AFC South: Keyunta Dawson
Houston Texans
Adam Rank asks which tight end would you rather have on your fantasy football team: Houston's Owen Daniels or Washington's Chris Cooley?
Joel Dreessen will show his creative side when he contributes to the Fort Morgan Mural Project.
Indianapolis Colts
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy is still coaching. His "team" is now more diverse than a 53-man football roster.
Defensive end Keyunta Dawson is adjusting to life as a veteran on the Colts' line.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Big Cat Country doesn't expect the Jaguars to make a play for Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson.
Former Jaguars lineman Richard Collier, paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a shooting in 2008, is getting married this weekend.
Tennessee Titans
Here's the latest on the case involving Titans quarterback Chris Simms.
Despite reports to the contrary, Chris Johnson says he didn't work out at the Titans' facility earlier this week.
But before anyone who likes to wear a blue horseshoe panics, here’s a run through of Chappell’s list of the 19 guys who will be in line for restricted or unrestricted contractual freedom, divided into handy categories:
Will be signed this summer
QB Peyton Manning -- The Colts plan on ensuring the NFL’s only four-time MVP is the league’s highest paid player.
Close to essential
S Antoine Bethea -- The underrated glue of a secondary that does well limiting big plays.
LB Clint Session -- The Colts usually let linebackers leave, but this playmaker he should be an exception.
S Melvin Bullitt -- Presuming Bob Sanders’ time is close to over, this versatile defensive back won’t be easily replaced.
Like to keep, but replaceable
RB Joseph Addai -- He’ll be 28 for 2011 and Donald Brown should be ready to be the lead guy, but if Addai’s price is right and his health is good…
PK Adam Vinatieri -- A healthy and clutch season can make retaining him more important.
OT Charlie Johnson -- A versatile piece who's nice to have, but if he can secure a starting job elsewhere he could want to move.
Rather have than lose
DT Dan Muir -- They’ve invested a lot of time and effort in developing him.
DT Antonio Johnson -- They’ve invested a lot of time and effort in developing him.
Would keep for cheap
DL Eric Foster -- A versatile piece who’s a small, fast interior guy well suited for Colts.
DL Keyunta Dawson -- Ranks as the fourth end now, but can contribute as role player.
G Kyle DeVan -- Did admirable work as a surprise starter last year, but they added a few interior guys.
Expendable
OT Tony Ugoh -- His stock could change, but at this point could rate as the team’s fourth tackle.
TE Gijon Robinson -- Might not make the roster this season if fifth-rounder Brody Eldridge is the blocking upgrade expected.
S Jamie Silva -- Doesn’t seem to me to be in line to inherit a starting spot if a frontline safety leaves.
DE Ervin Baldwin -- Late add in 2009 is behind two Pro Bowlers, new first-rounder Jerry Hughes and Dawson.
WR Sam Giguere -- With quality crowd ahead of him, not going to find room to work as a receiver.
To be determined
G Andy Alleman – Haven’t seen him in Colts’ uniform yet.
OT Adam Terry -- Haven’t seen him in Colts’ uniform yet.
No-name Colts DTs held off 'upgrades'
US Presswire/Getty Images/AP PhotoDaniel Muir (left), Antonio Johnson and Eric Foster will face the league's best rushing offense Sunday.Item No. 1 on virtually every team's list of needs after the 2008 season was defensive tackle. A new head coach with a new defensive coordinator would still want quick interior linemen, but a little more beef would help the team better tamp down the run.
Thus, the Colts selected Fili Moala out of USC in the second round of the 2009 draft. They grabbed Terrance Taylor from Michigan in the fourth round. They recruited Adrian Grady from Louisville as an undrafted free agent. They ultimately brought back veteran Ed Johnson, who had been waived early in the 2008 season.
Things were going to appear a whole lot different between veteran defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Months later, here stand the Colts, a game away from their second Super Bowl in four seasons. The three defensive tackles who will key the run-stopping efforts Sunday against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game are... the same three guys they intended to replace with upgrades.
New York has a Pro Bowl center in Nick Mangold and a Pro Bowl left guard in Alan Faneca, two key pieces of an offensive line that blocks for the NFL’s top rushing team. The Colts will counter with starting defensive tackles Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir and Eric Foster as the primary changeup.
Of all the "upgrades," only second-rounder Moala stuck -- and he's inactive when the guys ahead of him are healthy.
The three holdovers are used to beating long odds. Antonio Johnson was signed off the Tennessee Titans' practice squad in early November 2008 and played eight games with the Colts that season. Muir was a waiver claim from the Green Bay Packers in late August 2008. Foster was an undrafted free agent from Rutgers signed in 2008.
And so it’s no-names versus big-names in the trenches when the Jets have the ball at Lucas Oil Stadium, and it could be the matchup most telling in who wins the AFC title and advances to the Super Bowl.
Freeney, Mathis in starting lineup
I expect Raheem Brock and Keyunta Dawson will get a lot of early-down action. That would be a smart way to scale back work for their stars, who would benefit from less contact with Maurice Jones-Drew.
Only three inactive Colts were left to be determined after the team declared the status of its injured players on Tuesday. Because five guys were already declared out, there could be guys eligible or dressed tonight who hardly play -- that will be one of the story lines we’ll try to follow for you after kickoff.
For the Jaguars, Russell Allen will start at outside linebacker for Clint Ingram (shoulder) and Attiyah Ellison will move ahead of Quentin Groves for the start at defensive end. As expected, Montell Owens is the starting fullback with Greg Jones (ankle) placed on injured-reserve.
Here’s the full list for both teams.
Colts:
- Offensive tackle Michael Toudouze
- Tight end Tom Santi
- Defensive end Ervin Baldwin
- Cornerback Jerraud Powers
- Running back Donald Brown
- Receiver Anthony Gonzalez
- Kicker Adam Vinatieri
- Defensive back Aaron Francisco
Jaguars:
- Outside linebacker Clint Ingram
- Receiver Tiquan Underwood
- Safety Courtney Greene
- Defensive end James Wyche
- Offensive tackle Tra Thomas
- Offensive lineman Paul McQuistan
- Defensive end Julius Williams
- Defensive tackle Greg Peterson
Six things to consider in Colts-Jags
Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe Jaguars will be anxious to see how they measure up against the undefeated Colts Thursday night.So here is the big moment for Jack Del Rio’s team, overachievers who have been outscored by 52 points this season but have scrapped, survived inconsistency and positioned themselves at 7-6 to be the AFC’s sixth playoff team.
To maintain that status, the Jaguars must do something no other team has done this season: beat the Colts. A young Jaguars team came close on opening day at Lucas Oil Stadium, dropping a 14-12 decision. Now we get to see how much better the Jaguars measure up against a team they want to emulate.
“Our goal is certainly to become what they are," first-year general manager Gene Smith told me last week. “That’s what we’re striving for.”
A year ago in a Thursday night game in Jacksonville, Peyton Manning clinched his third MVP award.
The Jaguars have struggled to pressure the passer most of the season and hardly have a loaded secondary. As in all games against the Colts, Jacksonville's methods for slowing the quarterback will be a major theme.
Here are half a dozen other things I’ll be watching for or conscious of at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium:
Who benefits from the short preparation week?
Given less time to prepare, I lean in favor of the team with more weapons all the time. The Colts are stacked in that category. I’d rank Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Joseph Addai and Pierre Garcon as playmakers who belong in the “dangerous” or “extra dangerous” category. I’m not sure, even if Rashean Mathis is back from his groin injury, the Jaguars have enough quality defensive backs to slow those weapons.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, have only two players who fit the category based on resume and production: Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker.
The team that has more to figure out how to defend is at a disadvantage in a short week. I also think the Jaguars were involved in a more physical game in last Sunday’s loss to Miami than the Colts were in a win over Denver.
The company line is they’ll play like usual with some exceptions for guys who are injured. Cornerback Jerraud Powers was on the early list of players who are out, and defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis didn’t practice this week and are questionable. Take the two pass-rushers and a key coverage guy out of the mix and the Colts are hardly the same defense. But Raheem Brock can be productive as an edge rusher and Keyunta Dawson would be in line for his most playing time.
Rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, terrorized in Week 1 by Freeney and Mathis, will be pleased. If they can offer better protection and give David Garrard some time to make good decisions, the Jaguars have a much improved chance.
Fourth-down action
Before going for it on fourth down came into such vogue this year, Del Rio was already aggressive with it. This season the Jaguars have converted half of their 16 tries.
The Colts have been a very good fourth-down defense this season, especially recently. We all remember the Patriots' failed fourth-down attempt deep in their own territory when trying to preserve a late lead back on Nov. 15.
According to ESPN Stats & Information ace Marty Callinan, Indy has allowed just one fourth-down conversion in 11 attempts over its last nine games.
Houston converted a fourth-and-1 in Week 9. Since then, it’s five consecutive games for Indy without allowing one. In the last two games, the Titans and Broncos each tried unsuccessfully three times.
Overall, the Colts' fourth-down defense has held offenses to a 29.4 percent conversion rate.
Podcast: Gruden on Mike & Mike
ESPN NFL analyst Jon Gruden says the Colts should go for the undefeated season. If they don't, there could be a mutiny. Listen 
Josh Scobee's just 16-of-24 on field goals this year for the Jaguars. His big leg would figure to be the best thing going for him, but he’s only 5-of-12 from 40 yards or longer this season. Jacksonville needs him to hit everything he’s asked to try in this one.
The Colts know they aren’t going to get great distance out of Matt Stover, who’s in his 20th year. He’s hit two of three tries over 40 yards in seven games. Get him inside of 40 and he’s the guy in this game I’d rather take my chances with.
Does MJD miss Greg Jones?
The Jaguars love their fullback, but Jones is out of this game with an ankle injury. That means special-teams ace Montell Owens or Brock Bolen, just signed off the practice squad, will be leading the way for Jacksonville’s best weapon. In seven games against Indy, Jones-Drew has an average of 6 yards a carry, five games of at least 91 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
His eight total touchdowns -- six rushing, one receiving and one as a returner -- are the most against the Colts by any individual since 2006.
Minimal flags
The Jaguars are the league’s least penalized team (62), and the Colts are tied for second (63).
Let’s hope we didn’t just jinx that and assure ourselves of a sloppier, slower game.
Ten Colts miss practice, as does a key Jag
Tuesday’s injury report gives us 10 players who did not participate and could qualify for a night off.
- Antoine Bethea (foot)
- Donald Brown (chest)
- Eric Foster (back)
- Aaron Francisco (ankle)
- Dwight Freeney (abdomen)
- Anthony Gonzalez (knee)
- Charlie Johnson (foot)
- Robert Mathis (quad)
- Jerraud Powers (hamstring)
- Adam Vinatieri (knee)
Depth-wise, defensive end is the big question here. If Freeney and Mathis are both out, Raheem Brock (back) and Keyunta Dawson (knee) would be in line for a lot of action. They both were full participants in practice despite their injuries.
For the Jaguars, Greg Jones (ankle) was out while Clint Ingram (shoulder) and Rashean Mathis (groin) were limited.
Earlier I'd said Mike Sims-Walker was out, but that was a mistake. He was a full participant. Apologies.
Ugoh starting; Hood scratched again
We’ll see if Ugoh’s been making progress. He’s been inactive for five games this season, and otherwise worked only on special teams while in place as a backup except for a spot start against Tennessee in the first matchup.
For the Titans, Rod Hood is a healthy scratch for the second week in a row. Looks like a bad move to me. If the Titans get hurt in the secondary, rookies Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty are in line to work as subs at cornerback. Hood was far better than either of them when he played.
The entire inactive lists for both teams:
Colts
- K Adam Vinatieri
- WR Anthony Gonzalez
- QB Jim Sorgi
- RB Donald Brown
- DB Aaron Francisco
- LT Charlie Johnson
- TE Tom Santi
- DE Keyunta Dawson
- WR Justin Gage
- RB Javon Ringer
- RB Alvin Pearman
- CB Rod Hood
- LB Colin Allred
- OL Troy Kropog
- DT Jason Jones
- DT Sen’Derrick Marks
Further review: Session's tackle of CJ
Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky
The suggestion: scodig88 said I should look at the first quarter play of Colts-Titans when Clint Session “absolutely lit up Chris Johnson while filling his gap.”
The situation: Second-and-3 from the Tennessee 24 yard-line with 6:45 on the clock in the first quarter and Indy up 7-0.
The Titans go with two tight ends (Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler), two receivers (Nate Washington and Justin Gage) and a back (Johnson).
Washington is wide left, Scaife is slot left and Crumpler is tight left with Gage to the right and Johnson behind Kerry Collins who is under center.
The Colts counter in base with cornerback Jerraud Powers with Washington, cornerback Jacob Lacey with Gage and strongside linebacker Tyjuan Hagler with Scaife. The safeties are deep.
Here’s what I saw unfold after the snap:
Johnson takes a handoff from Collins and aims to go off left tackle.
Scaife turns Hagler outside and Crumpler does the same with middle linebacker Gary Brackett.
Left tackle Michael Roos manages to get outside right end Keyunta Dawson and steers him back to the middle with one hand in his chest and another on his shoulder. Dawson fights off of him with the help of a right hand on Roos’ facemask, a call that is missed.
Left guard Eugene Amano and center Kevin Mawae double defensive tackle Ed Johnson, but then Amano looks to get to the second level and deal with Session, the weakside linebacker who’s come all the way across the field. Amano is late and can’t sneak between Mathis and Johnson in time to get in Session’s way.
Session moves through the same hole Chris Johnson sees, lowering his left shoulder and planting it into Johnson’s side. They both lower their heads at impact and Session’s helmet crashes into Johnson’s on the right jaw or right temple -- even in slow motion it’s too fast for me to discern. Session wraps Johnson drives him back and drops him as Dawson arrives for cleanup help that’s unnecessary.
Result: A 1-yard gain that sets up a third-and-1 that the Titans fail to convert as Collins throws incomplete for Kenny Britt.
Ultimate outcome: A run defense tone is set. Johnson gets a season-low nine carries for 34 yards. Session is credited by game statisticians with a team-high nine tackles.
No news yet from Colts on Freeney
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Take Dwight Freeney out of the Colts lineup, and Indianapolis is obviously not as good. His four sacks are third in the league. He’s a pass rusher who keeps blockers and quarterbacks on edge.
He told reporters he “felt something pop” in his right quad during Sunday night’s win in Arizona.
Jim Caldwell gave the standard Monday response when asked about the injury during his Monday press conference:
“I know Dwight has spoken to a couple of you and expressed he had an injury in a particular area. We are going to reserve comments until after the MRI, which he had this morning. The results should come back a little later on.”
Freeney missed seven games after suffering a foot injury in 2007, but the team won six games in a row without him before a meaningless regular season finale. The Colts lost their first playoff game to San Diego.
He’s had double-digit sacks in five of his seven seasons, with only 3.5 in the injury year and 5.5 in 2006, when the Colts won the Super Bowl.
If he’s out, Indianapolis wouldn’t wave a white flag. They’d proceed as they have without many injured guys, with a next man up approach.
They’d turn to Raheem Brock, their high-quality third end and ask for more from Keyunta Dawson. He played tackle last year but was shifted to end this year as the Colts beefed up inside after bringing back Ed Johnson and drafting Fili Moala.
Colts rookies: Powers may start, Moala may not dress
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Jim Caldwell said Thursday that it looks like rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers will start against the Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in place of Marlin Jackson, who will be limited to nickel duties. That would mean Powers, a third-rounder from Auburn, is ahead of veteran Tim Jennings.
Indications are another rookie, second-round defensive tackle Fili Moala, will rank as an emergency player or be inactive. He did not participate in practice Thursday and was added to the injury report with a knee.
With Ed Johnson serving a one-game league suspension, Caldwell was asked who would start at defensive tackle. He mentioned Antonio Johnson, Dan Muir and Eric Foster, but not Moala.
“I’ll know a little better tomorrow, but it will be a rotation,” Caldwell said. “Antonio Johnson, Muir, and Foster. Muir may be in a backup role. You’ll have a three-man rotation in there.”
If Moala doesn't have a role with Ed Johnson out, he's unlikely to have one early in the season when the Colts get Johnson back. He didn't do much in the preseason and the team has two ends in Raheem Brock and Keyunta Dawson who can shift inside if needed.
Those things are not necessarily indictments of the rookie.
If the Colts are deeper and healthier in front of him than they are in front of Powers, that could be a good thing. And if that gives them the luxury of treating him as a guy who needs time to develop, that may maximize his chances in the long term.
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Biggest surprise: Four undrafted rookies made it. Linebacker Ramon Humber, cornerback Jacob Lacey and interior offensive lineman Kyle DeVan have cause to celebrate and will surely be expected to make an impact on special teams if they make the game day 45. Kicker Shane Andrus could be insurance until Adam Vinatieri is fully fit after offseason hip surgery, or they could keep him as a kickoff guy. Fourth-round draft pick Terrance Taylor, expected to be part of the bulking up of the defensive line, was cut, as was second-year defensive end Marcus Howard. He was a fifth-round draft pick last year who appeared to have upside. But the team’s push to get bigger along the defensive line could have cost him his spot. Keyunta Dawson was moved from tackle to end in the changes.
No-brainers: The team spent a sixth-round pick on Curtis Painter and liked what it saw from him as he played more than anticipated in the preseason with Jim Sorgi hurt for much of the time. In a league starved for decent options as No. 2 quarterbacks it would have been difficult to have gotten him to the practice squad, so it kept him as a third quarterback on a team with as durable a starter as there is in Peyton Manning. Will injuries allow for such depth-long term?
What's next: Left tackle remains the big concern. Charlie Johnson ranks ahead of Tony Ugoh on the depth chart but could win the job back. It would be uncharacteristic for the team to bring someone in and insert him into the starting lineup at this point, but they have to at least wish an upgrade candidate in their scheme would present himself. Ugoh and Dan Federkeil currently rank as the backup tackles.
With Hughes out, '07 draft class not Colts' quality
Cornerback Dante Hughes and offensive lineman Steve Justice are among the first three cuts for the Colts, according to Mike Chappell.
Hughes was a third-rounder in 2007, a class of nine that has not proven to be Bill Poilian’s best.
- First-rounder Anthony Gonzalez is in line as the second wide receiver and has been very good in his first two years.
- Second-round left tackle Tony Ugoh has been demoted to backup status though it wouldn’t be a surprise if he gets the starting left tackle job back.
- Hughes played in 24 games in two seasons.
- The other third-rounder, defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, retired before training camp of his second season.
- Fourth-round defensive Brannon Condren played in eight games as a rookie, was elsewhere in 2008, re-signed in 2009 but was cut in late July.
- Fourth-round linebacker Clint Session is in line to start and looks like he will be a good player.
- Fifth-round receiver Roy Hall played in seven games in two seasons and was waived injured on Aug. 13. He is now on IR.
- Fifth-round defensive back Michael Coe played in six games and was recently cut.
- Seventh-round defensive end Keyunta Dawson was eventually moved to tackle, where he started 14 games last year. He now ranks as a backup end. I think they like him, but don't know if he's a lock for the final 53.
A draft class of nine players produced a crop that now includes two starters and two backups. Granted, Pitcock was a bad-luck development for the team and a good club isn't necessarily going to have room for late rounders.
Still, the way the Colts operate, I feel as if a group in its third year should be nearing its peak and contributing and producing more than that.
Do you agree?
Camp Confidential: Colts like their changes
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| Scott Boehm/Getty Images | |
| New coach Jim Caldwell has made a number of changes and the Colts appear happy with the alterations. |
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dwight Freeney didn't shoo Tony Dungy out the door and wasn't begging for alterations to a formula that has brought the Indianapolis Colts great success.
But Freeney is content with new coach Jim Caldwell's changes at defensive coordinator and special teams coach. The Colts' star defensive end surveys a landscape that no longer includes Ron Meeks and Russ Purnell and feels just fine.
"I think that's one thing people need to understand: We had a lot of success in the years with Meeks and Purnell and, yeah, we are changing personnel as far as those coaching positions are concerned. But change is not always a bad thing," he said. "If you look at the end result, and I'm not saying it was their fault, but we only achieved the end goal once even though we were very successful.
"And I'm not saying it was because of them. But there is always room for improvement. You never know -- you change things around, it brings new energy, it brings new fire. We could see some bigger things."
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That energy was palpable early in camp from a team that overcame a lot to go 12-4 last year, then botched a big opportunity in a playoff game in San Diego.
The Colts have had a smooth transition because they anticipated the change and had Caldwell serve as associate head coach under Dungy. Caldwell removed Meeks and Purnell, replacing them with Larry Coyer and Ray Rychleski, respectively.
But the other key people in the organization who provide major stability are still in place -- Bill Polian is still the team president and Peyton Manning is still the quarterback.
Like Freeney, Polian believes some change can be a good thing.
"Sometimes that's good -- you hear a different voice, you hear a different approach, it gets the message across in a different manner," Polian said. "Both are excellent coaches, both are terrific guys.
"They're both organized and they're both good teachers, so I don't think there is any real change there. But maybe the way the lesson is taught might be a little bit different and it's probably, in the end, good."
Key questions
1. Can the third-down defense get Manning the ball back?
The Colts tied for second worst in the league in third-down conversion rate, allowing teams to convert on third down 47.4 percent of the time. Bend-but-don't-break is going out of fashion under Coyer, according to many of his players. And with third down as a focus, they hope to get the offense back on the field and allow their best people to spend more time working.
Only six teams fared worse in time of possession than the Colts (28:39) last year. No matter how opponents try to play keep-away, getting Manning and the offense on the field more must be a priority.
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2. Does Manning have the weapons and protection?
Reggie Wayne has been the de facto No. 1 receiver for a while already. And Anthony Gonzalez is primed for a great year in his third season, with a lot more opportunities to come. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie were both impressive early in camp and appear primed to be steady contributors, and Donald Brown provided a second running back with dynamic possibilities.
The protection question may be a bigger conc
ern. Charlie Johnson has been inserted at left tackle. While he has been an effective fill-in, if he is the guy for 16 games, defensive ends named Mario Williams and Kyle Vanden Bosch are going to find the holes in his game. Perhaps Tony Ugoh responds to the demotion and seizes the job back. Either way, could Manning have to worry more about getting hit from a blind side rusher than he has in the past?
3. Can special teams provide a boost?
Mediocre to poor special teams have been the norm for the Colts, and under Dungy there seemed to be a level of tacit acceptance. Enter Rychleski, a fiery and passionate special teams coach who Caldwell hired from South Carolina. As in many of the departments where the Colts ranked poorly in the past, just a moderate improvement can make a big difference.
The return games have been the worst element. T.J. Rushing is the leading candidate right now, but rookies Collie and Jerraud Powers could provide a boost. Another rookie, Pat McAfee is slated to be the new punter.
Market watch
Working predominantly as the third receiver last season, Gonzalez had 664 receiving yards. Bumped up to No. 2, he should be poised to top 1,000 yards and improve on the four touchdown catches he totaled in 2008. He is typecast by too many as a slot guy, but in three wide receiver sets it appears more likely that Wayne or Collie will line up inside.
Gonzalez is a complete receiver who has established a great rapport with Manning -- so much so that Manning invited the receiver to serve as his caddy at a pro-am golf tournament in April.
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| Scott Boehm/Getty Images | |
| The Colts are counting on Donald Brown to have a big impact in his rookie season. |
Newcomer to watch
While most analysts figured the Colts would look wide receiver or defensive tackle late in the first round, Polian spent the 27th pick in the draft on highly productive UConn running back Brown. An indictment of Joseph Addai? Perhaps. An upgrade over Dominic Rhodes? Absolutely.
The Colts' plans for Brown and their opinion of Addai after an off year in which he struggled with with knee trouble are both unclear. But Caldwell has made it clear he anticipates significant work for his top two backs. Brown was effective in his first preseason action, even as it came against a mix of second- and third-string Minnesota defenders. High draft picks on offense are expected to help right away and rookie running backs regularly plug in and excel. It's what Addai did in 2006 as the league's leading rookie rusher and it's what Brown may well do in the same offense.
Observation deck
Kicker Adam Vinatieri (hip) isn't expected back until the very end of the preseason. When he's kicking again, he will work intensively with McAfee, his new holder, to get their rhythm and timing down. ... If everyone is healthy in the secondary, work as the dime won't be sufficient for safety Melvin Bullitt. Expect the Colts to creatively find other ways to get him on the field regularly. His development likely means Antoine Bethea won't be re-signed when he becomes a free agent. ... Ryan Lilja is the best run blocker on the line and will also help Jeff Saturday provide an additional veteran influence on the younger players in the offensive line meeting room. ... While Harrison was locked in to lining up in the right, Reggie Wayne will move from the left into the slot, making him tougher to predict and defend. ... Curtis Painter's preseason play could determine his fate. The team doesn't intend for the rookie quarterback to be Manning's backup this season -- that's still Jim Sorgi's job. But injuries and numbers at other spots could impact their ability to keep three signal-callers. Ideally they would have Painter on the practice squad, but what if someone else wants to sign him away? ... Gijon Robinson can block and catch and qualifies as a starter. Buy the development of two second-year right ends could cut into his time. Jacob Tamme runs good routes and has good hands, qualifying as more of a pass catcher while he's emerging as a better blocker. Tom Santi can be a combination guy but has had health issues. ... Because the Colts added three big bodies to the defensive tackle mix -- veteran Ed Johnson and rookies Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor -- two guys who contributed in the interior last year could see far less action. Keyunta Dawson has been moved to end and Eric Foster could get caught in a numbers crunch. ... If Philip Wheeler and Clint Session lock in the outside linebacker spots, then Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler will give the Colts something they have not often had -- veteran linebackers available for a lot of special teams work. ... Dante Hughes looks to have fallen out of favor, which creates a lot of opportunity for Powers. ... Maybe I just caught him on a good couple days of practice, but receiver Taj Smith looks like a guy with real potential to develop. Look for him on the practice squad again.
Reading the coverage: Best by uniform numbers
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Old, but interesting: pro-football-reference.com goes three deep on the best players ever by uniform number.
Houston Texans
- Coach Gary Kubiak could move safety Eugene Wilson to corner, according to the Chronicle's notebook.
- Third receiver Andre Davis has been making some big catches, says Dale Robertson.
- Zac Diles is working on a transition to the weak side, says Jordan Godwin.
- Houston added Deltha O'Neal and Andre Hall, writes Godwin.
- A look at Thursday night's practice from Alan Burge.
Indianapolis Colts
- Indy hopes changes energize the team, says Don Banks.
- Pete Prisco gets a feel for Jim Caldwell.
- The Colts want size and speed at defensive tackle, which facilitates a move of Keyunta Dawson to end, writes Mike Chappell.
- Tim Jennings got the life of a corner encapsulated in two plays, says Chappell.
- Caldwell says the Colts are focused on the day-to-day grind.
- Some interesting numbers on run games around the league from stampedeblue.com.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- The Times-Union's observation deck at the bottom of this provides practice details.
- James Wyche is trying to stay healthy, says Michael C. Wright.
- Quentin Groves had bulked up and needs to put that weight to good use, says Vito Stellino.
- Eben Britton understands the importance of being at camp on time, says Gene Frenette.
- Vic Ketchman connects sellouts and TV ratings.
Tennessee Titans
- Chuck Cecil isn't making any major scheme changes, but he does want the Titans to be more violent, writes Jim Wyatt.
- Vince Young says there is nothing wrong with being confident, reports Wyatt.
- Wyatt's Thursday afternoon practice report.
- Cary Williams got a shot with the first team, says Wyatt.
- NBC's "Dateline" is working on a piece about Steve McNair's murder, says Wyatt.
- Terry McCormick likes what he's seen so far from Nate Washington.
- Titans Radio reviews Thursday.
- Keith Bulluck's trash-talking broke up camp monotony, says Joe Biddle.
- Everyone's getting to the ball in the Titans' secondary.
Impact of bigger DTs can help Colts' backers
How things sort themselves out at defensive tackle for the Colts will be a big training camp storyline once practices start Monday.
The team went into the offseason determined to get bigger in the middle and added three players who give them size but can also move the way they need their tackles to: veteran returnee Ed Johnson (6-foot-2, 296 pounds) and draft picks Fili Moala (6-4, 303) and Terrance Taylor (6-0, 319).
"It's designed specifically to get us back to where we were when we had Booger McFarland and Corey Simon," Colts president Bill Polian said. "Corey, I don't know what the hell he was, he might have been 320, Booger was between 307 and 310. And that's what you need to play; you can't play at 265.
"We're not looking for the space-eater, we're not looking for the guy who's just going to sit there and absorb blocks. The idea is not to keep blockers off the linebackers, that's not the design of our defense. But we needed to get people who could stand a gap over 16 games, and that's what we have when we were at our best."
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Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
