Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports
While other divisions have a few contenders to cinch the division, the Colts have clinched the division the most times and have the most playoff appearances. Even OTAs for the Colts are looking better than the rest of the AFC South. However, only time will tell if the Colts will continue their reign.
Houston Texans: The Texans certainly had an interesting set of OTAs from canceling day one due to the flooding coupled with the fact that they will be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Like many other teams, the Texans have a quarterback situation between Tom Savage, Ryan Mallett, and Brian Hoyer. Savage and Mallett were both returning from injuries while Hoyer was a pick-up from the Cleveland Browns. One of the biggest storylines last season was Jadeveon Clowney’s knee injury that took his rookie season away from him. Unfortunately, Clowney has not been participating in OTAs, but he should be ready to go for training camp. Since we’re already talking about defense, J.J. Watt impressed (as usual) as well as CB Charles James. James is a freak athlete and it shows how confident he is to how vocal he is. James is certainly going to be a great addition to the Texans. Veteran WR Nate Washington showed that he can still keep up with the young guys on the team. Washington’s wisdom as a veteran helps him to be able to guide the rookies and his general knowledge and abilities in the game aid him in being able to be open in unlikely situations.
Indianapolis Colts: After the Colts lost 45-7 to the Patriots, it was a disappointment for Colts fans and Patriots haters, but the Colts aren’t looking back; they’re looking towards the future and the future’s looking bright. Their losses are certainly what is fueling the defense and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky is making sure the solution is starting at OTAs. Manusky addressed the issue and made sure to say that communication was the problem before, but he assures that if the team can get on the same page, the defense will succeed. A few other keys to their defensive success are Clayton Geathers and Trent Cole. Geathers is a fourth-round draft pick from the 2015 draft and he is already receiving high praise and playing with the first teamers. With Robert Mathis’s injury leaving room for uncertainty, Cole is stepping up and LB coach Brad White noticed, “He’s got the ability that can play over a guard. He’s that strong. He’s got some position flexibility to him. He’s a professional. He works at his craft to this day”. In terms of offense, the Colts have no shortage of talent there from Andrew Luck, Donte Moncrief, T.Y. Hilton and most recently Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett is making an extremely good impression on the team and is already contributing a lot, especially with his freak athleticism, speed and good character. Dorsett is a great addition to the Colts already.
Jacksonville Jaguars: One of the biggest disappointments for the Jaguars during this offseason is the loss of Dante Fowler Jr, but Fowler is not losing confidence and neither are the Jaguars. As unbelievable as some may imagine it is, Blake Bortles is actually showing improvement. Bortles has improved on his timing, his throwing quality and general abilities. Along with Bortles, the offensive line is showing improvement too with the help of their new OC Greg Olson. Allen Robinson who missed some of his rookie season due to injury is adding another element to the offense even though his progress is slow and so is T.J. Yeldon, their second-round pick from the 2015 draft. The defense is also noticing the change in the offense and it’s helping them too, even with rookie James Sample’s injury. Sample sustained a broken arm last week which is allowing the defense a chance to restructure with only 4 healthy players at the moment. It’s going to be interesting to see how the Jaguars are going to balance the offensive line versus the defensive line.
Tennessee Titans: Obviously Marcus Mariota is one of the biggest names attached to the Titans since he was the 2nd draft pick and for good reason. Mariota is seriously impressing at their OTAs, most recently praised by receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. Jefferson had this to say when asked about Mariota, “He is deadly accurate…I am just giddy about his future going forward.No. 1, it’s his accuracy, No. 2, he’s come in and grasped the offense. And No. 3 is the way the guys respond to him, the way he’s able to go in that huddle and take control”. That is certainly great motivation for QB Zach Mettenberger who is also being praised, so that is going to be an interesting quarterback dynamic. Another standout for the offense is WR Justin Hunter. It was unclear if Hunter was even ready for the NFL after his last two seasons, but Hunter is starting to slowly prove them wrong especially with how closely he has been working with Mariota. The defense is slowly coming together as well especially with the addition of Dick LeBeau, former defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former San Francisco 49er Parrish Cox is making a big impact on the defense, even intercepting Mariota along with Zach Brown who was plagued with injury so his presence on the Titans field is a welcome sight. If the Titans can keep their players healthy and motivated, it’s going to be interesting to see how the regular season treats them.
GO COLTS, “THE GREATEST SHOE ON TURF”