Breaking Down the AFC South

By David Snyder

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

(12-4) AFC South Division Champions; AFC Champions; Super Bowl XLI Champions

Noteworthy: The 2006 Colts were the first team in NFL history to go 9-0 through their first nine games in two consecutive seasons. Also in 2006 Manning and Harrison reached the 100 td mark as a duo, the first time this has happened in the league.

Key Additions: QB John Navarre (Cardinals); OL Rick DeMulling (Lions), WR Anthony Gonzales (Rookie), G Tony Ugoh (Rookie),

Key Losses: LB Cato June (Buccaneers); RB Dominic Rhodes (Raiders); CB Nick Harper (Titans) WR Brandon Stokley (Broncos); DT Montae Reagor (Eagles); DE Jonathan Welsh; DB Dexter Reid

Overall Strengths: The entire offense is a strength. They have finished in the top five of both point and yardage production since 2003. The strength in the trenches can be witnessed by the fact that despite the absence of franchise back Edgerrin James the Colts still ranked third in the NFL in offensive yardage. The addition of Anthony Gonzalez solidifies the wide receiver position with the possible retirement of Marvin Harrison closing in.

Overall Weaknesses: Run Defense. Anyone that thinks the problem has gone away just because the unit came together during the playoffs is wrong. The team is still undersized, which means they are fast and tough to throw on, but give up a ton of space through the middle.

Overall Season Outlook: The Patriots and the Colts are the teams to beat in the AFC. The off-season, however, has shown to be more productive for the Pats in terms of adding talent.

Jacksonville Jaguars

(8-8)

Key Additions: OL Tony Pashos (Ravens); WR Dennis Northcutt (Browns); TE Jermaine Wiggins (Vikings); P Tony Yelk (Falcons); S Kevin McAdam (Panthers)., SS Reggie Nelson (Rookie), ILB Justin Durrant (Rookie), WR Mike Walker (Rookie)

Key Losses: TE Kyle Brady (Patriots); S Deon Grant (Seahawks).

Overall Weaknesses: The obvious weakness on this team is the lack of a quality passing attack. The problem is both with the quarterbacks and the wide receivers. It does not seem as though this problem can be solved in a single season. The addition of Mike Walker might help, and the rumors of Daunte Culpepper's arrival couldn't hurt.

Overall Strengths: The defense under Jack Del Rio has always been a quality unit. The front seven is amongst the best in the league, with tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson being the heart of the unit. The addition of Brian Williams to Rashean Mathis in the secondary gave the Jags one of the best corner tandems in the league and helped get Mathis to the Pro Bowl. Now they have Reggie Nelson to add to the secondary. The depth of the unit will give Nelson some time to grow into the player everyone thinks he can be.

Overall Season Outlook: Unlike the Titans the Jags do not have a solid foundation to build an offense around. They have quality backs in Fred Taylor and Maurice Drew-Jones, but Taylor is aging and without a solid passing game a running game will not survive. If the Jags are to be competitive in the 2007 season they will need to rely on their running game, offensive line, and a strong defense. The Ravens played the strategy of a strong defense and a mediocre offense to a 13-3 record last year, so it is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Tennessee Titans

(8-8)

Noteworthy: The Titans had 29 sacks in 2007. This was the franchises lowest sack total since the Houston Oilers' 1972 season. The team was one win away from a playoff birth.

Key Additions: CB Nick Harper (Colts); S Bryan Scott (Saints); WR Justin Gage (Bears); LB Ryan Fowler (Cowboys), FS Michael Griffin (Rookie), RB Chris Henry (Rookie)

Key Losses: WR Drew Bennett (Rams); LB Colby Bockwoldt (49ers); WR Bobby Wade (Vikings); DT Robaire Smith (Browns). RB Travis Henry (Broncos); TE Erron Kinney; OL Zach Piller (Lions).

Overall Weaknesses: Besides Vince Young, the Titans have a serious deficit at the offensive skill positions. The running back core has been whittled down to Lendale White who showed up a startling 30 pounds heavier to off-season training. Chris Henry, the rookie out of Arizona, will try to help the running game. David Givens is the only quality receiving threat they have on the roster. The Titans have done nothing to get Vince Young targets.

The defense finished the season ranked last in the league. There are some bright spots on the team in the form of Bulluck and Hope, but the Titans must get a better sack number than 29 to be effective in their division.

Overall Strengths: The offensive line gelled together and gave rookie quarterback Young time to blossom. The addition of Kevin Mawae in 2006 gave the o-line the leader it needed. LT Michael Roos really came into his own in his second season, protecting Young's blind side. This unit returning intact assures a quality running game in 2007 if Henry and White can compliment each other nicely..

Overall Season Outlook: The Titans will have significantly more expected of them in 2007 than they did at the beginning of last season. They have obviously found their new franchise quarterback, although they did little to get him the weapons to make him successful.

Houston

(6-10)

Key Additions: RB Ahman Green (Packers); LB Danny Clark (Saints); OT Jordan Black (Chiefs); LB Shawn Barber (Eagles); DT Jeff Zgonina (Dolphins). Matt Schaub from Falcons, DT Amobi Okoye (Rookie)

Key Losses: LB Antwan Peek (Browns); DB Lewis Sanders (Falcons).

WR Eric Moulds; QB David Carr; RB Domanick Williams; OT Zach Wiegert; DT Seth Payne.

Overall Weaknesses: Line play has been the biggest weakness for Houston. Whether it is on the offensive or defensive side of the ball there is a large need for improvement. Not only are there issues with the starters in the trenches, but due to a lack of depth there are major concerns about injuries. The right step was take on defense in the draft with the selection of Amobi Okoye at number10. He is young, strong, and will build size up easily. He will compliment Mario Williams well, and should help increase the sack production this year.

Overall Strengths: The linebacker core made huge improvements led by Defensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans. Ryans led the league with 125 solo tackles. Morlon Greenwood added a career high of 83 tackles. With an improvement along the defensive line the line backing core will only get better.

Overall Season Outlook: The addition of Matt Schaub, although it makes sense, is not a guarantee. Ahman Green should add a new dimension to the offense that will benefit both Schaub in his first season as a starter and Andre Johnson. There is still a huge gap in talent between the Texans and the rest of the AFC South. There should be very little in the way of expectations this year for the young franchise.

David Snyder catches ideas floating around the world of sports at bigdaveonports.com

   _   _