The AFC South, Now and Later
By JOHN SCHAEFER, AOL Sports,
Posted: 2008-06-03 19:28:44
A long, hot summer stands between football fans and the start of the 2008 NFL season. With nothing better to do, it's a good time to kick back with a cold one and see how the eight NFL divisions stand now and try to figure out how their key storylines will play out. First up is the AFC South, which has been Indy's personal playground for five straight years. Is this finally the year that the Colts' get corralled?
AFC South Storylines
Ann Heisenfelt, APAn offseason spent acting like a college kid in Texas should make one wonder if Vince Young has what it takes to become a successful pro.
1 of 5PHOTOS
AFC South Storylines Now
Vince Young has taken a lot of flak recently for his seeming fondness for partying shirtless with a bunch of dudes. But a bigger issue was his decision to go back to school at Texas instead of working with the Titans. The time for academic pursuits is in retirement, not when you are earning millions to be the leader of a playoff contender ... The Colts' defense was improved last season, but will it take a step back with several key players, including Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney recovering from offseason surgeries? ... Speaking of Indy, Marvin Harrison's alleged walk on the wild side could prove to be a major distraction ... The Jaguars overpaid to snag Derrick Harvey in the draft. The defensive end needs to make an impact, especially when the Jags are trying to stop Peyton Manning ... Houston went 2-5 without Andre Johnson last season and 6-3 with him. The success or failure of his recent arthroscopic knee surgery obviously could make or break the Texans' season.
AFC South Storylines Later
A continued talent drain, lingering injury issues and an improving division all will conspire to knock the Colts off their perch. Indianapolis still has the firepower, however, to earn a wild-card berth in the tough AFC ... Who will supplant the Colts? Jacksonville is poised to win the division title behind an improved defense and running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who will be one of the NFL's top MVP candidates ... The Titans will continue to feature their running game (as the selection of running back Chris Johnson in the first round suggests), which should only serve to keep Young's passing skills erratic. More and more Tennessee fans will be wishing Young had followed through on his thoughts of retiring after his rookie season ... The Texans will fashion their first-ever winning season thanks to a stronger ground attack and an emerging defense that will take a big step forward.
How AFC South Stacks Up Now
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Titans
4. Texans
How AFC South Will Stack Up Later
1. Jaguars
2. Colts
3. Texans
4. Titans
Cheerleaders perform during training for the beach volleyball events ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 7, 2008. (Carlos Barria, Reuters)
Carlos Barria, Reuter
Chinese cheerleaders perform at the break of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team against the Russian National Team during the USA Basketball International Challenge exhibition game at the Qizhong Arena on August 3, 2008 in Shanghai, China. (MN Chan, Getty Images)
MN Chan, Getty Images
Cheerleaders dance during the men's preliminary round beach volleyball match between Russia and Italy at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 12, 2008. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA)
Reuters
Cheerleaders perform before the men's 69kg Group A weightlifting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 12, 2008. REUTERS/Yves Herman (CHINA)
Reuters
A man rides a bicycle past tribunes as Chinese cheerleaders wave flags at the rowing venue during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
AP
Cheerleaders perform during a time out in a 2008 Beijing Olympics Women's preliminary match of Beach Volleyball at Beijing's Chaoyang Park on August 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Cheerleaders perform during a time out in a 2008 Beijing Olympic Women's preliminary match of Beach Volleyball at Beijing's Chaoyang Park Beach volleyball ground on August 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Cheerleaders perform during a time out in a Women's preliminary match of Beach Volleyball at Beijing's Chaoyang Park Beach volleyball ground, August 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
A cheerleader is thrown up the air while performing during half-time break at the men's pool MB hockey match between Australia and Canada at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 11, 2008. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (CHINA)
Reuters
Cheerleaders perform during break of men's field hockey match between Pakistan and Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games on August 11, 2008. Great Britain won 4-2. AFP PHOTO/ AAMIR QURESHI (Photo credit should read /AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
2008-05-29 17:09:58
