2009 NFL Preview Part 5: AFC South

Straight in...

1. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Still tons of talent on the offensive end...Peyton is healthy...Reggie Wayne is an elite #1 WR, Dallas Clark is a top 3-4 tight end, and I'm a big Anthony Gonzalez fan...but the biggest improvement on that end? I really like what Donald Brown can bring at the RB spot... Joseph Addai seems to be a little worn down at this point, and we figure to get alot of Donald Brown and that's a good thing to me....the defense is the usual...slightly undersized and fast....Marlin Jackson, Dwight Freeney, Kelvin Hayden, Robert Mathis....all guys that fit the system perfectly and excel...and that's before I even get to Bob Sanders...who is always the key... Big fan of this team still under Jim Caldwell b/c Peyton is still there....
2. Houston Texans (9-7) - An elite offense... no question...Matt Schaub is a good QB when healthy, Steve Slaton is emerging (although I think he's a bit over-rated fantasy-wise, etc.)...and then you get to the freak Andre Johnson and the under-rated combo of Kevin Walter and TE Owen Daniels...love the explosiveness there....and the D has some elite talent also, Mario Williams is a pro bowler at DE, Amobi Okoye is young and a stud at DT, and Demeco Ryans & Dunta Robinson lead their units with high-level production....there are still some holes on the O-Line and injury concerns in the secondary and at QB...but 9-10 wins is realistic....
3. Tennessee Titans (8-8) - If the record doesn't tip you off... I think the Titans come back to the pack this year...Call me crazy but Kerry Collins doesn't inspire any confidence in me...and still no receivers to speak of....Chris Johnson is an elite talent at RB and Lendale White looks to be in shape....but that doesn't mean it's a good offense...it's one-dimensional...the defense is a year older, without Albert Haynesworth and corner Eric King, and they were absurdly lucky in close games last year....add it up and I see a regression....
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) - Alot of prognosticators seem to be back on the Jags bandwagon....I'm optimistic that they won't repeat their 5-11 record from last year...but they lost immense talent (Mike Peterson, Paul Spicer, Fred Taylor, Drayton Florence, and even Matt Jones)...and although I liked the Torry Holt signing...he isn't 2000 Torry Holt... the offense should be reasonably good depending on the health of MJD and David Garrard...Holt will anchor a has-to-be-improved receiving outfit....the defense has elite talent at places, but also significant holes at linebacker and safety....I'm not sold on the comeback, but they'll be competitive