AFC south

Sporting News, The, Dec 13, 2004

HOUSTON TEXANS

Losing starting ILB Jay Foreman (ankle sprain) for the rest of the season is a big blow. Foreman is a good run stopper and is an on-field leader. The team must decide whether to replace Foreman with special teams standout DaShon Polk or move ROLB Kallee Wong inside. Moving Wong would allow the Texans to get playmaking second-year LB Antwan Peek into the lineup.... The team's offensive line has improved as RT Todd Wade's ankle injury has improved. Wade (6-8, 325) is huge and difficult to move around. He is very athletic and is a good fit for the Texans' zone-blocking scheme because he moves well. Wade is a better run blocker than pass protector, but he's very good in both areas. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C. It has gone from explosive to barely average. Defense: D. The unit gives up too many big plays and doesn't consistently stop the run. Special teams: B. P Chad Stanley has been solid, but K Kris Brown is in a bit of a slump. Coaching: B. The staff has the team playing to realistic expectations. The playoffs can wait until next season.--Carlton Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The team's patience with third-year CB Joseph Jefferson is paying off. After battling injuries early in his career, Jefferson (6-1, 209) is showing his striking ability. He has started two of the past three games, registering 11 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. The team's future at cornerback will be bright if Jefferson continues to develop and Donald Strickland makes a full recovery from shoulder surgery that landed him on injured reserve.... The defense has been especially aggressive and opportunistic the past few games. Contributing to the turnaround is the offense's ability to jump out to leads. That enables the defensive line to concentrate on getting after the quarterback. The Colts had a season-high seven sacks on Sunday. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: A. QB Peyton Manning and RB Edgerrin James are at the top of their games. Defense: C. After a spotty start, the unit is generating difference-making plays. Special teams: C. Return and coverage units are just ordinary. Coaching: A-. The team won four games in 18 days, a testament to coach Tony Dungy's leadership.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Rookie WR Reggie Williams hasn't been making progress and is splitting time with Troy Edwards. There are concerns about whether Williams will develop into the playmaker the team needs to complement Jimmy Smith. Don't be surprised if the Jaguars draft another receiver high in April.... RB Fred Taylor's production increased when TE Kyle Brady (finger) returned. At 6-6, 278, Brady plays like a tackle in the running game. In the first 12 games, Taylor averaged 107.2 yards rushing when Brady contributed significantly and 56.2 when he didn't.... The team appears to have found a gem in undrafted rookie TE Brian Jones (6-3, 237), who has excellent speed and impressive leaping ability. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: D. With the unit's talent, there's no excuse for averaging fewer than two TDs a game. Defense: B . The pass rush is a problem, but the unit has produced. Special teams: A-. Pete Rodriguez was hired to revamp weak units and has succeeded. Coaching: C. Jack Del Rio's fiery personality has rubbed off on the team, but his game decisions often are baffling. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has to go.--Bart Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

WR Derrick Mason continues to be among the NFL leaders in receptions because of his ability to get open in tight spaces. Mason usually draws extra attention, but he knows where to be against man-to-man, zone and bracket coverage, when there's a defender on each side. The Titans want Mason to turn more of his catches into big plays.... FB Troy Fleming has been more involved in the offense in the second half of the season. His athleticism makes it tough for defenses to match up against him, and he's a good blocker. Fleming is sharing time with Robert Holcombe, but he'll probably become a full-time starter in 2005. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: D. The passing game has been inconsistent. Defense: C. Despite all the injuries, this unit has kept the team in games. Special teams: D. K Gary Anderson and P Craig Hentrich have been solid. The return game is embarrassing. Coaching: C-. The Titans have been decimated by injuries but should be better than 4-8.--Jim Wyatt