Brandon Stokley

He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens out of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fourth round (105th pick overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. Stokley won a Super Bowl ring in 2000 as a member of the Ravens.

On December 26, 2004, Stokley received the record-breaking 21-yard touchdown pass for Peyton Manning in the hunt to break Dan Marino's record of 48 touchdown passes in a season. That season, he had a breakthrough season with 68 passes caught for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns and an average of 15.8 yards per catch.

On Thursday, March 13, 2003 free-agent wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who played for the Baltimore Ravens for the past four seasons, has agreed to a two-year, $2.9 million contract with the Colts.

The Colts for the past several seasons have sought a receiver to give them consistent balance opposite Marvin Harrison, who has caught more than 100 passes each of the past four seasons, including an NFL record 143 last season.

Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning and Stokley both played high school football in Louisiana but didn't become acquainted until taking part in the passing academies Manning holds each summer in Hammond, La. When the Colts showed an interest in Stokley, Manning didn't hesitate to call him.

"We talked a little bit,'' Stokley said. "He knew I had some other visits to take, but he thought the situation in Indy would be a good situation for me.

Stokley (5-feet-11, 197 pounds), a 1999 fourth-round draft choice by the Ravens from Louisiana-Lafayette, has 60 career receptions for 913 yards and seven touchdowns.

He caught a career-high 24 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns last season. .

An array of injuries (foot, hamstring, concussion) kept the former Southwestern Louisiana standout from becoming a full contributor to the Indianapolis offense.

Stokley has gradually worked his way into becoming a reliable third and sometimes second option in the Colts' passing attack. December 14, 2003 Stokley had seven catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-7 win over Atlanta and on December 28, 2003 he had nine receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in a 20-17 road victory against Houston.

Nevertheless it was his four receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns - including a game-breaking 87-yard scoring catch and run - December 21, 2003 in a 41-10 AFC wild-card win over Denver that really opened a lot of eyes.

Stokley has emerged as a viable option in the Colts' offense, turning what had been a Marvin Harrison-Reggie Wayne act into a three-ring circus. His latest exploits: eight receptions and 97 yards, both team highs, on October 3, 2004, a 24-17 win at Jacksonville.

Stokley's 22 receptions in four games are two shy of matching a career high for a season, while his 311 yards are 46 short of a career best.

Of Stokley's 22 receptions, 15 have produced first downs and three reached the end zone. He's been most effective working the middle of the field, registering a 45-yard reception against New England and collecting 34- and 27-yard touchdowns against Green Bay.