ESPN NFL

» 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.

HOUSTON -- When the Texans drafted Dorin Dickerson in the seventh round with the 227th overall pick, many people immediately questioned why they would take yet another tight end after James Casey and Anthony Hill last year and Garrett Graham three rounds earlier.

But Houston quickly said Dickerson would be a receiver, not a tight end, in the NFL. He certainly looks well cast in the part at Texans OTAs.

At 6 foot 2, 230 pounds he’s about Andre Johnson’s size. Dickerson was productive at Pitt with 10 touchdown catches last season.

While he could have opportunities to produce on special teams, he also might be positioned to be a developmental guy. Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and David Anderson are assured of spots ahead of him and those four accounted for 97.3 percent of receiver catches for the team last season. (Andre Davis had six, but worked as the primary kickoff return man.)

Davis could be in jeopardy now, as Jones or seventh-rounder Trindon Holliday should be better as kick returners. Dickerson could offer more long-term upside as a receiver.

The team carried six wide receivers last year.

If Holliday can be a reliable returner and he and Dickerson show potential, they could bump Glenn Martinez and Davis off the roster. The team would have to have enough confidence in one of them to step in and see some action on offense if one of the top four receivers gets hurt.

HOUSTON – Inactives for Monday Night Football between the Titans and Texans.

Tennessee

• Receiver Justin Gage
• Running back Javon Ringer
• Returner Alvin Pearman
• Linebacker David Thornton
• Linebacker Colin Allred
• Tackle Troy Kropog
• Defensive end Jevon Kearse
• Defensive tackle Jason Jones

Kenny Britt starts for Gage, Gerald McRath starts for Thornton.

Houston

• Quarterback Dan Orlovsky
• Receiver/ punt returner Jacoby Jones
• Cornerback Antwaun Molden
• Cornerback Fred Bennett
• Safety Dominique Barber
• Guard Tutan Reyes
• Defensive end Tim Jamison
• Defensive tackle Frank Okam

Glenn Martinez will return punts for Jones. He won AFC special teams player of the week honors as a member of the Denver Broncos for an 80-yard punt return for a TD against the Titans in 2007.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

INDIANAPOLIS -- On a day when the Colts are recovering from a bad week of injury news, the Texans will have both Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson in a game against Indianapolis for the first time. Ever.

No giant surprises on Houston’s inactive list:

• Quarterback Dan Orlovsky
• Receiver Glenn Martinez
• Cornerback Fred Bennett
• Safety Dominique Barber
• Defensive tackle DelJuan Robinson
• Guard Tutan Reyes
• Tight end James Casey
• Defensive tackle Frank Okam

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

The Texans' inactives for Sunday in Arizona:

• QB Dan Orlovsky
• S Nick Ferguson
• TE Anthony Hill
• C Antoine Caldwell
• CB Antwaun Molden
• DT Frank Okam
• WR Glenn Martinez
• DT DelJuan Robinson

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Biggest surprise: Safety John Busing was a playmaker and a big hitter all preseason, and he came in at a position where the Texans added only a late draft pick, Troy Nolan, who’s on IR. Busing played in 27 games with the Bengals over the last three years, but the little-known undrafted player out of Miami (Ohio) has worked primarily as a special teamer and could be a key teams player for the Texans. Underdog receiver Glenn Martinez also stuck.

No-brainers: With Rex Grossman’s performance in the preseason finale, Dan Orlovsky’s shaky, up-and-down performance through camp and Matt Schaub’s capacity for getting dinged, the Texans are well-served to keep three quarterbacks. Grossman certainly ranks as one of their best 53 right now, and could be better suited to be the backup at the start while the team rebuilds Orlovsky.

What's next: They need veteran cornerback Dunta Robinson to sign his franchise tag and join the team, and if it means negotiating incentives that would free him from the possibility of a second tag next year, they should meet him partway on those. Also, while Antonio Smith will kick inside sometimes, the interior defensive line was not good in the preseason. The team has to at least consider whether the right outsider couldn't rank ahead of Frank Okam or DelJuan Robinson, though the team has invested a lot of time and energy in developing them. And how much does Jeff Zgonina, in his 16th year, have left?

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

A quick trip around the division to consider some long shots who've looked good. Rosters get cut from 80 to 75 on Sept. 1, then to 53 on Sept. 5.


Houston

Free safety John Busing is a big hitter and a solid special teamer. Does he have enough upside at a questionable position for the Texans to keep him over a veteran like Nick Ferguson or Brandon Harrison, a fifth-rounder from 2007?

I also heard good things about defensive end Tim Jamison, who's got some likeable rush skills.

Two receivers have created a little bit of a buzz. And it wouldn't be a big surprise if Glenn Martinez or Darnell Jenkins make the team, especially if the Texans find another punt returner and decide they're done with Jacoby Jones.



Indianapolis

Cornerback Jacob Lacey has gotten his hands on a lot of balls and could prompt the Colts to keep him at the back end of their cornerback group. Might he stick ahead of Dante Hughes or prompt them to go heavy at the spot?

Linebacker Ramon Humbler has shown promise and can be a good special teamer.

The last receiver could be one of two relative unknowns. Both Brett McDermott and John Matthews are quiet and go unnoticed until the ball comes their way, then they catch it. Both are more quick than fast and they are roughly the same size at about 6-0, 200.

Chad Simpson and Lance Ball are likely going head to head for the final running back slot, but neither qualifies as a long shot.



Jacksonville

Word is that receiver Nate Hughes has moved beyond long shot and is early assured of a spot. He could rank as high as fourth now, and could make the team at the expense of one of the three draft picks. Or maybe that means Mike Thomas (groin) to IR?

Linebacker Russell Allen was the team's primary target among undrafteds and looks to have a great shot of making the roster.

Longer shots? Michael Desormeaux could oust Marlon McCree as a reserve safety or Pete Ittersagen could overtake Scott Starks as a reserve corner.



Tennessee

A deep roster with a draft class of 11 doesn't leave room for many street free agents or undrafted to emerge. So a late-round draft picks making it could qualify as a bit of an upset.

Cornerback Jason McCourty's been far better than Cary Williams and Dominique Edison looks to rank fourth at wide receiver right now.

With Leroy Harris heading back to a backup role as Kevin Mawae comes off PUP, Fernando Velasco's chance is probably gone.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky Houston Texans Amobi Okoye still has time to find his game and just has to keep grinding, says Jerome Solomon. DeMeco Ryans feels it's his job to get things corrected, writes Dale Robertson. Five things to know about the Texans, from Pete Prisco. Steve Slaton's progress makes the Texans a contender, says Prisco. Updates on injured Texans Antwaun Molden, Chester Pitts, Chris Myers and Brian Cushing, from John McClain and AP. McClain warns about fan overreaction. Glenn Martinez could challenge for Jacoby Jones' roster spot, says Alan Burge. Battleredblog.com is worried about the run defense. Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne's expecting to line up all over th
e place, says Mike Chappell. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer says communication is the key, writes John Oehser. Oehser takes a question about the potential for Joseph Addai and Donald Brown to line up in the same backfield. Phillip B. Wilson looks at the Colts' preseason numbers. Deshawn Zombie says people shouldn't forget just how good a coach Tony Dungy was. One big difference with Coyer so far is movement on defense, says Stampedeblue.com. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars' two free-agent additions make return trips to Philly to play against their old team, says Michael C. Wright. Mike Walker is now Mike Walker-Sims, writes Wright. Tennessee Titans Jean-Jacque Taylor says there is no shame for Vince Young in being a college legend who failed as a pro. The Titans are waiting on MRI results on Nate Washington's hamstring after he got hurt during practice, says Jim Wyatt. While Jeff Fisher downplayed it, Titans players feel pretty sure Chris Davis' DUI factored into him being cut, reports Jim Wyatt. Alternate versions of the Davis and Washington stories from Terry McCormick. Jevon Kearse and LenDale White suffered practice injuries, too, says The Tennessean. Chris Johnson offers assurances that he'll run fine when it counts, says Wyatt.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky Houston Texans Amobi Okoye still has time to find his game and just has to keep grinding, says Jerome Solomon. DeMeco Ryans feels it's his job to get things corrected, writes Dale Robertson. Five things to know about the Texans, from Pete Prisco. Steve Slaton's progress makes the Texans a contender, says Prisco. Updates on injured Texans Antwaun Molden, Chester Pitts, Chris Myers and Brian Cushing, from John McClain and AP. McClain warns about fan overreaction. Glenn Martinez could challenge for Jacoby Jones' roster spot, says Alan Burge. Battleredblog.com is worried about the run defense. Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne's expecting to line up all over the place, says Mike Chappell. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer says communication is the key, writes John Oehser. Oehser takes a question about the potential for Joseph Addai and Donald Brown to line up in the same backfield. Phillip B. Wilson looks at the Colts' preseason numbers. Deshawn Zombie says people shouldn't forget just how good a coach Tony Dungy was. One big difference with Coyer so far is movement on defense, says Stampedeblue.com. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars' two free-agent additions make return trips to Philly to play against their old team, says Michael C. Wright. Mike Walker is now Mike Walker-Sims, writes Wright. Tennessee Titans Jean-Jacque Taylor says there is no shame for Vince Young in being a college legend who failed as a pro. The Titans are waiting on MRI results on Nate Washington's hamstring after he got hurt during practice, says Jim Wyatt. While Jeff Fisher downplayed it, Titans players feel pretty sure Chris Davis' DUI factored into him being cut, reports Jim Wyatt. Alternate versions of the Davis and Washington stories from Terry McCormick. Jevon Kearse and LenDale White suffered practice injuries, too, says The Tennessean. Chris Johnson offers assurances that he'll run fine when it counts, says Wyatt.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

A late day whip around the division.

Houston Texans

Yahoo's Mike Silver takes a close look at Houston offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Mike's son. "You get a job this young, people are going to say 'It's cause of your dad' or 'It's cause of your name,'" Shanahan said. "But trust me, no one in this business is hiring someone as a favor. There's too much on the line -- people's jobs, people having to move their families -- for someone to think that way."

Also, the Texans talked to Denver about cornerback Domonique Foxworth before he was traded to Atlanta. My colleague Bill Williamson got that from Foxworth himself.

Indianapolis Colts

Tony Dungy says he thinks the Colts' roster from 54-60 was the best it's been during his tenure, that he can still find new ways to convey old messages and that he doesn't think Colts-Bears will be a recipe for any opening-day oddities. His talk with Colts.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Florida Times-Union offers a bit more on the Richard Collier shooting. The team was off today and will return to work tomorrow, sticking to its schedule. That includes an open locker room from 11:35 a.m. to 12:25 p.m., a media session for Jack Del Rio at 12:25 p.m. and a half hour of practice open to local media from 1:30-2:00 p.m.

In Jack Del Rio's first public comments since the shooting, he rejected the implication that Collier should not have been out so late:

"A person got shot. The guy who shot the gun is the problem," Del Rio said on his radio show, according to Cole Pepper of WOKV. "Not the guy who got shot. He's the victim. He's not the problem. You should be able to go out and have a good time and not be worried about being killed or put in a hospital. The person who pulled the trigger is who is wrong." 

Tennessee Titans

The Titans could be interested in receiver Glenn Martinez, released by Denver, or Chad Jackson, released by New England. I swapped emails with Jackson's agent, who indicated the Titans made an inquiry but ranked behind several teams who were more aggressively interested. Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger was a Broncos assistant last year so he knows Martinez.