HOUSTON TEXANS
What a difference a year makes. Last year, the Texans were coming off a 12-4 season and among the preseason favorites to contend for the AFC title. This year, the Texans find themselves in rebuild mode after a league-worst 2-14 season. Bill O'Brien was lured away from Penn State for his first NFL head coaching opportunity and will have his hands full figuring out a quarterback situation that finds him choosing between 31-year old journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, 3rd year Case Keenum and rookie 4th rounder Tom Savage. Romeo Crennel was tapped to revamp a defense that collapsed last season (24th in points allowed) but has quite a few pieces in place -- not the least of which is 1st overall pick Jadaveon Clowney.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 9 -- @Arizona 8:30 pm
- Aug 16 -- Atlanta 8:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- @Denver 9:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- San Francisco 8:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Implementing Bill O"Brien's system -- O’Brien believes in creating mismatches based on perceived weaknesses of the opposing defense. His tendencies in New England and Penn State suggest we'll see a balanced attack that makes liberal use of tight enda both as in-line blockers and 'move' receivers.
- Is Ryan Fitzpatrick a serviceable stopgap? -- Fitzpatrick has started games for four NFL franchises (Houston will be his fifth) but has never posted a winning record. The 31-year old is hyper-intelligent but has a gunslinger mentality that isn't backed up by his below average physical gifts. Are the Texans set on Fitzpatrick this year, with an eye toward the new franchise passer in 2015? If not, is the answer an as-yet-unsigned veteran?
- Arian Foster's health -- Foster missed half the season with a bad back, but was a participant in mini-camp and professes to be 100% healthy entering training camp. A strong preseason is going to vault Foster back into 1st round consideration, and it's clear Bill O'Brien plans to build the offense around Foster if health permits.
- Andre Johnson's commitment -- Johnson has been a fixture in Houston for 11 seasons, but appears to be uninterested in another rebuilding project. Although nothing is official, Johnson has expressed dissatisfaction with the Texans direction and has reportedly asked for a trade. The Texans will need to evaluate whether a disgruntled Johnson is worth keeping around, or if they're better off trading him while he possesses material value.
- Is Garrett Graham a fantasy sleeper? -- Owen Daniels is now a Raven, and Bill O'Brien has a history of utilizing the tight end. So why isn't the 28 year old Graham getting more attention? He caught 49 receptions for 545 yards and 5 touchdowns in 11 starts last year, and could be in line for TE1 productivity if he stays healthy.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts' 11-5 record matched their 2012 tally, but in many ways this season felt more impressive. Whereas the 2012 Colts were actually outscored by their opponents, the 2013 version finished 10th in point differential (391 points scored vs. 336 points allowed). Indianapolis' playoff victory against the Kansas City Chiefs was literally the biggest 2nd half comeback in NFL playoff history, and hints at the potential of this offense if (when?) Andrew Luck is given full control of the huddle. Success aside, Indianapolis has plenty of room for improvement having finished in the middle of the pack offensively (14th in points, 15th in yards) and defensively (9th in points allowed, 20th in yards).
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 7 -- @N.Y. Jets 7:00 pm
- Aug 16 -- N.Y. Giants 7:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- New Orleans 8:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- @Cincinnati 7:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Is Pep Hamilton on the hot seat? -- Pep Hamilton may have a good rapport with Andrew Luck from their days together at Stanford, but many felt Hamilton's slow, somewhat predictable version of the West Coast Offense was too restrictive in today's wide open NFL. Neither head coach Chuck Pagano nor the players have hinted at dissatisfaction with Hamilton, but all eyes will be on his willingness to give Luck more liberties at the line of scrimmage.
- Is Trent Richardson a feature back? -- Few could have imagined Trent Richardson would be the least effective starting RB in the NFL last year after a mid-season trade to Indianapolis, yet that's exactly what happened as Richardson stumbled and bumbled his way to a 2.9 yards per carry average over 157 carries. Richardson had almost as many fumbles (3) as touchdowns (4) and NFL history has not been kind to runners with his lack of production through two seasons. Yet, the team appears willing to give Richardson the benefit of the doubt and want to see his progress in a full training camp with the team.
- Are Hakeem Nicks and Reggie Wayne threats to T.Y. Hilton's productivity? -- Hilton was a top-20 fantasy receiver last year (82 receptions for 1,083 yards and 5 touchdowns) yet is being drafted outside the top 25 as fantasy owners worry that the healthy return of Reggie Wayne and free agent addition of Hakeem Nicks will eat into Hilton's value. Are there enough targets available to feed all three playmakers? If not, who appears to be the odd man out?
- Dwayne Allen vs. Coby Fleener -- Coby Fleener was a top 15 fantasy TE (12th in PPR) last year but, like T.Y. Hilton, is being discounted this preseason because of the return of Dwayne Allen. Is conventional wisdom that the two young tight ends will cannibalize each other logical?
- Sorting out the interior offensive line -- A pair of 2nd year players (Hugh Thornton and Khaled Holmes), a highly regarded rookie (Jack Mewhort), and two veterans (Donald Thomas and Joe Reitz) are all vying for three starting spots in the interior. The Colts gave up 32 sacks last year and had difficulty opening holes in the run game; it would be a minor upset if rookie Mewhort didn't earn one of the starting guard spots out of camp.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The good news is Jacksonville doubled their win total from the prior season. The bad news is that meant little more than winning 4 games. Jacksonville finished near the bottom again in total offense (32nd in points, 31st in yards) and defense (28th in points allowed, 27th in yards allowed) and has few proven pieces to rebuild around. Nevertheless, head coach Gus Bradley and coordinators Jedd Fisch and Bob Babich are optimistic entering training camp thanks to a host of young players including the healthy return of last year's top pick, LT Luke Joeckel and this year's 1st rounder QB Blake Bortles.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 8 -- Tampa Bay 7:30 pm
- Aug 14 -- @Chicago 8:00 pm
- Aug 22 -- @Detroit 7:30 pm
- Aug 28 -- Atlanta 6:00 pm
What We're Watching
- When will Blake Bortles take over? -- Central Florida's Blake Bortles stayed in state when the Jaguars selected him 3rd overall and it's only a matter of time before he takes over the starting job. For now the coaches insist Chad Henne will be given every opportunity to be remain the starter throughout the 2014 season, but that seems highly unlikely for obvious reasons.
- Can Toby Gerhart be the offensive focal point? -- Jacksonville let Maurice Jones-Drew walk and signed Toby Gerhart as his replacement. Even though Gerhart was infrequently used in four seasons backing up Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, his film and underlying metrics point to compelling upside. OC Jedd Fisch recently said, "Toby will be our workhorse." Fantasy owners have begun catching onto Gerhart's opportunity, but a strong preseason may push his ADP into the 2nd/3rd round .
- How soon can the young receivers contribute? -- Cecil Shorts should be the team's lead receiver but that won't be enough to fix the woeful passing attack. With Justin Blackmon's career in flux, the Jaguars hope a pair of second round rookies -- Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson -- emerge quickly.
- Revamping the offensive line -- Jacksonville's quest to overhaul the offensive line took three steps in the right direction in recent months. One, last year's 2nd overall pick Luke Joeckel is healthy after missing the majority of his rookie season with a broken ankle. Two, 27-year old Zane Beadles was added in free agency to play left guard. And last but not least, Brandon Linder was selected in the 3rd round and will get first crack at right guard. If all three pan out in the preseason, it's hard not to expect significant improvement in the overall line play.
- Finding Bradley's 'Leo' -- Gus Bradley's defense relies on the weak side defensive end to be the key play-maker (dubbed the 'Leo'), and last year neither Alan Branch nor Jason Babin fit the bill. Bradley hopes Chris Clemons -- who played for Bradley in Seattle -- is up to the challenge.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Tennessee finished 7-9 last season and, while not a contender, was hardly among the league's worst teams. Defensively the team finished in the middle of the pack (16th in points allowed, 14th in yards allowed) and was slightly below league average offensively (19th in points, 20th in yards). Regardless, wholesale changes were made and veteran Ken Whisenhunt was hired as the new head coach after a successful one-year stint as the offensive coordinator in San Diego. Whisenhunt and new OC Jason Michael will use this season to assess the current roster and build toward contention in 2015 and beyond. On defense, Ray Horton will need to improve the unit through scheme as the team made few meaningful additions to the defensive roster this offseason.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 9 -- Green Bay 8:00 pm
- Aug 15 -- @New Orleans 8:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- @Atlanta 7:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- Minnesota 8:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Implementing Whisenhunt's scheme -- Whisenhunt is from the Don Coryell school and wants a strong armed passer who can stand in the pocket and deliver balls downfield. His quarterback needs to make quick decisions, and Whisenhunt loves getting the RBs involved as outlet options in the passing game. Given OC Jason Michael’s pedigree (TE coach in San Diego, Oakland and San Francisco), you can be sure the Titans will emphasize Delanie Walker. The major question is whether Jake Locker is the quarterback Whisenhunt needs to succeed.
- Jake Locker's progression -- Last year was supposed to be a make-or-break season for Locker, yet the team decided to give him one more year under the masterful tutelage of Whisenhunt. Locker has the athleticism and arm strength to succeed, but must improve his accuracy and shred the injury-prone label that's caused him to play in 23 of 48 career games.
- Will Bishop Sankey make an instant impact? -- Fantasy owners have bought into Sankey as the breakout fantasy star, believing that Sankey has no competition for touches on a team that wants to build around a power ground game. A strong preseason will cement Sankey's current ADP, but nothing is guaranteed.
- Lewan vs. Oher -- 1st rounder Taylor Lewan will battle Michael Oher in camp for the right tackle job; with the 'loser' providing the Titans with one of the league's better swing tackles.
- Finding an inside linebacker -- Wesley Woodyard will start inside after coming over from Denver, but the other ILB spot is up for grabs in the preseason between Colin McCarthy and Zach Brown.
- Finding a starting cornerback -- Jason McCourty's role is set, but the other starting CB spot is open for competition. 3rd year Coty Sensabaugh and 2nd year Blidi Wreh-Wilson both have their sights set on the job.
- Bonani vs. Coons -- Maikon Bonani has a big leg but questionable accuracy, while Travis Coons has the accuracy but less-than-ideal leg strength. One of them should open the season as the Titans place kicker but if neither player steps up, we can't rule out the signing of a veteran.