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AFC south

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004

HOUSTON TEXANS

DaShon Polk has made his mark with the Texans on special teams, and he showed he also can hold up against the run on defense when he replaced lib Jay Foreman (neck) against the Titans. Polk is in his first season with the Texans, but he played in a similar 3-4 scheme with the Bills. Foreman, who should return Sunday, is instrumental in making calls for the defense, but Polk at least is capable as a fill-in.... Marlon McCree replaces rookie SS Glenn Fad at strong safety in passing situations. McCree, who also is the top reserve at free safety, has decent range, good instincts and even better hands. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The offense needs to find a bigger role fore Billy Miller, who is coming off a strong outing in Week 12. Opponents have used a lot of cover 2 to try to take away the big play from the receivers, and they also have used their safeties to double-team WR Andre Johnson on the outside. Miller is a threat because few linebackers can run with him, and if he's making catches over the middle, teams can't be so liberal in dispatching safeties to help with the outside receivers.--Carlton Thompson

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The young secondary is getting its act together. Rookie CB Jason David is playing with confidence and consistency after struggling early, and third-year CB Joseph Jefferson has been a physical presence.... WR/PR Troy Waiters might make his first appearance of the season this Sunday after breaking his arm in the preseason. He won't play much as a receiver but should make an immediate impact as a punt returner-a position that needs a boost. Brad Pyatt and David have averaged just 5.8 yards on 14 returns. Waiters brings experience and explosiveness to the position. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Coordinator Ron Meeks finally is getting difference-making plays from defensive linemen other than RE Dwight Freeney. Freeney, with seven sacks, has been key, but second-year E Robert Mathis, who rushes from the left side in the nickel, has 10 sacks. With offenses forced to concentrate on the pressure coming from the outside. Ts Montae Reagar and Josh Williams and E Raheem Brock, who rotates to tackle in the nickel are facing single blocks. All are quick off the ball and relentless in getting upfield.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The injury-ravaged defensive line took another bit when starting LE Rob Meier was lost for the season with a broken fibula. Meier's injury is even more damaging because he provided valuable relief at defensive tackle, too. The team likely will start rookie Bobby McCray or Jason Gildon in place of Meier, although Gildon-a converted linebacker-would be little more than a stopgap.... Opponents have figured out that it pays to pick on CB Dewayne Washington, 31, who has lost more than a step and lacks the size to cover taller receivers. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: As much as coach Jack Del Rio likes to keep opposing offenses off-balance by mixing up his schemes, injuries and a lack of quality pass rushers have forced him to use cover 2 most of the time. Teams that use cover 2, a zone scheme in which the safeties both split the field in deep coverage, often are willing to give up gains underneath and challenge opponents to drive the length of the field without making a mistake. Del Rio would rather be more aggressive but doesn't have much choice.--Bert Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

After getting burned by big plays early in the season, LCB Andre Dysen has settled down and is providing solid play opposite RCB Samari Rolle. Dyson is relying more on his technique and less on guessing.... QB Steve McNair usually isn't affected when the weather turns bad because he has big hands that allow him to get a good grip on cold or slick footballs.... Backup second-year OT Todd Williams remains a work in progress. He is massive (6-5, 330) and has good hands but is very raw and gets caught out of position too often. Williams is slow off the ball because he's too worded about making a mistake. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The run defense has been hurt by not having LB Rocky Calmus in the middle. He missed nine games, then shifted to the outside because of an injury to Rocky Boiman. The coaches are pleased with how Calmus has adapted to playing over the tight end on occasion and with how he makes reads from both sides of the field. But his tackling ability and physical style are missed inside.--Jim Wyatt

AFC south

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004

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