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AFC South

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004

HOUSTON TEXANS

Rookie CB Dunta Robinson's closing speed and ball skills will be enough to keep him competitive as he continues to get his technique up to NFL standards. Robinson was benched in the second half of the opener after he was beaten on two long pass plays, but he stepped it up in the loss to the Lions.... Moving OLB Kailee Wong from the left side to the right to make room for rookie Jason Babin looks like a good decision. Babin is stronger and a better fit on the left side, facing what is generally the strong side of offensive sets. Wong is more effective working away from the tight end because he can take advantage of his quickness. Switching sides has made Wong a force in the run ning and passing games. PROBLEM SPOT: RB Domanick Davis fumbled three times in 14 games last season; this season he has fumbled four times in two games. The fumbles appear to be the result of fighting for extra yards. He must correct the problem, especially because opponents will focus on making him fumble.--Carlton Thompson

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

WR Marvin Harrison must be patient. Teams are limiting his over-the-top chances by tracking him with a deep safety, and he has been held to an average of 8.4 yards on 17 receptions. But defenses will pay when they focus on him. In the first two games, WR Reggie Wayne had 42- and 44-yard receptions, TE Dallas Clark had a 64-yarder and WR Brandon Stokley a 45-yarder.... Despite the team's intention to keep RB Edgerrin James fresh, he had 51 of the 65 carries and 266 of the 308 yards by the running backs through Week 2. SCOUTING REPORT: Clark broke a leg last year as a rookie, so he has yet to play a full season, but he already is a vital component of this offense. He's more of an H-back than a tight end, and at 6-3, 252, he is a matchup problem. He's an outstanding receiver with good speed and can get yards after the catch. With a huge cap number looming over TE Marcus Pollard in 2005, Clark figures to be the primary player at tight end.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The defense is off to a suffocating start, yielding 16 points combined in two games. After giving up a touchdown in the first quarter at Buffalo, the Jaguars did not allow a TD in the next seven quarters. But losing LE Paul Spicer (broken leg), likely for the rest of the season, leaves the team thin at that spot. Rob Meier, who'll move from tackle to replace him, has been a liability at end. ... WR Reggie Williams, a No. 1 draft pick, had two catches total in his first two games and needs to produce. He's being overshadowed by WR Ernest Wilford, a fourth-round pick whose first two NFL catches went for touchdowns. PRORLEM SPOT. The running game hasn't gotten on track. RB Fred Taylor, who ran for 1,572 yards last season, was held under 70 yards in each of the first two games and shows little of the burst or cutback ability that made him dangerous. And LaBrandon Toefield and Greg Jones haven't stepped up. Poor blocking and a weak passing game also hurt.--Bart Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

Rookie Jacob Bell replaced LG Zach Piller, who is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing biceps surgery. Bell is a good athlete but needs to improve his technique. The team will miss Piller's physical play and nasty attitude.... As the replacement again for K Joe Nedney (hamstring, out for the season), Gary Anderson, 45, won't display ideal range. But he is extremely accurate from inside the 40 and is in better shape than he was in 2003.... The team would like rookie DT Randy Starks to explode upfield instead of getting caught flat-footed at the line. His spotty technique remains an issue, but he's improving. PROBLEM SPOT: The team has only four sacks and has had trouble generating pressure with its front tour. Rookie LE Antwan Odom is getting a lot of snaps but hasn't been effective, and rookie DE Travis LaBoy (concussion) hasn't played yet. RE Carlos Hall is the only end the team can rely on. Look for the Titans to blitz more against the Jaguars Sunday.--Jim Wyatt

AFC South

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004

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