Keys to Training Camp: AFC South

Posted 7/28 by Jason Wood - Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Houston Texans

Link: http://www.houstontexans.com

Location: Texans Practice Facility (Houston, TX)

Dates: July 31 - August 13

Open to the public? - Limited (see website for details)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/15 - @Kansas City (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - New Orleans (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/31 - Minnesota (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/04 - @Tampa Bay (7:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

How close to the vest will the Texans play it? - The Texans have remarkably few questions on offense and are more concerned with keeping their starters healthy than ironing out any new wrinkles. QB Matt Schaub, RB Steve Slaton, WRs Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter, TE Owen Daniels and all five starting lineman are all in place from last year, and should be even better this year if they can stay healthy.

Who is RB Steve Slaton's handcuff? - Steve Slaton destroyed expectations last year with a monster rookie season and is now the clear-cut work horse entering 2009 camp. But the Texans need someone to emerge as his backup and fantasy owners need to know Slaton's handcuff. Will it be veteran Chris Brown, or underused Ryan Moats or perhaps rookie Arian Foster?

Will the Texans get TE Owen Daniels signed long-term? - Owen Daniels is coming off back-to-back fantasy Top 10 seasons and is a monster in PPR leagues (70 receptions last season), but his status as a restricted free agent is a mild concern. Daniels signed his tender but the team is working toward a long-term deal in order to avoid any camp consternation.

(IDP) Will CB Dunta Robinson have a protracted hold out? - Robinson was unhappy with the franchise tag designation and has not signed it, threatening a lengthy hold out unless the Texans reward him with a long-term contract. Will his absence have ripple effects on the rest of the secondary?

(IDP) Who lines up on the weakside? - DeMeco Ryans is the monster fantasy star but the real camp battle will be who lines up alongside him at WLB. Xavier Adibi and Zac Diles have legitimate claims on the job, and veteran journeyman Cato June has been promised a shot too.

Indianapolis Colts

Link: http://www.rose-hulman.edu
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN)
Dates: August 3 - August 19
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/14 - Minnesota (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/20 - Philadelphia (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - @Detroit (1 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @Cincinnati (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Establishing the Jim Caldwell Era - As far as coaching changes go, this should be one of the least disruptive. Caldwell is a longtime Colts assistant and was publicly named the successor before Tony Dungy decided to retire. But OC Tom Moore has also retired (but will return as a consultant) and he's the only OC Peyton Manning has ever known. Caldwell needs to take time in camp to establish himself and his assistants amid a veteran group who know these guys in different roles.

How many carries will RB Donald Brown garner? - The Colts drafted the multifaceted runner to complement Joseph Addai and, quite possibly, start over him. Addai has had an up and down career as the starter and needs a huge camp to hold off the talented rookie 1st rounder.

Slotting the WRs behind Reggie Wayne - Anthony Gonzalez (57 for 664 yards) wasn't the breakout star many expected in 2008, but with Marvin Harrison gone, Gonzo HAS to be much better this season. As he assumes the WR2 role, the team must find a reliable WR3 out of the trio of Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Roy Hall.

Can fantasy owners count on PK Adam Vinatieri? - Vinatieri has enjoyed a great career but he's quietly been an inconsistent fantasy option of late. Hip surgery will sideline him for most of the preseason, and Shane Andrus will try to make a claim for the job in his absence.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Link: http://www.jaguars.com
Location: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)
Dates: August 2 - August 13
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/17 -@Miami (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/22 - Tampa Bay (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/27 - @Philadelphia (7:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 - Washington (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Who is going to spell RB Maurice Jones-Drew? - MJD is in line for a larger workload with Fred Taylor out of the picture, but it would be ill advised for the Jags to try to overload Jones-Drew with 300+ carries; which means someone has to emerge in camp as a reliable counter-punch Yet, the trio of Chauncey Washington, Alvin Pearman and rookie 7th rounder Rashad Jennings has more questions than answers.

Is WR Torry Holt still a #1 receiver? - The Jags are counting on Holt to augment a suspect receiving corps but will the 33-year old be able to match his elite career averages? If not, will the Jaguars offense be stifled yet again?

Who starts alongside Holt? - Mike Walker will get the first shot but to say he's been injury prone would be an understatement (23 missed games in two seasons) while Troy Williamson doesn't have the hands to credibly start for an NFL contender. Could one of the rookies: Mike Thomas, Jarrett Dillard or Tiquan Underwood vault to the top of the class?

Deciding on a starting five - The Jaguars were star crossed last season on the offensive line but things should be much improved this season. 9th overall pick Eugene Monroe will compete with longtime Eagle Tra Thomas on the left side, while 2nd rounder Eben Britton will push Tony Pashos at RT. The Jaguars want to decide on the starting unit quickly in order to build cohesion throughout camp.

(IDP) Is Sean Considine a lock to start at SS? - Sean Considine was a one dimensional part-time starter in Philadelphia but has looked good in the preseason for Jacksonville. Entering camp he's considered the odds on favorite to start, but will Gerald Alexander or Marlon McCree make a push?

Tennessee Titans

Link: http://www.titansonline.com
Location: Baptist Sports Park (Nashville, TN)
Dates: July 31 - August 26
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/09 - Buffalo (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/15 - Tampa Bay (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/21 - @Dallas (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - @Cleveland (7:30 PM Eastern)
9/03 - Green Bay (8:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Will the Titans change the relative workloads of RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White? - A lot of fantasy pundits believe Chris Johnson should be given more touches, and suggest he would be a Top 5 fantasy player in that scenario. Yet LenDale White was highly effective (15 TDs last season) in his role as the short-yardage hammer. Will the Titans change their roles, or will they live by the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

Have the Titans really improved the WR corps? - The Titans drafted Kenny Britt in the 1st round and signed Steelers WR3 Nate Washington, but are those additions really enough to call the unit improved? Washington must prove he's not out of place as a WR2 and Britt must bounce back from a rough start to the preseason.

Will TE Jared Cook displace Alge Crumpler? - 3rd round rookie Jared Cook has been wowing observers in OTAs and has the skill set to immediately push Alge Crumpler for the TE2 role behind starter Bo Scaife. But will HC Jeff Fisher be anxious to start a rookie on a veteran-laden contender?

Does QB Vince Young have a role on this team? - From Madden Cover boy to potential pariah in just two seasons, it's hard to fathom that Vince Young could fall any lower professionally. But another offseason of inconsistent and disconcerting comments has to raise the question of whether he needs a fresh start in a new city.

(IDP) Will the loss of DT Albert Haynesworth alter the fortunes of the Titans IDP studs? - Albert Haynesworth was the lodestone that made the Titans defense daunting, and his presence allowed the back seven more freedom to play aggressively. With his departure, will safeties Chris Hope, Michael Griffin and the LB corps make as many big plays?