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AFC South

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

HOUSTON TEXANS

The offense continues to struggle in the red zone, but WRs Andre Johnson and Derick Armstrong eventually should help bring about improvement. Both are good on fade routes and contested balls. Also, RB Domanick Davis is a hard-nosed runner who can be effective reside the opponent's 20.... Rookie OLB Jason Babin, a converted end, has showed significant improvement since the beginning of the preseason. Babin's speed off the edge and his relentlessness will take him far. He also is a reliable tackler. But it's his pass-rush ability, that will define his success. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team has made it a point to acquire athletic offensive linemen so the offense can be more flexible. The unit's personnel now is suited to using a zone-blocking scheme, something the linemen couldn't handle the past two seasons. The line's athleticism is especially helpful on screen passes. C Steve McKinney and RG Zach Wiegert in particular are good at getting out and leading the way.--Carlton Thompson

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Though RCB Donald Strickland considers himself a natural safety and might double as a backup there this week if injuries keep the position thin, he doesn't have the size (5-10, 187) to play safety full time.... RE Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268) is a premier edge rusher, even though he, too, lacks prototypical size. His forte is speed. Freeney also is adding moves--he used a nifty spin against the Patriots' Matt Light to record a sack.... The team might push to sign free-agent QB Tim Couch to be Peyton Manning's backup if it determines Couch can recover quickly from a sore arm. With the Browns, Couch played in a system similar to that of coordinator Tom Moore. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Many of RB Edgerrin James' fumbles occur when he's fighting for extra yards. He often doesn't accept when a play is over. If James doesn't secure the ball better, Dominic Rhodes might replace him in goal line situations. Coach Tony Dungy doesn't tolerate turnovers, especially in the red zone.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

QB Byron Leftwich continues to downplay it, but the multiple injuries to his right (passing) hand are more serious than he is letting on. Although he threw the game-winning touchdown pass on the final play against Buffalo, his passes aren't crisp and his motion has changed to compensate for the pain.... MLB Mike Paterson was the workhorse of the team's defense last season, and it's obvious he will fill the same role this year. Peterson (6-1, 230) is undersized to play inside, but he makes up for it with speed, sure tackling and good instincts. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team realizes it will have to get creative to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks after releasing veteran DEs Tony Brackens and Hugh Douglas in the preseason. The team's solution is to have journeymen Lionel Barnes and Paul Spicer man the two end spots on first and second down, then move OLB Akin Ayodele to right end in obvious passing situations while replacing Spicer at left end with rookie Bobby MeCray.--Bart Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

The Titans won't use three-receiver sets much until WR Tyrone Calico (knee) returns. Calico, out at least another week, provides a deep-play threat. When he's out, the team will throw underneath more often to Derrick Mason and Drew Bennett.... RCB Samari Rolle sometimes goes unnoticed because teams don't throw his way much. He's athletic, it student of the game and a big asset against the run. His long arms help him in coverage, and he uses solid technique. He likes to bait quarterbacks into throwing the ball to a receiver who looks open, then burn them because he closes so well. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: DEs Carlos Hall, Juqua Thomas and Antwan Odom are speed rushers who try to beat tackles to the outside. But with quarterbacks adjusting and setting tip shallower in the pocket, the Titans also have tried to develop their inside moves. The team also thinks its ends will benefit from the inside push of DTs Albert Haynesworth and Kevin Carter, which could lead to sacks on the outside.--Jim Wyatt

AFC South

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

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