Charade over, Colts must supplement Luck
April, 19, 2012
Apr 19
10:36
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
It’s been a poorly kept secret for a long time.
But now, the Colts have finally informed Andrew Luck he will be the name called with the first pick in the draft, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
We’ve debated the value of not saying it would be Luck. Just Thursday, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said the team had decided, but he wasn’t ready to share.
It was his prerogative, for sure. But it seemed like a game intended to draw maximum attention to Indianapolis and to maximize the opportunities for owner Jim Irsay to hit us with cryptic tweets.
Luck is in the mold of Peyton Manning, and that No. 1 pick in 1998 worked out pretty well. Irsay and the Colts have long envisioned building the franchise, again, around a centerpiece pocket quarterback who will bring a combination of smarts and athleticism.
All indications are that Robert Griffin III is highly regarded, too, and is likely to have a great NFL career like Luck. But the same thing was being said about Manning and Ryan Leaf in 1998. Luck and Griffin will have to break with the typical odds for both to hit.
The Colts aren’t concerned with Griffin.
Luck’s their man. It’s official now. It’s time to maximize his resources and get this rebuild started.
Reading the coverage…
Houston Texans
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle sees the Texans going 11-5 this season, but you’ve got to scroll through a slideshow to see.
Bob McNair promoted two in the front office, including one of his sons, Cal McNair, says McClain.
A look at the defensive linemen in the draft from Sam Khan of the Chronicle.
Indianapolis Colts
“Come next Thursday night, the Colts will have their centerpiece in place. But what happens the following few days, in rounds two through seven, will go a long way toward establishing how quickly the rebuilding process will proceed,” says Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.
Many players feel like they are starting over with the new coaching staff, says Mike Chappell of the Star. Fili Moala is now a 3-4 end.
Jacksonville Jaguars
D’Anthony Smith is healthy and hopes to contribute as the two defensive tackles ahead of him recover from injury, says Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. It’s time for him to show something, but we have no idea what he can do yet.
Aaron Ross will get a few days off from training camp to watch his wife compete in the London Olympics, says Vito Stellino of the T-U. That doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
Lee Evans’ one-year contract includes a $1.05 million base salary, reports Ganguli. But if he doesn’t make the team out of camp, they can avoid that and a roster bonus of nearly $200,000 and get off the hook having paid just his $250,000 guarantee.
Receiver Taylor Price will miss the rest of the offseason with a stress fracture in his left foot, says Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
As expected, Chris Johnson intends to participate in the offseason program which kicks off Monday. He’ll be there Tuesday, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. If Johnson makes 30 of 36 workouts, he won’t sacrifice $250,000.
The McCourty brothers, Jason and Devin, are ready for their Week 1 matchup in the Patriots-Titans game, says Wyatt.
The Titans have raked in SEC players over the years, says Wyatt.
Houston Texans
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle sees the Texans going 11-5 this season, but you’ve got to scroll through a slideshow to see.
Bob McNair promoted two in the front office, including one of his sons, Cal McNair, says McClain.
A look at the defensive linemen in the draft from Sam Khan of the Chronicle.
Indianapolis Colts
“Come next Thursday night, the Colts will have their centerpiece in place. But what happens the following few days, in rounds two through seven, will go a long way toward establishing how quickly the rebuilding process will proceed,” says Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.
Many players feel like they are starting over with the new coaching staff, says Mike Chappell of the Star. Fili Moala is now a 3-4 end.
Jacksonville Jaguars
D’Anthony Smith is healthy and hopes to contribute as the two defensive tackles ahead of him recover from injury, says Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. It’s time for him to show something, but we have no idea what he can do yet.
Aaron Ross will get a few days off from training camp to watch his wife compete in the London Olympics, says Vito Stellino of the T-U. That doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
Lee Evans’ one-year contract includes a $1.05 million base salary, reports Ganguli. But if he doesn’t make the team out of camp, they can avoid that and a roster bonus of nearly $200,000 and get off the hook having paid just his $250,000 guarantee.
Receiver Taylor Price will miss the rest of the offseason with a stress fracture in his left foot, says Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
As expected, Chris Johnson intends to participate in the offseason program which kicks off Monday. He’ll be there Tuesday, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. If Johnson makes 30 of 36 workouts, he won’t sacrifice $250,000.
The McCourty brothers, Jason and Devin, are ready for their Week 1 matchup in the Patriots-Titans game, says Wyatt.
The Titans have raked in SEC players over the years, says Wyatt.
Grigson thinks Colts have nose tackles
April, 18, 2012
Apr 18
5:57
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
A 3-4 nose tackle has been featured on virtually every list of Indianapolis' needs.
Having a guy who can demand multiple blockers in the middle is a necessity if Chuck Pagano is going to be able to play his preferred front as the team transitions from a 4-3.
Johnson
McKinneyGM Ryan Grigson told Indianapolis reporters Wednesday that Brandon McKinney, a free-agent addition who played for Pagano in Baltimore, and holdover Antonio Johnson can man the position. McKinney was listed at 6-foot-2, 345 pounds and Johnson as 6-3, 310 last season.
“We have two really big (players), McKinney and Mookie (Johnson) are both big guys and they fit that mold at nose for us,” Grigson said. “Again, you are always looking to improve. Nose is another thing, like when we signed Brandon and Brandon is a good player coming from a top defense which is comforting to know. Backup or not, if you are a backup on the Ravens and you have a handful of starts you are probably pretty darn good. The film doesn’t lie. He is a very strong, hard guy to move.
“There are not many people in the draft, free agency or really on planet Earth that are 350 that can play this game. There are not many of them. They are hard to find, but once you find them you have to hang on to them and you have to try to acquire the best ones you can because it is a very important piece in our defense.”
McKinney certainly eases the desperation of the Colts at the spot.
Scouts Inc. described him this way at the start of free agency.
They can play with him as their front-line nose, for sure.
Johnson is hardly the prototype, however. He’s been part of a 4-3 front during his five seasons with the Titans and Colts.
Like at many positions, the Colts could use depth at nose tackle.
Having a guy who can demand multiple blockers in the middle is a necessity if Chuck Pagano is going to be able to play his preferred front as the team transitions from a 4-3.
“We have two really big (players), McKinney and Mookie (Johnson) are both big guys and they fit that mold at nose for us,” Grigson said. “Again, you are always looking to improve. Nose is another thing, like when we signed Brandon and Brandon is a good player coming from a top defense which is comforting to know. Backup or not, if you are a backup on the Ravens and you have a handful of starts you are probably pretty darn good. The film doesn’t lie. He is a very strong, hard guy to move.
“There are not many people in the draft, free agency or really on planet Earth that are 350 that can play this game. There are not many of them. They are hard to find, but once you find them you have to hang on to them and you have to try to acquire the best ones you can because it is a very important piece in our defense.”
McKinney certainly eases the desperation of the Colts at the spot.
Scouts Inc. described him this way at the start of free agency.
McKinney is a massive body with great power and limited athleticism. He can anchor well versus the run but lacks quickness and range to make plays outside the tackle box. He flashes power to push the pocket but is very limited in rushing the passer. McKinney has good pop and power to stymie blockers at the point of attack but is inconsistent to disengage to the ball. He does a nice job restricting running lanes and is best on goal-line and short-yardage situations.
They can play with him as their front-line nose, for sure.
Johnson is hardly the prototype, however. He’s been part of a 4-3 front during his five seasons with the Titans and Colts.
Like at many positions, the Colts could use depth at nose tackle.
My real schedule won’t be pieced together for some time and we don’t predetermine where we go in November at the start. The most attractive games emerge based on how teams are doing, of course. But given the schedule we got Tuesday and what we know now, here’s where I think I would like to be, week-by-week, this season.
I have a lot of energy right now, and feel up to several double headers. I am not sure my bosses will be up for all of them, but we’ll shoot for the moon here.
Week 1
New England at Tennessee -- The defending AFC champs and Tom Brady will be a giant measuring stick for the Titans right out of the gate.
Week 2
Houston at Jacksonville -- If the Texans can swarm the quarterback like they did last year, we’ll get a major feel for whether Blaine Gabbert's going to be better under pressure.
Week 3
Houston at Denver -- A tough choice over Jacksonville at Indianapolis and Detroit at Tennessee, but the Texans taking on former division nemesis Peyton Manning is too intriguing to pass up.
Week 4
Tennessee at Houston -- A big division matchup. The Titans expect to be battling with the Texans for the AFC South crown. I am not so sure they will be.
Week 5
Green Bay at Indianapolis -- A first live, regular-season look at Andrew Luck in a game that should be a major mismatch.
Houston at N.Y. Jets (Monday night) -- If the bosses will let me, I apply for a double header and maybe get a lunch visit with my parents.
Week 6
Pittsburgh at Tennessee (Thursday night) -- A third game in five days. I love it. Can the Titans hit Ben Roethlisberger? Will it affect him?
Green Bay at Houston -- I top of a second double header weekend with a Sunday night football game that will have the city of Houston in an absolutely frenzy.
Week 7
Baltimore at Houston -- The big playoff rematch. Both teams think they should be better than they were in January. We see if that’s the case, this time at Reliant Stadium.
Week 8
Indianapolis at Tennessee -- In the middle of the season, is it the first Luck versus Jake Locker matchup of a potentially long quarterback rivalry?
Week 9
Buffalo at Houston or Chicago at Tennessee -- I think it’ll boil down to how Mario Williams is doing with the Bills and how Jay Cutler is doing with the Bears. What brings more intrigue? Williams against his former team or Cutler in his former town?
Week 10
Indianapolis at Jacksonville (Thursday night) -- The lone prime time game for both teams, which come into the season with low expectations from virtually everyone.
Houston at Chicago -- At this point in time, this looks like a very interesting matchup. I would think Arian Foster will get a lot of carries at Soldier Field.
Week 11
Jacksonville at Houston -- A rematch of the Week 2 matchup should still have some implications in the division. But the Colts game at New England could challenge if Luck is going well and we want to see him square off against Brady.
Week 12
Houston at Detroit (Thanksgiving) –- If my family heads north to see grandparents, I could hit the motor city to see how the Texans handle Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
Tennessee at Jacksonville -– If my gut feeling right now that the Jaguars could be in position to finish ahead of the Titans in 2012 is coming true, this will be a biggie.
Week 13
Houston at Tennessee -– Are these the two teams at the top of the division with five weeks left?
Week 14
Tennessee at Indianapolis -- Have the Colts had as tough a time as we expect? The Titans can’t afford not to sweep them if they are going to make a playoff push.
Houston at New England (Monday night) -- This one should be a gigantic game with big implications for playoff positioning.
Week 15
Indianapolis at Houston –- The first time these teams see each other, and they’ll do it again in a couple weeks at Lucas Oil Stadium.
N.Y. Jets at Tennessee (Monday night) –- How’s the Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow deal working out?
Week 16
Tennessee at Green Bay -– I’ve been to Lambeau in December and love it. But if the Patriots at Jaguars game turned out to be more significant, I wouldn’t mind the better weather.
Week 17
Jacksonville at Tennessee or Houston at Indianapolis -- Which one has more significant playoff implications? I’ll be at that one.
I have a lot of energy right now, and feel up to several double headers. I am not sure my bosses will be up for all of them, but we’ll shoot for the moon here.
Week 1
New England at Tennessee -- The defending AFC champs and Tom Brady will be a giant measuring stick for the Titans right out of the gate.
Week 2
Houston at Jacksonville -- If the Texans can swarm the quarterback like they did last year, we’ll get a major feel for whether Blaine Gabbert's going to be better under pressure.
Week 3
Houston at Denver -- A tough choice over Jacksonville at Indianapolis and Detroit at Tennessee, but the Texans taking on former division nemesis Peyton Manning is too intriguing to pass up.
Week 4
Tennessee at Houston -- A big division matchup. The Titans expect to be battling with the Texans for the AFC South crown. I am not so sure they will be.
Week 5
Green Bay at Indianapolis -- A first live, regular-season look at Andrew Luck in a game that should be a major mismatch.
Houston at N.Y. Jets (Monday night) -- If the bosses will let me, I apply for a double header and maybe get a lunch visit with my parents.
Week 6
Pittsburgh at Tennessee (Thursday night) -- A third game in five days. I love it. Can the Titans hit Ben Roethlisberger? Will it affect him?
Green Bay at Houston -- I top of a second double header weekend with a Sunday night football game that will have the city of Houston in an absolutely frenzy.
Week 7
Baltimore at Houston -- The big playoff rematch. Both teams think they should be better than they were in January. We see if that’s the case, this time at Reliant Stadium.
Week 8
Indianapolis at Tennessee -- In the middle of the season, is it the first Luck versus Jake Locker matchup of a potentially long quarterback rivalry?
Week 9
Buffalo at Houston or Chicago at Tennessee -- I think it’ll boil down to how Mario Williams is doing with the Bills and how Jay Cutler is doing with the Bears. What brings more intrigue? Williams against his former team or Cutler in his former town?
Week 10
Indianapolis at Jacksonville (Thursday night) -- The lone prime time game for both teams, which come into the season with low expectations from virtually everyone.
Houston at Chicago -- At this point in time, this looks like a very interesting matchup. I would think Arian Foster will get a lot of carries at Soldier Field.
Week 11
Jacksonville at Houston -- A rematch of the Week 2 matchup should still have some implications in the division. But the Colts game at New England could challenge if Luck is going well and we want to see him square off against Brady.
Week 12
Houston at Detroit (Thanksgiving) –- If my family heads north to see grandparents, I could hit the motor city to see how the Texans handle Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
Tennessee at Jacksonville -– If my gut feeling right now that the Jaguars could be in position to finish ahead of the Titans in 2012 is coming true, this will be a biggie.
Week 13
Houston at Tennessee -– Are these the two teams at the top of the division with five weeks left?
Week 14
Tennessee at Indianapolis -- Have the Colts had as tough a time as we expect? The Titans can’t afford not to sweep them if they are going to make a playoff push.
Houston at New England (Monday night) -- This one should be a gigantic game with big implications for playoff positioning.
Week 15
Indianapolis at Houston –- The first time these teams see each other, and they’ll do it again in a couple weeks at Lucas Oil Stadium.
N.Y. Jets at Tennessee (Monday night) –- How’s the Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow deal working out?
Week 16
Tennessee at Green Bay -– I’ve been to Lambeau in December and love it. But if the Patriots at Jaguars game turned out to be more significant, I wouldn’t mind the better weather.
Week 17
Jacksonville at Tennessee or Houston at Indianapolis -- Which one has more significant playoff implications? I’ll be at that one.
A dissenting view on Gabbert's toughness
April, 18, 2012
Apr 18
11:13
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
While Blaine Gabbert's rookie year was a nightmare, he won’t be a bust.
Gabbert That’s the opinion of Pete Prisco, the Jacksonville-based national NFL writer for CBSSports.com, who thinks Gabbert will be generating a completely different buzz in a year.
It’s easy to say it will be hard for Gabbert to shed the soft label that got attached to him in his rookie year. I don't feel as strongly as Prisco about a Gabbert reversal. I do feel strongly that he deserves more time to prove himself.
If Gabbert makes strides under a trio of new coaches -- head man Mike Mularkey, coordinator Bob Bratkowski and quarterbacks coach Greg Olson -- and strings together a couple good games, he can flip the conversation pretty quickly.
The Jaguars open at Minnesota, against Houston and at Indianapolis.
We’ll quickly see if Gabbert can stand in against rushers like Jared Allen, Connor Barwin, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
"You watch what he does this year," one player told Prisco. "All that stuff got way overblown. He's on a mission to prove everybody wrong. I've seen guys who aren't tough. He isn't one of them."
The reality is that at times Gabbert was jumpy in the pocket early on last season. But that waned as the season moved along, as he became more comfortable. I say most of the problems were brought on by bad mechanics and a bad system.
It's fixable. Gabbert will not be a bust -- even if most of you think he will be.
In fact, I will go as far as saying that a year from now you will be talking about him as one of the rising quarterbacks in the league. I say that because he is smart, has a big arm, can make all the throws and spins his head. He's also willing to put in the work.
It’s easy to say it will be hard for Gabbert to shed the soft label that got attached to him in his rookie year. I don't feel as strongly as Prisco about a Gabbert reversal. I do feel strongly that he deserves more time to prove himself.
If Gabbert makes strides under a trio of new coaches -- head man Mike Mularkey, coordinator Bob Bratkowski and quarterbacks coach Greg Olson -- and strings together a couple good games, he can flip the conversation pretty quickly.
The Jaguars open at Minnesota, against Houston and at Indianapolis.
We’ll quickly see if Gabbert can stand in against rushers like Jared Allen, Connor Barwin, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
"You watch what he does this year," one player told Prisco. "All that stuff got way overblown. He's on a mission to prove everybody wrong. I've seen guys who aren't tough. He isn't one of them."
RTC: Colts are now a 1 p.m. kickoff team
April, 18, 2012
Apr 18
9:28
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage…
Houston Texans
The Texans will play in prime time four times, plus on Thanksgiving, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
We won’t really know what the Texans think about Garrett Graham until we see how the team addresses tight end in the draft, says Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts, typically all over the prime time schedule, have 15 kickoffs at 1 p.m. says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
There are going to be season tickets available for the Colts this year, says Chappell.
"This group of (offensive) linemen will be able to accomplish far superior run blocking, should hold up better against the beefier defensive linemen that tended to cause pressue up the middle on the quarterback, and is better-suited to support (an Andrew) Luck-style offense," says Brett Mock of Colts Authority.
Jacksonville Jaguars
“The first practice of the coach Mike Mularkey era Tuesday featured a Brad Meester Super Bowl pep talk, a new haircut for Blaine Gabbert and questions about Maurice Jones-Drew’s absence,” says Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton can see out of his injured left eye again, says Tania Ganguli of the T-U.
The Jaguars are not on the Monday Night Football calendar, says Ganguli.
After the top six picks, the draft looks unsettled, says Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ first month of games is full of challenges, says John Glennon of The Tennessean.
Tight end Jared Cook has the perfect pick for the Titans -- another South Carolina guy, defensive end Melvin Ingram. The story from Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
Houston Texans
The Texans will play in prime time four times, plus on Thanksgiving, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
We won’t really know what the Texans think about Garrett Graham until we see how the team addresses tight end in the draft, says Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts, typically all over the prime time schedule, have 15 kickoffs at 1 p.m. says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
There are going to be season tickets available for the Colts this year, says Chappell.
"This group of (offensive) linemen will be able to accomplish far superior run blocking, should hold up better against the beefier defensive linemen that tended to cause pressue up the middle on the quarterback, and is better-suited to support (an Andrew) Luck-style offense," says Brett Mock of Colts Authority.
Jacksonville Jaguars
“The first practice of the coach Mike Mularkey era Tuesday featured a Brad Meester Super Bowl pep talk, a new haircut for Blaine Gabbert and questions about Maurice Jones-Drew’s absence,” says Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton can see out of his injured left eye again, says Tania Ganguli of the T-U.
The Jaguars are not on the Monday Night Football calendar, says Ganguli.
After the top six picks, the draft looks unsettled, says Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ first month of games is full of challenges, says John Glennon of The Tennessean.
Tight end Jared Cook has the perfect pick for the Titans -- another South Carolina guy, defensive end Melvin Ingram. The story from Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
Breakdown: The new-look Colts make their debut at Chicago in a rematch of Super Bowl XLI. But with a new GM, coach, staff and quarterback and with few players left from six seasons ago, Indianapolis will look hardly anything like the team that beat the Bears on Feb. 4, 2007.
Indianapolis draws just two division games in the first half of the season, hosting the Jaguars on Sept. 23 and playing at Tennessee Oct. 28. Then three of the Colts’ final four are against Tennessee and Houston.
The games outside the AFC South that appear most challenging at this stage are spread out, which should be a good thing. After opening at the Bears, they host the Packers on Oct. 7, travel to New England for a Nov. 18 game and visit Detroit Dec. 2. They get to prepare for Jay Cutler in the preseason, Aaron Rodgers after the Colts' super-early Week 4 bye, Tom Brady a week after they play against Blaine Gabbert at Jacksonville and Matthew Stafford after they host Buffalo.
Complaint department: Maybe a Week 4 open date seems like a favor to rookie head coach Chuck Pagano, who will be guiding a rookie quarterback in Andrew Luck. But even as it can help the Colts brace for a visit from the Packers, it’s too early a break for a team that will be loaded with young guys and would benefit more from a later bye to catch their collective breath.
Twice in three weeks: Maybe the Colts will improve over the course of the season and have their best chance to knock off defending division champ Houston late in the year. If that’s the case, playing the Texans twice in the final three weeks of the season is a good thing. However, I suspect a young, inexperienced team will be running out of gas and searching for the final whistle in December, in which case playing two out of three against Houston at the end could seem almost unfair.
Colts Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Chicago, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Cleveland, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 8, at Jacksonville, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at New England, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, at Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Kansas City, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, Houston, 1:00 PM
Indianapolis draws just two division games in the first half of the season, hosting the Jaguars on Sept. 23 and playing at Tennessee Oct. 28. Then three of the Colts’ final four are against Tennessee and Houston.
The games outside the AFC South that appear most challenging at this stage are spread out, which should be a good thing. After opening at the Bears, they host the Packers on Oct. 7, travel to New England for a Nov. 18 game and visit Detroit Dec. 2. They get to prepare for Jay Cutler in the preseason, Aaron Rodgers after the Colts' super-early Week 4 bye, Tom Brady a week after they play against Blaine Gabbert at Jacksonville and Matthew Stafford after they host Buffalo.
Complaint department: Maybe a Week 4 open date seems like a favor to rookie head coach Chuck Pagano, who will be guiding a rookie quarterback in Andrew Luck. But even as it can help the Colts brace for a visit from the Packers, it’s too early a break for a team that will be loaded with young guys and would benefit more from a later bye to catch their collective breath.
Twice in three weeks: Maybe the Colts will improve over the course of the season and have their best chance to knock off defending division champ Houston late in the year. If that’s the case, playing the Texans twice in the final three weeks of the season is a good thing. However, I suspect a young, inexperienced team will be running out of gas and searching for the final whistle in December, in which case playing two out of three against Houston at the end could seem almost unfair.
Colts Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Chicago, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Cleveland, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 8, at Jacksonville, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at New England, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, at Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Kansas City, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, Houston, 1:00 PM
Jacksonville Jaguars schedule analysis
April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
8:06
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Breakdown: Mike Mularkey has a shot at a good start in his first season as coach of the Jaguars, with an opener at Minnesota and a Week 3 trip to Indianapolis sandwiched around a home game against defending division champ Houston.
Last year the Jaguars got a surprising three prime-time games, including two at home. This time they get the minimum of one, and it’s a Thursday night game that kills two birds with one stone for the NFL -- Nov. 8 at EverBank Field against the Colts.
This looks to me like a reasonably balanced schedule. But come Nov. 25, Jacksonville will have played all but one of its six AFC South games, with only a season finale at Tennessee left. That makes it tougher to make up ground late if the Jaguars are in the mix for the division’s top spot.
Complaint department: The Jaguars have only one set of back-to-back road games, but the schedule-maker did the team no big favors with the set up. Following a trip to Oakland, the farthest of the season, the Jaguars draw a trip to Green Bay for what could be their toughest road game of the year. At least that’s on Oct. 28, before Lambeau Field gets the most severe weather that provides the largest home-field advantage.
Quirky: Just as I struggle to understand why games between two teams in the same division can’t be separated by at least a month (see Colts-Texans this season), I would love an explanation why a team should play all four of the teams from a division in consecutive games. That’s what the Jaguars get with the AFC East in December with at Buffalo, Jets, at Miami and New England lined up.
Jaguars Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, Cincinnati, 4:05 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Chicago, 4:05 PM
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, at Oakland, 4:15 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 8, Indianapolis, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, NY Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, at Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, New England, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Last year the Jaguars got a surprising three prime-time games, including two at home. This time they get the minimum of one, and it’s a Thursday night game that kills two birds with one stone for the NFL -- Nov. 8 at EverBank Field against the Colts.
This looks to me like a reasonably balanced schedule. But come Nov. 25, Jacksonville will have played all but one of its six AFC South games, with only a season finale at Tennessee left. That makes it tougher to make up ground late if the Jaguars are in the mix for the division’s top spot.
Complaint department: The Jaguars have only one set of back-to-back road games, but the schedule-maker did the team no big favors with the set up. Following a trip to Oakland, the farthest of the season, the Jaguars draw a trip to Green Bay for what could be their toughest road game of the year. At least that’s on Oct. 28, before Lambeau Field gets the most severe weather that provides the largest home-field advantage.
Quirky: Just as I struggle to understand why games between two teams in the same division can’t be separated by at least a month (see Colts-Texans this season), I would love an explanation why a team should play all four of the teams from a division in consecutive games. That’s what the Jaguars get with the AFC East in December with at Buffalo, Jets, at Miami and New England lined up.
Jaguars Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, Cincinnati, 4:05 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Chicago, 4:05 PM
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, at Oakland, 4:15 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 8, Indianapolis, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, NY Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, at Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, New England, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Breakdown: The lone prime-time game in 2011 was on the road, and the AFC South champs didn’t feel like they had a sufficient chance to show off to a broad audience. They'll get that chance in 2012.
Five times they will play in the national spotlight, but only one of those games will be at Reliant Stadium -- Oct. 14 against Green Bay. That’s one of two games in the best of the prime-time slots, "Sunday Night Football" on NBC. The other is at Chicago on Nov. 11. Also nationally televised: at the Jets on Oct. 8 and at New England Dec. 10 on "Monday Night Football," and at Detroit on Thanksgiving.
From Oct. 14 through Nov. 4 the Texans won’t leave Houston, with three home games and their bye. That includes a Nov. 4 visit from the Buffalo Bills and defensive end Mario Williams, who left Houston for the Bills as a free agent.
Complaint department: The Texans drew two cold-weather games. They’ll play at Chicago on Nov. 11 and at New England on Dec. 10 in a couple of games that will be challenges. But if they can block for Arian Foster, they'll be able to handle the weather slowing down their precision, rhythm passing game. Four of the team’s final six games are on the road.
Major gift: No matter how good Andrew Luck gets in his first NFL season, the Texans have to love their final three games -- the Colts at home; the weakest team in the NFC North, the Vikings, at home; and at Indianapolis. Houston’s chances for a big finish look good on paper. (I renew my complaint over a major pet peeve. Games between division rivals should take place a minimum of one month apart.)
Texans Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Denver, 4:15 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 5: Monday, Oct. 8, at N.Y. Jets, 8:30 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, Green Bay, 8:20 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Baltimore, 1:00 PM
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, at Chicago, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 22, at Detroit, 12:30 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Monday, Dec. 10, at New England, 8:30 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Five times they will play in the national spotlight, but only one of those games will be at Reliant Stadium -- Oct. 14 against Green Bay. That’s one of two games in the best of the prime-time slots, "Sunday Night Football" on NBC. The other is at Chicago on Nov. 11. Also nationally televised: at the Jets on Oct. 8 and at New England Dec. 10 on "Monday Night Football," and at Detroit on Thanksgiving.
From Oct. 14 through Nov. 4 the Texans won’t leave Houston, with three home games and their bye. That includes a Nov. 4 visit from the Buffalo Bills and defensive end Mario Williams, who left Houston for the Bills as a free agent.
Complaint department: The Texans drew two cold-weather games. They’ll play at Chicago on Nov. 11 and at New England on Dec. 10 in a couple of games that will be challenges. But if they can block for Arian Foster, they'll be able to handle the weather slowing down their precision, rhythm passing game. Four of the team’s final six games are on the road.
Major gift: No matter how good Andrew Luck gets in his first NFL season, the Texans have to love their final three games -- the Colts at home; the weakest team in the NFC North, the Vikings, at home; and at Indianapolis. Houston’s chances for a big finish look good on paper. (I renew my complaint over a major pet peeve. Games between division rivals should take place a minimum of one month apart.)
Texans Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Denver, 4:15 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 5: Monday, Oct. 8, at N.Y. Jets, 8:30 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, Green Bay, 8:20 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Baltimore, 1:00 PM
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, at Chicago, 8:20 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 22, at Detroit, 12:30 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Monday, Dec. 10, at New England, 8:30 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Breakdown: A year ago they were a completely unknown quantity under a new coach and didn’t have a single prime-time game. In Mike Munchak’s second season, the Titans will host two prime-time games -- Thursday, Oct. 11 against the Steelers and Monday, Dec 17 against the Jets. That will pull some major eyeballs back to the NFL in Nashville.
Overall the team has a nice balance of home and away, with only one pair of back-to-back road games -- Sept. 30 at Houston and Oct. 7 at Minnesota. The Titans also have only one pair of back-to-back home games -- against Indianapolis Oct. 28 and Chicago Nov. 4. A Week 11 bye breaks up another pair of road games.
Tennessee’s two potential coldest games landed on Oct. 21 (at Buffalo) and Dec. 23 (at Green Bay), while its two possible warmest-weather games land in November: at Miami Nov. 11 and at Jacksonville Nov. 25.
Complaint department: We’ll know if the Titans are going to be much of a contender after a month, because New England, at San Diego, Detroit and at Houston should make for a pretty good test. A defense that we don’t know will be able to rush the passer well starts out with Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Matthew Stafford and, presumably, a healthy Matt Schaub. No easy stretch at all.
Division test: Four of the Titans’ final six games are from their AFC South slate, with both games against the Jaguars, the home game against the Texans and the road game against the Colts. After their Nov. 18 bye, they have three division games in a row -- at Jacksonville, Houston at home and at Indianapolis.
Titans Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, New England, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, at San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, at Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, 8:20 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Chicago, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, at Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Monday, Dec. 17, N.Y. Jets, 8:30 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Overall the team has a nice balance of home and away, with only one pair of back-to-back road games -- Sept. 30 at Houston and Oct. 7 at Minnesota. The Titans also have only one pair of back-to-back home games -- against Indianapolis Oct. 28 and Chicago Nov. 4. A Week 11 bye breaks up another pair of road games.
Tennessee’s two potential coldest games landed on Oct. 21 (at Buffalo) and Dec. 23 (at Green Bay), while its two possible warmest-weather games land in November: at Miami Nov. 11 and at Jacksonville Nov. 25.
Complaint department: We’ll know if the Titans are going to be much of a contender after a month, because New England, at San Diego, Detroit and at Houston should make for a pretty good test. A defense that we don’t know will be able to rush the passer well starts out with Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Matthew Stafford and, presumably, a healthy Matt Schaub. No easy stretch at all.
Division test: Four of the Titans’ final six games are from their AFC South slate, with both games against the Jaguars, the home game against the Texans and the road game against the Colts. After their Nov. 18 bye, they have three division games in a row -- at Jacksonville, Houston at home and at Indianapolis.
Titans Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, New England, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, at San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, Detroit, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, at Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, 8:20 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, Chicago, 1:00 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, at Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, Houston, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Monday, Dec. 17, N.Y. Jets, 8:30 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Mularkey deserves better from Jones-Drew
April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
5:12
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Set aside whether or not Maurice Jones-Drew is unhappy with his contract, which Pete Prisco of CBS suggests is the case.
The running back is the Jaguars' most recognizable player, best skill player and the face of the franchise.
Jones-DrewNew coach Mike Mularkey started an orientation series of OTAs today, and MJD was not there.
Mularkey said yesterday that he didn’t know of anyone beyond defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, recovering from an eye injury, and Josh Scobee, unhappy about being franchise tagged, who would not be with the team.
And then his biggest guy is not there.
Per Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union Mularkey said he had an inkling Jones-Drew would be absent, but they hadn't spoken of it. Mularkey had asked players to let the team know if they wouldn't be around.
Given that...
No matter your complaint or your leverage, no matter if you’re just married, what exactly is the reasoning behind not telling your new boss that you won’t be around for the team’s first gathering?
It’s not mandatory. Jones-Drew doesn’t have to be there. But a phone call, text or email giving Mularkey a heads up would have qualified as a common courtesy.
Instead, Jones-Drew winds up making Mularkey look bad.
The coach looks like he’s not influential or respected, and considering he’s just getting started he deserves far better from his star.
It doesn’t enhance MJD's case at being worth more than he’s scheduled to make, if that’s part of what he’s getting at.
It’s a bad start to an important relationship.
The running back is the Jaguars' most recognizable player, best skill player and the face of the franchise.
Mularkey said yesterday that he didn’t know of anyone beyond defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, recovering from an eye injury, and Josh Scobee, unhappy about being franchise tagged, who would not be with the team.
And then his biggest guy is not there.
Per Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union Mularkey said he had an inkling Jones-Drew would be absent, but they hadn't spoken of it. Mularkey had asked players to let the team know if they wouldn't be around.
Given that...
No matter your complaint or your leverage, no matter if you’re just married, what exactly is the reasoning behind not telling your new boss that you won’t be around for the team’s first gathering?
It’s not mandatory. Jones-Drew doesn’t have to be there. But a phone call, text or email giving Mularkey a heads up would have qualified as a common courtesy.
Instead, Jones-Drew winds up making Mularkey look bad.
The coach looks like he’s not influential or respected, and considering he’s just getting started he deserves far better from his star.
It doesn’t enhance MJD's case at being worth more than he’s scheduled to make, if that’s part of what he’s getting at.
It’s a bad start to an important relationship.
A look at what Peter King of Sports Illustrated has the AFC South doing in his mock draft with a corresponding thought from yours truly.
1) Colts
WILL PICK: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
SHOULD PICK: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
PK: “Tough duty ahead for Luck, who'll be fortunate in 2012 to win as many games as the Colts' last No. 1 overall, Peyton Manning, did as a rookie in 1998 (three). Indy has been stripped bare of stars (except for graybeards Reggie Wayne, 33, and Dwight Freeney, 32) and needs to be sure it doesn't overhype Luck's arrival. It'll be a long road back to the playoffs.”
The other PK: Again, hard to have much to say about pairing the Colts with Luck. He’s the right guy and he will be the guy. An aside on King’s other comment -- he forgets Robert Mathis, also not young, but definitely a star-caliber pass-rusher.
7) Jaguars
WILL PICK: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
SHOULD PICK: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
PK: “Like Tampa, Jacksonville has a major hole at cornerback, and I hear the Jags like Gilmore a ton, which would have to be the case for them to reach for him here. Still, I'd solve a position of need for the next 10 years with the second-best offensive lineman in the draft — and a guy with the mean streak Jacksonville's O-line needs — then take the corner in round 2.”
The other PK: I look at Derek Cox, Rashean Mathis, Aaron Ross and Drew Coleman as the Jaguars’ top four corners and hardly see a “major hole.” The major holes are at receiver and defensive end. There may not be a solution sitting at No. 7, so anything seems possible. I wouldn't mind DeCastro. But a DeCastro-CB one-two punch King suggests would leave the two major holes unaddressed until round three.
20) Titans
WILL PICK: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
SHOULD PICK: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
PK: “This is a good season: 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles. That was Mercilus's breakout 2011 campaign at Illinois, and that's why he'll be a first-round pick this year. But he's not as versatile as McClellin, whose stock is rising because he has the speed (a 4.6 40 at 260 pounds) to be an edge rusher and is a sure-enough tackler to play inside if needed.”
The other PK: This is the first I’ve seen McClellin mentioned in this spot. If he projects as a 4-3 end and can get to the passer, I wouldn’t have any serious objection if the sense is the rest of the league sees him as worthy of this range. But another media outlet, Pro Football Weekly, ranks him 120th and a third- or fourth-rounder.
26) Texans
WILL PICK: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
SHOULD PICK: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
PK: “Kendall Wright makes sense if he lasts this long, but Randle is a good fallback. Houston thinks that at 6-4 and 210 pounds he'll be another matchup problem along the lines of Andre Johnson. What team has the corners to cover two wideouts 6-3 or taller? Then again, if that's the logic, I'd take Hill, who's bigger (6-5) and a speed threat.”
The other PK: I’ve long thought Randle will be the choice, but could see them going with him, Wright or Hill if they have all the options. I think a Johnson-Randle pairing would create problems for secondaries, as King suggests, and that Randle could be a quality successor for Johnson down the road.
1) Colts
WILL PICK: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
SHOULD PICK: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
PK: “Tough duty ahead for Luck, who'll be fortunate in 2012 to win as many games as the Colts' last No. 1 overall, Peyton Manning, did as a rookie in 1998 (three). Indy has been stripped bare of stars (except for graybeards Reggie Wayne, 33, and Dwight Freeney, 32) and needs to be sure it doesn't overhype Luck's arrival. It'll be a long road back to the playoffs.”
The other PK: Again, hard to have much to say about pairing the Colts with Luck. He’s the right guy and he will be the guy. An aside on King’s other comment -- he forgets Robert Mathis, also not young, but definitely a star-caliber pass-rusher.
7) Jaguars
WILL PICK: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
SHOULD PICK: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
PK: “Like Tampa, Jacksonville has a major hole at cornerback, and I hear the Jags like Gilmore a ton, which would have to be the case for them to reach for him here. Still, I'd solve a position of need for the next 10 years with the second-best offensive lineman in the draft — and a guy with the mean streak Jacksonville's O-line needs — then take the corner in round 2.”
The other PK: I look at Derek Cox, Rashean Mathis, Aaron Ross and Drew Coleman as the Jaguars’ top four corners and hardly see a “major hole.” The major holes are at receiver and defensive end. There may not be a solution sitting at No. 7, so anything seems possible. I wouldn't mind DeCastro. But a DeCastro-CB one-two punch King suggests would leave the two major holes unaddressed until round three.
20) Titans
WILL PICK: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
SHOULD PICK: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
PK: “This is a good season: 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles. That was Mercilus's breakout 2011 campaign at Illinois, and that's why he'll be a first-round pick this year. But he's not as versatile as McClellin, whose stock is rising because he has the speed (a 4.6 40 at 260 pounds) to be an edge rusher and is a sure-enough tackler to play inside if needed.”
The other PK: This is the first I’ve seen McClellin mentioned in this spot. If he projects as a 4-3 end and can get to the passer, I wouldn’t have any serious objection if the sense is the rest of the league sees him as worthy of this range. But another media outlet, Pro Football Weekly, ranks him 120th and a third- or fourth-rounder.
26) Texans
WILL PICK: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
SHOULD PICK: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
PK: “Kendall Wright makes sense if he lasts this long, but Randle is a good fallback. Houston thinks that at 6-4 and 210 pounds he'll be another matchup problem along the lines of Andre Johnson. What team has the corners to cover two wideouts 6-3 or taller? Then again, if that's the logic, I'd take Hill, who's bigger (6-5) and a speed threat.”
The other PK: I’ve long thought Randle will be the choice, but could see them going with him, Wright or Hill if they have all the options. I think a Johnson-Randle pairing would create problems for secondaries, as King suggests, and that Randle could be a quality successor for Johnson down the road.
We will bring thorough coverage of the scedule release tonight at 7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT.
Some things to remember as we await the details.
And reminders on opponent...
Houston
Some things to remember as we await the details.
- The division plays the AFC East and the NFC North.
- Everybody gets at least one primetime game now that the NFL Network Thursday night schedule runs the full season.
- The season features eight 2011 playoff rematches, including Texans-Ravens.
- We hit total strength of schedule here. The home schedule is far tougher (based on last year’s winning percentages) for the Jaguars (.539) and Titans (.531). The Colts have it worse on the road (.547) than at home (.453). The defending division champion Texans face teams with a collective losing record last year both home (.453) and on the road (.492).
And reminders on opponent...
Houston
- Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Buffalo, Miami, Baltimore, Packers, Vikings
- Away: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, New England, New York, Denver, Chicago, Detroit
- Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New England, New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit
- Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota
- Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, New England, New York, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit
- Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Buffalo, Miami, Oakland, Green Bay, Minnesota
- Home: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Buffalo, Miami, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota
- Away: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, New England, New York, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit
RTC: Hardware removed from Schaub's foot
April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
10:16
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage…
Our Stats and Info blog runs through needs in the AFC South.
Houston Texans
Matt Schaub had a customary follow-up procedure on his surgically repaired foot recently, and vows to be ready for the start of the regular season, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
The Texans were excited about getting their offseason underway Monday, says McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have needs all over, but tight end might be the biggest, says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
The Colts can expect a lot more 1:00 starts when the schedule comes out tonight.
The first financial analysis of the Super Bowl cost in Indianapolis say the city lost $350,000, says Jon Murray of the Star.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones-Drew won’t be at the Jaguars voluntary orientation camp as Mike Mularkey gathers his team for the first time, reports Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union.
Twelve bits of draft advice for the Jaguars from Gene Frenette of the T-U.
Tennessee Titans
Cal defensive end Ernest Owusu, who went to high school in Nashville, visited with the team he grew up rooting for, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
Nate Washington had minor knee surgery recently, says Wyatt.
Our Stats and Info blog runs through needs in the AFC South.
Houston Texans
Matt Schaub had a customary follow-up procedure on his surgically repaired foot recently, and vows to be ready for the start of the regular season, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
The Texans were excited about getting their offseason underway Monday, says McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have needs all over, but tight end might be the biggest, says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
The Colts can expect a lot more 1:00 starts when the schedule comes out tonight.
The first financial analysis of the Super Bowl cost in Indianapolis say the city lost $350,000, says Jon Murray of the Star.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones-Drew won’t be at the Jaguars voluntary orientation camp as Mike Mularkey gathers his team for the first time, reports Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union.
Twelve bits of draft advice for the Jaguars from Gene Frenette of the T-U.
Tennessee Titans
Cal defensive end Ernest Owusu, who went to high school in Nashville, visited with the team he grew up rooting for, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
Nate Washington had minor knee surgery recently, says Wyatt.
Texans' Graham feels ready for bigger role
April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
6:22
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
The Texans called on a lot of their depth last season, when they won the division and a playoff game despite losing a bunch of key guys for long stretches or the season.
Now, as a playoff team with salary-cap constraints and free-agent departures, they will call on that depth again.
One guy who moves up a line on the depth chart, at least as of now, is tight end Garrett Graham, who will be the second tight end behind Owen Daniels after Joel Dreessen left for Denver.
“You guys know Joel did everything around here; became one of the leaders of our team,” Daniels told Houston reporters Monday. “You can’t say enough about what he did. He gets to go home and play for another good franchise. I know he was torn up about the decision he had to make. I think he did what’s best for him. Obviously, a guy’s got to do that.
“Garrett, I think he’s really chomping at the bit to get a real opportunity and get out there and play a lot. We use multiple tight ends a whole bunch. Garrett’s going to get his chance to get out there and show what he’s about and show that he can be a contributor more than he has been. I think he’s excited about that opportunity.”
Daniels said Graham is more athletic and faster than many people think.
Said Graham about Dreessen’s departure: “I felt like it was an opportunity to step up and show what I can do [and] compete for the spot…”
“I’d say so, definitely. Joel did a lot for our team. He’s a great tight end, so I’m expecting to work my hardest and contribute and show what I can do in camp.”
We don’t know for sure the Texans will be using Graham as the second tight end.
Coby Fleener of Stanford could be a consideration at No. 26 in the first round, though I think it’s more likely they go with a receiver barring an early run that depletes the first group.
Now, as a playoff team with salary-cap constraints and free-agent departures, they will call on that depth again.
One guy who moves up a line on the depth chart, at least as of now, is tight end Garrett Graham, who will be the second tight end behind Owen Daniels after Joel Dreessen left for Denver.
“You guys know Joel did everything around here; became one of the leaders of our team,” Daniels told Houston reporters Monday. “You can’t say enough about what he did. He gets to go home and play for another good franchise. I know he was torn up about the decision he had to make. I think he did what’s best for him. Obviously, a guy’s got to do that.
“Garrett, I think he’s really chomping at the bit to get a real opportunity and get out there and play a lot. We use multiple tight ends a whole bunch. Garrett’s going to get his chance to get out there and show what he’s about and show that he can be a contributor more than he has been. I think he’s excited about that opportunity.”
Daniels said Graham is more athletic and faster than many people think.
Said Graham about Dreessen’s departure: “I felt like it was an opportunity to step up and show what I can do [and] compete for the spot…”
“I’d say so, definitely. Joel did a lot for our team. He’s a great tight end, so I’m expecting to work my hardest and contribute and show what I can do in camp.”
We don’t know for sure the Texans will be using Graham as the second tight end.
Coby Fleener of Stanford could be a consideration at No. 26 in the first round, though I think it’s more likely they go with a receiver barring an early run that depletes the first group.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
