AFC South preview
AFC South: Colts kept key components
This is the third of an eight-part series reviewing the offseason moves in the NFL. Today’s installment covers the AFC South.
By Mark Gaughan
- News Sports Reporter
Updated: 06/12/08 11:43 AM
The Indianapolis Colts had no noteworthy additions in free agency this offseason. Again.
Don’t, however, tell Colts President Bill Polian that his team had a lackluster offseason.
“I think we had a hell of a free-agency period,” Polian said before the draft. “Let’s see, we got Dallas Clark, we got Ryan Lilja. . . . Bob Sanders. That’s a pretty good free-agency crop by any measure.”
The Colts have done a great job of keeping their own players in the fold, which is a big reason why they will aim for their sixth straight season of 12 wins or more in 2008. The Colts set the record last year with five straight 12-plus win seasons.
Peyton Manning’s crew is the favorite again to win the AFC South, which looks like the best division in the NFL. Jacksonville could be a title contender. Tennessee and Houston both are playoff contenders.
Indianapolis Colts
Key gains: C Mike Pollak (Arizona State), TE Jacob Tamme (Kentucky).
Key losses: G Jake Scott (Titans), TE Ben Utecht (Bengals).
Breakdown: Coach Tony Dungy decided to return for another year. The offense was kept intact with the signings of TE Clark and G Lilja. Sanders, the league’s defensive most valuable player, re-signed at the end of last season. DE Josh Thomas (Orchard Park) was retained. Pollak and Jamey Richard of Buffalo were drafted to eventually replace C Jeff Saturday. The Colts are poised for another title run.
Questions: Can WR Marvin Harrison rebound from an injury- plagued season in his 13th year? And will the gun incident at his Philadelphia club be an issue? Is there depth at receiver? Who will step up to replace Scott at guard?
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key gains: DE Derrick Harvey (Florida), DE Quentin Groves (Auburn), WR Jerry Porter (Raiders), WR Troy Williamson (Vikings).
Key losses: DT Marcus Stroud (Bills), WR Ernest Wilford (Dolphins), DE Bobby McCray (Saints).
Breakdown: After losing twice to Peyton Manning in the regular season and then to Tom Brady in the playoffs, the goal was to help the pass rush, which ranked 18th. Otherwise, this is a strong all-round team. QB David Garrard was excellent in his first year as starter. The Jaguars are tough.
Questions: Can Harvey and Groves make an immediate impact as rookies? Can Jerry Porter regain his star form and be a No. 1 receiver? With Stroud gone, will depth players emerge to help DT John Henderson?
Tennessee Titans
Key gains: TE Alge Crumpler (Falcons), G Jake Scott (Colts), DE Jevon Kearse (Eagles), RB Chris Johnson (East Carolina), WR Justin McCareins (Jets).
Key losses: CB Pacman Jones (Cowboys), DE Antwan Odom (Bengals), DE Travis La- Boy (Cardinals), DT Randy Starks (Dolphins).
Breakdown: New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger (Broncos) reunites with coach Jeff Fisher to try to get more production out of QB Vince Young. However, the pass offense ranked 27th and the receiving corps got little help. Odom and LaBoy combined for 14 sacks. The Titans hope Kearse and some rookies can fill the void.
Questions: Will All-Pro DT Albert Haynesworth play like a monster under the franchise tag? Who steps up at receiver? The Titans think ex-Lions draft bust Mike Williams has a chance. Will Young improve?
Houston Texans
Key gains: T Duane Brown (Virginia Tech), CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys), LB Chaun Thompson (Browns), RB Steve Slayton (West Virginia), QB Quinn Gray (Jaguars).
Key losses: S Michael Boulware (Vikings), LB Danny Clark (Giants).
Breakdown: The Texans did not have many losses but also do not appear to have many key gains from an 8-8 team. New assistant head coach Alex Gibbs will bring the zone-blocking scheme he employed in Denver. Left tackle has been a problem forever in Houston. Kyle Shanahan, 28, is the youngest offensive coordinator in the league. The defensive backfield struggled last year. Reeves is better as a No. 3 man than a starter. CB Dunta Robinson will not be back from his serious knee injury until October, at the earliest.
Questions: RB Ahman Green has missed more games than he has played the last three years. Can he play? Is Steve Slayton a mini-Warrick Dunn? It doesn’t look like Mario Williams has much help in the pass rush.
Next: AFC West.
