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AFC South

Sporting News, The, Nov 18, 2005

HOUSTON TEXANS

Dunta Robinson has moved from right cornerback to the left side, Where he played much of his college career, and Demarcus Faggins has moved to the right side. The Texans hope the move means Robinson will be matched up against top receivers more often. He was challenged little in the first half of the season; the team hopes he's now in position to make more plays.... Injuries to other players have pushed RG Milford Brown back into the starting lineup, and he has capitalized on the opportunity. He matches up well against physical defensive tackles because he's strong and able to hold blocks, but he struggles against finesse players. He has been solid as a run and pass blocker. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Texans have been starting drives with better field position, largely because of an improved return game led by rookie KR Jerome Mathis. He's among the league leaders with an average of 30.4 yards. Mathis, the fastest player at last year's Combine, uses his speed to burst through holes. He has great vision and can break tackles but is injury-prone.--Megan Manfull

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

A big reason for the offense's red zone success has been the running of Edgerrin James. He normally is a patient runner who waits for his blocks to develop, but when he gets the ball inside the 10-yard line, James hits the line hard and tries to power his way through a crease.... Robert Mathis is too small (6-2,235) to play defensive end in most systems, but his quickness makes him a perfect fit in the Colts' scheme. Mathis complements his speed with a relentless approach when he rushes the passer. He has become more of a student of the game by watching film of opposing linemen to get familiar with their blocking techniques. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Tony Dungy's defensive system is predicated on the front four's pressuring quarterbacks without needing help from blitzing linebackers. With the line doing its part--accounting for 24 of the team's first 26 sacks--everything has fallen into place for the back seven. The linebackers have been able to concentrate on dropping into coverage, relieving pressure on the secondary, which has been able to focus on keeping plays in front of it.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The offensive line has gone from being a headache to a strength since rookie LT Khalif Barnes became a starter in Week 4. Barnes has excellent size (6-6, 305) and quick feet, and he has adapted more quickly to speed rushers than anticipated. Barnes also has answered questions about his toughness; he's a tenacious blocker who isn't intimidated.... The team should have benched WR Reggie Williams in favor of Ernest Wilford a long time ago. That has become obvious based on Wilford's performance the past two games (234 total yards). Wilford isn't as fast as Williams but uses his 6-4 frame to regularly make plays. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Coach Jack Del Rio is using his preferred cover 2 scheme more often now that he's getting regular pressure from his front seven, in particular from LE Reggie Hayward. Del Rio learned under Colts coach Tony Dungy, who made the cover 2 popular with the Bucs, and Del Rio wanted to install the scheme when he arrived in Jacksonville in 2003. But a lack of pressure forced him to blitz more than he wanted.--Bart Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

Rookie CB Reynaldo Hill has proved to be such a playmaker while filling in for starter Andre Woolfolk (hamstring) that Hill will keep the job when Woolfolk returns. Hill has good speed, especially when the ball is in the air. He needs to improve in run support but hasn't been a liability.... DT Albert Haynesworth hasn't been dominating recently because of an injured knee, which has slowed him and hurt his technique. When Haynesworth (6-6,320) keeps his pad level low, he's nearly impossible to block. Haynesworth had improved at getting off the ball before the injury but has taken a step back since. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The offense is designed to control the ball with long drives, but that means it can't make many mistakes. That hardly has been the case. The club repeatedly has killed drives with turnovers and penalties. The Titans are one of the most penalized teams in the NFL, and some veterans on the offensive line have been guilty of multiple infractions. To get things going on offense, the club needs to cut down on its mistakes.--Jim Wyatt

AFC South

Sporting News, The, Nov 18, 2005

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