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AFC South Preview |
1. Indianapolis Colts 2006 Record: 12-4 Projected 2007 Record: 11-5 The Offense The Colts’ offense took a hit this off-season, losing WR Brandon Stokely to free agency and Pro-Bowl LT Tarik Glenn to retirement. However, they still have Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning leading the attack so they will be more than fine. RB Joseph Addai will look to follow up his strong rookie season, now being the number one running back. First round pick Anthony Gonzalez should also fit in nicely as the number three wide out, replacing Stokely. And of course WRs Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne are still one of the best one-two punches in football. The Defense Losing both your starting corners (Nick Harper and Jason David) in the same off-season should be a concern. However, with safety Bob Sanders healthy, the secondary should be okay. The line-backing core lost starters Gilbert Gardner and Cato June so inexperienced Rob Morris and Freddy Keiaho will need to step it up. In the trenches, losing DT Anthony McFarland for the season due to injury should hurt as well, but DE Dwight Freeney will still make teams think about the Colts’ pass rush. The Key The Colts’ ability to defend the run. In the regular season last year, they were one of the worst teams in the NFL in rushing defense. However, in the playoffs, the turned it up a notch and stuffed Larry Johnson, Jamal Lewis, Corey Dillon, and Thomas Jones, en route to a Super Bowl victory. 2. Jacksonville Jaguars 2006 Record: 8-8 Projected 2007 Record: 8-8 The Offense QB Byron Leftwich will try once again to shake off injuries and prove that he is a solid starting quarterback again this year for Jacksonville. In the running game, RBs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew should be solid and may lead the division in yards on the ground. In the receiving core, former first round picks Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, and Ernest Wilford must step it up this year for the Jags to have any shot at a consistent passing attack. The Defense First round draft pick Reggie Nelson should be solid for the Jags at safety, as they cut fan favorite Donovan Darius in the off-season. The rest of the secondary also looks strong, as Rashean Mathis and Brian Williams are great corners. MLB Mike Peterson will look to have a great bounce back year as he was on injured reserve last year. The d-line also has talent, as DE Bobby McCray had a breakout year in 2006, leading the team in sacks with 9.5. The Jags also have DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, who are the best DT duo in the division. The Key Quarterback play. Leftwich must step it up or he (and maybe Head Coach Jack Del Rio) may be gone after this year. The Jags have the defense and running game to make the playoffs, but they need a quarterback as well. 3. Tennessee Titans 2006 Record: 8-8 Projected 2007 Record: 7-9 The Offense Putting the Madden Cover Jinx aside, QB Vince Young should look to have another Pro-Bowl like season this year. However, with Travis Henry gone, rookie HB Chris Henry and LenDale White will need to step it up a notch to give Tennessee another element to their offense. The wide receivers are also weak this year, as the Titans lost Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade in the off-season. Veteran receivers Justin Gage and Eric Moulds will be nothing more than mentors to youngsters Brandon Jones, Courtney Roby, and Roydell Williams who will get the majority of snaps at WR. TEs Ben Troupe and Ben Hartstock are solid blockers and also can be good receivers if needed. The Defense Last season, the Titans were dead last in total defense, giving up 369.7 yards/game. However, this year they have eight returning starters. First round draft pick Michael Griffin and free agents Nick Harper and Kelly Herndon should help the secondary a lot, since CB Pacman Jones is gone for the season after a suspension for his off-field issues. OLB Keith Bulluck leads the linebackers who should be average. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch needs a strong year as well to help this d-line. The Key The running game. Henry and White must prove that they are elite rushers to help VY’s team improve this year. There’s also the fact that Vince is on the cover of Madden NFL 08, but that’s another story… 4. Houston Texans 2006 Record: 6-10 Projected 2007 Record: 6-10 The Offense This offense had nowhere to go but up after last season. With David Carr now gone, the new #8 (QB Matt Shaub) will bring a solid passing attack, as well as leadership that wasn’t with the last QB. Sacks+fumbles should also be down this year, as Shaub should get rid of the football quicker. The offensive line is also better, with RT Eric Winston looking to have a breakout year. Running backs Ahman Green and Ron Dayne are solid and should bring a consistent rushing attack for the Texans. Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson will look for help in a #2, as rookie sensation Jacoby Jones looks to be the starter. The Defense Four first round draft picks in four years still hasn’t solved this team’s D-Line. DE Mario Williams is still trying to live up to his #1 overall draft status last year, while first round draft pick DT Amobi Okoye, who is only 20, needs to adjust to the speed of the NFL. The linebackers are solid with reigning defensive rookie of the year DeMeco Ryans in the middle. The secondary looks weak, though. With starting safety Glenn Earl gone for the year, C.C. Brown and Jason Simmons must step it up. The Key I’ll go with the defensive line. They must put pressure on opposing quarterbacks to help the mediocre secondary. If they don’t, Houston will be looking at a sixth straight losing season… |
