Team Previews

Indianapolis

It seemed as though the Colts were going to be passing the baton to the Houston Texans after their Week 1 loss.  However, the Colts only lost one more game within their division and finished the season strong to win their 7th division title in the last 9 seasons.  If head coach Jim Caldwell wants to win another division title and possibly contend for a Super Bowl.  The Colts will need to fix two flaws from last year.  The 29th ranked rushing attack and the defense which ranked 20th in the NFL.  The run defense especially which ranked 25th.

One of the most amazing things to watch in football is how Peyton Manning can adjust to losing his best tight end, his best slot receiver, have no running game and still be the best quarterback in the NFL.  This year TE Dallas Clark is healthy as is WR Austin Collie.  Both were expected to have big seasons, but Clark’s wrist was broken early in the year and Collie was concussed for the last half.  The Colts had viable replacements in TE Jacob Tamme and WR Blair White.  Both should be able to contribute again this year. There’s still WR Reggie Wayne who is among the best in the game. WR Pierre Garcon had a down year, but expect him to bounce back.  Indianapolis brought back RB Joseph Addai whom they need to stay healthy for an entire year. RB Donald Brown had a disappointing year, but he did look more comfortable towards the end of the season with the offense.

Even though the Colts didn’t have the best overall defense, they were still adequate at rushing the passer.  That’s thanks in part to the duo of DE Robert Mathis and DE Dwight Freeney.  Both should be given more rest this year with the addition of DE Jamaal Anderson and an improved season from last years 1st round pick DE Jerry Hughes.  Adding DT Tommie Harris will help as well with the rotation of the rest of the tackles.  Namely Eric Foster who is the best pass rusher on the interior.  The Colts defense was greatly improved against the pass.  CB Jerraud Powers and CB Jacob Lacey have developed well in the Cover 2 scheme.  If S Antoine Bethea can stay healthy for an entire year both the pass and run defense will be improved.  Although the Colts will miss S Bob Sanders who left via free agency.  Look for LB Gary Brackett to have another stellar year and newcomer LB Ernie Sims to fit in perfectly with the scheme.

Houston

They had so many high expectations going into the 2010 season. Their only major flaw was the lack of a running game.  That problem was solved after their first game.  Unfortunately another flaw creeped up and that was their defense.  Specifically their pass defense which was the worst in the NFL.  Head coach Gary Kubiak hired defensive guru Wade Phillips to help fix the problem.  Phillips brings the 3-4 defense to Houston as well, but if it doesn’t translate to success on the field.  Kubiak might be on his way out.

Once again QB Matt Schaub put up tremendous numbers for the Texans.  Expect more of the same now that Houston has a great rushing attack to go with Schaub.  RB Arian Foster averaged nearly 5 yards a carry last year and had 16 rushing touchdowns. Defenses this year figure to stack against the run, but Foster is quick enough to find the hole and speed right on through it. Schaub still has probably the best wide receiver in football in Andre Johnson.  He has struggled to stay healthy for an entire season, but he still manages to play through most injuries.  If TE Owen Daniels can return to his full playing potential, the Texans will be able to score with the best in the NFL.

With a change in personnel on the defensive side, the Texans figure to be a more agressive defense this year switching to the 3-4.  It will be interesting to see how the change will affect LB Mario Williams.  He has played on the line his whole career, but Wade Phillips sees him as a DeMarcus Ware type in Dallas.  Williams will struggle in coverage, but Houston will find a way to maximize his pass rushing skills.  If LB DeMeco Ryans can return from an ACL injury the Texans defense will benefit greatly both in the run and pass.  Houston missed out on getting CB Nnamdi Asomugha, but they still signed a good corner in Johnathan Joseph.  He will immediately improve their pass defense and with S Danieal Manning the Texans defense will matchup better with the elite passing teams.

Jacksonville

Head coach Jack Del Rio is slowly turning the Jaguars fortunes around.  After a 5-11 season in 2008 the Jaguars have gone 7-9 and 8-8 in 2009 and 2010 respectively.  Last year saw the Jaguars competing with the rival Colts for the division title until they were defeated 35-24 by Indianapolis in Week 15.  Jacksonville lost their next two games, thus knocking them out of the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year.  The Jaguars were an active team in the offseason, but it will have to translate into a playoff appearance this year for the current coaching staff.

QB David Garrard had a nice bounce back season last year. Health will be a concern this year with him though.  Even though the Jaguars used their 1st round pick on QB Blaine Gabbert, the Jaguars are counting on Garrard to keep them in the hunt for the playoffs.  He will have one of the best running backs in the game with Maurice Jones-Drew.  Jacksonville will be using RB Rashad Jennings more often this season to lessen the load on Jones-Drew. Jennings was a pleasant surprise in spurts late last year. Garrard’s favorite target, TE Marcedes Lewis was a touchdown machine last season.  His production should continue to rise with his improved technique off the line of scrimmage.  WR Mike Thomas figures to be the top receiver.  He’s in the mold of a Steve Smith in Carolina.

Jacksonville revamped their linebackers in a big way this offseason.  They signed Paul Posluszny and Clint Session to long term deals.  The Jaguars hope they can help to bring back the Jaguars defense to prominence under Jack Del Rio.  Up front the Jaguars were disappointed with DE Aaron Kampman.  He struggled to stay healthy, but wasn’t as aggressive as in years past with Green Bay.  DT Tyson Alualu was exactly what the Jaguars hoped he would be in his rookie year.  Expect more of the same from him this year.  Jacksonville is going to stay the same in the secondary with CB Derek Cox and CB Rashean Mathis.  However, they brought in S Dawan Landry to help bring a new attitude and improve the pass defense.

Tennessee

There was one word to describe last years season; dysfunctional. Then head coach Jeff Fisher was at his wits end with QB Vince Young.  An ultimatum was made at the end of the season.  It was either Fisher or Young that would stay.  Both ended up going and Tennessee has to start from scratch.  Enter Mike Munchak.  The first time head coach will most likely play it conservatively on offense.  Choosing to rely on the teams proven rushing attack. However the defense will be in a transition period with some key members leaving to play elsewhere.  Patience will have to be taken in Nashville this year.

All the talk was whether the Titans would go with their 1st round pick, QB Jake Locker as the starting quarterback or sign a veteran. They signed a veteran, Matt Hasselbeck to man the helm until they feel Locker is ready to take over.  Hasselbeck is a proven winner and will greatly benefit the Titans offense.  If they can keep him on the field rather than in the training room.  If Tennessee can keep RB Chris Johnson happy by giving him a contract extension, then the Titans will have one of the best running games in the NFL. Johnson still had a great year considering the year before he rushed for over 2,000 yards.  WR Kenny Britt and TE Jared Cook will be counted on to have big seasons for the Titans.  If Britt’s off field troubles don’t affect him on the field Tennessee will finally be able to see why they used a 1st round pick on him back in 2009.

The Titans one strength on defense last year was their pass rush. With the departure of DE Jason Babin the Titans will have to count on DE Dave Ball to duplicate his production from a year ago.  Also last years 1st round pick DE Derrick Morgan will have a bigger role and must become an active pass rusher.  Tennessee lost their defensive captain LB Stephen Tulloch to free agency too.  Barrett Ruud will get a chance to fill that role, but it’s a different scheme than the Cover 2 one in Tampa Bay.  Look for rookie LB Akeem Ayers to have a good season.  He might even line up on the defensive line to take advantage of his pass rushing skills.  CB Cortland Finnegan is one of the best corners in football, but had a down 2010 season.  Whether he can return to his Pro Bowl form will determine their success in their pass defense.