1. INDIANPOLIS COLTS 3 KEYS ENTERING 2008
1. GET HEALTHY: The Colts are good enough to get to Tampa if they get their pieces back healthy. With Marvin
Harrison ready to roll going into camp and Peyton Manning healing, Indy has a chance to resurrect their stature as the most
dominate team in the league.
2. DEFENSE MUST RESPOND: The Colts defense carried
this team until their epic collapse in the AFC divisional playoff game against the Chargers. Tony Dungy trusts his 4-3 Tampa
2 system and the pieces are in place for this group to become consistently dominant. Getting back a healthy Dwight Freeney
will also help.
3. THROW A CHANGE UP! With second year WR Anthony Gonzalez and rookie
TE Jacob Tamme, the Colts now will have the opportunity to open things up even more and create more match-ups. Ben Utecht
was a fine blocking option and better than advertised receiving skills but he limited what this team could do in terms of
using multiple bodies in different personal groupings.
IN THE END: Make no mistake
about it, the Colts are the second best team in the AFC behind the Patriots and if healthy, could be just as good. But for
the first time in a few years, there are question marks surrounding this team. Is Manning healthy? Will Harrison ever return
to his star form? When will Dwight Freeney come back? All must be answered for this team to be a lock to get to get to Tampa.
With a new stadium opening, the future is bright thanks in large part to Reggie Wayne and Joseph Addai, but you need the veteran
pieces in place to make it a memorable first season in your new digs!
2. JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008
1. PASSING GAME: David
Garrard’s emergence solidified the quarterback position for the Jags while at the same time cementing their place as
contenders. For Garrard and the Jags to take the next step however, new additions Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson must give
this passing game the juice it has lacked the past few years. Both are enigma’s recently and you say Williamson has
been a bust. Either way, both need to step up and be viable down field options to complement what is arguably the best running
game in the league.
2. RUSHING THE PASSER: There is no question getting to the quarterback
has been an issue for the Jags. New DC Gregg Williams will take more chances, blitz more and try to create pressure. However,
you can’t blitz every down, all the time so it is imperative that rookie DE’S Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves
bring that element to this defense and veterans such as Paul Spicer need to step up their game to fit in. Not getting consistent
pressure may have cost this team a divisional playoff win against New England.
3.
RUNNING MUST KEEP CHURNING: There is question the jags make their money running the ball. Fred Taylor had a great 07 and he
must stay healthy and continue the trend in 08. If that happens, Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew could have their best season
as a combo.
IN THE END: The Jags made their presence felt last season and Jack Del
Rio and his staff preach a classic formula of running the football and playing good D. Now, the truth is, the passing game
wasn’t good enough and if it didn’t improve, this team couldn’t take the next step. Well the additions of
Porter and Williamson should help, but they’ll have to play the best ball of their careers in order for this passing
game to become championship caliber.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS
3
KEYS ENTERING 2008
1. FIND A NUMBER ONE OPTION AT RB: Last year it was supposed to be
Ahman Green but injuries shortned his season so instead Gary Kubiak and the offensive staff turned to Ron Dayne who is good
but not good enough to bring back. In his place, the Texans signed veteran Chris Brown a big, physical back who is talented
and a tough runner. Brown along with Green and rookie Steve Slaton will battle out for the starting spot. Slaton might be
the best fit because of how his running style will fit into Houston’s predominantly zone running system. Green will
start out as the front simply because of his contract.
2. MATT SCHAUB HAS TAKE THE
NEXT STEP: Matt Schaub has shown flashes of being a “great” starting NFL quarterback but between injuries and
poor decision making, he has yet to reach that level. If Houston is going to go from 8-8 to 10-6 and a playoff berth, they
will have to lean on Schaub.
3. DEFENSE MUST BECOME CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER: Texans
fans can talk about being a playoff team all they want but until their young and talented defense takes the next step and
plays better, they’ll be on the outside looking in. Getting CB Dunta Robinson back would go a long way in helping this
team get there.
IN THE END: The Texans are an intriguing team and are on the cusp
of being a playoff team. In order for them to realize that goal, they will need more from Schaub and their defense. The playoffs
are possible but this team is going to have to learn how to win consistently. If they do, they could sneak in as a five or
six seed in the AFC.
TENNESSEE TITANS
3 KEYS ENTERING
2008
1. GET VINCE YOUNG ON TRACK: Vince Young was supposed to continue the transformation
of the quarterback position last season but instead, he furthered the notion that this is a pass first league. Young’s
numbers are well documented, so I don’t need to repeat them. However, if he repeats last year’s performance, the
Titans won’t make the playoffs. Expect new OC Mike Heimerdinger to water it down more and play up Young’s strength’s
while pounding the rock like Jeff Fisher likes.
2. A NUMBER ONE RECEIVER MUST EMERGE:
The Titans need a viable number one passing option to emerge. The addition of TE Alge Crumpler should help but he could on
the downside of his career. Justin Gage sort of became the go-to guy at times last season but he’s not really anything
more than a number two option. Look for rookie RB Chris Johnson to get touches in space as the Titans tryt to develop him
into their big play guy.
3. DEFENSE MUST RETURN TO FORM: DC Jim Schwartz has always
been known for having one of the NFL’s most aggressive units but that wasn’t the case last season as this team
gave up big plays and failed to pressure the quarterback as expected. If the Titans are to get back to the playoffs, this
defensive unit must get back to balling like they use to. There is plenty of talent available with Keith Bulluck, Albert Haynesworth
and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Along with a healthy Jevon Kearse, this group should be able to get consistent pressure and force some
turnovers.
IN THE END: The Titans are a fringe .500 team at best and although there
is some talent on paper, there isn’t enough on offense for this team to scare anyone. Yeah Young will make plays but
it won’t be enough until someone emerges as a legit threat over the top. The only reason this team stay competitive
is coaching and a sound philosophy of running the football and playing good D!
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008
1. GET HEALTHY: The Colts are good enough to get to
Tampa if they get their pieces back healthy. With Marvin Harrison ready to roll going into camp and Peyton Manning healing,
Indy has a chance to resurrect their stature as the most dominate team in the league.
2.
DEFENSE MUST RESPOND: The Colts defense carried this team until their epic collapse in the AFC divisional playoff game against
the Chargers. Tony Dungy trusts his 4-3 Tampa 2 system and the pieces are in place for this group to become consistently dominant.
Getting back a healthy Dwight Freeney will also help.
3. THROW A CHANGE UP! With
second year WR Anthony Gonzalez and rookie TE Jacob Tamme, the Colts now will have the opportunity to open things up even
more and create more match-ups. Ben Utecht was a fine blocking option and better than advertised receiving skills but he limited
what this team could do in terms of using multiple bodies in different personal groupings.
IN
THE END: Make no mistake about it, the Colts are the second best team in the AFC behind the Patriots and if healthy, could
be just as good. But for the first time in a few years, there are question marks surrounding this team. Is Manning healthy?
Will Harrison ever return to his star form? When will Dwight Freeney come back? All must be answered for this team to be a
lock to get to get to Tampa. With a new stadium opening, the future is bright thanks in large part to Reggie Wayne and Joseph
Addai, but you need the veteran pieces in place to make it a memorable first season in your new digs!
2. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008
1.
PASSING GAME: David Garrard’s emergence solidified the quarterback position for the Jags while at the same time cementing
their place as contenders. For Garrard and the Jags to take the next step however, new additions Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson
must give this passing game the juice it has lacked the past few years. Both are enigma’s recently and you say Williamson
has been a bust. Either way, both need to step up and be viable down field options to complement what is arguably the best
running game in the league.
2. RUSHING THE PASSER: There is no question getting to
the quarterback has been an issue for the Jags. New DC Gregg Williams will take more chances, blitz more and try to create
pressure. However, you can’t blitz every down, all the time so it is imperative that rookie DE’S Derrick Harvey
and Quentin Groves bring that element to this defense and veterans such as Paul Spicer need to step up their game to fit in.
Not getting consistent pressure may have cost this team a divisional playoff win against New England.
3. RUNNING MUST KEEP CHURNING: There is question the jags make their money running the ball. Fred Taylor had
a great 07 and he must stay healthy and continue the trend in 08. If that happens, Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew could have
their best season as a combo.
IN THE END: The Jags made their presence felt last
season and Jack Del Rio and his staff preach a classic formula of running the football and playing good D. Now, the truth
is, the passing game wasn’t good enough and if it didn’t improve, this team couldn’t take the next step.
Well the additions of Porter and Williamson should help, but they’ll have to play the best ball of their careers in
order for this passing game to become championship caliber.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008
1. FIND A NUMBER ONE OPTION AT RB: Last year it was
supposed to be Ahman Green but injuries shortned his season so instead Gary Kubiak and the offensive staff turned to Ron Dayne
who is good but not good enough to bring back. In his place, the Texans signed veteran Chris Brown a big, physical back who
is talented and a tough runner. Brown along with Green and rookie Steve Slaton will battle out for the starting spot. Slaton
might be the best fit because of how his running style will fit into Houston’s predominantly zone running system. Green
will start out as the front simply because of his contract.
2. MATT SCHAUB HAS TAKE
THE NEXT STEP: Matt Schaub has shown flashes of being a “great” starting NFL quarterback but between injuries
and poor decision making, he has yet to reach that level. If Houston is going to go from 8-8 to 10-6 and a playoff berth,
they will have to lean on Schaub.
3. DEFENSE MUST BECOME CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER: Texans
fans can talk about being a playoff team all they want but until their young and talented defense takes the next step and
plays better, they’ll be on the outside looking in. Getting CB Dunta Robinson back would go a long way in helping this
team get there.
IN THE END: The Texans are an intriguing team and are on the cusp
of being a playoff team. In order for them to realize that goal, they will need more from Schaub and their defense. The playoffs
are possible but this team is going to have to learn how to win consistently. If they do, they could sneak in as a five or
six seed in the AFC.
TENNESSEE TITANS
3 KEYS ENTERING
2008
1. GET VINCE YOUNG ON TRACK: Vince Young was supposed to continue the transformation
of the quarterback position last season but instead, he furthered the notion that this is a pass first league. Young’s
numbers are well documented, so I don’t need to repeat them. However, if he repeats last year’s performance, the
Titans won’t make the playoffs. Expect new OC Mike Heimerdinger to water it down more and play up Young’s strength’s
while pounding the rock like Jeff Fisher likes.
2. A NUMBER ONE RECEIVER MUST EMERGE:
The Titans need a viable number one passing option to emerge. The addition of TE Alge Crumpler should help but he could on
the downside of his career. Justin Gage sort of became the go-to guy at times last season but he’s not really anything
more than a number two option. Look for rookie RB Chris Johnson to get touches in space as the Titans tryt to develop him
into their big play guy.
3. DEFENSE MUST RETURN TO FORM: DC Jim Schwartz has always
been known for having one of the NFL’s most aggressive units but that wasn’t the case last season as this team
gave up big plays and failed to pressure the quarterback as expected. If the Titans are to get back to the playoffs, this
defensive unit must get back to balling like they use to. There is plenty of talent available with Keith Bulluck, Albert Haynesworth
and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Along with a healthy Jevon Kearse, this group should be able to get consistent pressure and force some
turnovers.
IN THE END: The Titans are a fringe .500 team at best and although there
is some talent on paper, there isn’t enough on offense for this team to scare anyone. Yeah Young will make plays but
it won’t be enough until someone emerges as a legit threat over the top. The only reason this team stay competitive
is coaching and a sound philosophy of running the football and playing good D!
