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Bill Lubinger and Rich Exner of the Cleveland Plain Dealer put together a comprehensive free-agency scorecard.

They tracked what every team in the league has done from 2006-2011, and matched up winning percentages during that time.

That’s hardly scientific.

But all different kinds of signings count the same here.

• Signing defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to a monster contract and getting minimal production, as Washington did.
• Signing a big free agent who gives you all you hoped for, as the Texans did with cornerback Johnathan Joseph, or the Jaguars did with Paul Posluszny.
• Signing a cheap guy you think can emerge, as the Titans did with defensive end Jason Babin, and getting fantastic production.
• Signing a player like defensive end Aaron Kampman, who the Jaguars have gotten minimal production from as he has dealt with knee injuries.

Still, it’s interesting to consider the list in totality.

Here’s how the AFC South placed:

Hat tip to Scott Kendrick of the Florida Times-Union blog.

In earlier times, when Jeff Fisher was a primary power broker, the Titans were constantly accused of a failure to communicate.

Players on their way out often had hurt feelings when they didn’t get a phone call returned, didn’t get a straightforward explanation about where they stood.

I leaned toward defending the team. What can you say, really? You don’t want to back yourself into a corner in case circumstances change.

But the Titans have changed.

A team now headed by general manager Ruston Webster and coach Mike Munchak chose to operate differently with cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

They told him their plan: They won’t be offering him a contract. They are letting him go.

And so, as is human nature, Finnegan wants the next step; he wants more; he wants to know why.

Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean spoke with him:

“It is bittersweet,” Finnegan said. “For six years I played in the Titans organization. I am grateful and humbled that the Titans took a chance on me and the way they matured me over the years.

“But they wanted to move on. … I don’t know why, and I don’t know what else a guy could do career-wise and in the community. But that’s part of the business, and you have to move on. I’ll have great memories of my time with the Titans. It just didn’t work out.”

Again, how would it benefit the Titans to spell it out for him?

Here’s why: They don’t think he’s a $10 million-a-year corner. Although he’s a very good and versatile defensive back, he’s not going to single-handedly erase a top receiver every week. Even had the Titans decided to give him the franchise tag, he would have hated it and griped. He’s a good guy at heart and did a lot for the team and the community, but his nasty streak, on and off the field, could show up at bad moments and be unhealthy. The last time he got money, he didn’t react to a fatter wallet well.

If you’re thinking the loss of Finnegan will hit the Titans the way the loss of Albert Haynesworth did, or even Jason Babin, I disagree with you.

Jason McCourty is a high-quality corner who will be the lead guy. Alterraun Verner is a smart player who will man the other side. Finnegan manned the nickel post well, but if the Titans are down to that, they’ll find an answer. It could be Ryan Mouton. It could be that Tommie Campbell or Chris Hawkins comes in to take Verner’s outside slot and he kicks inside.

The Titans will add an outsider or two from the lower tier of veterans, and they'll draft at least one.

And there is your explanation.

Kelly in Jacksonville, Fla., writes: What do you think about the idea that Jacksonville would sign Laurent Robinson? He is certainly a young receiver, that has maybe already been through the growing pains of transferring into the NFL. Also, even though he isn't considered a top tier guy, he would likely come at a much more reasonable price.

Paul Kuharsky: I like Robinson for the reasons you say. Just not as the lead guy. Sign a big-time guy who’s more proven as the No. 1 (Vincent Jackson would be my choice) and grab Robinson as No. 2, and I think that would be great.

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Adam Brune in Ocean Springs, Miss., writes: In your opinion what are the chances the titans would bring Haynesworth back to Tennessee?

Paul Kuharsky: Zero. We asked Mike Munchak about it on the radio in Nashville right after the news Haynesworth had been released came out, and he said as much.

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Fred Scheppele from Colorado Springs, Colo., writes: Why have so many jumped on the bandwagon that Peyton would not want to stay because this team is not competitive? It is basically the same team that was winning 10 and 12 games with him at the helm, and they should be able to do the same if he comes back healthy. Maybe even better, since they now have higher draft choices to bring better talent in next year. I just don't get it.

Paul Kuharsky: It’s not basically the same team at all.

For starters, it will be constructed by Ryan Grigson and coached by Chuck Pagano. Those are massive changes.

Robert Mathis, Jeff Saturday, Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon could all be gone. Three of those four are getting up there. With or without Manning, the secondary is currently horrifically thin. The offensive line had a lot of guys who will have to function in a new system. Dallas Clark and Gary Brackett are coming off big injuries again, and Dwight Freeney counts $19 million against the cap.

There are more questions around this team than any team Manning quarterbacked since very early in his Colts career. Also, the Texans are as talented as any other team’s been in the division in some time.

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Ed from Dallas, Texas writes: Matt Schaub is entering the last year of his contract, coming back from a Lisfranc injury and had his accuracy percentage drop each of the past two seasons. Considering that Gary Kubiak/Rick Smith are likely to get extensions, Do you think there's any chance that they turn an eye to the long term and do something unexpected like taking a QB of the future (Yates is a good backup but not starting caliber) in the first or second round? If not, do you see them extending Schaub before the season or letting him play out the season as somewhat of a lame-duck QB who has to prove himself to get resigned similar to what the 49ers did with Alex Smith?

Paul Kuharsky: I certainly can’t see them talking contract until they see the foot healed and functional. If and when it is, they could happily look to stay married to him for another term. If not, I think they love Yates and see him as ideal for what they want to do. Lack of need thanks to their quality depth will give them the freedom to draft who they like, so I won’t be completely surprised if they take another quarterback. I would be surprised if he was at No. 26 overall.

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Myron Hustoft from San Antonio writes: I'm a little confused on your entry about Indy's second round. You stated their pick is the 34th overall. Compensatory picks, I thought, don't begin until after the third round and I can't find a reference to Indi swapping 2nd round picks with St. Louis. Why aren't they picking 33? Was a tagged on 1st rounder given to someone? If so, what was the reason?

Paul Kuharsky: It’s the 34th pick, the second pick of the second round. (I messed that up initially.)

Indy and St. Louis tied in the draft order, the Colts got No. 1 overall on a tiebreaker. Tied teams in draft order rotate their spot in subsequent rounds. So the Rams are first in the second round, the Colts first in the third round, the Rams first in the fourth, etc.

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Amy Hamilton from Indianapolis writes: Why is Bruce skipping the AFC South? I'm going to have to go to Detroit!

Paul Kuharsky: It’s only the first leg. I’m going to Springsteen’s opener in Atlanta. So you won’t be the only traveler from the division.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The biggest inactive in the AFC South Sunday is Jacksonville defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who’s out with a foot injury he suffered last week.

C.J. Mosley will start next to Tyson Alualu in Knighton’s place.

Running back Joseph Addai is out for the Colts, and Donald Brown will start. In Carolina, rookie Colin McCarthy gets the start at middle linebacker for Barrett Ruud, who’s a scratch.

Here at Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers are jumping right in with Albert Haynesworth, who will start. Quinton Demps will work as the kick returner for Houston with Sherrick McManis out.

The full inactives list from Tampa:

Texans:

• QB T.J. Yates
• CB Sherrick McManis
• FS Danieal Manning
• G Thomas Austin
• T Andrew Gardner
• WR Andre Johnson
• TE Garrett Graham

Tampa Bay:

• CB Anthony Gaitor
• L B Dekoda Watson
• T Derek Hardman
• T James Lee
• WR Michael Spurlock
• DE Tim Crowder
• DT Frank Okam

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle looks at all the people involved in building the Texans’ roster depth. GM Rick Smith and the front office have done some very good work, but we shouldn’t forget the influence they’ve given Wade Phillips.

Quintin Demps had a pick in his first game back with the Texans in another chance, says Jeffrey Martin of the Chronicle.

Indianapolis Colts

How the mighty have fallen. Colts-Patriots has long been the league’s premier matchup. Now it’s been flexed out of prime time to save us. Phillip B. Wilson of the Indianapolis Star has this story.

Mike Chappell of the Star on the issues the team has with the local media.

Jimmy Johnson says the Colts should take Andrew Luck and deal Peyton Manning, says Mike Berardino of the Sun-Sentinel. Hat tip to Mark Alesia.

“Somehow I think Bill Polian is so smart, so shrewd, that he figured out how to leave the Colts in good shape for the next 10-15 years … and this is his plan,” says Clark Judge of CBSSports.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars rebuilt linebacking group is living up to the billing, says Tania Ganguli of the Times-Union. It’s not easy to find a better trip than Paul Posluszny, Daryl Smith and Clint Session.

Linebacker Mike Lockley was promoted from the practice squad says Ganguli.

Tennessee Titans

Despite his ties to Nashville and the Titans, Albert Haynesworth is unlikely to be heading back to Tennessee, says John Glennon of The Tennessean.

If the concept of “Dreads on a Stick” is of interest to you, here’s you link. Chris Johnson’s apparently fighting with former business associates over the promotional concept, says Glennon.

Resist the urge to call for Jake Locker, urges Music City Miracles.

Brent Dougherty of “3 Hour Lunch” in Nashville was hanging out in the Tennessee Titans' press room a while ago. We got to talking about Chris Johnson.

I’m not a math guy. I’m not a contract expert. But in playing around with some numbers, I came up with something I think could be considered reasonable for the Titans to make an initial offer. And Dougherty allowed me to join the show to offer it up.

Here it is, fixed up a little:

Five years for $55 million. He is guaranteed $31 million in the first three years, including a $25 million signing bonus.

It seems a great deal for Johnson -- a $10.3 million average over the first three years.

It protects the Titans from running back demise, as Johnson will turn 30 during the 2015 season. They could simply not pay the roster bonus, cutting Johnson loose at that point. Or maybe Johnson looks to have another two good years and the economy for running backs makes an additional $13 million, and those big bases in 2014 and 2015, palatable.

I’m not saying this is the ideal deal. I’m saying I believe it’s a functional sketch of something that could work for both sides.

Hopefully the Titans are drawing up their own version of an initial offer to get things started.

Here are a few other opinions from people who understand contract and cap math way better than I.

Andrew Brandt’s got a nice analysis and prediction of the situation now, here.

And I asked Football Outsiders cap expert J. I. Halsell for his thoughts on the top running back versus elite playmaker debate.

His thoughts:

“In terms of what being paid like a top playmaker translates into, on the offensive side of the ball, the highest paid non-QB veteran contract isn't even a skill position contract. The Eagles' LT Jason Peters' deal averages $12.86M/yr.

“In terms of offensive skill position players, the Texans' WR Andre Johnson got $12.85M/yr on a two year extension.

“When you look at elite offensive players' guarantees, they are roughly in that $6M - $7M guaranteed dollars per year (i.e., Johnson on his two-year extension got $14M guaranteed).

“Given DeAngelo Williams' deal that has an average per year of $8.5M and a guarantee average per year of $4.9M, I suspect the Titans would be willing to pay Johnson a deal that would pay $9M per year and a guarantee of maybe $5.5M-$6M per year. So on a four year extension, Johnson could get from the Titans a deal worth $36M with upwards of $24M guaranteed.

“Johnson on the other hand -- assuming a 4 year extension -- is looking for a deal with $52M in new money with $28M-$30M guaranteed and $40M-plus paid in the first three years.

“Albert Haynesworth is probably the most recent example of a player who got paid significantly beyond their positional market, as Haynesworth received an elite pass rusher type contract in spite of being a DT.

“The difference between Johnson and Haynesworth, though, is that Haynesworth was able to obtain that kind of contract because he had suitors on the free agent market that drove his price up. Johnson, who is under contract for the next two seasons, does not have this same luxury.

“There's creative contract structuring that can be done that can allow for both sides to get what they want out of the deal. Perhaps Johnson may have to relent on his average per year desires in exchange for a creative yet lucrative guarantee structure that would put his guarantee in the 'playmaker' category.

“At the end of the day, both sides will have to give a little to get a deal done.”

Albert Haynesworth is surly. Nick Fairley is silly.

That’s the gist of a review I got from an AFC scout when I took him the idea that Fairley, the defensive tackle from Auburn who could go to the Titans at No. 8 in the draft, is like Haynesworth, the defensive tackle from Tennessee who went to the Titans at No. 15 in 2002.

Haynesworth didn’t always play hard, dealt with nagging injuries, stomped an opponent’s face and was motivated by money. But at times he was an absolutely dominant force in the middle who had a positive bearing on every player on defense and helped the Titans contend for the playoffs.

Popular thinking on Fairley now suggests a big contract could lead a collegiate one-year wonder, who took plays off during a fantastic season, to become lazy or complacent.

My scout says it’s an off-kilter comparison.

“Fairley is more happy-go-lucky, he’s not Haynesworth,” he said. “Albert played with a huge chip on his shoulder, like everybody was against him. This kid, when he hits the field, yeah, no question he’s a competitive son of a gun. But he’s not Albert …

“I think Fairley clearly has a chance to be a special player. You’ve got to remember, he’s a Southern, Southern kid. He’s a bayou-type kid. The [Titans] had a guy like [defensive end] Antwan Odom who was a bayou kid -- it can be misconstrued as not having a passion. But I don’t think that’s the case. I think this kid is a fun-loving type of kid who’s silly.”

“Yeah, he’s going to make mistakes. Are they going to be glaring or things done on purpose? His mistakes are going to come out of, pardon the expression, ignorance, just not knowing. License registration and stuff like that -- 'Oh, I didn’t even know I had to register my car.'”

Did I find one guy who doesn’t see Fairley as a concern?

Well, two other scouts also chimed in. One said he doesn't worry that Fairley could turn lazy. The other expressed apprehension, but said it wouldn't stop him from taking Fairley at No. 8 if he was with the Titans.

I knew Haynesworth at his best, and actually thought he was a bit misunderstood.

It took too long for things to click for him, but he wasn’t a bad guy in Tennessee. He wasn’t always brooding. He could be light-hearted and funny. He liked to talk about work as a travel agent and to show off his newest gadget. He got good enough that he could speak his mind without fearing the consequences, and I think a locker room needs at least one star like that.

He played his best when a contract was at stake. I was a member of the camp that didn’t care for that. I also didn't care for his tendency to need help off the field for injuries that proved less than serious. He responded very well to the Andre Gurode incident -- where he stepped on the Dallas Cowboys' center's head -- but it obviously shouldn’t have happened in the first place. He has not handled himself nearly as well in Washington, but Mike Shanahan practically poked him with a stick. Haynesworth had or has issues with anger management and fast driving.

But everyone who played with him in Tennessee wanted him on the field, doing his thing.

If Fairley can give the Titans that type of play and carries less risk of the drama, he looks like an appealing addition to a defense that needs to be revamped. After these scout conversations, I’ll offer no objection if he’s the selection.

Still, plenty of analysts continue to voice concerns.

“A lot of early round defensive tackles end up being busts,” said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. “They are just freak human beings and even the highest levels of the college game can be easy for them. If their work ethic isn't top-notch, they often bust. Fairley seems to take a lot of plays off. He turns it off and on. That is a huge warning sign for me, especially at defensive tackle.”

Not all scouting eyes see plays off last season at Auburn, however. Charley Casserly told Jim Wyatt that playing too high and getting blocked on plays was mistaken for shutting down.

Draft analyst Mike Detillier of NFL Draft Report said he loves Fairley but has some fear of plays off. He thinks Tennessee’s new defensive line coach, Tracy Rocker, knows how to find Fairley's on switch since he coached the tackle at Auburn last season. There is risk with him, though, and work ethic after a payday is one of the hardest things to predict, he said.

That reminds me of my absolute favorite scouting maxim, one I learned from late Oilers/Titans scout Glen Cumbee: Money makes a guy more of what he is.

So good guys become better guys; bad ones become worse.

I’ve only had one interaction with Fairley, far too little to judge him on. If the Titans can plug him into their old scout's equation and not have doubt, they may have their man.

One other question about Fairley that’s come from readers is about his size. If the Titans are striving to get stouter, how does Fairley, at just under 6-foot-3 and between 290 and 300 pounds, do that when the Titans have Tony Brown (6-3, 305) and Sen'Derrick Marks (6-2, 295)?

Well, Brown's got chronic knee issues that could mean he’s only a situational player now and Marks, another Auburn guy, has not yet proven worthy of a second-round pick in 2009.

Meanwhile, Fairley has hardly maxed out.

“He’s a big, big, massive man,” the scout said. “You’ve got to realize he hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he’s going to be physically. He’s going to get bigger and he’s going to get stronger, which is scary, and he’s got great feet. He’s a big basketball guy. He really thought he was going to the NBA as a kid.”

If there are no big surprises who fall to No. 8, I suspect the Titans will go with Fairley. They may like Washington quarterback Jake Locker, but not that high. If they find a willing partner, they could move down and still stand a chance of landing Fairley a bit later with Minnesota (12th), the Giants (19th) and Indianapolis (22nd), the biggest possibilities to take him out of need.

If the Titans moved back and Fairley disappears, they could turn to a defensive end like Adrian Clayborn or J.J. Watt, or they could look to Locker.

But no one may be a better addition than Fairley.

“Does he fit Tennessee?" the scout said. "Yeah, if everything you’re hearing is true and they want to get bigger and stronger and more physical, yeah he’s all three. You can put a check next to bigger and stronger and more physical.”

Jeff Fisher critics have called for staff shuffling.

They’d have been foolish to want defensive line coach Jim Washburn to go. But Washburn, a free agent like every coach on Fisher’s 2010 staff except for Mike Heimerdinger, may be on the verge of jumping to Philadelphia, reports Jim Wyatt.

Fisher acknowledging the possibility may be an early attempt to start softening the blow.

It would be a terrible development for the organization, which has consistently seen Washburn turn draft picks and free agents, problem children and reclamation projects into productive pass rushers.

The list of guys Washburn got the best out of includes Jevon Kearse, who joined the Titans in 1999, the same year as Washburn as well as Kenny Holmes, Josh Evans, Henry Ford, Carlos Hall, Robaire Smith, Antwan Odom, Travis LaBoy, Albert Haynesworth, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tony Brown, Jason Jones, Dave Ball and Jason Babin.

In six seasons with four teams, Babin had 17. 5 career sacks before the Titans signed him for $1 million last offseason. Under Washburn’s tutelage, Babin posted 12.5 sacks -- the sixth-best total in the NFL. (Here’s a column on Babin and Ball from early in the 2010 season.)

A screamer, Washburn knows how to find and push buttons for his players, and he’s helped them make them a ton of money. By Wyatt’s count, 11 defensive linemen left the Titans over the past 12 years to sign big free-agent contracts elsewhere at a total value of more than $355 million.

I can think of only two guys who were better after they left. Juqua Thomas, who’s now Juqua Parker of the Eagles and could soon have Washburn as a position coach again, is not part of that big-money departure list. Randy Starks of the Dolphins is.

Virtually everyone who’s played for Washburn has good things to say about what he did for them.

Replacing him would be a huge undertaking for Fisher. A lame-duck coach, he won’t be able to offer his next defensive line coach any more than the one-year deal he was able to offer Washburn.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

How bad are the Texans? John McClain and N.D. Kalu discuss it in this video.

There is something admirable about the way Gary Kubiak sticks to his core beliefs, says Richard Justice.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are wary of New England return man Brandon Tate, says Phil Richards.

Jerraud Powers wants to keep pace with Kelvin Hayden when it comes to interceptions, says Mike Chappell.

Philip B. Wilson was surprised that Bill Polian emphasized that this is only one game.

The Colts and the Patriots both make the argument that they are the team of the decade, says Michael Marot.

It’s the 13th time for Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady.

Reggie Wayne missed practice and Austin Collie was limited, says John Oehser.

What Manning does and how to beat it, from Scott Bolander. I’m late to this excellent read. Give yourself some time with it.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Zach Miller is finding his place in the offense, says Tania Ganguli.

Mike Thomas will have a Hall of Fame presence, says Vito Stellino.

Joe Haden of the Browns thought about the Jaguars on a key play, says Ganguli.

Rashean Mathis needs to play better, says Vic Ketchman.

The Browns won’t beat up the Jaguars like they did last year, says Terrance Knighton. From Matt Loede.

A Q&A with Derek Cox from Alex Heacock.

Tennessee Titans

Vince Young defended his toughness, says Jim Wyatt.

Albert Haynesworth said he will always be a Titan at heart, says Wyatt.

Rusty Smith hopes to earn the Titans’ trust, says Wyatt.

Jeff Fisher regrets letting LeGarrette Blount make it to Tampa Bay, says John Glennon.

The Titans know they’ll lose to Haynesworth if they try to go one-on-one with him, says David Boclair.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans know Albert Haynesworth awfully well.

Both Vince Young and Chris Johnson were asked about taking on the giant and controversial defensive tackle on Sunday at LP Field.

“That’s going to be fun,” Young said of his former teammate. “I’m going to try to draw the big boy offside a little bit.”

And if Haynesworth tries the leapfrog move he used with great success for the Titans against the Falcons and for the Redskins against the Bears, Young said: “I’m going to stiff arm him if he tries that stuff on me.”

Johnson could also encounter Haynesworth at the line of scrimmage. He said he likes a big challenge but at the same time wouldn’t say he looks forward to encountering such a player.

“He’s a beast, he makes plays,” Johnson said. “It’s just a thing where we’re going to have to execute our own plays. I can’t worry about one defensive lineman. I’ve got to worry about their whole defense. But at the end of the day he’s a great player and he’s going to make great plays.”

The latest installment of the Haynesworth debate is over a play in the Redskins' blowout loss to Philadelphia where he penetrated well early, wound up on the ground and stayed there as the play continued to unfold.

But the Titans know his ability to make explosive, game-changing plays firsthand, as he was their first-round draft pick in 2002 and he played with them for seven years.

“You’re going to have to be aware of where he is and you’re going to have to maybe give somebody help sometimes with the center,” Jeff Fisher said. “They move him all over the place and they affect the protection, so we’re going to have to be on our toes with our adjustments.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Longtime Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn answered the phone recently and heard Josh Evans on the line.

A productive but troubled defensive tackle for the Titans from 1995-99 and in 2001 after completing a suspension, Evans still feels a strong connection to the guys Washburn oversees because they play the same way his lines played.

“He said, ‘I watched you on TV and I was so proud because I knew I was a part of that,’ ” Washburn said. “ 'That group on the field 10 years after I left, I knew that was still my group and they still play hard.’ ”

Which led a sentimental Washburn to ask: “What’s better, that or winning the division?”

His best rush groups have featured a star -– Jevon Kearse, Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch were top rushers, Kevin Carter was a big name -– surrounded by mostly mid- and late-round picks.

But the linemen leading the charge for the NFL’s No. 1 sack team heading into Jacksonville for "Monday Night Football" (8:30 ET, ESPN) aren't marquee names. Twenty-two sacks have come from a group of outcasts, misfits and football orphans from the scrap heap mixed with draft picks from Eastern Michigan, Winston-Salem State and Central Arkansas.

They are a lot like Evans, who was undrafted out of Alabama-Birmingham.

The Titans probably expected their starting ends at this point to be rookie first-rounder Derrick Morgan and William Hayes, a three-year veteran from Winston-Salem State.

Morgan, though, is out for the year with a torn ACL, and after Hayes was slowed by a knee injury in the preseason, he’s working as part of a deep rotation.

The front-line rushers on the outside are Jason Babin and Dave Ball, regular Joes who are personable, low-key guys six days a week and fierce quarterback killers Sunday.

Washburn makes them sound like they are related to Darth Vader when he says they each have a “dark side.”

“When emotions get high and things get crazy, my alter ego and my inner being kind of come out,” Babin said. “And he’s not a nice guy. I wouldn’t say I am trying to maim or hurt people. But I am definitely not considerate by any means.

“Off the field, I’m a dad, I’m a husband. I help out with dinner. I do bath time. But not out there.”

The Titans fleeced the Houston Texans in a 2004 draft-day trade made for the 27th pick in the first round. The Texans took Babin and tried to turn him into a linebacker in their 3-4, but things never worked out in his three seasons there. Babin then bounced from Seattle to Kansas City to Philadelphia.

The Titans grabbed him last spring with a one-year, $1 million deal. In their simple get-the-quarterback scheme, he has 5 1/2 sacks in five games, more than his total in any of his previous six seasons.

He knows it will take a much longer stretch of quality production to remove his bust reputation. But he’s a poster boy for how complicated schemes and projected position changes can get in the way of a player playing solid football.

“It’s a simple game, it’s basic and if you try to draw X's and O's and scheme, that stuff doesn’t work,” Babin said. “Here, we come off the ball, and whatever happens, happens …

“Wash likes to joke, ‘If I had my hands on you, you’d have a lot more money and a lot more sacks,’ and maybe that’s true. But the journey that I took has really made me who I am today. I’m more humble and more respectful than I was when I started. I really cherish practice, working out and every play on the field.”

Ball has bounced around as well. Drafted out of UCLA in the fifth round by San Diego in 2004, he spent time with the Chargers, Jets and Panthers and then had a season out of football. He signed with the Titans in early 2008.

Mostly a rotation guy for Tennessee in his first two seasons, Ball has stayed healthy and been productive this season. He has 4 1/2 sacks while holding off Hayes, Jacob Ford and Morgan (while he was healthy) despite regular worries about losing rank.

“He’s a paranoid dude,” Washburn said. “He is just afraid to fail. He’s obsessed, just like Kyle (Vanden Bosch). He’s afraid every day.”

Ball said his receding hairline is partly because of that mentality. Although he doesn't come to work fearful that he could be cut as he once did, he still is concerned about the potential for drop-off.

“I worry about not keeping up the pace I’ve been going,” he said. “I always want the best for me and my family. Any little wrinkle, any bump in the road I get freaked out because I’ve sat out a year, I bounced around at the beginning of my career.

“I’ve been paranoid for the longest time. I always get tremendously nervous during football. I wasn’t going to play good, or someone was going to beat me out or I wasn’t going to be the best kind of player … It makes me work extremely hard.”

Ball has the ability during games to set his concerns aside and have fun, helping him be consistently disruptive.

Evans, who played some of his best football as the Titans went to Super Bowl XXXIV in January 2000, had that sort of fun and effect when he played for Washburn too. He’ll likely be watching the Titans against the Jaguars, feeling connected. So will a lot of former Washburn linemen people have never heard of or forgotten.

“We just play off the theme we’ve been playing off for 12 years,” Washburn said. “We’re nobodies or whatever. Nobody thinks we’re very good. I would imagine it’s what most coaches play off of if they have small-school guys, reclamation projects, guys that have not experienced a lot of success.”

“What would you do? You’d do the same thing, wouldn’t you?"

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t just scaled back Derek Cox’s responsibilities in Week 2. Jack Del Rio has benched the second-year corner.

Cox was expected to be a cornerstone guy in Year 2, along with defensive tackle Terrence Knighton. But the Cox's poor play in the season opener got him benched for the second half in last week’s win over Denver.

In San Diego, Cox is inactive and David Jones is in the starting lineup. Injured safety Anthony Smith is out, with Courtney Green in his spot.

Meanwhile in Washington, the Texans won’t face defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who is inactive.

Texans defensive tackle, Amobi Okoye, is active.

The Onion previews the division.

Interesting read: Pat Kirwin discusses “11” personnel groupings.

Houston Texans

The Texans are loaded at tight end, says John McClain.

The toughest weekend is over, says David Anderson.

McClain combs over some stats.

Matt Leinart contract details, from McClain.

McClain asks if the Texans will end the Indy jinx?

What Richard Justice won’t write about the Texans this season.

Turk Schonert puts together a top 10 list of who opening day is most important to, and the Texans are on it.

Indianapolis Colts

Young Colts look for a jump in play and production, says Phillip B. Wilson.

The league tinkered with the umpire position, again.

A Q&A with Pierre Garcon.

Wilson’s game preview.

Rick Gosselin wonders about hangover possibilities, but picks the Colts for the Super Bowl.

Kevin Thomas talked to 18to88.com

A look at the Colts from a fantasy perspective, from Andrew Behrens.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Draft picks offer a glimpse into the Jaguars’ philosophy under Gene Smith, says Tania Ganguli.

Uche Nwaneri got a five-year extension with over $8 million guaranteed, says Ganguli.

Video from the team’s kickoff luncheon.

Jack Del Rio is on the hot seat, says Barry Wilner.

Marcedes Lewis wants to be the NFL’s best all-around tight end.

Tim Tebow has no importance on this football game. He'll likely play only a few snaps in some gimmick plays, if at all, says Alfie Crow.

Tennessee Titans

Jeff Fisher on Albert Haynesworth: “We’ll listen.” From Jim Wyatt.

Herb Donaldson is the practice squad running back, says Wyatt.

Five things The Tennessean knows about the Titans.

The Titans are one of a few teams with the best chance at 2-0, says Bob McClellan.

Vince Young’s mom has no interest in Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy, says Mark Berman.

If the Titans can get Albert Haynesworth for a third-round pick or less, they should jump on it. If they need to throw in a seventh, they should.

Tennessee’s old defensive tackle is hardly without sin in all that’s transpired in his relationship with the Redskins. But Mike Shanahan’s butchered things as well, often showing more concern with proving who’s boss than with attempting to get production out of a guy who can be dominant.

The Titans can handle him. Haynesworth played his best football for defensive line coach Jim Washburn. They have a good relationship and re-establishing it could help fix Haynesworth and resurrect his game and his name.

They can handle what’s left of the salary. They can handle and manage his personality. They can get him to play hard.

Bring him back, bump Jovan Haye out of the top four tackles. Give the Titans Haynesworth, Jason Jones, Tony Brown and Sen’Derrick Marks as their four interior guys and life gets easier for everyone on defense.

And the Titans would be a better football team.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

Gary Kubiak’s got to develop a credible No. 2 quarterback says Jerome Solomon.

Kubiak might resurrect Matt Leinart’s career.

Leinart talked to Mark Berman.

Danny Clark signed with the Saints.

Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Gonzalez doesn’t sound real excited about how preseason promises played out for him, writes Mike Chappell.

Brandon King is now a safety, says Chappell.

Melvin Bullitt’s attitude reveals his value, writes Bob Kravitz.

John Oehser breaks down the 53-man roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars

“For a team that started out 0-2 the last two seasons and is aiming for a fast start to build the confidence of the players and its fickle fan base, it might be the most important opening game in the history of the franchise,” writes Vito Stellino.

The Jaguars will not be blacked out Sunday in Jacksonville, says Tania Ganguli.

Sean Considine is a starter at safety and Justin Smiley is a first-team guard, says Ganguli.

Concern for players' well being has become excessive, says Vic Ketchman.

Tennessee Titans

Mike Reinfeldt won’t address Chris Mortensen’s report that the Titans are talking to the Redskins about Albert Haynesworth, writes Wyatt

The Titans know the Redskins are desperate, says Wyatt.

Chris Johnson insists 2,500 rushing yards can happen, says Jim Wyatt.

Kenny Britt’s putting the preseason behind him, says Wyatt.

Johnson recalls racing in the streets with David Boclair.