2010 AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis Colts:
Colts fans should be excited for the 2010-11 season. After winning the AFC in 2009-10 Indy looks as talented as ever, just ask Peyton Manning. After winning his unequaled fourth MVP award in ’09 Manning gets another weapon back in Antony Gonzalez who missed the entire 2009 season with a Knee injury. Gonzo will join the All -Pros in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark along with the two biggest surprises of the previous season. Both Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie stepped into the toughest receiving role in the NFL with a breeze and became legitimate targets for Manning and legitimate threats to defenses. With all these weapons at his disposal Peyton could have a carrier year again. The defense returns all 11 starters and adds x-factor SS Bob Sanders and another pass rusher in Jerry Hughes. Sanders will give defensive coach Larry Coyer his run stopping eraser to play behind the multiple blitzes and stunts up front. While Hughes will join Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to form a three headed rushing monster at apposing QB’s. Even the long struggling return game has been given a boost by the addition of Undrafted Miami Hurricane Brandon James. The only hole in this team is the inability of the offence to run the ball with consistency and with center Jeff Saturday missing the preseason it could be even more of a struggle than anticipated.
Bottom Line: Indy was a half away from a perfect regular season and an interception away from another ring In Super Bowl XLIV. With the offense and defense getting back impact players from injury along with having the best QB in the history of the NFL, both of the near accomplishments should be a real possibility.
Bottom Line: Indy was a half away from a perfect regular season and an interception away from another ring In Super Bowl XLIV. With the offense and defense getting back impact players from injury along with having the best QB in the history of the NFL, both of the near accomplishments should be a real possibility.
2. Houston Texans:
Houston looked to have the talent to challenge the Colts last year. Unfortunately the Texans fell apart in both games against Indy as it seems they do every year, and missed the playoffs by a game. The kicking of Kris Brown lost a few games single handedly in more than a few situations. However the team did have its first winning season ever and looks to take the next step this year. Houston biggest strength is its explosive offence. Lead by QB Matt Schaub, Houston has finally found a franchise signal caller. Matt’s job is undoubtedly easier because of All-world wide out Andre Johnson, who had another career year consistently drawing and beating double teams. TE Owen Daniels emerged as a star as well before tearing his ACL in weak 8. He should be back to full strength and pair with Johnson to make the second best TE/WR comb in the AFC south. The biggest disappointment on offense was the running game, in particular Steve Slaton who coming off a monster year had his sophomore slump which included getting benched on multiple occasions. Houston thought they had fixed the problem by drafting Auburns Ben Tate. However after Tate was put on IR with a gruesome leg injury the Texans are back to ground zero, and it looks like Slaton may need to split time with Arian Foster to keep the chains moving. On the other side of the ball there is plenty of talent other teams would kill for. Unfortunately the defense has yet to mesh and become a great unit. Stars like DE Mario Williams and linebackers Brian Cushing and Demeco Ryans have had their flashes as individuals but cant play team defense when it matters. Part of the defenses problem was its terrible secondary. The Texans decided to attack this hole by first releasing long time CB Dunta Robinson who continued to get targeted by opposing QB’s. They then spent their first round pick on CB Kareem Jackson of Alabama.
Bottom Line: The Texans are another talented team that could make it to the super bowl or miss the playoffs. The offense is ready, but there is no arguing that in order for Houston to take the next step the back half of the defense has to step up
Bottom Line: The Texans are another talented team that could make it to the super bowl or miss the playoffs. The offense is ready, but there is no arguing that in order for Houston to take the next step the back half of the defense has to step up
3. Tennessee Titans:
In Nashville fans our witnessing something they haven’t had since Steve Mcnair garnered the Titan uniform. To some the relief of not having a QB controversy in camp has raised the expectations. But Vince Young and the Titans are still some steps away from late winter football. Sure Chris Johnson had 2500 yards from scrimmage but the passing attack only had one receiver over 550 yards. Tennessee did add big play man Damian Williams from USC who looks to be a Reggie Wayne like player , only time will tell if he can live up to that large comparison. Williams along with Kenny Britt and Nate Washington There is no way Johnson can carry the offensive workload again Vince throwing to Williams along with Kenny Britt and Nate Washington must be able to make plays to pull back the 8/9 man fronts that teams are going to through at the most explosive threat since Barry Sanders. Another problem that caused the let down from a 2008 13-3 season was the once stifling defense turned into a bunch of pushovers that couldn’t stop anyone. At one point during a season opening 6 game slide they allowed 34, 24, 37, 31, and 59 points and finished 28th in the league in points allowed. But fortunately for the franchise and the fans they showed promise of slowing teams down. In the offseason the team also added impact players to boost the squad including 4 of their first 5 draft picks. Players like pass rusher Derrick Morgan should pressure opposing backfields on a unit that struggled to in ’09 finishing twenty second in sacks. The secondary is athletic lead by FS Michael Griffin and CB Courtland Finnegan but is consistently exposed by the brutal scheduling of Indy and Houston twice a year. Bottom Line: I don’t think the front seven is young and fast enough to pressure Peyton and Schaub. If there is no pass rush Young and the offense will continue to play from behind and Chris Johnson can only do so much.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Jacksonville is an interesting team on paper. On offense they have one of the best running games in the league lead by Maurice Jones Drew. David Garrard is very under rated under center. And they have a big strong defense with one of the best line backer cores in the NFL, and what used to be a shut down corner by the name of Rashean Mathis. The thing that seems to continue to hold the Jags from winning football games is there extremely weak receiving corps and the need for their defensive play makers to make plays. If you watch the defense it seems there is something missing in crucial situations. I believe this problem has stemmed from the loss of Marcus Stroud in 2008. Before that Stroud, pared with John Henderson, to form by far and away one of the largest and most feared interiors ever. This road block lead to teams having to throw and CB Mathis, with his bump and run coverage, fed off knowing other teams were throwing. But after the teams first playoff win since 1999 the team dropped Stroud not knowing how valuable elite DT’s are in the league. Ever since the team has finished 4th in the division and Mathis had struggled playing the guessing game. The team tried to re fill this need by pulling one of the biggest surprises of the 2010 draft by taking DT from Cal Tyson Alualu. It was such a reach some questioned whether Al Davis was still in Oakland. Maybe he decided to retire in Florida. On offense MJD is the workhorse but the passing games struggles has allowed teams to stack the box. Receiver Mike Sims Walker offered a glimpse of hope last year with his elite speed size comb. But as everyone knows it takes multiple threats all over the field to be successful.
Bottom Line: Jacksonville has the talent to win now, they just need their passing game to become a factor in other teams game-planning and their defense to return to the form they once had with Marcus Stroud. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen with bonehead decisions like drafting Tyson Alualu.
Bottom Line: Jacksonville has the talent to win now, they just need their passing game to become a factor in other teams game-planning and their defense to return to the form they once had with Marcus Stroud. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen with bonehead decisions like drafting Tyson Alualu.