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Houston Texans

A pair of free-agent signings last offseason paid off in a big way for Houston's defense in 2011.

Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck is scheduled to have a private workout in front of Colts officials on Tuesday.

Craig Kelley of Colts.com continues the position-by-position breakdown with a look at the specialists.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars defensive end Aaron Kampman is trying to prove his critics wrong once again.

Gene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union: "Despite enduring a ton of criticism, including fans who lamented the Jaguars not acquiring Tim Tebow recently in a trade to compete for the starting job, [Blaine] Gabbert has conditioned himself to leave the past in the rearview mirror. He refuses to get drawn in to negativity."

Tennessee Titans

Linebacker Tim Shaw isn't a fan of last season's rule change that moved kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35.

Free agent Chris Hope is still waiting for some team to come calling for his services.

Jim Wyatt indicates in a report in today’s Tennessean that the Titans and Jordan Babineaux could be ready to strike a deal as soon as March 13 rolls around.

Babineaux’s previous deal makes it so the Titans can’t sign him before free agency opens.

Wyatt says Babineaux made $860,000 last season and counted $575,000 against the cap. (A CBA rule softens the cap hit of long-time veterans making the minimum.)

Tennessee has big holes coming at safety. Michael Griffin and Chris Hope are heading for unrestricted free agency along with Babineaux, who also played for Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray in Seattle.

Safety is regarded as a thin position around the league, so the Titans won’t be alone in having need.

Which means someone else could be interested in Babineaux.

ESPN’s Josina Anderson talked to Babineaux on Monday. She passed this exchange on.

"I wouldn't want to necessarily leave if Tennessee makes me feel at home," Babineaux said.

When asked how the Titans would make him feel at home, Babineaux replied, "Cha-ching."

Early thoughts on the Titans' players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents come March 13, with thanks to Mac’s Football Blog, where you can find complete team-by-team lists that include exclusive rights and restricted free agents.

The Titans have already re-signed three players who were heading for free agency: tight end Craig Stevens, tackle Mike Otto and receiver Lavelle Hawkins.

Fullback Ahmard Hall -- He’s a great locker room guy, but did not have a great season and the Titans have Quinn Johnson in house.

Wide receiver Donnie Avery -- Couldn’t push his way into action and presuming the team drafts at least one receiver, it should have no interest.

Guard Jake Scott -- Team will say thanks for solid service and look to get younger and better on the interior.

Defensive end Dave Ball -- He’s not the solution, but he’s a quality complementary part who can get into the backfield.

Defensive end William Hayes -- Just hasn’t panned out. The team needs at least one new end and there won’t be room for him any longer.

Defensive lineman Jason Jones -- Was not as good at end in the new defense as he was at tackle in the old one. He can still be a very good player.

Linebacker Barrett Ruud -- Didn’t play well before he was hurt, then got displaced by rookie Colin McCarthy.

Cornerback Cortland Finnegan -- I don’t think the Titans want him at anything near what he’ll be able to command.

Safety Jordan Babineaux -- Played well enough that safety-starved Tennessee should want him back.

Safety Michael Griffin -- Does the best when everything around him is going well. But the price he’ll want gets paid to a leader, not a follower.

Safety Chris Hope -- Made a difference on the field and in the locker room for a long time, but his time is now past.

Other UFAs:

• LB Patrick Bailey
• LB Tim Shaw
• S Anthony Smith
• LS Ken Amato

Carl from Iowa writes: I still don't understand why Miami still seems to be a favorite to land Peyton. Why would he choose to play against Tom Brady twice, Rex twice, and at least one hellishly cold game in Buffalo every season? The AFC East already has two legitimate teams, and I think if he chooses Miami he's headed straight for irrelevance (as much as Peyton could be irrelevant).

Paul Kuharsky: I don’t know that Miami will be the favorite for Peyton Manning if he’s free.

I guess New England is a sure thing to be good, but you really think Manning is fearing Rex Ryan? Or anyone?

If I am him, I’m not putting a lot of weight into what division I’m playing in. It’s not about the other guys, it’s about you and your guys.

And things change so dramatically year to year, what’s to say he goes to a “softer” division, say to Arizona in the NFC West, only to see the Seahawks emerge as a big breakout team to go along with the 49ers next season? There are surprises every year -- good teams getting bad and vice versa.

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Marty from Jacksonville writes: You say you like Gene Smith but then you go on to say "it would take quite an effort to be worse" for the Jaguars in 2012. Are you saying you like Gene Smith personally but you think he's incompetent?

Paul Kuharsky: That’s quite a leap you made there. That’s not what I am saying at all.

I like him and he’s found some very good players. The defensive additions last season were excellent.

His quarterback of choice played too soon and was horrible. It doesn’t mean Blaine Gabbert is going to be horrible for life.

Good people who are good at their jobs are part of bad seasons all the time. It doesn’t make them incompetent.

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Matt from Miami Fla., writes: "Independent of that, I’ve fished around to see if I should allow the idea of Tennessee pursuing Manning to breathe or do my part to snuff it out. And all indications have been that wise reporting would be to do the latter." Why don't you just report on what's happening regardless of what you consider wise? If it's happening and affecting people on your beat, report it. You won't go wrong that way.

Paul Kuharsky: I wasn't saying what move would be wise, I was saying what would be wise to report. My desire there was to be transparent. I’d gotten indications they weren't interested in Manning that I was not ready to report. Then general manager Ruston Webster said what he said, and that changed the environment and made what I had appropriate to share as a supplement to his public comments.

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Jason Peters from Los Angeles writes: If we, the Titans, need a new potential free agent to lust over, it should be Mario Williams. In his prime and within the division? That's a rare opportunity. Plus we have plenty of cash to spend.”

Paul Kuharsky: Don’t get carried away with the “plenty of cash” concept. Between $30-35 million available, but a good share of that money has to fund Cortland Finnegan or a replacement, two starting safeties (Michael Griffin, Chris Hope, and Jordan Babineaux are gone or need to be re-signed), a starting guard (Jake Scott’s gone) and a defensive linemen (either Jason Jones or his replacement). If that lineman is Williams, that’s a big chunk of that money.

Yes, they can afford him. But Williams will be overpaid. And the Titans don’t generally say, “We’re willing to overpay in order to get Player X.” They generally go find Player Y instead.

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Aaron M from Houston writes: Paul, first off love your blog man always have an interesting way of looking at things. My comment is has to deal with the recent celebration of Justin Tuck at the Super Bowl, where he does the Namaste bow after a sack. And as anyone that has a TV knows Arian Foster has done this almost every week since he has been in the league. Normally I wouldn’t have a problem with something like this but the fact that he went on the Fallon show and coined it as "Tucking" had me at a loss for words. Just wanted to see what your thoughts were and if someone should call him out for his sticky fingers. Have at it.

Paul Kuharsky: I think it would be pretty hard to claim a copyright on the move, which happens all over the place all the time. Tuck, not Foster, is the one who got to do it on the big stage, so he gets to claim it/ name it/ whatever. But who’s going to jump on board and call bowing like that "Tucking" when it’s been called bowing forever?

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Brutus from Houston: I know everyone is clamoring for the Texans to take a receiver with their first pick, but is it conceivable that they could take another cornerback or outside linebacker with that pick due to the depth at the receiver position?

Paul Kuharsky: We have to see who goes (and comes) in free agency before we know their top needs. Sure they could take another corner, though I’d hope Brandon Harris will be ready to be more of a contributor. If Mario Williams is gone, they certainly need a better third option to take some snaps off the plate of Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed and provide depth at outside linebacker.

I also don’t think the Texans think themselves as receiver-needy as many outsiders do. But they should add at least one weapon.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

Owner Bob McNair is relishing the time as his team prepares to face Cincinnati in a playoff game, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

A win would do a lot for the Texans’ national profile, says Steve Campbell of the Chronicle.

Patience has paid off for Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith and they deserve to take a bow, writes Jerome Solomon of the Chronicle.

Kubiak wants his team playing with a lot of emotion, says McClain.

Wade Phillips has made things simple and effective for the thriving Texans defense, says McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

Jim Irsay will have interviewed seven general manager candidates by the end of Monday according to his Twitter account, says this Star report. He revealed a dark horse: Jim Popp, general manager of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union pieces together the latest in the Jaguars’ coaching search as the team interviewed Brian Schottenheimer of the Jets and Rob Chudzinski of the Panthers.

Tennessee Titans

Chris Hope is heading for free agency, but the safety says he’s going to help some team in 2012, writes Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

The Rams have received permission to talk to Ruston Webster and Lake Dawson about their open GM job, says Wyatt.

Mike Munchak said on Monday the first element of his offseason would be evaluating his coaching staff.

It didn’t take long for him to make his first changes.

The Titans have let secondary coach Marcus Robertson and assistant secondary coach Curtis Fuller go.

“I want to thank Marcus and Curtis for their time here,” Munchak said in a statement released by the team. "After meeting with the coordinators over the last couple of days, we decided to make this move today. Letting Marcus go was not an easy thing. He spent so many great years with this organization as a player, front office employee and a coach. I respect both men, but I wanted to move in a different direction for both of these spots. The interview process might take some time, but we will find the right fits for the secondary room moving forward.”

Robertson played 10 seasons for the Oilers and Titans and he spent a total of 21 seasons with the organization as a player, executive and coach.

I thought he was retained by Munchak from Jeff Fisher’s staff on part because defensive coordinator Jerry Gray worked as secondary coach for part of Robertson’s playing career.

Tennessee’s pass defense ranked 14th in the NFL this season and suffered from a lack of a consistent pass rush. Safeties Michael Griffin, Chris Hope and Jordan Babineaux and cornerback Cortland Finnegan all have expiring contacts.

» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Arrow indicates direction team is trending.

Final Power Ranking: 12
Preseason Power Ranking: 23

Biggest surprise: The 9-7 record. The team was expected to suffer from the lockout and resulting lack of offseason work, but it came together and outperformed expectations given a new coach, new staff and new quarterbacks. Matt Hasselbeck had the best passing season in franchise history by anyone not named Warren Moon despite losing WR Kenny Britt early to a torn-up knee and not getting consistent production from running back Chris Johnson. Coach Mike Munchak set a tone and showed himself to be a straight-forward, well-measured coach who won the respect of his players. With a big contribution from their rookie class, the Titans started off well under a new regime.

Biggest disappointment: Johnson secured a big new contract after he billed himself as a playmaker, not just a running back. But he and the run game were so ineffective that the Titans became a passing team even with Britt on IR. Over half of Johnson's yards came in four wins over bad teams. And although the team consistently defended him, it was completely fair to question his effort. He often went down too easily, he didn’t make a guy miss when he wound up one-on-one and he didn’t work hard enough at his responsibilities without the ball in his hands. The team is hopeful it can get him back on track with an offseason in which he’s expected to be in Nashville far more often.

Biggest need: Defensive pieces. Rookie middle linebacker Colin McCarthy, who was not part of the plan at the start of the season, was probably the best defensive player on the team at season’s end. That indicts a lot of other guys. The Titans have to rush the passer better to be more consistent on defense and they need more than Derrick Morgan, Jason Jones (who should go back to tackle), Dave Ball and William Hayes. Three safeties are heading toward free agency, so the Titans have a lot to sort through there, too.

Team MVP: Hasselbeck is the easiest choice. He played better than many of us expected and brought just the sort of leadership the Titans needed. But I’ll go with receiver Nate Washington, who became the No. 1 receiver with Britt’s injury and delivered a 1,000-yard season even with a bad ankle for the last part of the season. Washington thrived with the new coaching and new quarterbacks. His maturation serves as a symbol of what the Titans need from a lot of other guys at a lot of other spots.

Sorting out the secondary: Safeties Michael Griffin, Chris Hope and Jordan Babineaux and cornerback Cortland Finnegan all have expiring contracts. Finnegan probably draws an offer in free agency beyond what the Titans would give him. The team cannot make a long-term commitment with big money to the inconsistent Griffin. Hope is likely done. Babineaux played well and would be nice to retain. That’s a lot to decide on just in the secondary, but I’d expect a big infusion of new guys to work with young corners Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner.

Two Insider pieces today are worth a mention here.

Peter Keating breaks down the NFL’s best and worst deep-ball throwers. Curtis Painter is fourth-worst (QBR of 39.7 out of 100 on balls thrown over 20 yards) and Blaine Gabbert is ninth-worst (76.3).

“…(M)ost quarterbacks in the NFL are very effective at throwing deep. QBR tends to go up on long throws for reasons that are precisely the opposite of why it goes down in the red zone: When you're deep in your own territory, you have the most chance to gain expected points by amassing a big chunk of yardage with one bomb and less to lose if you happen to turn the ball over. Indeed, this year, starting quarterbacks have an average QBR of 57.3 on throws of 10 yards or fewer but 80.4 on throws of more than 20 yards. And half the quarterbacks in the league have a QBR of 92.2 or higher on deep throws, including guys who aren't otherwise lighting up the scoreboard, such as Matt Cassel, Joe Flacco and Tarvaris Jackson.

“All of which means teams can win with a quarterback who isn't one of the very best in the league at throwing deep, but they will get killed if they don't have one who is at least adequate at throwing deep. The worst quarterbacks on deep throws this year include Mark Sanchez (QBR on passes of more than 20 yards: a hideous 6.8), (John) Beck, Painter, Sam Bradford and Gabbert, all of whom are hamstringing their teams and allowing defenses to focus on run-stuffing.”

No matter the comparison to the rest of the league, the Colts and Jaguars simply have to work too hard to get into the end zone. Both need to find more big plays to make things easier, and neither has shown any reason for us to expect those plays to arrive.

In this piece, Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. Ranks Tennessee’s Alterraun Verner fifth on his list of five up-and-coming cornerbacks.

"Verner spent much of the second half of last season on my Rookie Watch, as he came on very strong despite not being a particularly high draft choice. He isn't physically overwhelming and lacks the real ‘wow factor’ of a guy like (Patrick) Peterson, but Verner is effective. He is feisty, aggressive and further along with his fundamentals than most corners his age. There are not a lot of big names on the Titans' defense, but Tennessee does feature three very good cornerbacks in Verner, (Jason) McCourty (listed below) and Cortland Finnegan, who has really rebounded strong this season after a subpar 2010."

Two of Williamson’s three honorable mentions were from the AFC South: Jacksonville’s Derek Cox and Tennessee’s Jason McCourty.

A lot of people ask about the Titans chasing an additional corner for 2012. If they re-sign Finnegan, they’ve got three quality guys and a promising kid in Tommie Campbell. I think they’ll have bigger concerns at safety (where contracts are up for Michael Griffin, Chris Hope and Jordan Babineaux), at receiver, on the defensive line and at guard.

Thoughts on the Tennessee Titans’ 30-3 win against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium:

What it means: The Titans got back over .500, improving to 5-4 with a trouncing of the Panthers. Tennessee looked a lot more like the team that raised expectations in big performances against the Ravens and Browns this season. The Titans will have a chance to pull within a game and a tiebreaker of the Texans in the AFC South next week.

What I liked, offense: Chris Johnson had his biggest effort of the season, with 27 carries for 130 rushing yards and a touchdown to go with four catches for 44 yards. Matt Hasselbeck found connections with Damian Williams, who looked like a dependable, dangerous threat in the passing game with five catches for 107 yards including a 43-yard touchdown.

What I liked, defense: A team that’s struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback found five sacks of Cam Newton to go with a Chris Hope interception. The Titans didn’t allow a pass play longer than 19 yards.

What I didn’t like: The Titans were just 3-for-13 on third down, a rate that won’t cut it against a higher-caliber team going forward. Nine penalties for 92 yards are too many for too much.

What’s next: The Titans head for Atlanta for a second consecutive game against an NFC South foe. If they can improve to 6-4, they’ll be only a game and a head-to-head loss off the pace of idle Houston in the division.

PITTSBURGH -- The Titans just learned just how the Steelers’ rejiggered lineup will look this afternoon.

Offensive line injuries mean Doug Legursky will flip from right guard to left and Ramon Foster will play right guard.

Injuries on defense mean Ziggy Hood will start at end for Aaron Smith, Chris Hoke will start at nose tackle for Casey Hampton, Lawrence Timmons will move from inside linebacker to outside linebacker on the right side and Larry Foote will step into Timmons' usual slot.

The Steelers kept their third quarterback, Dennis Dixon, active with Ben Roethlisberger dealing with a foot sprain. Running back Rashard Mendenhall has a hamstring injury but remains in the starting lineup. He’s expected to be limited with Isaac Redman taking most of the load.

The entire lists of inactives:

Titans

• QB Rusty Smith
• S Chris Hope
• CB Chris Hawkins
• C Kevin Matthews
• OT Byron Stingily
• DT Zach Clayton
• DT Malcolm Sheppard

Steelers

• RB Mewelde Moore
• CB Cortez Allen
• G Chris Kemoeatu
• DA Aaron Smith
• LB James Harrison
• LB Jason Worilds
• NT Casey Hampton

Reading the coverage…

Houston Texans

Ben Tate is day to day with a groin injury. Derrick Ward (ankle) could be back, but if both are out the Texans are fine with Chris Ogbonnaya serving as the second back behind Arian Foster, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

My take: The offensive line and high-quality run blocking the Texans are getting right now ease any concerns I’d have about Ogbonnaya getting significant action. He’d be fine.

Indianapolis Colts

This was Curtis Painter's first chance to play with an entire week to prepare and work with the first-teamers and, honestly, he wasn't bad. Certainly, it should be said, he was better than Kerry Collins in any of his three starts, says Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.

My take: Yes, he was better. Yes he is the best option going forward. While it was an encouraging performance, he’s still capable of really bad, game-killing moments.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are in trouble and need the sort of lift only a win over the Bengals Sunday at EverBank Field could bring them, says Gene Frenette of the Times-Union.

My take: What else is Jack Del Rio going to say but that the team goals are the same as they were from the start? It’s still possible, but few division-winners endure four-game losing streaks so they can’t drop this one.

Tennessee Titans

Jordan Babineaux has been a great investment for the Titans and he’s in the starting lineup against with Chris Hope out with a broken arm, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

My take: It was crucial for the Titans to get themselves a quality third safety considering the downturn in Hope’s play. They found a good one, and if he continues to play well, it will be an uncomfortable situation when Hope’s healthy in four or six weeks and ready to return.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Had a minute to talk with Mike Munchak about something many of you have been asking me: What’s his stance on a starter losing him job to injury, particularly as it pertains to Chris Hope?

Munchak said in the short term, he doesn't think it should be possible for a player to lose his job because of an injury. But, in a scenario where a guy misses an extended streak, things can change. If Hope missed six or seven weeks and Jordan Babineaux was playing well in his place and the Titans were faring well, things could be different. They could stand pat. They could ease Hope back in a little at a time.

It's not going to be an issue in Hope's case.

His bad shoulder meant he was very limited in practice on Thursday. It seems likely he will miss his second consecutive game Sunday, when the Titans host the Broncos.

But he could be in line to return Oct. 2 at Cleveland. Even if Hope wasn’t back until the game at Pittsburgh a week later, Munchak’s answer told me the veteran safety will be reinstalled into the lineup.

That doesn’t mean Babineaux won’t be able to challenge him or won’t get another chance to play.

Houston Texans

Houston’s special teams have made great contributions so far, says Jeffrey Martin.

The Texans took a look at six free agents Tuesday, including Vernon Gholston, according to John McClain.

Find a podcast of Gary Kubiak's show here.

Indianapolis Colts

Antoine Bethea noticed the crowd thinned out considerably before the end of the Browns game. Phillip B. Wilson looks at how fans are dealing with a big dip. My tip to fans of Indianapolis: Remember the past nine years of playoff trips.

A Steelers-Colts breakdown from Wilson.

At Grantland, Mark Titus talks about jumping off the Colts’ bandwagon.

In the context of Peyton Manning’s reported European stem cell treatment, Jason Whitlock says we need to understand performance enhancing drugs and try to figure out the best way to use them safely and responsibly.

Some doctors chime in on the stem cell procedure possibilities.

Considering Jamaal Anderson, Melvin Bullitt and Robert Mathis, from Sam Monson.

Jacksonville Jaguars

How top 10 rookie quarterbacks have performed under fire, from Gene Frenette.

The Jaguars added receiver Chastin West, says Tania Ganguli.

Going with Blaine Gabbert should be the easy decision, says Hays Carlyon.

The Jaguars have been here before and know how to bounce back, says John Oehser.

Oehser answers a lot of Gabbert questions.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans boosted their sellout streak to 128 and will be full for the Broncos on Sunday, says Jim Wyatt.

A look at the relationship between Chris Hope and Michael Griffin, from David Boclair.

Five things John Glennon knows about the Titans.

How the Titans shut down the Ravens' pass attack, from Tom Gower.

NASHVILLE. Tenn. -- Will Chris Hope’s shoulder injury result in a permanent lineup change?

We don’t know Mike Munchak’s philosophy on starters losing jobs to injury, and the Titans decided to move forward and pay Hope a $6.5 million base salary this season.

But Jordan Babineaux will fill in for Hope today against the Ravens at LP Field. He’s got a history as a playmaker, and if he can provide the Titans with a jolt, Munchak and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray could have a tough call once Hope is healthy.

The inactive lists:

Titans

• QB Rusty Smith
• WR Damian Williams
• SS Chris Hope
• CB Chris Hawkins
• DE William Hayes
• OT Byron Stingily
• C Kevin Matthews

Ravens

• WR Tandon Doss
• CB Jimmy Smith
• CB Chykie Brown
• CS Chris Carr
• G Ben Grubbs
• NT Brandon McKinney
• OLB Sergio Kindle

Five of us asked to pick the AFC South have the Titans finishing fourth.

While the Titans transition has gone well to this point, there is an awful lot of change. Getting used to a new coach and staff, two new quarterbacks and a defense with major personnel and strategy changes is going to take some time. If you listen to the podcast with the preview file, you’ll hear me waffle on the Jaguars and Titans and third and fourth place.

Here’s my intelligence report on Tennessee. You can find it along with the predictions, a draft element from Mel Kiper and a look inside the numbers from Stats & Information here.

Intelligence Report

Five things you need to know about the Titans:

1. A full, fresh start: Coach Mike Munchak has a staff filled with fresh ideas, and his no-nonsense approach has a refreshing feel to it. His primary theme is simple: He asks players to know what to do, and to do it. Working without an offseason, he appears to have instilled a workmanlike attitude matching his own in short order. Players are appreciating and responding to his methods. He created mini-competition periods during camp that had the whole team watching and tended to bring out the best in guys. The spirit from those short periods, with up-downs at stake for the offense or defense, then spilled into the rest of practice.

2. Quarterback turnover: It's the position that sets the tone, and with Vince Young over the past five seasons, the tone was often unhealthy. Enter Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker. They are both natural leaders, both on the field and in the meeting rooms, who carry the work ethic that needs to go with it. Hasselbeck picked things up at the pace the team expected from a prominent veteran addition and showed a stronger, more versatile arm than I anticipated. Locker showed steady progress and the "it" factor the team loved when it decided to draft him eighth overall. As long as Hasselbeck stays healthy, he's the man, while Locker benefits from additional time to learn.

3. Bigger is better: In Jeff Fisher's final years, the team got small up front. Loaded with speed-rush types, the Titans' defense tended to wear down and, by the analysis of new defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, ventured too far from the basics of stopping the run first. So the Titans will be bigger up front with tackles like Shaun Smith and rookies Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug. Jason Jones will now be playing end in the base set and tackle in nickel, and Derrick Morgan could ultimately be a breakout guy at end. All the ends will line up more head on with tackles than way out wide, and defenders will be expected to stay disciplined in helping prevent big runs.

4. Weaponry issues: If the Titans have Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt and Jared Cook in action, they can be threatening on offense. But Johnson is a preseason holdout and Britt missed most of camp and the first three preseason games with a hamstring issue. Without them, the Titans are far less dynamic and will be relying on backs with far less experience and explosiveness -- Javon Ringer and rookie Jamie Harper -- and receivers who have consistently disappointed (Nate Washington, Justin Gage) or who have underachieved so far (Lavelle Hawkins, Damian Williams).

5. Secondary not quite settled: Cortland Finnegan will move inside to play nickelback most of the time, with youngsters Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner as the corners. Michael Griffin can be excellent at free safety if things in front of him and around him go well. Chris Hope is the biggest question in the secondary. He's slowing down, but Gray might be able to use him effectively anyway. The alternative is Jordan Babineaux, who played for Gray in Seattle and has some big-play ability. With Hope due $6.5 million, there still could be a move to be made at safety. If he remains with his current contract, the pressure will mount if he doesn't rebound in a big way in the new system.