Sunday, March 27, 2011

(Seventh Post) Team Needs: AFC SOUTH

Tennesse Titans - 8th Overall selection

At a glance: QB, DT, DE, MLB, S

Offense
On offense, the Titans troubles all begin and end under-center, meaning they need a new QB badly. Especially considering they'll want to put the ugly divorce between former phenom Vince Young &  Head coach Jeff Fisher behind them. I expect for the new coach Mike Munchak to go the veteran route temporarily, at least until whatever QB he selects in this year's draft is ready to take the reins.
                        Defense
                        As for the defense, this team desperately needs to get bigger and more durable up front on the defensive line. A big run-stuffing DT and durable edge rushing DE would go along way into making this squad respectable again. That's not to say last year's squad didn't do a decent job, but quite frankly the interior defensive line, time and again failed to collapse the pocket and their "smallish" DE's just wore down. Now I realize they spent last year's first round pick on DE Derrick Morgan, (who after an ACL Tear, missed the entire season,) and the jury's still out on him, but keep in mind three of last year's DE's are headed for free-agency (Jason Babin, Dave Ball & Jacob Ford,) so the need is much more than just 'lack-of-talent.' Furthermore, they also have needs at MLB and S as Stephen Tolloch's a candidate for free-agency and fair to say that he won't be back, also they should look to find Chris Hope's eventual replacement as the strong-side.

Houston Texans - 11th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, OL, SS, FS, OLB

Offense
The Texans proved they can be very deadly when given time and more importantly, when Andre Johnson is healthy & motivated. That said, they also have a deadly ground-game with the emergence of Arian Foster. But they definitely need another speedster receiving threat opposite Johnson, you know the kind of threat Jacoby Jones was supposed to be, because Kevin Walter is not getting it done.
                        Defense
                        The Texans defense will be getting a complete makeover this season under new D-coordinator Wade Phillips, converting their traditional 4-3 to his famous 3-4 alignment. The same defensive alignment he used to make OLB's Shawn Merriman & DeMarcus Ware household names. That said the question of who will be the next prototypical OLB sack machine is completely up in the air. Connor Barwin a converted DE, was slated to be one of the names the other is unknown. The other serious concern is the secondary, namely the Safety positions; Eugene Wilson got cut, Bernard Pollard was non-tendered and is not expected to be back. So clearly they're in serious need of a personal infusion.

Jacksonville Jaguars - 16th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, QB, DE, MLB, SS

Offense
This offense certainly showed its potential last year, however the injury to RT Eben Britton came at a horrible time for their playoff hopes and the rest of the line tanked after that. It seems the lack of a decent wide-out has hurt this team ever since Jimmy Smith retired and Keenan McCardell went to another team. That said, Mike Sims-Walker won't be back next year, so the urgency to get a play-maker at receiver has never been more pressing than now. Also, getting some better competition for inconsistent QB David Garrard would mean two things; 1) Garrard plays better & 2) the rookie has a chance to be groomed.
                        Defense
                        The Jacksonville defensive squad has many holes to fill, to say the least. The linebacker spot is definitely a need, while Daryl Smith is solid, Kirk Morrison & Justin Durant will both walk as free agents, so it goes without saying depth is already a concern. Furthermore, their biggest glaring need last year was at the Safety position where SS Courtney Greene played service-ably; however FS Don Carey won't get the job done next year. And despite the fact they drafted two DE's last year (Larry Hart & Austen Lane,) as well as signing free agent Aaron Kampman, the pass-rush still isn't where it needs to be, so getting value at this position is key.

Indianapolis Colts - 22nd Overall selection

At a glance: OL, WR, DT, SS

Offense
On the surface, one will ask "What could the Colts offense possibly need?" And on paper or even in Madden, that's a fair question. However, the reality is they have serious questions heading into next year. Namely the offensive line, who as Bill Polian (Colts GM) said "Yes, the team needs offensive linemen," that's offensive linemen plural. Also, when healthy they have a dangerous set of receivers yet, Clark, Gonzalez & Collie all have health concerns heading into next year and none of them can fill Reggie Wanye's role. So, despite the fact that the Colts have spent many premium picks on 'Skills-Guys' during the Manning-era, they still have a don't have a 'dynamic' second threat opposite Wayne.
                        Defense
                        The defense isn't as bad off as many thought last year, meaning FS Antoine Betha finally stepped in the leadership role, vacated by SS Bob Sanders. Which, lucky for them allowed them to part ways with Sanders who signed with the always dangerous Chargers this off-season. However, they should still look to build depth at the Safety position, with Sanders gone and Melvin Bullitt being a free agent, means this could potentially leave a gaping hole in the secondary.

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Who should the Panther pick at #1?