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Who Will Win The AFC SOUTH For 2014 Season?


Mike75
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Who Will Win The AFC SOUTH For 2014 Season?  

4 members have voted

  1. 1. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Head coach Chuck Pagano General manager Ryan Grigson Owner Jim Irsay Home field Lucas Oil Stadium Record 11–5 Division place 1st AFC

    • Indianapolis
    • Tennessee
    • Houston
    • Jacksonville
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

 

Head coach Chuck Pagano

General manager Ryan Grigson

Owner Jim Irsay

Home field Lucas Oil Stadium

Record 11–5

Division place 1st AFC South

Playoff finish Won Wild Card Playoffs (Chiefs) 45–44

Lost Divisional Playoffs (Patriots) 43–22

Offense Rank-PTS 24.4(14th);YDS 341.8(15th);PASS YDS 232.8(17th);RUSH YDS 108.9(21st)

Defense Rank-PTS 21.0(9th);YDS 357.1(20th);PASS YDS 231.9(13th);RUSH YDS 125.1(26th).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Deion Branch, WR
  • Josh Lenz, WR
  • Lawrence Sidbury, DE
  • Aubrayo Franklin, DT
  • Pat Angerer, LB

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Hakeem Nicks, WR (formerly with New York Giants) – should start
  • Phil Costa, C (released by Dallas) – after signing contract, decided to retire instead
  • Arthur Jones, DE (formerly with Baltimore) – should start
  • D’Qwell Jackson, ILB (released by Cleveland) – should start

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Tauren Poole, RB (signed with Pittsburgh)
  • Donald Brown, RB (signed with San Diego)
  • Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR (signed with Pittsburgh)
  • Jeff Linkenbach, OT (signed with Kansas City)
  • Mike McGlynn, G (signed with Washington)
  • Ricardo Mathews, DE (signed with Houston)
  • Kavell Conner, LB (signed with San Diego)
  • Cassius Vaughn, CB (signed with Detroit)
  • Antoine Bethea, S (signed with San Francisco)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Tashard Choice, RB
  • Justin Anderson, OT
  • Samson Satele, C
  • Jake McDonough, DE

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

2nd Round: Jack Mewhort T Ohio State

3rd Round: Donte Moncrief WR Ole Miss

5th Round: Jonathan Newsome DE Ball State

6th Round: Andrew Jackson LB Western Kentucky

7th Round: Ulrick John T Georgia State

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Indianapolis Colts Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Andrew Luck

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Cory Redding

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Trent Richardson / Ahmad Bradshaw

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Josh Chapman / Ricky Jean Francois

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Reggie Wayne

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Arthur Jones

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

T.Y. Hilton

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Robert Mathis / Bjoern Werner

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR3

[/TD]

[TD]

Hakeem Nicks

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

Jerrell Freeman

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE1

[/TD]

[TD]

Dwayne Allen / Coby Fleener

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

D'Qwell Jackson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Anthony Castonzo

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Erik Walden

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Donald Thomas

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Vontae Davis

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Khaled Holmes

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Greg Toler

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Jack Mewhort

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

LaRon Landry

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Gosder Cherilus

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Delano Howell

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

Sept. 7 at Denver, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Oct. 5 Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Houston, 8:25 p.m.

Oct. 19 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m.

Nov. 3 at N.Y. Giants, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 9 BYE

Nov. 16 New England-x, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 23 Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Nov. 30 Washington, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 Houston, 1 p.m.

Dec. 21 at Dallas, 4:25 p.m.

Dec. 28 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

 

 

General manager Ryan Grigson's wheeling and dealing left the Colts without first- and fourth-round draft picks. The result is a rookie crop lacking potential first-year starters beyond second-round guard Jack Mewhort. Although the Colts remain the heavy favorites in the AFC South, questions remain on the interior of the offensive line, on the secondary and with the pass-rushing depth behind suspended All-Pro Robert Mathis.

 

Among Mewhort, Khaled Holmes and Hugh Thornton, two need to claim the starting center and right guard jobs, with Donald Thomas ticketed for left guard. Andrew Luck has faced consistent pressure up the middle since landing in Indy, and the run-blocking was an issue for the majority of last season.

 

The Colts never replaced departed free safety Antoine Bethea, which leaves special teams dynamo Delano Howell as the favorite over Sergio Brown, Corey Lynch and Colt Anderson. Howell seems to be a particular favorite of coach Chuck Pagano. Even with the addition of D'Qwell Jackson, run defense remains a concern after LeGarrette Blount enjoyed the game of his life in knocking the Colts out of the playoffs.

 

If interior blocking is a question mark, Luck can take solace in a dramatically improved receiving corps featuring the healthy returns of Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen and the signing of Hakeem Nicks. That improved depth is a problem for third-round pick Donte Moncrief, who will find playing time hard to come by as a rookie. With Wayne entering his age-36 season and Nicks signed for just one year, Moncrief is a pick for the future.

 

The Colts should cruise to their third consecutive postseason berth, but their roster still doesn't stack up to those of the Broncos and Patriots.Vegas released NFL season win totals for Indy at 9.5

 

 

 

TENNESSEE TITANS

 

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt

General manager Ruston Webster

Owner Bud Adams Estate

Home field LP Field

Record 7–9

Division place 2nd AFC South

Playoff finish did not qualify

Offense Rank-PTS22.6(19th);YDS336.9(22nd);PASS YDS218.5(21st);RUSH YDS118.4(14th)

Defense Rank-PTS23.8(16th);YDS337.9(14th);PASS YDS225.8(11th);RUSH YDS112.2(20th).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Rusty Smith, QB
  • Herb Donaldson, RB (Restricted)
  • Mike Otto, OT
  • Kevin Matthews, OL
  • Rob Turner, G
  • Zac Diles, LB

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Charlie Whitehurst, QB (formerly with San Diego) – will back-up QB Jake Locker
  • Dexter McCluster, RB/WR (formerly with Kansas City)
  • Michael Oher, OT (formerly with Baltimore) – should start
  • Eric Olsen, C (formerly with Pittsburgh) – roster depth
  • Al Woods, DT (formerly with Pittsburgh) – roster depth
  • Wesley Woodyard, LB (formerly with Denver) – should start
  • Shaun Phillips, LB (formerly with Denver) – roster depth
  • Marc Anthony, CB (released by Tampa Bay) – roster depth

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Kenny Britt, WR (signed with St. Louis)
  • Damian Williams, WR (signed with Miami)
  • Alterraun Verner, CB (signed with Tampa Bay)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB (signed with Houston)
  • Chris Johnson, RB (signed with New York Jets)
  • Kevin Walter, WR
  • David Stewart, T
  • Adewale Ojomo, DE
  • Rob Bironas, K

 

 

Coaching Changes:

  • Fired – Mike Munchak, Head Coach (now offensive line coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • Hired – Ken Whisenhunt, Head Coach (formerly offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers)
  • Fired – Dowell Loggains, Offensive Coordinator (now quarterbacks coach with the Cleveland Browns)
  • Hired – Jason Michael, Offensive Coordinator (formerly tight ends coach with the San Diego Chargers)
  • Fired – Jerry Gray, Defensive Coordinator (now secondary coach with the Minnesota Vikings)
  • Hired – Ray Horton, Defensive Coordinator (formerly defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns)

 

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Taylor Lewan Offensive tackle Michigan

2nd Round:Bishop Sankey Running back Washington

4th Round: DaQuan Jones Defensive tackle Penn State

4th Round:Marqueston Huff Safety Wyoming

5th Round:Avery Williamson Linebacker Kentucky

6th Round:Zach Mettenberger Quarterback LSU

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Tennessee Titans Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Jake Locker

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Jurrell Casey

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Shonn Greene / Bishop Sankey

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Al Woods

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Kendall Wright

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Ropati Pitoitua

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

Nate Washington

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Akeem Ayers / Shaun Phillips

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR3

[/TD]

[TD]

Justin Hunter

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

Zach Brown

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE1

[/TD]

[TD]

Delanie Walker

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

Wesley Woodyard

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Roos

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Derrick Morgan / Kamerion Wimbley

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Andy Levitre

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Jason McCourty

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Brian Schwenke

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Blidi Wreh-Wilson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Chance Warmack

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

Bernard Pollard

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Oher / Taylor Lewan

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Griffin

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

Sept. 7 at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Sept. 14 Dallas, 1 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Oct. 5 Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12 Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Washington, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 Houston, 1 p.m.

Nov. 2 BYE

Nov. 9 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Nov. 17 Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 23 at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Nov. 30 at Houston, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 N.Y. Jets, 4:05 p.m.

Dec. 18 at Jacksonville, 8:25 p.m.

Dec. 28 Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

 

 

The team as a whole should benefit from the improvement in coaching as Ken Whisenhunt replaces Mike Munchak who should've never been the head coach in the first place not to mention wasting three years doing it.The team won regularly with Jeff Fisher but out of three years were only able to get one winning season and no playoff berths under Munchak. It didn't help that Munchak also didn't have a very good network of coaching under him. There is improvement across the board in many places as far as the coaching here.

 

 

The offensive line is a strong suit on paper, but the coaching staff has to figure out what to do with Taylor Lewan after shelling out $9.5 million in guarantees for right tackle Michael Oher. There's talk in Nashville that veteran left tackle Michael Roos could be made available via trade. Chance Warmack,Brian Schwenke and Andy Levitre round things out.

 

Jake Locker is etched in stone as the Week 1 quarterback after the Titans waited until the sixth round to address the position.If Locker gets hurt again they will most likely turn to rookie Zach Mettenberger who had the strongest arm and was one of the most accurate QB's to come out of this years draft. Running back Shonn Greene's standing is less firm, though, coming off another knee surgery while second-rounder Bishop Sankey gets a chance to impress in offseason practices. Having signed Dexter McCluster as a passing-down specialist, coach Ken Whisenhunt will likely use a three-headed backfield as he did in San Diego last season.

 

The wide receiving corps has a pair of intriguing talents in 2013 breakout star Kendall Wright and future playmaker Justin Hunter. This offense needs Hunter to start making good on his immense talent in 2014. They also have Nate Washington who is the veteran of the group and has been in Tennessee going on six seasons.

 

This will be a year of transition for coordinator Ray Horton's 3-4 defense who is replacing Gregg Williams. The best player on the roster, Jurrell Casey, is being pushed from three-technique tackle to defensive end. Darnell Dockett struggled with the same switch under Horton in Arizona. Fourth-round pick DaQuan Jones should challenge Al Woods and Ropati Pitoitua for playing time on the interior. Horton figures to use a rotation at linebacker, with an odd mixture of holdovers and newcomers.They were able to get both Shaun Phillips and Wesley Woodyard in free agency. Bernard Pollard was the leading tackler last season and one of the vocal leaders of the defense. Last years third rounder Blidi Wreh-Wilson is penciled in as Alterraun Verner's replacement opposite Jason McCourty. The team has done a good job in replacing cornerbacks in the past as Verner was originally a fourth rounder and he replaced Cortland Finnegan who was a seventh rounder.

 

The special teams will be be better with Leon Washington and Dexter McCluster in charge of return duties.The team was 7-9 last year with three loses by a field goal or less and special team mistakes played a part in at least a couple of losses. Darius Reynaud and Devon Wylie were both responsible for the turnovers that played a direct part in the losses and both are now gone.

 

If the Titans are going to get better they need some of their of young starters to graduate to Pro Bowl level.Vegas released NFL season win totals for Tennessee at 7. The hardest part of the schedule is the first month with three out of the first four games on the road with all three road teams being teams that made the playoffs last season. No other team in the league starts out with a stronger schedule......

 

 

 

HOUSTON TEXANS

 

Head coach Bill O'Brien

General manager Rick Smith

Owner Bob McNair

Home field NRG Stadium

Record 2–14

Division place 4th AFC South

Playoff finish did not qualify

Offense Rank:PTS 17.2(31st);YDS 347.2(11th);PASS YDS 238.3(15th);RUSH YDS 108.9(20th)

Defense Rank:PTS 26.8(25th);YDS 317.6(7th);PASS YDS 195.2(3rd);RUSH YDS 122.4(23rd).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Deji Karim, RB
  • Greg Jones, FB
  • Ryan Harris, OT
  • Wade Smith, G
  • Earl Mitchell, DT

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB (released by Tennessee) – likely a back-up to whomever the Texans draft this year.
  • Andre Brown, RB (formerly with New York Giants) – roster depth
  • Ricardo Mathews, DE (formerly with Indianapolis) – roster depth
  • Paul Hazel, LB (released by Cleveland) - roster depth
  • Jerrell Powe, DL (formerly with Kansas City) – could start or may just rotate in
  • Chris Clemons, FS (formerly with Miami) – should start
  • Kendrick Lewis, FS (formerly with Kansas City) – roster depth

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Ben Tate, RB (signed with Cleveland)
  • Lestar Jean, WR (signed with Minnesota)
  • Andrew Gardner, OT (signed with Philadelphia)
  • Earl Mitchell, DL (signed with Miami)
  • Antonio Smith, DE (signed with Oakland)
  • Terrell McClain, DT (signed with Dallas)
  • Bryan Braman, LB (signed with Philadelphia)
  • Joe Mays, LB (signed with Kansas City)
  • Darryl Sharpton, LB (signed with Washington)

 

 

Traded Away:

  • Matt Schaub, QB (to Oakland for a sixth-round draft pick)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Owen Daniels, TE (signed with Baltimore)
  • Willie Jefferson, LB
  • Evan Frierson, LB
  • Brice McCain, CB (signed with Pittsburgh)
  • Danieal Manning, S (signed with Cincinnati)

 

 

Coaching Changes:

  • Fired – Gary Kubiak, Head Coach (now offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens)
  • Hired – Bill O’Brien, Head Coach (formerly head coach at Penn State University)
  • Fired – Rick Dennison, Offensive Coodinator
  • Hired – TBD, Offensive Coordinator
  • Fired – Wade Phillips, Defensive Coordinator
  • Hired – Romeo Crennel, Defensive Coordinator (former K.C. Chiefs head coach)

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Jadeveon Clowney, Outside Linebacker, South Carolina

2nd Round:Xavier Su'a-Filo, Offensive Guard, UCLA

3rd Round:C. J. Fiedorowicz, Tight End, Iowa

3rd Round:Louis Nix, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

4th Round:Tom Savage, Quarterback, Pittsburgh

6th Round:Jeoffrey Pagan, Defensive End, Alabama

6th Round:Alfred Blue, Running Back, LSU

6th Round:Jay Prosch, Fullback, Auburn

7th Round:Andre Hal, Defensive Back, Vanderbilt

7th Round:Lonnie Ballentine, Safety, Memphis

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Houston Texans Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Fitzpatrick

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

J.J. Watt

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Arian Foster

[/TD]

[TD]

NT

[/TD]

[TD]

Louis Nix

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Andre Johnson

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Jared Crick

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

DeAndre Hopkins

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Jadeveon Clowney

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

TE1

[/TD]

[TD]

Garrett Graham

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

Brian Cushing

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE2

[/TD]

[TD]

C.J. Fiedorowicz

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

Brooks Reed

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Duane Brown

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Whitney Mercilus

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Xavier Su'a-Filo

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Johnathan Joseph

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Chris Myers

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Kareem Jackson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Brandon Brooks

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

D.J. Swearinger

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Derek Newton / Brennan Williams

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Chris Clemons

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

Sept. 7 Washington, 1 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

Sept. 21 at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Dallas, 1 p.m.

Oct. 9 Indianapolis, 8:25 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Nov. 2 Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Nov. 9 BYE

Nov. 16 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Nov. 23 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Nov. 30 Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Dec. 21 Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Dec. 28 Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

 

 

The Texans tipped their hand on Bill O'Brien's philosophy by drafting two impact defenders (Jadeveon Clowney, Louis Nix), an earth-moving guard (Xavier Su'a-Filo), a blocking tight end (C.J. Fiedorowicz) and a pile-driving fullback (Jay Prosch). As long as he has four backup quarterbacks and no obvious solution under center, O'Brien is going to run the ball with authority and play smashmouth defense.

 

Earmarked for the Willie McGinest role in Romeo Crennel's defense, Clowney will push Brooks Reed inside next to Brian Cushing. He should be joined in the starting lineup by Nix, who will fill the nose-tackle void left by Earl Mitchell's departure. We give Jared Crick the early edge to replace Antonio Smith opposite J.J. Watt. Free safety Chris Clemons is the favorite over Kendrick Lewis and Shiloh Keo alongside strong safety D.J. Swearinger.

 

Conversations between Andre Johnson and the Texans have been positive. Despite the franchise icon's reservations about going through a rebuilding a process, we expect him to be on the roster come Week 1.

 

The question is, who will be throwing passes to Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins? Ryan Fitzpatrick is the heavy frontrunner, but it's hardly a given that he will outplay Case Keenum in training camp and preseason action. Supplemental fourth-round pick Tom Savage is a long-term developmental project.

 

The offensive line should be improved with Su'a-Filo at left guard and a healthy Brennan Williams pushing Derek Newton at right tackle. The lack of a top-tier quarterback might hold the Texans back for another season, but they did an impressive job of reloading in the draft.Vegas released NFL season win totals for Houston at 7.5 and with the easiest schedule in the league i think they will get at least 8.....

 

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

 

Head coach Gus Bradley

General manager David Caldwell

Owner Shahid Khan

Home field EverBank Field

Record 4–12

Division place 3rd AFC South

Playoff finish did not qualify

Offense Rank-PTS 15.4(32nd);YDS 293.8(31st);PASS YDS 215.1(22nd);RUSH YDS 78.8(31st)

Defense Rank-PTS 28.1(28th);YDS 379.4(27th);PASS YDS 247.6(25th);RUSH YDS 131.8(29th).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Brandon Deaderick, DT
  • Kyle Love, DT

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Toby Gerhart, RB (formerly with Minnesota) – should start
  • Tandon Doss, WR (formerly with Baltimore) – will fight for kick return duties with Ace Sanders.
  • Zane Beadles, G (formerly with Denver) – should start
  • Ziggy Hood, DT (formerly with Pittsburgh) – roster depth
  • Red Bryant, DE (released by Seattle) – should start
  • Chris Clemons, DE (released by Seattle) - should start
  • Dekoda Watson, LB (formerly with Tampa Bay) - should start

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Maurice Jones-Drew, RB (signed with Oakland)
  • Taylor Price, WR (signed with Seattle)
  • Allen Reisner, TE (signed with Minnesota)
  • Dwight Lowery, DB (signed with Atlanta)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Justin Forsett, RB (signed with Baltimore)
  • Delone Carter, RB
  • Jeremy Ebert, WR
  • Brad Meester, C (retired)
  • Uche Nwaneri, G
  • Will Rackley, G (signed with Baltimore)

 

 

Traded Away:

  • Blaine Gabbert, QB (to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick)

 

 

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Blake Bortles Quarterback UCF

2nd Round:Marqise Lee Wide receiver USC

2nd Round:Allen Robinson Wide receiver Penn State

3rd Round:Brandon Linder Guard Miami (FL)

4th Round:Aaron Colvin Cornerback Oklahoma

5th Round:Telvin Smith Linebacker Florida State

5th Round:Chris Smith Defensive End Arkansas

6th Round:Luke Bowanko Center Virginia

7th Round:Storm Johnson Running Back UCF

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Jacksonville Jaguars Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Chad Henne

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Chris Clemons / Jason Babin

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Toby Gerhart

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Sen'Derrick Marks

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Cecil Shorts

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Red Bryant

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

Marqise Lee

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Tyson Alualu / Ziggy Hood

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR3

[/TD]

[TD]

Allen Robinson

[/TD]

[TD]

SLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Dekoda Watson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE1

[/TD]

[TD]

Marcedes Lewis

[/TD]

[TD]

MLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Paul Posluszny

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Luke Joeckel

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Alan Ball

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Brandon Linder

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Dwayne Gratz

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Brewster

[/TD]

[TD]

CB3

[/TD]

[TD]

Will Blackmon

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Zane Beadles

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

John Cyprien

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Austin Pasztor

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Josh Evans

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

Sept. 7 at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Washington, 1 p.m.

Sept. 21 Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.

Oct. 5 Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19 Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 Miami, 1 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Nov. 9 Dallas (London), 1 p.m.

Nov. 16 BYE

Nov. 23 at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Nov. 30 N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 Houston, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Dec. 18 Tennessee, 8:25 p.m.

Dec. 28 at Houston, 1 p.m.

 

 

After using free agency to patch a few holes on defense, the Jaguars aggressively upgraded their offensive talent in the draft. While the team's brass has been adamant about sitting No. 3 overall pick Blake Bortles as a rookie, the passing attack added instant impact players in second-round wide receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson.

 

The revamped offensive line will have two new starters at guard now that third-round pick Brandon Linder is joining free-agent acquisition Zane Beadles on the interior. With 2013 No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel returning from a broken ankle, the blocking in front of Chad Henne and new three-down back Toby Gerhart should be much improved.

 

Former Seahawks stars Red Bryant and Chris Clemons have rejoined coach Gus Bradley, teaming with former Steelers first-round pick Ziggy Hood to add the necessary depth for a quality defensive line rotation.

 

The biggest questions on defense are at linebacker and in the secondary. Rangy fifth-round linebacker Telvin Smith stood out at rookie minicamp. He has the potential to displace Dekoda Watson or Geno Hayes in nickel packages.

 

NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock deemed fourth-round cornerback Aaron Colvin as good of a value pick as there will be coming out of the draft. He joins 2013 draft picks John Cyprien, Dwayne Gratz and Josh Evans in a promising young defensive backfield.

 

The futures of Bradley and general manager David Caldwell are riding on the Bortles selection. Otherwise, they've done an excellent job of upgrading a talent-starved roster the past two offseasons.Vegas released NFL season win totals for Jax at 4.5 and i think they will pass that they are better team now than last season.

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I think Indy will win the division this year but every other team in the division are getting better and i think this will be the last year Indy has what i'd call a sure thing. Houston already good on defense added Clowney plus Nix at NG and they will wreak havok on opponents only thing is they need a better QB to make the offense. Jacksonville has found their franchise QB in my honest opinion and i think Bortles will be a good QB they are trying to rebuild the offense which is why the drafted two receivers and a running back in the draft to go along with Toby Gerhart who backed Peterson in Minnesota. The defense in Jacksonville will be pretty good this season as head coach Gus Bradley former defensive coordinator of Seattle brings in former Seahawks Red Bryant and Chris Clemons. They also have Senderrick Marks who the Titans should've kept but didn't and Marks is one of the leaders on this Jags defense.Linebacker Paul Posluszny is another bright spot on the Jags defense as well. Vegas has it wrong Jacksonville will win more than four games this season i can guarantee that.Finally Tennessee i think Whisenhunt has them going in the right direction after Bud Adams asinine decision to make former offensive line coach Mike Munchak head coach after Jeff Fisher left three seasons ago. Well Munchak went 9-7 his first year and it was downhill the next two years after. Owner Bud Adams passed on and the team wisely decided to move on from Munchak and his underwhelming staff as well. There are weapons on offense and QB Jake Locker led them to a 3-1 record and fifth in QB rating with no interceptions before getting hurt last season. With Whisenhunt running the offense and Ray Horton running the defense the team finally has a decent head coach and staff for the first time in ages. In my opinion if Jake Locker doesn't cut it at the QB spot then rookie Zach Mettenberger will be given a shot. Mettenberger has completed 24 of 32 passes for 355 yards and a couple touchdowns not bad for a rook. DC Ray Horton has fielded good defenses in the past and Tennessee is going from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense under Horton.

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#Titans backup QB @mettshow leads all NFL QBs in passing yards during the preseason with 504.

 

#Titans QB Jake Locker is 4th in the AFC in passer rating (119.9) in preseason, in between Tom Brady (123.8) and Peyton Manning (110.1)

 

Adam Caplan ✔ @caplannfl Follow Mettenberger has looked best of all rookie QBs. RT @jwyattsports: #Titans QB @mettshow leads all NFL QBs in passing yards during the preseason with 504.

 

 

Titans could be kinger and Whisenhunt has them looking pretty good on offense. However the defense in Tennessee needs a lot of work.

 

 

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The Colts will win the division, but only because it's a weak division. They remind me of the Falcons, a team with nice skill position players, but weak in the trenches on both sides of the ball and a finesse team you can't trust the ground game. If Houston had a half decent QB, I'd say they could take this division.

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