AFC South Training Camp preview

AFC South Training Camp preview...


AFC South...man this one is an interesting Division...Tennessee, Houston, and Jacksonville all trying to slay the Dragon that is the Indy Colts...




Indianapolis
You wouldn't think that the defending AFC Champs would need to do too much in Training Camp to get ready for another deep run in 2010...but the Colts are actually looking to get better (scary) this Training Camp...

Austin Collie TD

On Offense Clyde Christensen is the new Offensive Coordinator...Training Camp will be his chance to continue to develop young WR's Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, plus welcome #2 WR Anthony Gonzalez back from injury...even with their trusted Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore now in a different role with the organization there will not be any sense of panic, or worry, as there is sooo much talent on this team to catch the ball...

The running game however will need improvement...no team in the NFL had a worse running game then the Colts...the duo of Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, both former 1st round draft picks, have the potential to be a nice tandem...Mike Hart and undrafted Javarris James (Miami) will have a chance in Training Camp to show their skills in an attempt to add depth to this underachieving RB unit...


In the 2010 draft the Colts when heavy on defense...Training Camp will be a chance for Jerry Hughes (1st round Linebacker out of TCU) and Pat Angerer (2nd round - also a Linebacker out of Iowa) plus other rookies like CB Kevin Thomas (USC) and a trio of 7th rounders in Ricardo Matthews (DT from Cincinnati) Kavell Conner (another Linebacker - Clemson) and Ray Fisher (CB from Indiana) to show that they can add to this defense...Training Camp will also be a chance for 2nd year player Jacob Lacey to show that he can continue to be an asset in the Secondary...the Colts were an average to below-average defense in 2009


The Kick and Punt Returner spots are wide open and up for grabs in Training Camp...Rookies Ray Fisher and Brandon James will get an opportunity, as will 2nd year WR Sam Giguere and likely CB Jerraud Powers


Tennessee
Titans are looking to use Training Camp to build on the 8-2 finish to their 2009 season...the reins were handed back to Vince Young and the team flourished...the Defense was also a unit that did better and better as the season progressed...


The Offense will be using Training Camp to continue the development of 2nd year RB Javon Ringer...Ringer needs to show that he can provide a good option to give amazing RB Chris Johnson a rest here-and-there...

TE Jared Cook

Vince Young will use this time to further his developing relationship with 2nd year WR Kenny Britt...the Titans also drafted Damian Williams (3rd round out of USC) and he is solid...Young also has another up-and-coming threat in TE Jared Cook...Cook will pair with TE Bo Scaife to add to this Offense


On Defense 2nd year Defensive Coordinator Chuck Cecil will use Training Camp to try to improve the likes of DT Jason Jones, 2nd year player Sen'Drick Marks plus youngster William Hayes...it will also be the first look at draft picks Derrick Morgan ((#16 overall from Georgia Tech) and Rennie Curran (Linebacker taken in the 3rd round out of Georgia) who could both be contributors right away


The long search for a gifted Kick Returner may end in Training Camp where Damian Williams should be given a chance to be the guy


Jacksonville
The Organization will have their eyes on QB David Garrard as he is expected to improve on back-to-back 15 TD passes seasons...that # has to go up and the turnovers (Garrard throws picks and fumbles a lot) have to go down...


The running game is in good hands with Maurice Jones-Drew but Training Camp will be an opportunity for 2nd year RB Rashad Jennings to continue to improve and earn more playing time...rookie Deji Karim runs a 4.37 40-yard dash and will get a look in Training Camp as well


Training Camp will also be a chance for the continued development of WR Mike Sims-Walker who showed last year that he may be a #1 WR going forward for this organization...the Jags will also be using Training Camp to see if WR Troy Williamson can play to his potential for the first time since coming over from Minny in 2008...a key will also be the continued development of 2nd year WR Mike Thomas and perhaps Jarett Dillard

Tyson Alualu

On Defense Head Coach Jack Del Rio (certainly on the hot-seat) will be taking over play calling duties...that transition starts in Training Camp...Del Rio will need to use Training Camp as the starting point to improve the Jags horrid pass rush from 2009...this team averaged under 1 sack per game (yikes)...free agent Aaron Campman (Green Bay) will team with young DE Derrick Harvey, plus rookies Tyson Alualu (DE...#10 overall from Cal) D'Anthony Smith (3rd round DT from Louisiana Tech) and Austen Lane (DE...5th round from Murray State) will try to improve this poor unit...tackle-machine Linebacker Kirk Morrison (free agent from Oakland - in 5 years Morrison's lowest tackle total was his rookie year in '05 when he had 116) is a very consistent tackler and he is certain to upgrade the D...


In the Secondary 2nd year starter Derek Cox will be using his 2nd Training Camp to further develop his already impressive skills...any of Reggie Nelson, Gerald Alexander, Sean Considine, and likely Anthony Smith will get a chance to win starting Safety jobs...


On Special Teams rookie Deji Karim will be given an opportunity in Training Camp to win the starting Returner job with Jarett Dillard likely in the mix too...


Houston
For about the 3rd or fourth year in a row now beat writers for the Texans have been doing the ol' copy-and-paste from last season's Training Camp Preview to use for the current preview...story remains that this team is in the middle of the pack, and with a break here-and-there will finally earn their first playoff appearance...no lucky breaks in their favour will have them in their customary 7-9 win range...


New Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison will be using Training Camp to improve one of the worst running attacks in 2009...now this unit did experience a few key injuries on the Offensive Line, plus a step-back season for RB Steve Slaton...but the band is back together (healthy O-Line) and Slaton will be pushed this season by 2nd year RB Arian Foster, plus rookie Ben Tate (Auburn...Tate has some work to do to continue to sharpen his moves but he has a chance to be productive for Houston)...2nd year RB Jeremiah Johnson will also be in the Training Camp mix looking to earn playing time...


The passing game yielded a TON of success in 2009...to the tune of 291 passing yards per game - tops in the NFL...QB Matt Schaub (Pro Bowl in `09) was healthy and played a full season for the first time in a while...Schaub has a deep unit of WR`s to throw to...we know that Andre Johnson is a beast - top 3 WR in the NFL...plus veterans like Kevin Walter, David Anderson, and Jacoby Jones make this a deep unit...Houston also drafted WR Trindon Holliday (LSU) in the 6th round


With so many options to throw to the Texans will be using Training Camp to prepare QB Dan Orlovsky as he will be the back-up for Schaub if Matt goes down to injury...also in camp will be former USC QB John David Booty

Mario Williams

The Defense finished the season pretty well in `09...2nd year Defensive Coordinator Frank Bush will be using this Training Camp to try and further develop this unit...the key to this unit will be the health of DE Mario Williams...remember back to the 2006 draft when the Texans took Williams #1 overall instead of Reggie Bush...they said that if you are going to compete in this Division you need to able to put pressure on Peyton Manning or he will lead the Colts passed you every time...while a 9 sack 2009 would have been huge for some players, it was actually a step back for Mario...let`s see in Training Camp if he is back on the attack as a healthy leader for this unit...


In the Secondary the Texans will use Training Camp to see how best to utilize rookies CB Kareem Jackson (#20 overall from Alabama)and CB Sherrick McManis (5th round out of Northwestern)...Training Camp will also provide an opportunity for 2nd year CB Glover Quin to continue to sharpen his already impressive skills...young Brice McCain will also be looking to impress and earn more playing time...


On Special Teams a guy like rookie Trindon Holliday should get a chance to impress as a Kick Returner


Check out the AFC West and AFC East Training Camp previews (below)...soon to come is the AFC North preview, and then of course our look at the NFC Divisions...


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