STORYLINE: It's the same old story as the Colts start the year favored in the AFC South. The Texans, as usual, seem ready to make the playoffs but they have been chronic disappointers and must face a brutal opening month of the season without suspended LB Brian Cushing. Jack Del Rio is nfl throwback jerseys
on the hot seat in Jacksonville and has had a quarterback controversy thrown in his lap with Luke McCown outplaying David Garrard throughout the summer.
BEST COACH: Jim Caldwell made it to the Super Bowl in his rookie year, then was outcoached. Jeff Fisher, who, in his 17th season, has been at his job longer than any other head coach in the league, gets the most out of his Titans year after year with the same hard-nosed philosophy. Not many coaches can pull a team out of an 0-6 start as Fisher did a year ago.
BEST PLAYER: The division has two players - Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson - who might be the best at their positions but Peyton Manning is still the top player in the division. The four-time league MVP is the one man every team in the AFC must figure out how to stop if they are to make it to the Super Bowl.
DON'T BE SURPRISED IF: The Texans miss out onPittsburgh Steelers jersey
the playoffs again. There's lots of optimism in Houston after the Texans lost out in a tiebreaker last season. They are even breaking huddles with "Super Bowl." But the AFC South plays the NFC East this year and the Texans have never had a winning record within their own division.
KEY ADDITION: Aaron Kampman, a two-time Pro Bowl DE, basically lost his position when the Packers converted to a 3-4 last year. He'll be back in his comfort zone after signing with the Jaguars. Jacksonville had just 14 sacks in 16 games last year so the Jags might be asking a lot of someone who spent much of last season on IR with a knee injury.
KEY SUBTRACTION: MLB Keith Bulluck had been at the core of the Titans defense since he became a starter in 2002, leading the team in tackles five times. Bulluck underwent reconstructive knee surgery last December and the Titans didn't try hard to keep him. But losing him to the Giants may hurt the Titans not only on the field but in the locker room. Will Witherspoon was signed to replace him.
X-FACTOR: No one is sure whether Vince Young has Minnesota Vikings jersey
the goods to lead the Titans into the playoffs. It's almost a make-or-break year for the former Heisman winner. He doesn't have to do much with Chris Johnson in his backfield but the Titans want to expand the offense so that defenses get out of eight-man fronts. Young looked sharp in the preseason.
没有评论:
发表评论