Patrick Says: They have a difficult schedule. Their star QB is hurt for pretty much the first time in his career, but he’ll be ok by the regular season. If they don’t lose every one of their receivers this year again, I see them pulling the division out like they always do. That’s what the Peyton Manning Colts do, I’ll give them that.
Pete Says: As the media has recently revealed, the possibility of Peyton Manning missing a game is obviously a sure sign of the impending apocalypse. How the world will function with out the QB foil to (the superhandsome) Tom Brady might be the greatest mystery since “How did Antoine Walker actually spend 100 million dollars?” Needless to say, the Colts are actually a very good team even without Peyton Manning. That’s right, I said it. In fact, the Colts have the talent to produce top-10 seasons at all the offensive skill positions even if they miss out on Manning for a game or two. Moreover, they used their abbreviated offseason to sign defensive help like Tommie Harris and Jamaal Anderson.[1] Anderson may be past his prime, but Harris could wreak havoc lining up next to Dwight Freeney, Tommie just needs to stay healthy.
Patrick Says: They have a quarterback. They have a stud WR & productive RB. They have young talent on defense. They focused on defense in the draft. They missed out on Asomugha, but did sign Jonathan Joseph from the Bengals. I just can’t give them a 10 win season quite yet. They always seem to blow games they shouldn’t, and I am not convinced that Schaub is much more than a good Madden QB. Some are predicting this is their year to take it from Indianapolis, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Pete Says: Houston will be hot on Indy’s tail for the top of the division, especially considering they open the year against the Colts who might be without Peyton Manning for that game. Having a late-season bye (Week 11) and a rather favorable projection for their last 6 games, the Texans should be able to take advantage of these things even if Arian Foster is not entirely healthy. Even though he’s only played 22 NFL games, Foster projects to demolish the competition this year, and a solid running game will help hide how bad a quarterback Matt Schaub really is. The Texans have gotten away with running a spread offense that looks a lot like the ones you see during college football games because the lack of complexity is actually enhanced by the stunning athleticism at the skill positions. Like the Steelers and Jets, the Texans team remains pretty consistent: their biggest loss is probably fullback Vonta Leach, Gary Kubiak inexplicably returned as coach, and the addition of ex-Bear Danieal Manning to the defensive backfield might allow Houston to set a world record for missed tackles. Bet the over every week and the over for Houston’s win total (9) and you will be able to throw a killer watch party for the Texans’ first round playoff exit.
Patrick Says: Another shaky QB situation in Jacksonville, as Garrard is on his way out as a legitimate NFL starter so the team drafted Blaine Gabbert. Their offense revolves around MJD, which is not bad, but that’s not going to win a division. And their defense surely won’t. Just try to avoid the “moving to LA” talk.
Pete Says: The Jaguars biffed on drafting Tim Tebow last year so to make up for it (since they were obviously the only ones who didn’t think Tim Tebow playing pro ball in Florida could sell tickets) they took Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert, like almost all other QBs from this year’s draft (Andy Dalton excluded), has a set of sills with discernable holes. He is not a better player than David Garrard. Maurice Jones-Drew is (supposedly) healthy, but the wideouts and defensive core are still shaky. The Jaguars’ schedule is also rather unforgiving, so a 6 or 7 win season is likely best-case scenario.
Patrick Says: Another AFC South team in transition. Jeff Fisher is gone. So are Kerry Collins & Vince Young (ok, that might be a good thing). Chris Johnson is holding out. Matt Hasselbeck is bald. Jake Locker couldn't complete 55 % of his passes in college. Can you say, “rebuilding year”? See if you can put an NFL team together by the time Peyton Manning retires, how about that.
Pete Says: Chris Johnson’s holdout and resultant missed preseason games are actually the least of Tennessee’s worries. The departure of Jeff Fisher and any semblance of good defenders (other than middle linebacker Barrett Ruud and professional antagonist Cortland Finnegan) has withered a formerly formidable Titan’s defense. The fact that Tennessee was able to improve their quarterback situation with the signing of a 35 year-old Matt Hasselbeck is alternate parts sad and funny, but it is actually good news for 8th overall pick Jake Locker. Regardless of his completion percentage issues, he has the possibility of becoming a very good pro quarterback. In fact, there are knowledgeable scouts that compare Locker’s potential to that of a certain Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle QB of the late ‘80s. In case you’re wondering, Brett Favre’s collegiate completion percentage was 52.4%. Potential aside, though, the Titans will need much better weapons at receiver if they hope to return to playoff contention. Nate Washington is inconsistent and Kenny Britt is obviously insane, so it should be an interesting year in Nashville. I’ve said it before multiple times, but teams with continuity issues aren’t getting the benefit of the doubt this year and that’s why I have Tennessee brining up the rear in the AFC South.
[1] A move that Mike Lombardi criticized (!) on the 8/31 edition of the B.S. Report. Lombardi’s criticism confused me, as I thought the point of free agency was to get better at positions where you needed help. But what do I know, I was never a Raiders GM who lucked into one of Rich Gannon’s two good years en route to a Super Bowl loss.
Funny thing, Tommie Harris was cut by Indianapolis, so apparently Mike Lombardi knew something we didn't. Also, I have heard the Locerk/Favre comparisons from none other than Lombardi, I believe. I am not totally down on Locker, I just don't think you can throw him right in like teams seem to think they can do these days. The signing of Hasselbeck should tide them over until Locker is ready.
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