Don’t give up on CJ, he’s only 26 and still has some good football left in him.
Today were are finishing up our two-a-days coverage in the AFC Sorth by previewing that Titans and Colts. Both teams will trot out young Quarterbacks who are looking to establish a name for themselves. How do these guys stack up against the Texans and Jaguars, two teams that we previewed yesterday? Let’s find out.
Next up, the Titans and the Colts. Let’s Go!
Titans
2011 – 9-7
Additions - G Steve Hutchinson, DE Kamerion Wimbley, DT Leger Douzable.
Subtractions – TE Daniel Graham, G Jake Scott, DE William Hayes, DT Jason Jones, CB Cortland Finnegan, SS Chris Hope.
Prospective – Last year it was about Chris Johnson, his contract and his quest for 3,000 yards. I wonder how that worked out for him? CJ1K reached the 1,000 yard mark but like so many running backs that get that last big pay day he was a shell of himself. Last year the Titans had the 31st ranked rushing attack and we mean “attack” very loosely.
We’re not ready to sell on Johnson yet though. He is only 26 so it is very possible he can have a comeback year but he will need solid QB play when teams put 8 guys in the box. Which brings us to Jake Locker.
Early word in Titans camp is that the QB job is Locker’s to lose. He will need to grab hold of it and take charge of this team. Last year Locker played in 5 games, had a QB rating of 99 and tossed 4TD’s and no Int’s. The Titans may be on to something with this guy. Wideout Nate Washington had a great year and really stepped up after Kenny Britt went down. If Britt can come back healthy and get his mind right he and Washington should be a good duo at wide receiver. Throw in tight end Jared Cook and the Titans look pretty good on offense. This will be Locker’s first season and coaches will have time to game plan him every week. This team will live or die by how he progresses. Hasselback will be a great veteran backup but you don’t want to have to pull your young QB once you make him the starter.
Defensively they took a big hit by losing Courtland Finnegan. All is not lost because they still have two very good players at the corner position. They were horrible last year in getting to the QB so they brought in Kamerion Wimbley a savvy veteran who averages about 7 sacks a season. They are hoping pairing him with last years team sack leader Karl Klung should address their lackluster pass rush.
At linebacker this group is physical and really good. They were able to keep both of their safties and continuity is always a good thing at that position.
Projection: This team can make some serious moves in this division especially if Britt and Johnson stay healthy and make plays offensively. The defense is solid enough and teams won’t over look them. I’m gonna say this is a 9-7 ball club again but I really think 8-10 wins is possible for this squad.
Colts
2011- 2-14
First the Manning era, now the Luck era …
Additions - QB Drew Stanton, RB Mewelde Moore, WR Donnie Avery, OT Winston Justice, C Samson Satele, DE/DT Cory Redding, NT Brandon McKinney, CB Justin King, SS Tom Zbikowski.
Subtractions - QB Peyton Manning, QB Dan Orlovsky, RB Joseph Addai, WR Pierre Garcon, TE Dallas Clark, TE Jacob Tamme, G Ryan Diem, C Jeff Saturday, C/G Mike Pollak, DE Tyler Brayton, DE Jamaal Anderson, DT Eric Foster, OLB Philip Wheeler, OLB Ernie Sims, ILB Gary Brackett, CB Jacob Lacey, S Melvin Bullit
Prospective – What this team has been in the past and what they were last season doesn’t matter at all. The Curtis Painter era is over and the Andrew Luck era has begun. From the outset it looks like the Colts got ride of everyone, but Reggie Wayne is still there and they are expecting a lot from Luck’s teammate at Stanford, Tight End Coby Fleener.
Luck will struggle because this team isn’t that talented offensively but he won’t turn the ball over a bunch and he will make good decisions with the football. Look for him to find Fleener a lot as a possible safety blanket because that’s what a lot of young QB’s do. Unfortunately the running back situation is bad and the offensive line unit is even worse. Colts fans should expect a good return on their long term investment but this year there will be growing pains.
Defensively they are rumored to be moving to a 3-4 scheme and i’m not exactly sure what that means for Mathis and Freeney. I saw an article that had them both listed as linebackers and this could be a really great thing or a really bad thing but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Elsewhere their corner play was bad and they have some young guys at linebacker. Again, this team is in rebuilding mode and not looking to go 13-3 this year. Consider this year a tryout for guys who want to be on this team long term.
Projection: This is still a bad team with a QB that will be very good. They are who they are. Luck will show flashes but he will go throw the same growing pains that Peyton Manning went through. I think Luck is good enough to get this team to five wins so 5-11 is my prediction for your 2012 Colts.
Original Story:
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August 10, 2012
