on the active roster. More likely, Smith will stick on the practice squad.

FIRST QUARTER VI: Is it just me, or is the Colts' backup offensive line playing better this preseason than in past preseasons? They're not playing great, particularly run-blocking, but the offense has moved at times without the first-team line and often, that's not the case.

FIRST QUARTER VII: Smith just had a nice grab on the right sideline for a touchdown. K Adam Vinatieri kicked the extra point on his first kick since being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Colts' drive covered 74 yards in eight plays and used 4:37. Nice drive for the backup offense, particularly Sorgi and Smith.

FIRST QUARTER VIII: Bengals returner Bernard Scott returned the kickoff after Smith's touchdown 35 yards. The Colts' staff won't like that -- no matter who's in the game.

FIRST QUARTER IX: Bengals K Sam Swank kicked a 49-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 10-7 lead, a score set up by Scott's long return.

FIRST QUARTER X: CB Jacob Lacey had an interception in the first quarter. According to the Colts, he has defensed seven passes in four preseason games. He may have played his way onto the roster.

SECOND QUARTER I: As has been the case in most Colts preseason games, the pace of this one has slowed in the second quarter. Late in the half, DT Terrance Taylor made a couple of plays, including a tipped pass.

SECOND QUARTER II: The Colts have allowed more than 150 yards rushing late in the first half. Again, I wouldn't be concerned. The Colts are playing their second-team defense -- and at times, their third team. The Colts won't love what they're seeing, but in a week, they won't remember it, either.

SECOND QUARTER III: Bengals WR Chris Henry caught a touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone. It appeared CB Dante Hughes slipped on the coverage. It's really just hard to imagine the third-year CB making the team. Too bad, too. He's a good kid with playmaking ability. He just seems to be slipping down the depth chart and hasn't made enough plays.

SECOND QUARTER IV: DE Frostee Rucker got around Colts backup tackle Tony Ugoh for a  sack/fumble late in the first half. The play led to a Bengals touchdown. Not to overstate the obvious, but that's no way to win the left tackle job back.

HALFTIME: BENGALS 24, COLTS 7

HALFTIME I: Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell to Colts TV sideline report Jeffrey Gorman on the first-half running defense: "It's certainly not what we want. It's more missed tackles where they've have some pretty good-sized holes." The Bengals outrushed the Colts 168-44 in the first half.

HALFTIME II: Caldwell on the first-team offense: "Obviousy, if we hadn''t turned the ball over and put our defense in some tough situations, we'd be in a better situation."

THIRD QUARTER I: Bengals TE Kolo Kapanui's 25-yard touchdown pass from Palmer gave the Bengals a 31-7 lead.

THIRD QUARTER II: This happens every seasons. A lot of people like to say the Colts don't care about the preseason and point to their record each preseason (they likely will finish 1-3 this preseason). More accurate is that they don't care about winning in the preseason. They care, but they care about seeing young players and getting a gauge on what players have what strengths and who should make the roster. The Colts are getting a good look at player such as DT Adrian Grady, Lacey and LB Mike Tauiliili, each of whom has a good chance to make the roster.

FOURTH QUARTER I: Here's one former Colts RB DeDe Dorsey couldn't have not enjoyed. Now with the Bengals, Dorsey blocked a punt early in the fourth quarter and returned it for a touchdown that gave the Bengals a 38-7 lead. Dorsey came through unblocked and nearly took the ball off the foot of Colts rookie P Pat McAfee.

END OF GAME: That's a wrap. Bengals 38, Colts 7. Wrap on the prseason, too. Thank goodness. Don't worry about this. The Colts won't. There were positives. We'll go over it in the coming hours/days.

On to the regular season . . .