Keys to Training Camp: AFC South

Posted 7/22 by Jason Wood, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Houston Texans

Link: http://www.houstontexans.com
Location: Texans Practice Facility (Houston, TX)
Dates: July 26 - August 16
Open to the public? - Limited (see website for details)

OC Mike Sherman putting his mark on the offense – Last year, Mike Sherman was a special assistant. This year, he's the offensive coordinator and clearly has sway over personnel decisions as indicated by the acquisition of veteran RB Ahman Green. Sherman has the daunting task of pulling together a new RB, new QB, finding a productive WR2 and helping stabilize the team's offensive line.

How quickly will QB Matt Schaub take over the reins? – Schaub goes from Falcons backup to Texans starter and has the contract to prove it. How quickly can he adjust to his new surroundings, and most importantly build rapport with WR Andre Johnson and the rest of the WR corps.

What does RB Ahman Green have left in the tank? – Ahman Green is a 4-time Pro Bowler with six 1,000-yard seasons in the last seven. But he's 30 years old and moving to a team that's struggled offensively. Can he stabilize the Texans ground game and provide enough balance to allow a young passing attack to develop?

Who will line up opposite WR Andre Johnson? – Andre Johnson is a cornerstone of the receiving game, but will Kevin Walter grab the brass ring and earn a starting role? If not, will the team consider a veteran like Keenan McCardell as a stop gap? Or will rookie Jacoby Jones surprise and earn significant playing time?

Finding the right front five – It seems the every year the Texans are searching for the right five offensive lineman and 2007 is no different. Will Ephraim Salaam or Jordan Black or (the injured) Charles Spencer play left tackle? Can Mike Flanagan return to form after missing last season? Can Eric Winston solidify the RT position in his 2nd season?

(IDP) Will the defensive additions matter? – Rookie Amobi Okoye has massive upside, but given his age and inexperience, can he realistically make a difference this year? Will free agent LBs Danny Clark and Shawn Barber improve the run defense? Can the Texans find stability in the secondary?

(IDP) Does Mario Williams flourish as a full-time right end? – As a rookie Mario Williams was lined up all over the field in an attempt to create mismatches. The coaches have decided to anchor Williams at right end this year, in the hopes he can better use his instincts and become the playmaker they envisioned when drafting him 1st overall.

Indianapolis Colts

Link: http://www.rose-hulman.edu
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN)
Dates: July 29 - August 19
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Is RB Joseph Addai ready to shoulder the load? – Colts fans and fantasy owners will be zeroed in on Joseph Addai's performance in camp. No longer splitting carries with the departed Dominic Rhodes, Addai seems a good bet to build off his impressive rookie season.

Determining the RB2 – Entering camp the Colts have DeDe Dorsey and Kenton Keith as the principal backup running backs. Are the defending Super Bowl champs content to go with two unproven commodities, or will they be opportunistic in the free agent market if a veteran is waived elsewhere?

Can WR Anthony Gonzalez earn playing time as a rookie? – Ohio State rookie Anthony Gonzalez has an open path toward the WR3 role, which has fantasy value considering how often the Colts use 3-WR sets. The question is, doe she earn that role or is he awarded it by default?

(IDP) Can Freddie Keiaho replace Cato June? – Weakside linebacker Freddie Keiaho must step into the lineup and replace Cato June, arguably the Colts most productive linebacker over the last few seasons.

(IDP) Is Dwight Freeney going to share the wealth? – OK, maybe this isn’t really a hot button issue, but anytime someone signs a long-term deal with a $30mm signing bonus, it just seems wrong not to call attention to it. Freeney is now officially the highest paid defensive lineman in league history, and the Colts will count on him wrecking havoc for years to come.

(IDP) Can the revamped secondary rise to the occasion? – The Colts won the Super Bowl but face huge questions on the defensive side of the ball, not the least of which is the revamped secondary. CBs Nick Harper and Jason David are gone, and the team must establish a new pecking order in camp. Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, T.J. Rushing, Tim Jennings and Daymeion Hughes will wage a fierce battle this summer.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Link: http://www.jaguars.com
Location: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)
Dates: July 28 - August 9
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Installing the new offense – The Jaguars brought in Dirk Koetter, former ASU head coach, to revamp a Jaguars offense that lacked punch in the passing game. Koetter promises to implement a more vertical passing game while maintaining the commitment to the rushing attack that was among the league’s best last year. How will Koetter's style mesh with the talent at hand?

Is QB Byron Leftwich still the man? – Rumors that the Jaguars are interested in acquiring Daunte Culpepper won’t go away, but Byron Leftwich is saying and doing all the right things. His teammates are squarely in his camp, but that may not deter the Jaguars personnel executives from making a move. If Leftwich performs up to snuff and is healthy in camp, can he finally deliver on his considerable potential?

Defining the WR depth chart – The Jaguars have a plethora of wide receivers, but the depth chart is completely undefined. Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, once considered elite prospects, may not both make the team according to published reports. Veterans Ernest Wilford and free agent Dennis Northcutt are in the mix, as is rookie Mike Walker.

Splitting the workload between RBs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor – The Jaguars are in an enviable position of having an explosive pair of running backs. Will the team continue to give Fred Taylor more touches, or will Jones-Drew's explosive rookie numbers be enough to earn more playing time?

TE Battle: Wrighster vs. Lewis vs. Wiggins – The Jaguars haven't found a consistent playmaker at the tight end position but not for a lack of trying. Will Marcedes Lewis emerge after an uneven rookie year, or will free agent Jermaine Wiggins step into a role similar to his time in Minnesota? Does George Wrighster's 2-dimensional game mean he will beat them both out and start?

(IDP) Reggie Hayward return from injury – DE Reggie Hayward is the essential key to the Jaguars pass rush, and is returning from a torn Achilles. His progress in camp will give some indication about whether the Jaguars can play at an elite level defensively.

(IDP) Is Reggie Nelson the new playmaker? – The Jaguars unceremoniously cut Donovin Darius and will give rookie Reggie Nelson every chance to establish himself as a difference maker at safety. Will he get into camp on time and adjust to the NFL quickly?

Tennessee Titans

Link: http://www.gotitans.com
Location: Baptist Sports Park (Nashville, TN)
Dates: July 27 - August 22
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

QB Vince Young's progress as a passer – Vince Young burst on the scene last year and proved he could make plays with his feet just as he did in college. But his passing paled in comparison to his numbers at UT and must improve for the Titans to take another step forward. Reports have been extremely positive about Young’s preparedness this offseason, will that progress become apparent in camp?

RB Battle Royale: Brown vs. White vs. Henry (no, not that Henry) – The last names may be the same, but only two of the three runners return from last year. Unfortunately for Titans fans, the loss (Travis Henry) was also the best and his replacement (rookie Chris Henry) was considered the biggest reach of the April draft by many pundits. The Titans decision to bring back Chris Brown on a one-year deal casts a pall on hopes that LenDale White would emerge this year. Is there a clear cut workhorse in this trio, or will it be a true committee approach?

WR Battle Royale: Jones vs. Givens vs. Roby vs. Williams vs. The Field – OK, this has to be the most interesting and unsettled situation in the league. The Titans lost their top two receivers this offseason, and failed to entice Keyshawn Johnson into the fold. What’s left is a collection of unproven youngsters (rookies, 2nd and 3rd year guys) who will compete with last year’s free agent bust, David Givens.

TE Battle Royale: Scaife vs. Troupe vs. Hartsock – Ben Troupe has the pedigree, but injuries are a question mark. Bo Scaife produced last year, and Ben Hartsock comes in looking to earn a larger role than he had in Indianapolis.

(IDP) Lamont Thompson vs. Calvin Lowry at Free Safety – Thompson is the incumbent starter; Lowry is the promising 2nd year player who has stood out in OTAs this summer.

(IDP) CB Battle Royale: Griffin vs. Hill vs. Herndon – Nick Harper is a lock to start at one CB spot, but 1st rounder Michael Griffin and free agent Kelly Herndon will combat incumbent Reynaldo Hill for starting honors on the opposite side.