ESPN NFL

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

Matt Leinart is super critical of himself, says Jerome Solomon.

Johnathan Joseph is on track to come back from his groin injury, says John McClain.

Richard Justice’s interpretation of Gary Kubiak’s comments is that Kareem Jackson is keeping his job.

Indianapolis Colts

Jim Irsay is The Riddler of NFL owners, says Bob Kravitz.

No veteran free-agent quarterback had been added to the roster by late Monday. That might be an indication that privately the team is confident Peyton Manning will be ready for the opener, or that a targeted free agent wasn't interested in being an insurance policy, says Mike Chappell.

Athlon asks if Manning is overrated.

Scott Bolander is convinced the Colts already know Manning will be ready. But Nate Dunlevy points out that they may just be preparing poorly for the possibility of Manning’s absence.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Paul Posluszny wants to prove he's worth the Jaguars’ investment, says Tania Ganguli.

Scotty McGee wants it bad, Jack Del Rio says, according to Vito Stellino. We need to see more than desire for him to make the team, however.

Tennessee Titans

Kenny Britt faces the commissioner today, says Jim Wyatt.

Mike Munchak ended camp a day early and gave his players a day off, says John Glennon.

Former Titans special-teamer Donnie Nickey has some serious criticism about the relocated kickoff, says Wyatt.

Rob Bironas has become a permanent fixture, says David Boclair.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans certainly got some good out of a two-hour, player organized practice session that included more than 50 participants on Wednesday morning at Father Ryan High School.

Cornerback Cortland Finnegan and guard Jake Scott deserve credit for getting so many players out.

Of note:

• Paul Kuharsky/ESPN.comOffensive linemen Eugene Amano, left, and Jake Scott work against each other.
  Running back Chris Johnson was part of things. He said his contract isn’t on his mind right now and declared that he expects rookie quarterback Jake Locker to start right out of the gate. Here’s the news story.
• Locker had some nice moments and some that were not so good. About what you’d expect. He certainly threw the ball better than Brett Ratliff. And he didn’t go the Joe Cool route like Ratliff and Rusty Smith, who practiced in sunglasses.
• The host school’s football staff ran the individual position drills, which had to be a cool thing for most of them. From the stretch through some team work, players seemed to strike just the right measure of laughs with work.
• Safety Michael Griffin said the defense just worked through basic coverages. Players expect the new defense, coordinated by Jerry Gray will touch on them all. They thought running through basics rather than trying to learn and execute anything new was the smart approach.
• Among the notables under contract who were missing -- and let’s be clear they didn’t have to be there and could have had very legitimate reasons for not making it -- were Michael Roos, David Stewart, Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Damian Williams, Lavelle Hawkins, Alterraun Verner, William Hayes and Brett Kern. Justin Gage was a late arrival and just watched.
• Without their own receivers, the Titans benefited from the presence of three quality outsiders: Derrick Mason of the Ravens, Golden Tate of the Seahawks and Patrick Turner of the Jets. Mason started his career with Tennessee and still has an area home while Tate and Turner are both from Nashville. Tate went to Father Ryan arch rival Pope John Paul II, and wore his purple Ryan shirt inside out.
• Paul Kuharsky/ESPN.comLinebacker Gerald McRath coaches up second-round pick Akeem Ayers.
  Several players who are not under contract for 2011 participated: defensive end Dave Ball, guard Leroy Harris, linebacker Tim Shaw and safety Donnie Nickey. Nickey had a big, early collision in seven-on-seven work with Marc Mariani as both went up for a pass from Ratliff that put the receiver at risk. It was the only obvious injury scare of the day. Both bounced up.
• Plays of note: Mariani dropped a well-thrown deep ball from Locker after slipping behind multiple defenders. Corner Jason McCourty dropped a pick of a pass that bounced off Jared Cook; Ratliff threw an incredibly bad, incomplete pass down the deep middle, a duck that wobbled more than a lot of punts do.
• Among the guys I saw doing a great deal of leading of young guys were Scott, Ball, defensive back Vincent Fuller and linebacker Gerald McRath.
• The Titans will have another session Thursday.

Houston Texans

Shiloh Keo has the skills to vie for a starting job, writes John McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

Hunter Smith is comfortable moving on from football, says Bob Kravitz.

Peyton Manning is 72nd on Forbes’ “Celebrity 100.”

Preseason tickets are available. I am sure phone lines are jammed.

Jim Irsay’s been treated like a king while in Washington, says the AP.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Coming out of a small school may mean Cecil Shorts has a higher ceiling, says Tania Ganguli.

Mike Sims-Walker isn’t holding any grudges on his way out of Jacksonville, says Ganguli.

Tennessee Titans

Donnie Nickey’s going into the restaurant business, writes Jim Wyatt.

Matt Hasselbeck sounds sold on Seattle, says John Glennon.

Reading the coverage ...

Peter King’s midseason all-pro team includes Peyton Manning, Arian Foster and Jason Jones.

Houston Texans

The Texans avoid the safe approach despite running well, says John McClain.

It was as bad a coaching performance as Richard Justice can remember in about five years.

Andre Johnson and Mario Williams missed practice, says John McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

We’re seeing something from Jerry Hughes, says Mike Chappell.

Pat McAfee returned and apologized, says Phil Richards.

The matchup with the Eagles, from Phillip B. Wilson.

John Oehser’s seven-point look at the Colts.

Breaking down a key defensive drive against the Texans with Kasey Klipsch.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike Thomas is emerging as a playmaker.

Jack Del Rio laments the team’s 2008 draft strategy, says Tania Ganguli.

Vic Ketchman on his favorite stadiums.

David Garrard is the league’s best passer when the game is close, says The Fifth Down. He needs to do more to make 10-point games close, says Paul Kuharsky.

Tennessee Titans

Donnie Nickey got fined for bumping an official, says Jim Wyatt.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

Brian Cushing is ready for the move to the middle, says John McClain.

Who has the edge in McClain’s eyes?

Indianapolis Colts

Gary Brackett says emotion isn’t going to beat the Texans, writes Mike Chappell.

Tony Dungy adds prestige to the ring of honor, says Bob Kravitz, and the Colts need to clear a lot of space for other names.

The Colts' offensive line expects a much better performance than in the first game against the Texans, says Chappell.

John Oehser’s seven-step look at the Colts.

It’s as close to a must-win as the Colts will have all season, says AP.

Eighteen things to watch for, from Nate Dunlevy.

Jacksonville Jaguars

A very good performance in a blowout of the Cowboys did much to salvage the Jaguars’ season, says Tania Ganguli. Also includes Gene Frenette’s report card.

David Garrard was stellar in his return from a concussion, says Vito Stellino.

A goal-line stand was a big momentum shifter, says Stellino.

Maurice Jones-Drew got going and got over 100 yards, says Ganguli.

If there’s one good thing to say about the inconsistency of these 4-4 Jaguars, it’s that they had the resolve to fight through a lot of negativity, says Frenette.

Frenette and Stellino review the game in this video.

They saved their season, says Vic Ketchman.

Garrard is one of the week’s MVPs, says Shutdown Corner.

Tennessee Titans

San Diego maintained its handle on the Titans, says Jim Wyatt.

The Titans let a big one get away, says David Climer.

Kenny Britt may be out indefinitely, says Jim Wyatt.

A holding call against Michael Griffin swung momentum, says Climer.

Wyatt’s report card.

Philip Rivers was the fourth quarterback to top 300 yards against the Titans.

The Titans defended Donnie Nickey, says Wyatt.

Britt heard a pop, says Terry McCormick.

Jared Cook saw mixed results, says McCormick.

Nick Schommer's film study paid off with a blocked punt, says McCormick.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

The Texans have to find a way to finish the deal against the Colts, says Dale Robertson.

Faith and Bible study are important elements in Rick Smith’s life, says Richard Justice.

The Texans and Colts want to mimic the show of player solidarity from Thursday night’s opener, says John McClain.

For Owen Daniels, the issue is conditioning, says McClain.

The Texans need to keep Neil Rackers off the field.

Houston’s gotten a lot closer in games against the Colts, says Richard Justice.

It’s put up or shut up time for the Texans, says Barry Wilner.

Charles Robinson doesn’t think the Texans will be ready.

Fans are not standing as one with the players, says Alan Burge.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne almost have telepathy, says Mike Chappell.

Can the Colts win it all? The “yes” side of the debate.

Can the Colts win it all? The “no” side of the debate.

The Colts will not be hung-over, says Bob Kravitz.

Wayne won’t let his issues with his contract affect his play, says Chappell.

Eighteen things to watch for in Colts-Texans, from Nate Dunlevy.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Times-Union’s game breakdown from Tania Ganguli.

Jarett Dillard is on IR, John Matthews is on the roster, says Tania Ganguli.

Tim Tebow expects to have some supporters in Jacksonville, says Ganguli.

There are ticket-sale issues in Southern California, says Gene Frenette.

Insightful Player looks at Aaron Kampman. (Hat tip to Matt Loede.)

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are expecting a lot from Derrick Morgan, says John Glennon.

Tennessee’s defense is looking to earn respect, says Jim Wyatt.

Donnie Nickey’s versatility is the key to his long career, says Wyatt.

Wyatt looks at Raiders-Titans matchups.

Wyatt asks two voters if Kevin Mawae is a Hall of Famer.

If you missed this, Jim Trotter broke down the Titans’ game-winning drive against Arizona last season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some bullet-point thoughts on the Titans’ 27-24 preseason win over New Orleans on Thursday night.

Impressive:

• With Chris Johnson not dressing, Javon Ringer showed an ability to keep his feet moving and his eyes open on an early 47-yard run. He felt space open to the left side and took it, slipped a tackle attempt by Leigh Torrence, and moved back to the right. Samkon Gado got a lot of work relatively early with the first team, and broke off a 31-yard run.
• Defensive tackle Jason Jones was very good again, with some nice pass rushes. He did well chasing stuff downfield when needed. If he stays healthy, he’s looking like a guy who will be heard from outside of Nashville this season.
• Gerald McRath showed his ability to cover pretty deep, breaking up a pass down field with Robert Johnson and Nick Schommer also arriving at the throw from Patrick Ramsey intended for Jimmy Graham.
• Jared Cook and LeGarrette Blount had some nice yards after the catch by hurdling defenders. Eventually, though, one of the hurdlers will get crushed when he encounters a defender who anticipates it, stays upright and buries a helmet in his chest.

Unimpressive:

• Kenny Britt dropped two early passes -- the first on a right-to-left short crossing route, the second on about a 22-yarder on which he was cutting left to right. Both throws were on target from Vince Young. A bit later, Britt caught a 7-yard pass with Jonathan Casillas draped on him and Malcolm Jenkins fast arriving. But then he had a false start penalty when Collins was in at quarterback. Craig Stevens and Lavelle Hawkins also dropped balls they should have caught.
• Schommer, in a battle for one of the last safety slots, hurt himself on special teams. Lined up on the right of the line, he allowed Junior Galette to get past him and casually block a Brett Kern punt with one hand. Harry Coleman juggled a bit but kept it in play for himself and pulled it in for a 1-yard touchdown. Kern should have felt the pressure from two rushers on a second block in the fourth quarter.
• Too many penalties. Marc Mariani had two nice returns, one undone by penalty against Stevens, one with 15-yards chopped off thanks to a personal foul call against Donnie Nickey. In all, Tennessee was flagged nine times for 133 yards. Schommer needlessly shoved a receiver out of bounds for a late pass interference call. Thankfully, the Saints didn’t kick on the fourth-and-2 from the Titans’ 16 that came after that with 11 seconds left.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It’s the big twist for guys who were good college players and might be good NFL players.

In order to get the chance to be a good NFL player on offense or defense, they have to be a good NFL special-teamer. And it’s tough to be a good NFL special-teamer when you didn’t play special teams in college because you were a good player on offense or defense.

Are you with me?

The Titans have several guys on the fringe who could make or miss the roster based on special teams, and Jeff Fisher pointed to two as facing this very dilemma -- fifth-round safety Robert Johnson and undrafted running back LeGarrette Blount.

“It’s difficult, and that’s oftentimes the case at other positions as well,” Fisher said. “You’ll have a linebacker who may be covered kicks his redshirt freshman year and have not since. Robert Johnson didn’t play any special teams. It’s hard. You have to learn.”

Johnson, who the Titans think can be a good safety down the road, and Blount, who they like as a big back, won’t get the chance to be those things later if they cannot be effective special-teamers now.

“You’ve got to understand that you’ve got to play your role,” Johnson said. “Most rookies, unless you are a first-round pick, are not going to come in and start. ... Being uneducated about the special teams aspect is a confusing thing, but I’m just going to go out there and play whatever they ask me to play.”

Currently, Johnson is on the first kickoff unit, the second kickoff return team, the second punt return group and the second punt unit. He said he feels like he’s gotten a whole lot better, with the help of the Titans long-term special-teams ace Donnie Nickey.

It’s Johnson’s first special-teams work since he played on the kickoff team as a sophomore at Utah and then was often a just-in-case backup.

“I was always open to it and coming here, I have to be open to it,” he said. “This is my job, there is no ‘I don’t really want to do it.’ I’m going to play whatever they need me to play as long as they keep paying me and keeping me in the organization.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans defensive backs shined early in the team’s Sunday practice. Go ahead and respond to my tweets about it with commentary, telling me that with that quarterback and those receivers, how could it be different?

But one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills are, by their nature, to the offense’s advantage. While there were drops -- most noticeably four by Justin Gage -- there was a lot of tight coverage and breakups from a group of DBs that is already thinned out.

Tye Hill is out with a hamstring injury and Nick Schommer and Jamar Love are on PUP, so nickelback and safety Vincent Fuller played some outside cornerback in team drills with the twos and threes.

Among the top playmakers in the secondary was Jason McCourty, the corner who was back with the first team after Ryan Mouton was in the spot the first day. A couple of them were not against Jerry Rice, they were against Paul Williams. But with opportunity to make plays he made them, and he doesn’t rank highly enough to be choosing his matchups. On his knees, he also picked off a Kerry Collins pass meant for Lavelle Hawkins in the end zone during red-zone work.

Gage had a lot of trouble pulling in the ball, several times against rookie Alterraun Verner.

But it wasn’t all about the defensive backs. Marc Mariani had a nice afternoon with slithery slot work, including an excellent diving catch down the right sideline over Verner for a gain of more than 40 yards on a throw by Chris Simms.

A couple other notes:

• Derrick Morgan did very little, aggravated his left calf which was an issue during OTAs. He will be monitored, but sure seems likely to miss at least a couple days. Saturday night, just before the first-round pick signed his contract, he tweeted a picture of himself in the room where he waited at team headquarters. It was filled with boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts. My natural follow-up question to that was did he have any? He said he limited himself to one, original style.
• I was a bit surprised when Jim Washburn, the notoriously loud and outspoken defensive line coach, got on safety Donnie Nickey about not attempting to get the ball out when an offensive player broke into the secondary. Is there protocol about yelling at a guy who you don’t coach? Nickey said he’s absolutely fine with it and that Washburn had a good point.
• Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks benched 315 pounds, the measuring standard for a Titans defensive lineman, zero times when he joined the team as a second-round pick out of Auburn last year. “I didn’t even want to get up under it,” he said. Before 2009 training camp, also zero. In recent days, twice. It might not sound like a lot, but he and coaches regard it as a great improvement that shows the strength gains that will pay off for him this year.
• Nice camp moment: Rookie safety Myron Rolle introduced his mom, Beverley, his dad, Whitney, and his brother, McKinley, to defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil and linebackers coach Dave McGinnis. Minutes later at his locker, Rolle was checking text messages McKinley sent him during practice about particular plays.

» NFC On the Radar: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A player, coach or issue that should be on your radar as training camp approaches.

A seventh-round pick for the Tennessee Titans out of North Dakota State in 2009, Nick Schommer spent last year on the practice squad. Defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil didn’t get a great look at him because of an injury.

Though he was listed at 6-0, 201, I remember thinking he didn’t have an NFL safety’s build during training camp. He certainly didn’t have good body language.

But Cecil said Schommer shined as the Titans wrapped up OTAs. Schommer got some time with the second team when Donnie Nickey got married. But he hurt a hamstring in the second-to-last practice.

If Schommer reports healthy and can stay that way, he could make the team ahead of a guy much more well known -- 2010 sixth-round pick Myron Rolle, the Rhodes Scholar. The Titans also selected Robert Johnson in the fifth round.

Chris Hope and Michael Griffin, each a 2008 Pro Bowl selection, slipped badly in 2009. The Titans need to develop contingency plans and solidify the depth.

“Nick needs to be ready to go,” Cecil said. “If he stays healthy and plays the way we think he’s capable, then there might be a spot for him… He’s totally unknown and during OTAs he couldn’t do the thing that he’s best at -- hitting is his calling card. He used to knock himself out all the time. He’s my kind of guy.”

Reading the coverage:

Houston Texans

First-round draft pick Kareem Jackson impressed his coaches during organized team activities as the starting cornerback.

Tackle Amobi Okoye is striving for long-term success in the league.

Indianapolis Colts

Police are investigating wide receiver Reggie Wayne's claim that a former girlfriend stole his debit card.

Colts.com has a feature on second-year tackle Fili Moala, who is looking to move past his disappointing rookie season. Moala, a second-round pick in the 2009 draft, played mostly as a reserve and was inactive during Indianapolis' playoff run.

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans safety Darren Sharper was impressed with Jacksonville, but the Jaguars' offer wasn't enough to convince him to leave the Saints.

Jaquars.com has a Q&A with rookie lineman John Estes.

Tennessee Titans
Safety Donnie Nickey gets an inside look at NFL headquarters through an offseason internship program.

Vince Young showed off his basketball skills during a celebrity game last weekend.

Reading the coverage:

Houston Texans

The team agreed to a four-year deal with fifth-round draft pick Sherrick McManis, a cornerback from Northwestern.

Coach Gary Kubiak expects fourth-year receiver Jacoby Jones to compete with Kevin Walter for a starting job.

Richard Justine takes a look at Kasey Studdard, who entered the offseason as a starting guard but hasn't been given any guarantees.

Indianapolis Colts

Veteran offensive linemen Adam Terry and Andy Alleman, who both signed one-year deals for the veteran minimum this offseason, are hoping to find a home in Indy.

Organized team activities (OTAs) are more of a time for learning than competing for young players such as first-rounder Jerry Hughes.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Newly acquired guard Justin Smiley wants to show the Jaguars they made a good move to bring him in.

Tennessee Titans

Jim Wyatt outlines where things stand after May minicamp with some key players and positions.

Safety Donnie Nickey talks about his experience with the NFL's in-house internship program.

David Boclair explores Vince Young's affinity for nicknaming his teammates -- "Catfish," "Santa Claus" and "Pinball" are just a few.

We’ll get some good stuff Tuesday morning out of Orlando, where AFC South coaches are having breakfast with reporters at the owners meetings. I’ll be monitoring what comes out through some of my colleagues who are there.

The first thing of note I’ve seen was this from Adam Schefter via Twitter:

"Colts coach Jim Caldwell is thinking about playing some four WR sets with Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez."

As if three wides and Dallas Clark isn’t enough of a problem.

I automatically started thinking of secondary depth in the division and how it would stack up against that. Nobody in the league has the kind of corner and secondary depth needed to stand up to that personnel grouping with Peyton Manning at the controls.

The Texans and Titans are definitely in the market for a cornerback, and safety is also in play. The Jaguars likely take a defensive back or two as well in the draft.

Teams could obviously use an additional safety in the sort of dime scenarios this could force. Here’s our take on the depth at defensive back for each of the Colts’ division opponents:

Houston

Nickel: Glover Quin, Jacques Reeves, Brice McCain.

Dime candidates: Cornerbacks Fred Bennett, Antwaun Molden; Safeties Dominique Barber, Troy Nolan.

Assessment: Contemplating this secondary against the Colts’ four-wide lineup is scary right now. Throw Clark in as the fifth skill player and I don’t know how Houston holds up. Corner and free safety are big draft needs.

Jacksonville

Nickel: Rashean Mathis, Derek Cox, Tyron Brackenridge.

Dime candidates: Corners William Middleton, Kennard Cox, Michael Coe; whichever safety isn’t already playing out of Reggie Nelson, Anthony Smith, Sean Considine.

Assessment: Top three are pretty solid, but safety really needs to be sorted out and could have a new piece.

Tennessee

Nickel: Cortland Finnegan, Ryan Mouton, Vincent Fuller.

Dime candidates: Corners Rod Hood and Jason McCourty; safety Donnie Nickey.

Assessment: I am giving the nod as the second starting corner to Mouton right now based on hearing the team is high on him. A draft pick needs to compete for that spot. Overall depth is unproven.

Houston Texans

The Texans bungled talks with Dunta Robinson from the start, says Richard Justice.

Indianapolis Colts

John Oehser looks at the Colts at guard.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The draft’s talents match the Jaguars needs, says Vic Ketchman.

Ranks versus grades? Ketchman examines.

When might Gene Smith look for a quarterback in the draft? Big Cat Country considers.

Tennessee Titans

Donnie Nickey got a one-year deal, says Jim Wyatt. Does this guy have staying power or what?

Houston Texans

John McClain talks us though his expectations for Dunta Robinson.

Alan Burge says there still is a way for the Texans to get something for Robinson.

Battle Red Blog would like the Texans to adopt a trade-down strategy in the draft.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts and Gary Brackett continue to talk, says Phil Richards.

Mike Chappell takes questions.

Assessing the wide receivers and the tight ends with John Oehser.

Post Howard Mudd, the Colts could go bigger on the offensive line, according to PFW. (Thanks to Stampede Blue for the link.)

You know you’ve made it when you appear in a glossary. I got a spot in 18to88.com’s.

Considering what the Colts would be without Peyton Manning.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The latest edition of Ask Vic.

Big Cat Country revises a draft value chart.

Tennessee Titans

Jim Wyatt talked to Mike Reinfeldt who offered just about zero information.

David Climer finds it curious that the Titans are quiet on Vince Young’s contract. (I’m not so sure they are interested in Kyle Vanden Bosch as is mentioned here, based on this from Jim Wyatt.)

Vanden Bosch and Cortland Finnegan have taken up tennis, says Wyatt.

Donnie Nickey can become the Titans’ most tenured player, says Terry McCormick.