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After being struck recently with how the NFL's labor rift has been cast as billionaires vs. millionaires, I thought I’d look at some players' salaries.

Totaling-up career earnings is quite difficult, and bonus money can be hard to nail down and sort through.

We can still get an interesting snapshot by looking at scheduled 2011 base salaries. I suspect many readers will be surprised that the vast majority of players will earn less than $1 million this fall.

Here, according to the NFLPA, are the players from each AFC South team currently scheduled to make a base salary of $1 million or more in 2011. Keep in mind guys in line for some form of free agency are not part of things here.

Fifty-three of 216 players under contract are slated to make $1 million or more. That’s 24.5 percent of the division.

Houston Texans

• DE Mario Williams -- $13.8 million
• WR Andre Johnson – $7.2 million
• QB Matt Schaub -- $5.7 million
• LB DeMeco Ryans -- $5 million
• DE Antonio Smith -- $4.6 million
• RT Eric Winston -- $4.5 million
• DT Amobi Okoye -- $2.95 million
• C Chris Myers -- $2.75 million
• QB Dan Orlovsky -- $2.75 million
• K Neil Rackers -- $2.15 million
• G Wade Smith -- $1.75 million
• WR David Anderson -- $1.44 million
• RB Steve Slaton -- $1.2 million

Total base salaries of $1 million or more: 13

Total players under contract for 2011: 49

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 26.5

Indianapolis Colts

• DE Dwight Freeney -- $11.42 million
• CB Kelvin Hayden -- $6.105
• WR Reggie Wayne -- $5.95 million
• RT Ryan Diem -- $5.4 million
• FS Antoine Bethea -- $4.745 million
• TE Dallas Clark -- $4.2 million
• DE Robert Mathis -- $2.41 million
• C Jeff Saturday -- $2.4 million
• LB Gary Brackett -- $2 million
• LB Philip Wheeler -- $1.2 million
• WR Anthony Gonzalez -- $1.11 million

Total base salaries of $1 million or more: 11

Total players under contract for 2011: 57

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 19.3

Jacksonville Jaguars

• QB David Garrard -- $7.975 million
• CB Rashean Mathis -- $4.45 million
• LB Daryl Smith -- $4.2 million
• RB Maurice Jones-Drew -- $4.05 million
• FB Greg Jones -- $3.1 million
• DE Derrick Harvey -- $2.8025 million
• DE Aaron Kampman -- $2.45 million
• G Vince Manuwai -- $2.9
• K Josh Scobee -- $2 million
• OL Justin Smiley -- $2 million
• C Brad Meester -- $1.95 million
• WR Kassim Osgood -- $1.475 million
• LT Eugene Monroe -- $1.2425 million

Total base salaries of $1 million or more: 13

Total players under contract for 2011: 51

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 25.5

Tennessee Titans

• QB Vince Young -- $8.5 million*
• SS Chris Hope -- $6.5 million
• WR Kenny Britt -- $5.75 million
• LT Michael Roos -- $5 million
• G Jake Scott -- $4.7 million
• RT David Stewart -- $4.5 million
• DT Tony Brown -- $4 million
• WR Justin Gage -- $3.5 million
• FS Michael Griffin -- $3.3105 million
• WR Nate Washington $3.3 million
• CB Cortland Finnegan -- $3.293 million
• DT Jovan Haye -- $3 million
• C Eugene Amano -- $2.68 million
• K Rob Bironas -- $2.4 million
• DB Vincent Fuller -- $2.06 million
• LS Ken Amato $1.05 million

Total base salaries of $1 million or more: 16

Total players under contract for 2011: 59

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 27.1

*Young will be cut or traded, the Titans have announced.

» NFC High Energy: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at a player who gave his team a significant boost in Week 13.

Coming out of training camp, Vince Manuwai’s stock was way down. He was a backup, with Justin Smiley starting at left guard for Jacksonville.

But Manuwai returned to the lineup Oct. 18 and has been a key element in the return to prominence of Jacksonville’s running attack. The Jaguars pride themselves on being physical, and when they are the more physical team, they are often the better team.

On Sunday in Nashville, Manuwai helped spearhead a 53-carry, 258-yard rushing game in a 17-6 win over the Titans that got the Jaguars to 7-5 and into first place in the AFC South.

Maurice Jones-Drew, who ran for 186 of those yards, was quick to share the acclaim with his line, tight ends and fullback.

“Without Vinny in the lineup, some of the stuff we are doing now wouldn’t be possible,” Jones-Drew said. “He doesn’t just move a guy 1 or 2 yards off the line. He moves him 4 or 5 yards, which makes it easier for me as a running back. You know you can get 4 or 5 yards when you are going to his side. He’s very physical and he always says, ‘Some people like to do other things, I like to block.’ Glad to have him on my side.”

Any lineman in the league would take satisfaction in hearing his running back talk about him like that.

Reading the coverage …

Arian Foster, Wade Smith and Jason Babin are on Jason Cole’s midseason All-Unlikely Team.

Houston Texans

John McClain thinks Brian Cushing back to the strong side is the right move.

Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels missed practice, says John McClain.

More on the injuries from Nick Scurfield.

Pete Prisco and Clark Judge debate Gary Kubiak’s future.

What’s “wrong” with Matt Schaub, asks Battle Red Blog.

Thoughts on Cushing and the secondary issues, from Houston Diehards.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts front office has to keep digging up suitable replacements, says Mike Chappell.

Jerraud Powers says he’s ready, writes Phil Richards.

Breaking down Bengals-Colts with Phillip B. Wilson.

The Colts added Joique Bell, says Wilson.

Brandon James is back, says Wilson.

Clint Session said his injury came with major pain, says Wilson.

Peyton Manning is the glue holding things together, says Michael Marot.

Gary Brackett is dealing with turf toe again, says John Oehser.

Shutdown Corner says Pat Angerer is a Top 10 NFL name.

Joseph Addai talked to 18to88.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Rashean Mathis hopes to line up against Johnson, says Vito Stellino.

The division race is tough and tight, says Tania Ganguli.

Vince Manuwai has overtaken Justin Smiley at left guard, says Ganguli.

Eben Britton’s shoulder surgery was the “Drew Brees special,” says Ganguli.

Tennessee Titans

Randy Moss wants wins, not trouble, says Jim Wyatt.

Joe Biddle assesses the media crush for Moss. (I was not left speechless, for the record.)

The defense knows what Moss can bring, says John Glennon.

A transcript of Moss’ news conference.

Vince Young sat Wednesday out, say Wyatt and Glennon.

A slide show of Moss at practice from George Walker.

Moss was gruff but compliant, says William Rhoden.

The Titans think any Moss distractions will be worth it, says Chris Harry.

Moss intends to be all business, says David Boclair.

Young Titans admit to being star struck by Moss, says Terry McCormick.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 1:

Big, but not too big: The Texans have been focused on the Colts quite a bit. Teams tend to spend a good deal of time in an offseason thinking about the team they are chasing in the AFC South. Teams tend to spend a lot of time pondering their opening day opponent. On the rare occasion a franchise is 1-15 all-time against an opponent, it probably thinks about it a lot too. Indianapolis is all three for Houston. Here’s hoping Gary Kubiak has managed things inside the building . The Texans need to have the right balance. It’s a giant game, and it’s just one of 16.

Looking for leadership: The young Jaguars imported Aaron Kampman for production and leadership, but they need young guys to emerge to go with Kampman and Maurice Jones-Drew. The Titans let a lot of veteran leadership walk, and also need leaders to emerge. Opening day is a good time for some of those guys on both teams to do something to indicate who they will be.

Winners: Guys who won real training camp position battles will want to perform well in the opener so as to not leave any doubts. So watch Jaguars left guard Justin Smiley, Texans kicker Neil Rackers and right guard Antoine Caldwell (though he will yield at times to Mike Brisiel), Titans right cornerback Jason McCourty or Alterraun Verner (thought they could share time) and Colts return man Devin Moore. Poor play by any of them is likely to create debate -- premature as it might be --- about whether the right guy won.

Tight ends: The Texans have star power that matches or surpasses the Colts. But a team is usually held together by the next tier of players, and that’s where the Texans have sometimes been lacking while it’s a department in which the Colts typically thrive. An example for this game could come at tight end. The Colts will look to their second guy, Brody Eldridge, to help out as run-blocker, pass-protector and target. The Texans expect to limit Owen Daniels in his first action since suffering a torn ACL halfway through the 2009 season. They will need quality work from Joel Dreessen and/or James Casey.

Rookie impact: There’s been a good deal of debate in Jacksonville this week about media attention on Broncos rookie Tim Tebow's return to his hometown. A backup or third quarterback, Jaguars faithful said, was not worthy of the sort of attention being bestowed on his visit. People saying that don’t have quite the understanding of stardom required of the situation -- and he's a star without having done anything in the NFL. I suspect Tebow gets in the game and has at least one chance to score. But the Jaguars are home favorites in a game that won’t be blacked out. The Jaguars need a good game from the No. 10 pick in the draft, Tyson Alualu. A good result from the Jaguars could mean more than 1-0.

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.

Three things I’ll be watching for in Jaguars at Tampa Bay:

Guard play: Sounds like we'll see Uche Nwaneri at center in this game, with Kynan Forney at left guard and Vince Manuwai at right guard. The guard who plays the best will be designated the starter on the right side, with Nwaneri on the left and Brad Meester at center. Pretty big stakes for Forney and Manuwai. UPDATE: Tania Ganguli reports Forney won't play. In that case, Justin Smiley will get a chance to make his case. The opportunity remains immense for Manuwai.

A showing from a safety: The idea that the team will shop for a safety on the waiver wire is growing. But they are not going to find two new ones, so it would be great if one of four guys -- Reggie Nelson, Anthony Smith, Gerald Alexander or Sean Considine -- had the sort of game that made coaches confident in him.

Another solid effort from Terrance Knighton: He could be the team’s best defensive player, and he did some nice work in the Jaguars’ loss to Miami. If he keeps it going, he can be the touchstone guy for Tyson Alualu, the defensive front and maybe the whole defense to work off of.

It’s too early to say if Eugene Monroe (right knee sprain) and Eben Britton (right calf strain), the Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting tackles who missed the preseason opener, will be back for Saturday’s home preseason game against Miami.

And the Jaguars would rather they rest and recover now than deal with injuries later.

Still, a team looking to form an offensive line personality and do better protecting quarterback David Garrard is missing quality time to build cohesion with its top two draft picks from 2009 in place.

Coach Jack Del Rio told the Jacksonville media Monday that he and his staff worry about everything but advised reporters not to worry.

Del Rio: “Obviously [I] would love to have those guys in there. Two of our best defensive linemen, two of our best offensive linemen were not available. So the good news is they’re getting better and they’re going to be healthy soon and we’ll be able to continue on. The bad news is that we’re losing this opportunity to kind of do the things that you should be doing this time of year to build the continuity and to understand the way it’s going to be and all that type of things.

“So we’ll have to do the best we can with the situation that we’re in and it’s paramount that our guys stay in it mentally, that they be conditioned as much as they can without aggravating what it is that’s keeping them out, and so we’re doing that to the best of our ability and then you just have to deal with it.

“It’s not the scenario I’d draw up as ideal. We’d like to have everybody working 100 percent and building that continuity, but it is what we’re dealing with and we’re dealing with it the best that we can. The guys are healing, we are conditioning where we can with them, we are keeping them into it mentally and as a football team we carry on. That’s what you always do. Things happen throughout the course of the year. You’ve got to build that mentality as a team, you have to move on.”

Britton was dealing with back and leg issues from early in camp, but Monroe looked fantastic right out of the gate. I expect both to make significant jumps in their second years and for the Jaguars' big offensive line question to center around whether Vince Manuwai can return to form and win the right guard spot or if he’ll lose out to Kynan Forney or Justin Smiley, or if the Jaguars would put Uche Nwaneri back on the right.

We could be a long way off from knowing the answer to that one.

We see teams go first-to-worst or worst-to-first all the time in the NFL -- except in the AFC South, where the Colts have won the division crown in six of eight chances since realignment and have won 12 games or more seven years running.

Indianapolis’ successes, and its four-time MVP quarterback, make it hard to predict a dramatic, upside-down season in the division.

The question is more about who can close the gap on Manning and the Colts; how the Texans, Titans and Jaguars stack up; and if one of them can find a door into the playoffs as a wild card.

The Texans and Jaguars begin their push with camp practices Friday. The Titans open Saturday, and the Colts are on the field Monday.

FOUR BIG QUESTIONS

Houston Texans: How does the defense better defend the pass?

Veteran corner Dunta Robinson is gone, first-round pick Kareem Jackson is in as the team’s top corner. Is a secondary of Jackson and Glover Quin at corner, Eugene Wilson at free safety and Bernard Pollard at strong safety enough to slow down opposing offenses? Not without two other major developments.

The defensive front must apply more consistent and effective pass pressure. A monster season from Mario Williams, a big second year from Connor Barwin and more toughness from Amobi Okoye could do the trick. Okoye in particular needs a big camp or he could lose reps to rookie Earl Mitchell. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson and a better run game could help a great deal, too -- if Houston is able to put up big points, some opponents won’t be able to take advantage of that secondary enough to keep up.

Indianapolis Colts: How do the receivers shake out?

If Anthony Gonzalez is healthy and back to form, the Colts could be stacked at receiver. Provided Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie can build on what they did with Gonzalez out for all but the first game last season, the Colts should be four-deep at receiver with those three behind Reggie Wayne. With Wayne leading the way and tight end Dallas Clark also coming off a 100-reception season, Peyton Manning could have his best group of pass-catchers ever.

I think if everyone is healthy, everyone will get chances. Perhaps certain games and certain matchups will call for certain guys to be used more. But I can’t see Gonzalez, Garcon or Collie with a significantly minimized role unless one of them plays his way to the bench or is injured.

Jacksonville Jaguars: How will the defensive line rotation develop?

New line coach Joe Cullen will want his best guys on the field the most, but he’s also going to have to get them some rest so they can play fresh. Presuming Aaron Kampman and Derrick Harvey start at end and Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu start at tackle, who will be the guys behind them that ensure minimal drop-off?

Rookie ends Larry Hart and Austen Lane and rookie tackle D'Anthony Smith will all have opportunities as the Jaguars try to get to the quarterback a lot more often a year after collecting just 14 sacks. If the rush is better, watch the linebackers and secondary become better, too.

Tennessee Titans: Have the Titans cured their return game woes?

Things were so bad a year ago that when the Titans found guys who could fair catch punts while backing inside the 10-yard line it was considered a moral victory. Coach Jeff Fisher considers himself a return expert because of his own experience as a player. To his credit, he confessed he botched it last year by being overly reliant on unproven rookies. The solution? The Titans hope it’s unproven rookie Damian Williams, a third-round receiver out of USC.

If he’s muffing punts and kicks in camp, we should also see rookie Marc Mariani fielding punts, and we could see Kenny Britt back to fetching kickoffs. Merely being able to avoid mistakes shouldn’t be good enough. The Titans should expect to make plays in the return games.

HOTTEST SEATS

Colts: Offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars: He’s got the confidence and full backing of president Bill Polian and coach Jim Caldwell. But replacing legendary coach Howard Mudd is a large charge. And it’s widely held that the group he’s working with isn’t composed of great run-blockers and benefits a great deal in the passing game from Manning’s propensity for getting the ball out quickly. During summer workouts, players said that Metzelaars had already tinkered with some technique and re-energized the group.

Jaguars: David Garrard. Jacksonville’s quarterback is 32 years old, and while his term as a starter began relatively late, he’s at a point where a lot of people give him the underwhelming description of “he is what he is.” If things unfold according to how a play is drawn up, he can be good. But things rarely unfold like that. He can be too inaccurate and doesn’t execute in the clutch often enough. Good season or not, the Jaguars are expected to look to draft a first-round quarterback in 2011.

Texans: Kareem Jackson. You hate to be overly reliant on a rookie, but the Texans have put themselves in that spot. First-rounder Jackson has to be able to cover tightly and find the ball if Houston stands a chance to so much as split with the Colts while Manning is dropping back and looking into the Texans’ secondary. They could have eased the pressure on their new No. 1 corner with an option beyond Eugene Wilson at free safety, but failed to address the position at all.

Titans: Michael Griffin. Tennessee is counting on a lot of young guys who are taking on bigger roles to be productive. But even if they are all good, it may not matter if Griffin, a Pro Bowl safety in his second season, plays as poorly as he did in his third. Distracted by off-the-field personal issues, he bit on play-action, took terrible angles and missed tackles he has to make while the Titans' pass defense fell apart. That won’t work with two games against Manning, two against Matt Schaub and matchups against Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers and Donovan McNabb.

SECRET WEAPON

Colts TE Brody Eldridge. The Colts did not make a major addition to their offensive line mix after Bill Polian called the group out for its Super Bowl performance. The stretch play, once a staple of their run game, has largely disappeared without edge blockers who can lead it effectively. But fifth-round pick Eldridge can be a big influence in this department. Expect him to displace Gijon Robinson. And watch him work effectively as a pass-catcher as well.

INTERIOR DESIGNS

All four AFC South teams could look different on the interior offensive line on opening day. The Colts are looking at busted left tackle Tony Ugoh as a guard. The Jaguars brought in Justin Smiley, could be finished with aging Brad Meester and haven’t been wild about Vince Manuwai’s play since he returned from a 2008 knee injury. The Texans added veteran Wade Smith and would like second-year man Antoine Caldwell to seize a spot. Those three lines need sorting out.

The Titans, who had a 2,000-yard rusher and gave up only 15 sacks, have also made changes, shifting left guard Eugene Amano to center to replace Kevin Mawae, an unsigned free agent, while inserting Leroy Harris in Amano’s old spot.

It’s possible all four teams run better up the middle and shield their signal-callers from the inside rush better than they did a year ago.

You need super-cool Insider status to see it all, but here are some highlights from Mel Kiper’s look at the AFC South, where he conducts a summer audit:

Colts

Next April's pick, now: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

A fluid talent out of Texas, expect to hear more about a guy who helped make Earl Thomas' job easier in that secondary.

My thoughts: He’s hardly alone in thinking cornerback is a concern, but if the Colts stay healthy, they are three deep with Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey. And a lot of teams would love to be three deep.

Jaguars

The question mark: I thought the Jags could have really used the addition of a guard through the draft or free agency, though that's an area that most good offensive coordinators or line coaches can capably mask. But the third-biggest need wasn't addressed at all.

My thoughts: Guess he doesn’t care for Justin Smiley, acquired by trade from Miami, or Kynan Forney, a reserve last year who is getting a serious look inside.

Texans

The question mark: …The Texans averaged just 92 yards a game on the ground, bad enough for 30th in the league. Some of that stemmed from poor guard play. The Texans drafted Shelley Smith in the sixth round, but they could still struggle to balance the offense in 2010 if their interior line play isn't better. The addition of Tate may help from a physical standpoint, however.

My thoughts: They feel like they have sufficient interior options with free-agent addition Wade Smith, Antoine Caldwell going into year two and Mike Brisiel returning from injury.

Titans

Crucial influx: We knew Tennessee would likely go with a pass-rusher in the first round, particularly after the departure of Kyle Vanden Bosch. But in Derrick Morgan, you also have a guy with an immensely versatile game. Few players in college football last year -- maybe nobody -- proved as effective against the run while still maintaining an ability to consistently pressure the quarterback. I don't think Morgan has the ceiling of a player like Jason Pierre-Paul, but there [are] zero hints that he could be a bust.

My thoughts: Titans faithful have to like to hear all that about Morgan, but they are hoping he won’t be all dinged up as he has been in OTAs when he participated very little.

» 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.

Jacksonville needs better play from the center position, and undrafted rookie John Estes from Hawaii has a shot to make an impact in the middle of the Jaguars’ offensive line.

Brad Meester, 33, has battled a lot of injuries. But even when he was on the field last season, Meester’s run blocking was a problem. Replacing him makes a lot of sense, but at the minimum, Jacksonville needs to put pressure on its current starting center’s hold on the job.

If Meester is replaced, the most likely scenario would be for Uche Nwaneri to move from guard to the pivot. Considering the volatility of this offensive line last year, Nwaneri -- while far from spectacular -- should be considered rather dependable. Plus, Jacksonville did just trade for Justin Smiley, creating is a bit of a logjam at guard with Vince Manuwai and Kynan Forney. So moving Nwaneri seems like a logical move after the acquisition of Smiley.

But where does Estes fit in -- and, to a lesser extent, Cecil Newton, who is a year older than Estes? If Nwaneri can prove that he is the best option for the starting center spot, Meester could be shown the door, which would open up a possibility for one of these youngsters. Estes is the guy I would expect to take advantage of that opportunity.

Estes isn’t a particularly big offensive lineman and Jacksonville certainly does value size up front, but he moves well and is tough and durable while playing the game with a bit of a mean streak. He isn’t extremely powerful, but was a four-year starter, is very aware in protection and has a good feel for maximizing his leverage advantage. There are tons of examples of offensive linemen who enter the league and prove very difficult for their coaching staff to cut from the roster. Estes might just be next.

Reading the coverage:

Houston Texans

Amobi Okoye admits his "dedication dipped down a little bit" after he produced 5.5 sacks during his rookie season in 2007.

Gary Kubiak weighed in on some of the position battles that are brewing during offseason workouts.

Indianapolis Colts

According to the Indianapolis Star, the Colts appear set to return to Anderson University for training camp.

Mike Chappell touches on training camp, Robert Mathis and the Colts hosting a Super Bowl in his latest Q&A.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The team remains confident in its secondary.

What does the addition of Justin Smiley mean for the Jaguars? Big Cat Country attempts to answer that question.

Tennessee Titans

The opportunity for more playing time is staring Craig Stevens in the face.

Reading the coverage:

Houston Texans

Stephanie Stradley gets poetic about the team's future.

Indianapolis Colts

Kicker Adam Vinatieri declares he's completely healthy.

Center Jeff Saturday expects there to be competition across most of the offensive line in the coming months -- and he thinks that's a good thing.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Justin Smiley trade brought the southeast Georgia native closer to home.

Tennessee Titans

Rookie receiver Marc Mariani has made a habit of overcoming long odds, and the University of Montana alum hopes to do it again in Titans camp.

The Titans have a lot of young competition vying for return duties during organized team activities.

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.

Be it running up the middle or stifling pass-rushers coming that way, the AFC South’s looking for change on interior offensive lines heading toward the 2010 season.

The Tennessee Titans, who blocked for just the sixth 2,000-yard rusher in league history, have made an alteration. The Indianapolis Colts, the defending AFC champs who allowed a league-low 13 sacks, are auditioning interior candidates. The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars both identified the interior line as an area in need of improvement, too.

Yet of 32 draft picks by the four teams, just two were used on offensive linemen -- a fourth-rounder by the Colts for guard Jacques McClendon and a sixth-rounder by the Texans for guard Shelley Smith. And only three veteran additions seem like they can influence the mixes -- Justin Smiley in Jacksonville, Wade Smith in Houston and Andy Alleman in Indianapolis.

Said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.: “Didn't anyone in this division address the interior offensive line during the draft with any pick of substance? That seems odd.”

So here’s a team-by-team look at what’s going on inside, with some thoughts from Williamson:

Jacksonville

The Jaguars appear willing to have true competitions to hash things out.

Last year’s interior trio of left guard Vince Manuwai, center Brad Meester and right guard Uche Nwaneri is back. But the team is willing to shuffle, and at least two others are in play now as well -- Smiley, a guard acquired recently from Miami in a trade for an undisclosed draft pick believed to be a conditional seventh, and Kynan Forney, a backup guard last year.

At minicamp the weekend following the draft, Jags head coach Jack Del Rio and offensive line coach Andy Heck had flipped Manuwai to the right side, figuring he and right tackle Eben Britton are the team’s best run-blockers. With the aid of tight end Marcedes Lewis and fullback Greg Jones, the Jaguars could send Maurice Jones-Drew that direction and dare people to stop it.

But at organized team activities (OTAs) this week, Manuwai wasn’t working with the starters and Del Rio was talking about how the torn ACL the guard suffered back in the season opener of 2008 was still a factor for him.

“I think he’s still a little bothered by that but at some point you’ve got to get beyond that and go and he knows that,” Del Rio said. “I think Vinny still has a ways to go. I think Vinny’s working at it. He’s got his weight down. He’s trying but he needs to play better. I think he knows that. He’s working hard it and trying …

“We clearly [come] out of last year saying, ‘Look, we’ve got to have better play with our line, period,’ and our two young tackles [Eugene Monroe and Britton] we know are going to grow and get better but our interior line needs to pick it up as well. And they are working at it and they are challenging and competing and we expect them to play at a much higher level for us.”

I honestly think it’s wide open, but I’d be very surprised if Manuwai, who can be a very effective run-blocker, isn’t in the starting lineup for the opener against Denver.

Williamson says: “Adding Smiley could pay dividends, as this offensive line (especially on the interior) really was a problem area last year. Their protection up the gut was really poor. While I have some real doubts any more about Meester, I do like Manuwai quite a bit and expect more from him this year.”

Houston

The Texans' run troubles were in large part because of their backs. But they lost guards Chester Pitts and Mike Brisiel early and it’s a tough order for any team to replace 40 percent of its line and keep plugging. Steve Slaton had a miserable year as he tried to deal with a neck injury, couldn’t hold onto the ball and wound up on injured reserve.

Pitts is a free agent who won’t be back and Brisiel has been working as a backup so far in OTAs. The team’s lined up with Kasey Studdard at left guard, Chris Myers and at center and Antoine Caldwell at right guard. But Smith’s been rotated in some early at center.

With offensive line guru Alex Gibbs gone, the team will still be using his principles. But the three remaining coaches who oversee the position -- John Benton, Frank Pollack and Bruce Matthews -- may have fresher eyes and a willingness to shuffle. And odds are it's second-round pick Ben Tate getting many of the carries behind that line.

We should see some real competition for all three slots. I’ve repeatedly hear good things about Myers. And because Caldwell was a third-rounder, I expect the team would probably like to see him stake a claim.

Gary Kubiak said Studdard and Caldwell have earned the right to say they are starters “right now.”

“We are as competitive in there as we’ve ever been as a team,” Kubiak said. “It’s going to be hard to hold a job, and it’s going to be very competitive to get one. So that makes the team better.”

Williamson says: “I thought Myers played real well and he is an excellent fit in this system. Their interior offensive line is loaded with no-name guys, but overall they are well coached and effective enough. Still, an upgrade at one of the starting guard spots would have been a real nice addition. … Smith is an ideal sixth guy, but not a liability as a starter.”

Indianapolis

The Colts paid him a bonus, but still cut Ryan Lilja who seemed pretty effective to me at left guard last season. Team officials have worked hard to deflect the idea the Colts made the move because they want to be bigger on the line. But it’s a sensible time for a change with Pete Metzelaars taking over for Howard Mudd as line coach and the team looking to be more effective in clutch third-and-short situations and the like.

Tony Ugoh, who lost out at left tackle, has worked at left guard in recent offseason practice sessions. Jeff Saturday is entrenched as Peyton Manning's guy at center. Kyle DeVan is the incumbent right guard, who came out of nowhere last season.

Presuming no other tackles are shifted inside and that left tackle remains Charlie Johnson's job, Ugoh and DeVan face their competition from Alleman, McClendon and 2008 second-rounder Mike Pollak.

Bill Polian has talked about throwing everybody out there and seeing what happens. With a new position coach, the fight for roles may not start with any true favorites. While they have to continue to favor pass blocking above all else, I do think it’s in their best interest to be a bit more determined to be able to call for and execute runs in key situations with more success.

Williamson says: “Saturday is obviously the leader and his symbiotic relationship with Peyton carries a ton of weight. He is smart and very technically sound. I do think his game is falling off ever so slightly though. I was shocked that they let Lilja go and thought he was far and away their best guard. Now, they really need to count on youngsters and those youngsters still have a lot to prove.”

Tennessee

The Titans had the least concern here as they considered their roster, but with Kevin Mawae getting older and Leroy Harris on the bench and ready to play, they decided to go with youth and size. So last year’s left guard, Eugene Amano, is replacing Mawae at center, with Harris taking over at left guard.

Tennessee loses leadership and experience in the equation, but gains significant strength. Harris is very much an interior guy, but he’s athletic and smart enough that he played effectively at right tackle in a win at San Francisco last season.

A Hall of Famer as a player, line coach Mike Munchak knows when a guy is ready, and he’s fully endorsed this plan or the Titans wouldn’t be going with it. Whether Chris Johnson or someone like LeGarrette Blount is running up the middle, I think they’ll find a bit more daylight. And Vince Young should feel less inside rush closing in on him.

Williamson says: “You have to wonder how much Mawae will be missed. It isn't that he played great -- and clearly he isn't what he once was -- but just from the standpoint of making the calls and especially from a leadership perspective. So, this interior line is in transition. Right guard Jake Scott probably hasn't quite lived up to what Tennessee was expecting to get from him when they signed him in free agency, but he is a quality starting guard. I think Harris has a good amount of ability and could surprise with more playing time.”

Pete Prisco checks in with thoughts on Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson.

Houston Texans

The Texans aren’t looking at Fred Bennett as a potential starter anymore in the eyes of Jerome Solomon.

Arian Foster’s been working as the starter at running back, says Jordan Godwin.

Sherrick McManis finished his school work and joined the Texans, says Godwin.

Indianapolis Colts

The Final Eight rule has successfully limited the Colts’ ability to add help, writes Mike Chappell. While the Colts don’t generally add big outsiders, any chance to deviate from that plan was snuffed out by the rule.

Cornerback depth is an issue, says John Oehser. I’ve got an entry on this coming around lunchtime.

Signing with the Colts was an easy call for Adam Terry, says Colts.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Vince Manuwai is trying to regain his form and his spot, says Vito Stellino.

The trade for Justin Smiley’s been finalized, writes Stellino.

Is Smiley damaged goods? Adam Stites examines the question.

Vic Ketchman looks at some reasonable expectations for the Jaguars.

Black & Teal offers the Jaguars five best and worst moves so far this offseason.

Tennessee Titans

Bo Scaife disputes the idea that he’s greedy, writes Jim Wyatt.

Jeff Fisher acknowledges the Titans and Chris Johnson have issues and hopes for a meeting, says Wyatt.

David Climer wants that meeting to happen soon.

Myron Rolle doesn’t have a contract yet, but donated to Nashville flood relief.

Auburn’s Gene Chizik visited Titans practice, says John Glennon.

Wyatt’s OTA injury report.

A slideshow of OTA pictures from Sanford Myers.

The Titans' offensive line can be even better, say Andrew Strickert.