In the third of Eight installments, I’ll look into the many position battles that are fought every off-season. Nothing in the NFL is guaranteed, from the contracts to a roster spot, which is why the NFL is so intriguing every year. For every Pierre Thomas and Miles Austin, long-shots for an NFL roster, there’s a Deuce McCallister or Marvin Harrison, former greats, that gets cut. So, on that note, we’ll take a look at the AFC South, where linebacker and receiver battles go deep and should be hard fought throughout the month of August.
Indianapolis Colts
Outside Linebacker
Bill Polian, the main roster decision maker for the Colts organization, has done a fantastic job of selecting defensive players later in the draft that end up being solid to above average starters. Guys like Kevlin Hayden, Bob Sanders, and Robert Mathis are why the Colts defense has maintained respectability over the past few years. Now, at outside linebacker, three solid players are fighting for two spots. Clint Session, 2nd year player from Pittsburgh, heavily contributed last year surprisingly, as he jumped to the starting lineup and displayed great tackling skills. Freddy Keiaho, solid veteran for the past few years, has shuffled between starting and spot duty in his time with the Colts. And finally, a guy who I think is the most talented, Phillip Wheeler, former standout at Georgia Tech, is starting to show his promising potential. He is a great blitzer and understands the coverage aspects of the Colts defense. Session should be set on one side, baring a set back in play, and Keiaho should just edge out Wheeler to start the season. But if Wheeler progresses as much as he is rumored to be, he could become a solid starter and a 100 + tackle for the Colts in 2009.
Houston Texans
Outside Linebacker
The Texans, since their start up, have really prided themselves on finding great defensive contributors. Guys like Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson, and Amobi Okoye have been young players who are emerging as the face of this potentially great franchise. In this past draft, they invested the 15th overall pick to once again help the defense, as they selected Brian Cushing from USC. Cushing, who I wasn’t as high on as others because I don’t see him being a playmaker, a poor mans AJ Hawk, but he still should be slated to start on one side, at least that’s what they planned. Recent later round draft picks Zach Diles and Xavier Adibi have shown promise when they’ve played, and could challenge either Cushing or for the opposite side. Also, recent free agent signing Cato June, who has years of starting experience, has been projected as the starter. I would think Cushing should be set on one side if he learns the defense, but Adibi and June should compete for the opposite side most of OTAs. I think June may win out due to experience, but look for Adibi to continue challenging throughout the season.
Tennessee Titans
Wide Receiver
The biggest question mark on the Tennessee Titans the past few years, since Derrick Mason left really, is who the go to receivers on the team are. Justin Gage emerged last year to help Kerry Collins have a solid season and lead the Titans to a playoff berth. But, he’s not a star receiver, and they will looking for help/upgrades. They signed Nate Washington away from the Steelers, who quietly became an instrumental piece on the Pittsburgh team, and he could blossom as a starter. They also drafted a 1st round receiver, something they have been laughed at for not doing the past few drafts, in Kenny Britt out of Rutgers. Britt is a little raw and inconsistent, but has the size, strength, and playmaking ability to be a number 1 receiver. Also, recent later round draft picks Lavelle Hawkins, Chris Davis, and Paul Williams have all shown signs of potential, and could prove to be great depth, if not starters. It looks as though Gage and Washington will be the top two guys, with Britt being the eventual replacement for Washington, in which case Washington will kick inside. Hawkins and Williams look like the real deal, and could start to get solid playing time, maybe eventually into the Top 3 or 4 receivers. Davis hasn’t shown much potential outside of a few good plays, and he could be odd man out, as the tight end loaded Titans may not carry 6 receivers.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Offensive Tackle
After losing Khalif Barnes in the off-season, the Jaguars were left with an aging Tony Pashos and no other real starters. But, they made a concerned effort to reload the position not only through free agency, but early and often in the draft. They signed Tra Thomas, former left tackle for the Eagles last season, after the Eagles released him as they traded for Jason Peters. Thomas is past his prime, but still a starting left tackle in this league for at least another year. Then, they took my second best player in last years draft, Eugene Monroe from Virginia, at pick number 7, who could have stepped in right away and assumed the left or right tackle spot. So, after it seemed they had solidified the position, they went offensive tackle again when they selected Eben Britton, from Arizona, in the second round. Britton was viewed as a solid 1st rounder and a sure bet to be a steady right tackle. So, to start camp and probably the season, it looks as though the veterans Thomas and Pashos should start at left and right tackle, respectively. But, by mid-season and definitely by 2010, the Monroe and Britton combo should take over and form one of the best offensive tackle duos in the league.
Wide Receiver
Similar to the Titans, the Jaguars haven’t had a solid receiver in some time, especially since Jimmy Smith, greatest receiver in team history, left. However, they managed to sign one of the best in the game in Torry Holt this off-season, former Super Bowl champ and future Hall of Famer. Holt still has 2-3 more great years ahead of him, so it was a great addition for a team most likely looking for one last gasp at the playoffs. However, outside of Holt, the team is lacking at receiver. The only notable receiver on their roster, outside of Holt, is Troy Williamson, former Minnesota Viking and major bust after being drafted 7th overall. The other three competitors have been drafted over the past two seasons later in the draft, and all three have special skills that could make them starters eventually. Mike Walker may be the most talented of the three, as he has great hands, runs routes well, and has the athletic ability to be a playmaker at times. Also, 2009 draft picks Jarrett Dillard from Rice and Mike Thomas from Arizona could compete. Dillard is one of the most consistent receivers to come out of college, as his hands and football IQ are through the roof. Thomas is very undersized (a shade under 5’9”) but has the speed, hands, and release off the line that could make him the 1st smaller receiver to really be a Steve Smith type player to come out in some time. It looks as though Walker is the favorite to land the starting job opposite Holt, while Dillard and Thomas switch at the slot position. And, unless Williamson learns to run routes or figures out how to consistently catch the ball, he should be odd man out and fighting for the number 5 spot on the receiver depth chart.
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