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AFC south

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004

HOUSTON TEXANS

DE Robaire Smith does a good job of using his height (6-4) at the line. Even when he doesn't get to the quarterback, he can disrupt a play with his wingspan. He has deflected seven passes, and quarterbacks must account for him when scanning their passing lanes. ... With starting SS Eric Brown (knee) out and Glenn Earl nursing a sore hamstring, the team has turned to Jason Simmons, a cornerback by trade. Simmons is a student of the game who can play every position in the secondary and knows the responsibilities of every position on defense. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Texans don't have a bona fide pass rusher, so they seldom get to the quarterback with a four-man rush. They have to blitz to disrupt quarterbacks, but coordinator Vic Fangio was reluctant to call many blitzes early in the season because three rookies start on defense. Now that the rookies are more comfortable in the system, more blitzes are being called--resulting in more pressure.--Carlton Thompson

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The defense suffered a major blow when CB Donald Strickland (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve. Nick Harper has three interceptions and is rounding into shape after giving up too many big plays early, but Jason David and Von Hotchins are rookies--though David returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown in his first NFL start last Sunday. ... Backup DE Robert Mathis has been a difference-maker as a pass rusher--he has four sacks, including two last Sunday. Mathis (6-2, 235) might not be able to handle 50 plays a game, but he needs more than the 20 to 25 snaps he has been getting. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Offensive coordinator Tom Moore is using a three-wide receiver set more often. That allows him to get the most from the talents of Brandon Stokley, an ideal slot receiver and complement to Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Stokley draws single coverage and wins most one-on-one battles with big catches down the middle.--Mike Chappell

TENNESSEE TITANS

Third-year man Justin Hartwig, who learned to play center at training camp a year ago, continues to be a pleasant surprise in the middle. He has good hands, does a good job of reaching defenders, and his ability to see the field from the snap position has improved. Hartwig sometimes loses leverage, but his calm demeanor has been a plus. He never gets rattled in the face of adversity. ... The Titans signed former Cardinal Jason McAddley to help a wideout unit thinned by the loss of Tyrone Calico and the release of Jake Schifino. McAddley has good size (6-2, 200) and speed and could help the Titans stretch the field. Calico could miss the rest of the season after reinjuring his left knee in Week 4. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team is having more success running outside because RB Chris Brown is quicker around the corner than former Titan Eddie George. The Titans are taking advantage of Brown's speed with simple toss plays to the outside, and he has responded with a number of long runs.--Jim Wyatt

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The team had big expectations for RB Fred Taylor after he ran fur 1,572 yards last season, but Taylor isn't hitting the holes quickly, especially in short-yardage situations. He also hasn't shown the breakaway and cutback ability that once made him among the league's most feared backs. ... Rookie WR Ernest Wilford originally was expected to be a special teams player, but he already has worked himself into the team's receiving rotation. Wilford has long arms, an outstanding work ethic and a nose for the end zone. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Coach Jack Del Rio moved DT Marcus Stroud to left end against the Chargers in an effort to beef up the Jaguars' outside run defense, but the Chargers still ran for 176 yards. Still, Del Rio appears so determined to address the lack of depth at end that he won't rule out moving Stroud to the outside for the rest of this season. Stroud isn't happy about the switch, so the situation bears watching.--Bart Hubbuch

AFC south

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004

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