Aug 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Daniel Herron (36) runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
One week before the 2015 regular season begins, here is a snapshot of the AFC South teams through the eyes of Sports Xchange correspondents covering each team.
Next week The Sports Xchange will analyze every unit on every team and project order of finish in each division
Teams here are listed in alphabetical order:
HOUSTON TEXANS
2014 RECORD: 9-7
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2
COACH: Bill O’Brien
2nd season as Texans
2nd season as NFL head coach
9-7 overall
–TEAM STRENGTH: Defensive line. The Texans’ defensive line, headlined by star defensive end J.J. Watt, is an extremely powerful group. Watt is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The Texans added veteran nose tackle Vince Wilfork this offseason to work in tandem with Watt and defensive end Jared Crick, who is entering a contract year.
–BIGGEST QUESTION: Offensive backfield. Quarterback Brian Hoyer was named the starter over Ryan Mallett, but played so badly in Cleveland last season that he was beaten out by Johnny Manziel at one point. Hoyer had a sharp training camp, but isn’t impressive physically. Mallett has a big arm, but is inconsistent. Third-string quarterback Tom Savage wasn’t part of the competition. Meanwhile, the running game is suffering without Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster (groin surgery), and Alfred Blue has replaced him as the starter.
THE PLAYERS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Brian Hoyer. Backups – Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters – Alfred Blue, FB Jay Prosch. Backups – Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard, Arian Foster (injured).
TIGHT ENDS – Starter – Garrett Graham. Backups – C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin.
WIDE RECEIVERS – Starters — DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington. Backups — Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Keith Mumphery, EZ Nwachukwu, Chandler Worthy, Damaris Johnson, Keshawn Martin.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Duane Brown, LG Jeff Adams, C Ben Jones, RG Brandon Brooks, RT Derek Newton. Backups — Xavier Su’a-Filo, Joseph Treadwell, James Ferentz, Matt Feiler, Chris Clark. Others: G David Quessenberry (backup, NFI).
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – E J.J. Watt, NT Vince Wilfork, E Jared Crick. Backups — Tevita Finau, Louis Nix, Jeoffrey Pagan, Dan Pettinato, Christian Covington, Brandon Deaderick, Fili Moala.
LINEBACKERS: Starters: OLB Brian Cushing, OLB Whitney Mercilus, ILB John Simon, ILB Mike Mohamed. Backups — Akeem Dent, Kourtnei Brown, Lynden Trail, Max Bullough, Carlos Thompson, Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Tuggle, Tony Washington.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Kareem Jackson, RCB Johnathan Joseph, FS Rahim Moore, SS Andre Hal. Backups — LCB Darryl Morris, LCB Kevin Johnson, RCB A.J. Bouye, Charles James, FS Lonnie Ballentine, FS Eddie Pleasant, FS Quintin Demps, FS Corey Moore, SS Kurtis Drummond.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Randy Bullock, P Shane Lechler, LS Jon Weeks, KOR Chandler Worthy, PR Damaris Johnson.
2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .418; Division .333; Non-Division .469.
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, KANSAS CITY, 1:00
Sept. 20, at Carolina, 1:00
Sept. 27, TAMPA BAY, 1:00
Oct. 4, at Atlanta, 1:00
Oct. 8, INDIANAPOLIS (Thu.), 8:25
Oct. 18, at Jacksonville, 1:00
Oct. 25, at Miami, 1:00
Nov. 1, TENNESSEE, 1:00
Nov. 8, OPEN DATE
Nov. 16, at Cincinnati (Mon.), 8:30
Nov. 22, N.Y. JETS, 1:00
Nov. 29, NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
Dec. 6, at Buffalo, 1:00
Dec. 13, NEW ENGLAND, 1:00
Dec. 20, at Indianapolis, 1:00
Dec. 27, at Tennessee, 1:00
Jan. 3, JACKSONVILLE, 1:00
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2014 RECORD: 13-6
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 6-0
COACH: Chuck Pagano
4th season as Colts
4th season as NFL head coach
36-18 overall; 3-3 postseason
–TEAM STRENGTH: If Indianapolis has a true team strength, it could very well turn out to be a deep group of wide receivers. The Colts have a top four of T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief and rookie Phillip Dorsett. Rookie Duron Carter and veteran Vincent Brown are also in the hunt for roster spots.
–BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Indianapolis’ offensive line ever develop the consistency and chemistry needed to, one, protect quarterback Andrew Luck and, two, help give the Colts a workable running game? Injuries and inconsistent play continued to dog the offensive line during the preseason, much as it has for the last two seasons. When the pass blocking is looking good, the running game suffers. And when Indianapolis shows some ability to run the football, pass protection has been lacking.
THE PLAYERS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Andrew Luck. Backups — Bryan Bennett, Matt Hasselbeck.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Frank Gore. Backups — Vick Ballard, Daniel Herron, Josh Robinson, Zurlon Tipton, Tyler Varga.
TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener. Backups — Jack Doyle, Sean McGrath.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson. Backups — Vincent Brown, Quan Bray, Duron Carter, Phillip Dorsett, Donte Moncrief, Griff Whalen.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Anthony Castonzo, LG Lance Louis, C Khaled Holmes, RG Todd Herremans, RT Jack Mewhort. Backups — G David Arkin, T Denzell Good, C Jonotthan Harrison, T Ulrick John, G Kitt O’Brien, T Joe Reitz, G Hugh Thornton.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Kendall Langford, NT Josh Chapman, DT Art Jones. Backups — E Henry Anderson, NT Montori Hughes, NT David Parry, E Earl Okine, E Kelcy Quarles, T Zach Kerr.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Erik Walden, Mike LB D’Qwell Jackson, Will LB Jerrell Freeman, RUSH LB Trent Cole. Backups — OLB Daniel Adongo, ILB Carlos Fields, ILB Amerlo Herrera, ILB Nate Irving, OLB Cam Johnson, OLB Robert Mathis, ILB Henoc Muamba, OLB Jonathan Newsome, ILB Junior Sylvestre, OLB Bjoern Werner.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Greg Toler, RCB Vontae Davis, FS Dwight Lowery, SS Mike Adams. Backups — S Colt Anderson, CB Jalil Brown, CB Darius Butler, CB Chance Casey, S Clayton Geathers, S Winston Guy, S Dewey McDonald, CB Eric Patterson, CB Sheldon Price, CB D’Joun Smith, CB Raymon Taylor.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Adam Vinatieri, P Pat McAfee, LS Matt Overton, KOR Daniel Herron, PR Phillip Dorsett.
2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .416; Division .292; Non-Division .491.
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, at Buffalo, 1:00
Sept. 21, N.Y. JETS (Mon.), 8:30
Sept. 27, at Tennessee, 1:00
Oct. 4, JACKSONVILLE, 1:00
Oct. 8, at Houston (Thu.), 8:25
Oct. 18, NEW ENGLAND, 8:30
Oct. 25, NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
Nov. 2, at Carolina (Mon.), 8:30
Nov. 8, DENVER, 4:25
Nov. 15, OPEN DATE,
Nov. 22, at Atlanta, 1:00
Nov. 29, TAMPA BAY, 1:00
Dec. 6, at Pittsburgh, 8:30
Dec. 13, at Jacksonville, 1:00
Dec. 20, HOUSTON, 1:00
Dec. 27, at Miami, 1:00
Jan. 3, TENNESSEE, 1:00
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2014 RECORD: 3-13
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5
COACH: Gus Bradley
3rd season as Jaguars
3rd season as NFL head coach
7-25 overall
–TEAM STRENGTH: Tight ends. Even with Julius Thomas out for nearly the entire preseason, this has been an area of strength for the Jaguars. Thomas looked exceptionally good during training camp until he was injured in the opener and there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue at that same pace when he returns. His absence has brought out the best of Marcedes Lewis, who has probably enjoyed his best training camp in his 10 seasons with the Jaguars. Beyond those two, Clay Harbor and Nic Jacobs have displayed flashes at times during the preseason to show that they can deliver when called upon. Harbor had three catches for 33 yards, including a 22-yard pickup last week, while Jacobs contributed two receptions for 39 yards — 15 and 24-yard gains.
–BIGGEST QUESTION: Will kicker Jason Myers prove to be another Josh Scobee? Myers will face pressure like he’s never experienced before. In college, he kicked for FCS Marist, which played in front of fewer than 5,000 fans for its home games. Myers completed his eligibility in 2012, did not kick in 2013 and saw limited action for two teams in the Arena Football League last year. How he will react when 60,000 fans are rooting against him on the road in pressure situations remains to be seen, as he has never kicked under such conditions. If he were to miss one or two early kicks, will that affect his confidence? Lots of unanswered questions surrounding Myers and the Jaguars kicking game.
THE PLAYERS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Blake Bortles. Backups — Chad Henne.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter – T.J. Yeldon. Backups — Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart, Bernard Pierce, Corey Grant.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns. Backups — Rashad Greene, Marqise Lee, Bryan Walters.
TIGHT ENDS: Starters – Marcedes Lewis, Clay Harbor. Backups – Julius Thomas (injured), Nic Jacobs, Ben Koyack.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Luke Joeckel, LG Zane Beadles, C Stefen Wisniewski, RG Brandon Linder, RT Jermey Parnell. Backups – T/G Austin Pasztor, C Luke Bowanko, G A.J. Cann, G Tyler Shately.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LEO DE Chris Clemons, DT Tyson Alualu, DT Roy Miller, DE Jared Odrick. Backups – LEO Andre Branch (injured), LEO Ryan Davis, LEO Chris Smith, DT Sen’Derrick Marks (injured), DT Ziggy Hood, DT Michael Bennett.
LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Telvin Smith, MLB Paul Posluszny, OTTO Dan Skuta. Backups — WLB LaRoy Reynolds (injured), MLB Jeremiah George, OTTO Thurston Armbrister.
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Starters – LCB Davon House, RCB Aaron Colvin, FS Sergio Brown, SS Johnathan Cyprien (injured). Backups — LCB Dwayne Gratz, LCB Nick Marshall, RCB Demetrius McCray, FS James Sample, SS Craig Loston, SS Josh Evans.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Jason Myers, P Bryan Anger, LS Carson Tinker, KR Denard Robinson, PR Rashad Green, KR Corey Grant, KR Nick Marshall, PR Bryan Walters.
2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .463; Division .458; Non-Division .466.
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, CAROLINA, 1:00
Sept. 20, MIAMI, 4:05
Sept. 27, at New England, 1:00
Oct. 4, at Indianapolis, 1:00
Oct. 11, at Tampa Bay, 1:00
Oct. 18, HOUSTON, 1:00
Oct. 25, BUFFALO (London), 9:30
Nov. 1, OPEN DATE
Nov. 8, at N.Y. Jets, 1:00
Nov. 15, at Baltimore, 1:00
Nov. 19, TENNESSEE (Thu.), 8:25
Nov. 29, SAN DIEGO, 1:00
Dec. 6, at Tennessee, 1:00
Dec. 13, INDIANAPOLIS, 1:00
Dec. 20, ATLANTA, 1:00
Dec. 27, at New Orleans, 1:00
Jan. 3, at Houston, 1:00
TENNESSEE TITANS
2014 RECORD: 2-14
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5
COACH: Ken Whisenhunt
2nd season with Titans
2-14 overall
8th season as NFL head coach
51-67 overall; 4-2 postseason
–TEAM STRENGTH: The Titans don’t seem to have a whole lot of strengths, coming off a 2-14 season, but one area where they appear to be strong is at tight end, where Delanie Walker leads the way. Walker had 63 catches a year ago. The Titans also have Anthony Fasano, a respected veteran, and Craig Stevens. who is back from a knee injury last season. The Titans also have Chase Coffman, Phillip Supernaw and Tevin Westbrook, all of whom have flashed in camp and preseason, and could be candidates for the roster (in Coffman’s case) or practice squad (Supernaw or Westbrook).
–BIGGEST QUESTION: There are plenty of questions about the Titans, but none seem bigger than what to do about the offensive line. For now, the Titans have band-aided the problem by moving veteran Byron Bell to left guard and inserting rookie Jeremiah Poutasi at right tackle. Elsewhere, the Titans feel good about recent first-round picks Taylor Lewan and Chance Warmack. Center Brian Schwenke must be more consistent and stay healthy, though.
THE PLAYERS
QUARTERBACK: Starter — Marcus Mariota. Backups — Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst, Alex Tanney.
RUNNING BACK: Starter — Bishop Sankey. Backups — David Cobb, Dexter McCluster, Antonio Andrews, FB Jalston Fowler, David Fluellen, FB Zach Boren.
WIDE RECEIVER: Starters — Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas. Backups — Hakeem Nicks, Dorial Green-Beckham, Justin Hunter, Tre McBride, Rico Richardson, Josh Stewart, Jacoby Ford.
TIGHT END: Starters — Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens. Backups — Anthony Fasano, Chase Coffman, Phillip Supernaw.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LT Taylor Lewan, LG Byron Bell, C Brian Schwenke, RG Chance Warmack, RT Jeremiah Poutasi. Backups — C/G Andy Gallik, G/T Jamon Meredith, G Andy Levitre, T Byron Stingily, C Gabe Ikard, G Josue Matias, G Quinton Spain, G Will Poehls.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters — DE Jurrell Casey, DT Sammie Hill, DE DaQuan Jones. Backups — DE Angelo Blackson, DE Ropati Pitoitua, DE Karl Klug, DT Al Woods, DE Mike Martin, DT Isaako Aaitui.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Brian Orakpo, ILB Avery Williamson, ILB Zach Brown, OLB Derrick Morgan. Backups — ILB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB Deiontrez Mount, ILB Justin Staples, ILB Zaviar Gooden, ILB Yawin Smallwood, OLB Andy Studebaker, OLB J.R. Tavai, OLB Kaelan Burnett
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Jason McCourty, FS Michael Griffin, SS Da’Norris Searcy, CB Perrish Cox. Backups — CB Coty Sensabaugh, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Cody Riggs, S Marqueston Huff, S Daimion Stafford, S Khalid Wooten, CB RiShard Anderson, CB Jemea Thomas.
SPECIALISTS: K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, LS Beau Brinkley, PR Dexter McCluster, KOR Jacoby Ford.
2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, at Tampa Bay, 4:25
Sept. 20, at Cleveland, 1:00
Sept. 27, INDIANAPOLIS, 1:00
Oct. 4, OPEN DATE
Oct. 11, BUFFALO, 1:00
Oct. 18, MIAMI, 1:00
Oct. 25, ATLANTA, 1:00
Nov. 1, at Houston, 1:00
Nov. 8, at New Orleans, 1:00
Nov. 15, CAROLINA, 1:00
Nov. 19, at Jacksonville (Thu.), 8:25
Nov. 29, OAKLAND, 1:00
Dec. 6, JACKSONVILLE, 1:00
Dec. 13, at N.Y. Jets, 1:00
Dec. 20, at New England, 1:00
Dec. 27, HOUSTON, 1:00
Jan. 3, at Indianapolis, 1:00
–Correspondents covering each team for The Sports Xchange contributed material for this report. Next week The Sports Xchange will analyze every unit on every team and project order of finish in each division
