New head coach Jack Del Rio brings a defensive intensity with him from Carolina, and the additions of perennial All-Pro end Hugh Douglas and former Colts linebacker Mike Peterson through free agency should help solidify a front seven that was disappointing in 2002. The secondary appears to be pretty solid heading into the season.
Bottom Line: The Jaguars are more likely to be competing with the Texans at the bottom of the division than pushing the Colts and Titans for a division title.
4. Houston Texans
The Texans are definitely still in the building stage, and four to six wins is probably a realistic goal. Obviously, the offensive line must perform significantly better than last season or they may not be lucky enough to get quarterback David Carr through another season. Rookie Andre Johnson must be a viable receiver or Corey Bradford will continue to be smothered by double teams. Second-year receiver Jabar Gaffney, who is moving to the slot this season, also needs to prove he can be a consistent threat. The Texans must also develop some kind of running attack, which is why they brought in a powerful between-the-tackles runner in Stacey Mack and took a chance on rookie Tony Hollings, who is recovering from knee surgery.
Defensively, the Texans are pretty solid at corner, but safety could be a concern as both starting safeties, Eric Brown and Matt Stevens, are better suited to playing strong safety. Stevens lacks the range that most teams like to see in a free safety, but that is where he will begin the season. Depth is also a concern in the secondary as well as the defensive line. Defensive end Gary Walker and nose tackle Seth Payne are both Pro Bowlers, but there’s a big drop off in talent behind them.
Bottom Line: This is still an expansion team, and they’ll probably play like an expansion team for much of the season. Barring a total collapse by the Jaguars, it’s doubtful the Texans will crawl out of the depths of the AFC South this year.
