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A running list of Saturday cuts around the AFC South so far, per reports from people in the know…

Houston

• LB Xavier Adibi
• WR Dorin Dickerson
• DE Damione Lewis
• TE Anthony Hill

Indianapolis

• DT Tommie Harris
• DT Ricardo Matthews
• TE Michael Matthews
• WR Taj Smith
• DE John Chick
• QB Dan Orlovsky
• LB Kerry Neal
• G Kyle DeVan
• RB Javarris James
• P Travis Baltz

Jacksonville

• OT Daniel Baldridge
• DE Larry Hart
• DL Andrew Lewis
• CB Terrence Wheatley
• CB Jalil Johnson
• LB Mike Lockley

Tennessee

• WR Justin Gage
• DE Jacob Ford
• S Vincent Fuller
• S Robert Johnson
• OT Adam Terry

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jaguars aren’t looking for parades or pinwheels as congratulations. But in the two years since Gene Smith took over as general manager, they’ve basically gutted the roster. And while setting about a major rebuilding project, they remained competitive with a 7-9 season and an 8-8 campaign.

After another draft and an active free-agency period, they now feel the rebuild is complete.

“There is an expectation level in this league to win, and I think having some horses makes us all smile in this building,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. “I think we went out and acquired some guys for the second and third level of our defense where we talked about needing some help. ... It’s going to help us be a whole lot better.

“The pressure, the demands, that’s part of what we do, and I love that part of it. It becomes a little more enjoyable when you know you’re getting closer to being on equal footing."

Del Rio’s not buying that the Colts are slipping, and he’s not waiting for them to. The in-house expectation is that this team is capable of competing for the AFC South crown no matter what any other team in the division has going for it.

Bolstered by four upgrades among the top 12 players on defense, Jacksonville is a team that should be much improved. The Jaguars won’t be a popular pick, but they could be a surprise, emergent team.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Will there be a quarterback controversy? The team stands firmly with David Garrard and intends to bring first-round pick Blaine Gabbert along slowly. But Gabbert has looked great early, while Garrard tends to be inconsistent. There are bound to be times during the season when there is some pressure to make a change from inside team headquarters, not just from media and fans.

“If we ever get to the point where we think Blaine is better than Dave, that’s good for the Jaguars,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “Because I think Dave is good enough to win with; I think we can win our division with Dave Garrard at quarterback. If Blaine is better than Dave, shoot, that’s good for us.”

Del Rio and Koetter could have a complicated job managing how and when to play Gabbert if they feel he’s forcing his way into the lineup.

“I’ve got a healthy appreciation for the desire out there to make it a story,” Del Rio said. “For us, we’re about maximizing our opportunities as a football team, playing the guys who give us the best chance to win games and working on the preparation. ...

“Through the course of competition and exposure and based on health, those factors kind of take care of themselves. I don’t think we have to get ahead of the story. I think we can just let it play out, and at least we are doing so from a position of strength. There is no reason to make it dysfunctional, make it unhealthy. What purpose does that serve? It’s not going to help us win more games.”

It sounds good, but it can get complicated. Garrard’s the guy right now, and the team and the quarterback need to do a better job of making sure he gets hit far less so he can make consistently good decisions with the ball.

Factor tight ends Marcedes Lewis and Zach Miller and running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings into the mix with the receivers, and the Jaguars have sufficient weapons to complement a run-based offense. Mike Thomas, Jason Hill and Cecil Shorts could be a better three-pack of receivers than many people think.

2. How much better can the revamped defense be? If this defense doesn’t improve from 32nd against the pass, 28th overall and 27th in points allowed, Del Rio will lose his job.

The team shelled out $37 million guaranteed to three prime free agents: linebackers Paul Posluszny and Clint Session and safety Dawan Landry. The Jags also added nickelback Drew Coleman.

That group, plus rookie defensive backs Chris Prosinski and Rod Issac, should vastly improve the defensive production and depth.

Smith wanted to build foundations early and spent his first two drafts working on the lines. Defensive tackles Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton should take up all kinds of blockers and create space for the two new linebackers and the underrated Daryl Smith to make a lot of impact plays.

“Jacksonville’s interior D-line really stood out,” Posluszny said about his research as a free agent. “They’ve got two studs in the middle that are very active, get to the ball a lot and certainly are going to take up a lot of blockers.”

Safety play last season was horrific, and Landry will be a significant upgrade even though he didn’t bring Ed Reed with him from Baltimore.

“I’m not looking for any grace period to assemble this defense,” Del Rio said. "Guys we’re assembling and counting on for the most part are veterans. ... We’re going to expect to play coming out of the gate as a winning football team, and defensively we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

3. Can they play well late in the season? December is a debacle for this team.

In the past three seasons in games played in December and beyond, the Jaguars are 4-11. They need to learn to finish games and seasons better. What can change it?

“I think in Week 13 or something, we had a better record than the Packers did last year,” Daryl Smith said. “They got hot, and who would have thought they would go on to win? That could be us. Why not? We have to try to stay off of that roller coaster, try to be consistent, just get better each week. Steady, steady, steady, then come late November or December, get hot.”

“I’ve been in the playoffs twice since I’ve been here and that’s been the formula. … We can’t feel like we arrived when we have a good game or played well and won a couple games.”

Del Rio says that with a more talented roster, he has to guide it to better work in the last quarter of the season.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Beat writers and fans call Austen Lane “The Bringer of Pain.” It’s funny. But he looks like a guy who will make it hard for the team to look anywhere else for its second starting defensive end. He can be a ball of fury, and that will fit right in with the tone and tempo of the rest of the defensive front.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Right tackle Eben Britton came in with a reputation as a nasty player, and the team missed him last season when he was lost with a shoulder injury. I’ve picked him as a breakout-caliber guy this season. But word is he has not been great so far. Perhaps he’s still being cautious and easing his way back, but he needs to take things up a big notch soon.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Two years ago, people were writing off center Brad Meester. But defenses were taking advantage of weak guard play to get to him. He rebounded well last season and is a guy whom coaches love as a reliable offensive line leader.
• Knighton’s weight always will be an issue. The defensive tackle is a great player and superlikable guy. The team cannot hold his fork for him. The more he can control it, the more impact and money he will make.
• Prosinski could well be in the opening day lineup as the free safety. He worked with the first team early in camp and might be up to a pairing with Landry in the middle of the secondary. Rashean Mathis and Derek Cox need to play better at corner, but the Jaguars will improve from the safety upgrades and from the presence of veteran nickelback Drew Coleman.
• Looking for an underdog to root for? How about undrafted free agent Marc Schiechl? He set a Football Championship Subdivision record for sacks at the Colorado School of Mines.
• Scotty McGee isn’t working with defensive backs regularly anymore. Can he stick as strictly a punt-return specialist? He caught 185 punts on one day of camp. And the team should move away from using Thomas in the role, although McGee is hardly the only alternative.
• I like Miller, and the team raves about his potential. But he’s been inconsistent early in camp with too many drops. He’s got great hands, so it seems to be a focus issue.
• Larry Hart may be in the doghouse for coming back from the lockout overweight. At defensive end, he currently ranks behind Aaron Kampman, Lane, Jeremy Mincey and Aaron Morgan.
• Fourth-round receiver Cecil Shorts was great in camp early, and I bet the undrafted crop of wideouts has at least one NFL-caliber guy. Keep your eyes on Armon Binns, Jamar Newsome and Dontrelle Inman.
• Third-year receiver Jarett Dillard is running well after a couple of injuries cost him the bulk of his first two seasons.
• Watch how much better punter Matt Turk gets now that he will be a beneficiary of the Jaguars’ topflight cover guys, Montell Owens and Kassim Osgood.
• The Jaguars may be content to use Jones-Drew, coming off a knee operation, very minimally in camp and preseason games.
• Veteran Jason Spitz has not been on the field yet, but I think the team would like for third-round pick Will Rackley to win the open left guard spot.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Right tackle Eben Britton and end Austen Lane scrapped last year in camp and fought again Saturday night.

That’s just the scenario the team is looking for when pairing players in the annual Oklahoma drill, which will unfold at the EverBank Field practice fields this evening.

The drill is basically a one-on-one battle in a tight alley, as the offensive lineman looks to hold off the defensive lineman and create room for a running back to get by.

The media are involved in helping select match-ups.

My request wasn’t for a specific match-up, but for an impartial coach to serve as judge, declaring a winner or a tie, as it’s not always as easy to judge as you might think. Whether we get such verdicts remains to be seen.

“Here’s the thing, sometimes it’s a tie when you’re seeing it from the stands,” Lane said. “But if you’re in it, you’re going to know if you won or not. Definitely, you are going to know.”

The remainder of the match-ups:

• G Will Rackley vs. DT Tyson Alualu
• TE Zach Miller vs. LB Scott Lutrus
• OL Kevin Haslam vs. DE Marc Schiechl
• OT Daniel Baldridge vs. DE Larry Hart
• C John Estes vs. DL C.J. Mosley
• DT D’Anthony Smith vs. G Uche Nwaneri

It’s the right year to need a defensive lineman in the first round, and in the AFC South, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if all four teams spent their first pick in the draft on a tackle or an end.

Speaking briefly Tuesday night before a charity event, Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt offered nothing substantive on his quarterback-needy team’s feelings about the quarterback prospects.

But the guy running the team’s draft is also in need of a couple of defensive linemen, and joined the chorus raving about the talent available.

“I think it’s going to be very tempting because I think there will be 14 or 15 defensive linemen that go in the first round,” he said. “So that’ll make an interesting choice for a lot of people in the first round.”

NFL Draft Scout rates seven ends and two tackles as clear first-rounders and another two ends and four tackles as possible first-rounders. Some of those ends could wind up as pass-rushing outside linebackers in a 3-4.

At the NFL scouting combine, many of the hot defensive linemen expressed pride in the strength of their position in this draft.

“I look at it like, if you go back in the history of watching football, before the game was started, it started up front,” said Marcell Dareus, the Alabama tackle who's expected to be the first defensive lineman off the board. “Some people were scared and backed up off the ball. But the real bulls stayed up front and played the game.”

The compelling group that could have guys coming to try to hit Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub and slow Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson includes a guy who plays the guitar and the drums (Clemson end Da'Quan Bowers), another who had a brain tumor removed five years ago (North Carolina end Robert Quinn) and a third who started out not in football, but in rugby (Oregon State tackle Stephen Paea).

I asked one college scout from the AFC and Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. to pair each AFC South team with a defensive lineman likely to be available at each team's slot. Here’s what they said.

Tennessee (No. 8)

Scout: Bowers

"Add him to a young Derrick Morgan and Titans would have bookend defensive ends with pass-rush ability for many years. Look at the Titans' current DEs: Jacob Ford (potential free agent) is a nickel pass-rusher; Dave Ball (free agent and injuries) is a rotational player only; Jason Babin (free agent) is a one-year wonder and honestly just a pass-rusher; William Hayes is a base/run-down end. So the need is there for sure. Players that can play the run and rush the passer usually never hit free agency, they aren’t allowed to because they are so hard to find. If there wasn’t a issue with the knee, Bowers wouldn’t be there at eight."

Williamson: Auburn tackle Nick Fairley or Quinn

“Value and upside. Both players are dripping with upside, but have some questions. The Titans' new line coach, Tracy Rocker, comes from Auburn and already has a relationship with Fairley. He is just too good of a prospect to pass up at that point of the draft. And Tennessee’s line has enough guys already that they could sort of ease either player into his respective role.”

Texans (No. 11)

Scout: Wisconsin end J.J. Watt

"A great choice for a 5-technique player. High motor, excellent size with potential to add to frame, great kid with a huge upside. I am ignoring obvious pass-rushers because they are outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense and you wanted a lineman. The [Texans] are in need of a pass-rusher more than a 5-technique end -- Mario Williams, Shaun Cody and Antonio Smith all fit that position. Amobi Okoye is a quick nose tackle, but not a true nose. They will need to upgrade that spot as well, but there is not a value nose tackle for them with the 11th pick."

Williamson: Watt or Cal end Cameron Jordan

“For Houston, I think they would love to get a 5-technique like JJ Watt or Cameron Jordan. Nose tackle is the bigger need, but taking [Baylor’s] Phil Taylor there is too early.”

Jacksonville (No. 16)

Scout: Missouri end Aldon Smith

“An excellent pass-rusher. Young, inexperienced but has a huge upside. Should grow into his frame and maintain athletic ability. They lack true pass-rushers. Larry Hart is a situational rusher at best. Austen Lane is a run-down player… at best. Derrick Harvey hasn’t worked out. And they are already solid in the middle. [Miami end] Allen Bailey, [Iowa end] Adrian Clayborn and Cameron Jordan are too close to what they have already. The only other option would be [Purdue end] Ryan Kerrigan, but he and Aaron Kampman are similar in skills and limitations. Aldon has true edge pass-rush ability.”

Williamson: Aldon Smith

“I like Smith a lot for Jacksonville. They are set at tackle, so they only would look for an end up front in my opinion. He is loaded with upside. And with all this defensive line talent in this draft, he could be a real value pick where they select.”

Indianapolis (No. 22)

Scout: Illinois tackle Corey Liuget

“He would be a great choice for them. A very athletic defensive tackle with size, effort and upside. He can play the run as well, but helps with pressure on inside. He is a very good combo DT playing run/pass equally well. They are set at defensive end. Jerry Hughes will come around and they will have three solid players at the spot. Liuget adds to depleted interior group.”

Williamson: Taylor or Liuget

“Indy might pounce on Taylor to clog up the middle or if Corey Liuget is still there, he would be ideal. I would say it is unlikely, but Bill Polian doesn't care about what others think and he likes 'his type of players' ... so Drake Nevis from LSU could be someone he really likes.”

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: Needs.

Houston Texans

Where to start? The defense needs a major personnel infusion, starting at safety, where this draft is weak. Eugene Wilson (cut) and Bernard Pollard (not tendered in case he would be restricted) are not going to be back. They need candidates for both starting spots.

Outside linebacker in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 is a void, where rehabbing 4-3 end Connor Barwin is slated to be one guy and there is a blank on the other.

The team has talked confidently about Shaun Cody, who got a two-year contract, and second-year man Earl Mitchell being capable of playing the nose for Phillips. They can certainly upgrade.

The best answer for a group of too-young cornerbacks would be a veteran, not a rookie, but who knows how the next guy arrives? And a No. 2 wide receiver better than Kevin Walter who can do what they’d hoped Jacoby Jones would do would be nice.

Indianapolis Colts

We’ve been hearing about the need to get a tough yard in a crucial situation with the run game for some time and haven’t seen the personnel changes necessary. Then Bill Polian said during the season that yes, offensive tackle Rodger Saffold (drafted by the Rams in the second round) could have helped the Colts. The team needs offensive linemen, plural. At least one high-quality guy who can contribute from opening day would be big.

When they're healthy, Indianapolis has a great four-pack of receivers in Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez. But health questions on Collie and Gonzalez will linger; none of those guys looks to be an heir to Wayne’s role, and the Peyton Manning-era Colts have spent premium picks on skill guys.

The corner depth proved pretty good, but even if they are ultimately able to re-sign Melvin Bullitt, the Colts need some depth at safety.

Jacksonville Jaguars

While Courtney Greene may be a serviceable NFL safety, Don Carey probably is not. Odds are the Jaguars draft one and sign one at a position that was a big weakness in 2010.

Linebacker is also a spot of need. Daryl Smith is locked in, but the team probably will allow Kirk Morrison and Justin Durant to walk as free agents, meaning they need a starter on the middle and the outside.

Defensive end wouldn’t seem a need considering the team drafted Larry Hart and Austen Lane last season after adding veteran Aaron Kampman. But the pass rush is not where they want it, and a rush end could well be a position they address.

Inconsistent quarterback David Garrard needs to see the team have a legitimate alternative, and he should come from this draft. And those two quarterbacks plus Luke McCown need a No. 1-caliber receiver to head a group that won’t bring Mike Sims-Walker back.

Tennessee Titans

It starts under center, where the Titans do not have a No. 1 or No. 2 quarterback. They intend to add one veteran and one rookie and could easily spend their first or second pick on a signal-caller.

The team needs to get bigger and more durable on the defensive line. A beefy tackle and a rugged defensive end are on the wish list, and both could help make things easier for the rest of the defense. The interior didn’t collapse the pocket a lot, and the smallish ends wore down. Three of them are heading for free agency -- Jason Babin, Dave Ball and Jacob Ford.

Stephen Tulloch is heading for free agency, and the Titans didn’t get enough plays out of the linebackers last year, so they could upgrade.

Chris Hope’s replacement at strong safety doesn’t appear to be on the roster. While it’s a thin draft at the spot, the Titans need to find a candidate.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Jacksonville Jaguars clearly need help in the middle of their secondary. General manager Gene Smith said it’s reasonable to expect the team will draft one safety and acquire another in free agency.

But when I asked him about the balance between the pass rush and the coverage for a team that spent its first four draft picks on defensive linemen last year and signed free agent end Aaron Kampman, Smith left the door open for more pass-rush help.

“We’re still going to improve the pass rush so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that if a defensive end is the best available player that we’d add a defensive end,” he said. “I’m always going to try to be heavy in numbers on the offensive and defensive lines.

"We’ve certainly got to improve on both ends, on the front end creating more rush -- even though we improved, we’re not where we need to be yet -- and on the back end making plays on the ball. We were certainly delinquent at the safety position, I don’t think that’s any secret, and hopefully we’re able to address some things there to help us moving forward.”

The Jaguars have significant investments in picks, money or both in Kampman, Derrick Harvey, Austen Lane and Larry Hart. But they could be done with Harvey if he doesn’t show a major spark.

A lot of draftniks have paired the Jaguars with Ryan Kerrigan, because he played four years at Purdue and seems to fit the Smith mold in terms of experience, work ethic and leadership. But there could be other guys of value in the conversation at No. 16 such as Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt in what’s expected to be a first round loaded with defensive end selections.

In training camp, Aaron Kampman talked of enduring a torn ACL last season and the fight to get back from it as “purifying.” I was intrigued that he saw such a torturous event in a football life that way.

Now he’ll have to find something good about a second rehabilitation, as he’s done for the year after tearing the ACL in his other knee during practice on Wednesday.

It’s an awful blow for the Jaguars, who made a big investment in Kampman as a free agent and have gotten four sacks, steady energetic play and quality leadership from him.

With Derrick Harvey recently demoted in favor of Jeremy Mincey, it's unclear how the lineup will shake out. Mincey is looking to return from a broken hand. The other ends on the roster are all rookies: Larry Hart, Austen Lane and Aaron Morgan.

That changes the complexion of the line in a big way. Neither will call for the sort of extra attention offenses have had to pay Kampman. Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu have been getting better in the middle, but a central push that flushes a quarterback needs to flush him into someone from the edge who’s also gotten free.

Houston right tackle Eric Winston spoke with the Jacksonville press about Kampman earlier this week:

“When [Jacksonville] signed him I was like ‘oh great’. I went against him in Green Bay and now I’m like ‘this is fantastic, now I get to see him twice a year? This is exactly what I wanted to see’. But he’s Kampman. To me, he’s a lot like Kyle Vanden Bosch, probably a little stronger. He’s a guy that, he’s going to get crafty, he’s going to give you a lot of different looks, if you tip things off he’s going to take advantage of you, you better bring your A-game when you play him because he’s going to bring his A-game every time. If you don’t, he’ll make you look bad.”

A B-game from Winston may now be plenty good enough for him to cancel out the edge threat from the Jaguars on Sunday.

Sifting through my morning reading, I was struck by this piece of Andrew Hofheimer’s blog entry:

"You find football players where you find football players, but small school guys’ bodies are not as NFL ready. Reviewing the last two drafts, here are players we picked from small schools: Terrance Knighton (Temple), Derek Cox (William & Mary), [Jarett] Dillard (Rice), Zach Miller (Nebraska-Omaha), and Rashad Jennings (Liberty) from 2009; D’Anthony Smith (Louisiana Tech), Larry Hart (Central Arkansas), Austen Lane (Murray State), Deji Karim (Southern Illinois), and Scotty McGee (James Madison) from 2010. That’s 10 guys drafted from small schools."

"Knighton has had weight issues. Cox has a foot injury that has hindered his performance. [Jarett] Dillard broke a leg last year, placing him on IR, and has developed a stress fracture in his other foot this year, placing him on IR. Zach Miller has had foot problems that have kept him out of much of offseason practice. Rashad Jennings has stayed healthy, but remember he was at Pitt before he transferred to Liberty to be with his family. D’Anthony Smith is on IR with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Larry Hart has remained healthy, but was a power lifter in college and presumably has more weight training than the other draftees. Austen Lane has had leg issues and is yet to play in the regular season. Deji Karim hurt his hand and is yet to play in the regular season. Scotty McGee hurt his foot and is on IR."

Interesting, I thought. But I also suspect Hofheimer isn’t a doctor or a medical researcher.

So I took the proposition to ESPN’s resident medical expert Stephania Bell, who read it and offered this reasoned response.

"My immediate gut response is no, zero credence.

"Then I have to back up and say, in order to make an argument, you'd have to do a proper retrospective analysis that would hold up to scientific (statistical) scrutiny. If you could show me through that method, that there is a higher proportion of small school guys who get injured, OK. But then I still don't know that I buy the rationale (bodies not NFL ready). Just because there's as statistical relationship doesn't equate to cause and effect.

"That's my academic argument -- and while not feasible to conduct such a study in the immediate sense, I think if people want to throw these sorts of ideas out there, while I think they're absolutely interesting to consider (and perhaps worth looking into), there needs to be some sort of scientific basis for really making a coherent argument."

"That's my two cents. On top of that, for every injury and guy named here, I can match it with a similar (or worse) injury to a guy from a big-time school.

"One only has to look at the oft-injured in their short careers Percy Harvin (Florida), Reggie Bush (USC), Beanie Wells (Ohio State), etc, etc....

"One more thing: perhaps the percentage of small school guys in the NFL is so much less that there's bound to be more injuries per capita, if you will."

A look at AFC South draft picks heading into opening day …

Houston Texans

• First-rounder Kareem Jackson is the starting right cornerback.
• Second-rounder Ben Tate (ankle), a running back, is on IR.
• Third-rounder Earl Mitchell is in the rotation at defensive tackle.
• Fourth-rounder Darryl Sharpton is a backup linebacker.
• Fourth-rounder Garrett Graham is listed as the fourth tight end but could get some snaps while Owen Daniels is eased back into action.
• Fifth-rounder Sherrick McManis is the fifth or sixth cornerback.
• Sixth-rounder Shelley Smith is listed as the third-string left guard and right tackle.
• Sixth-rounder Trindon Holliday (thumb), a return man, is on IR.
• Seventh-rounder Dorin Dickerson is listed as Andre Johnson’s backup.

Indianapolis Colts

• First-rounder Jerry Hughes is in line to work as the third or fourth defensive end.
• Second-rounder Pat Angerer is a backup linebacker and special-teamer.
• Third-rounder Kevin Thomas (knee), a cornerback, is on IR.
• Fourth-rounder Jacques McClendon is the backup right guard.
• Fifth-rounder Brody Eldridge is the starting H-back.
• Seventh-rounder Ricardo Mathews is a backup defensive lineman.
• Seventh-rounder Kavell Conner is a backup linebacker and special-teamer.
• Seventh-rounder Ray Fisher, a cornerback and return man, was cut. (Not put on IR as I originally wrote.)

Jacksonville Jaguars

• First-rounder Tyson Alualu is a starting defensive tackle.
• Third-rounder D’Anthony Smith (Achilles), a defensive tackle, is on IR.
• Fifth-rounder Larry Hart is the second-string right defensive end.
• Fifth-rounder Austen Lane is the third-string left defensive end.
• Sixth-rounder Deji Karim is the third-string running back and the top kick returner, though he could be slowed early with a thumb injury.
• Sixth-rounder Scotty McGee is the punt returner.

Tennessee Titans

• First-rounder Derrick Morgan is part of the rotation at defensive end.
• Third-rounder Damian Williams is the second return man and the fifth or sixth receiver.
• Third-rounder Rennie Curran is a backup linebacker and special-teamer.
• Fourth-rounder Alterraun Verner could be part of a rotation at right cornerback.
• Fifth-rounder Robert Johnson is a third-string safety.
• Sixth-rounder Rusty Smith is the third-string quarterback.
• Sixth-rounder Myron Rolle, a safety, was cut and is on the practice squad.
• Seventh-rounder Marc Mariani is the return man and the fifth of sixth receiver.
• Seventh-rounder David Howard, a defensive tackle, was cut.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

Trindon Holliday will have thumb surgery Wednesday, says Dale Robertson.

Injuries mean the Texans are super-thin at linebacker, says Robertson.

A young Saints fan declined David Anderson’s offer of gloves at the Superdome,

Indianapolis Colts

Colts rookie linebackers Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner are working to catch on quickly, says Phil Richards.

Clint Session expects to make his preseason debut in Green Bay Thursday night, says Richards.

Donald Brown hasn't been put in position to run well in the preseason, says Mike Chappell.

John Oehser takes on Jerry Hughes, Dwight Freeney and Joseph Addai.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Defensive breakdowns are slowing the Jaguars’ progress, says Vito Stellino.

Eugene Monroe is down 30 pounds and Larry Hart needs a smaller jersey, says Stellino.

Zach Miller and Greg Jones will tip defenses on whether the Jaguars are passing or running, says Vic Ketchman.

The special teams should be consistently good, says Alfie Crow.

Some what ifs, from Terry O’Brien.

Tennessee Titans

Jeff Fisher likes what he’s seeing from Vince Young, say Jim Wyatt and John Glennon.

Look for efficiency more than intensity in the Titans-Cardinals joint practice Wednesday, says Wyatt.

Vince Young's making progress under the the watch of Jeff Fisher, says Jim Corbett.

Preseason rushing touchdowns are a good sign, says David Boclair.

Three things I’ll be looking for in Jaguars at Eagles:

David Garrard under pressure: Starting tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton are out, which likely means Garrard will have to make good, quick decisions to stay out of trouble. Can he? When the pressure comes from the outside, he’s got a tendency to move backward or sideways in attempts to dodge or escape. If the interior guys do their jobs he should have room to step up and throw. I’d like to see him do it.

Other running backs: It wouldn’t make a lot of sense to use Maurice Jones-Drew much with the tackles down, so we should see pretty good doses of the next best running backs. The team is clearly high on Deji Karim. But the sixth-rounder out of Southern Illinois’ not gong to get in front of last year’s hot rookie back, Rashad Jennings, without a big preseason showing.

Top rookie: The Jaguars drafted defensive linemen with their first four picks. But Tyson Alualu, D’Anthony Smith and Austen Lane are out injured. That means we can focus on fifth-round end Larry Hart. Does he generate any pressure. While we’re at it, does Derrick Harvey?

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 26

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars were a fourth-place team that lost its final four games.

Seems to me the logical goal would be trying to move out of the basement and establish some upward mobility in a tough division. But Jack Del Rio and his troops aren’t thinking that way, and who does, really?

They are thinking bigger.

Jack Del Rio has talked to them about contending for a championship.

“I kind of cut my teeth in Baltimore on the same staff with Rex Ryan [under] Brian Billick,” Del Rio said. “You can’t tiptoe in and hope you don’t wake the guy up and you’re going to sneak up on somebody and, ‘Oh, shh, here we come and be quiet.’ In many respects in the NFL, you’ve got to take what you want. You’ve got to set some goals and then go after them. And I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a goal of being champs.”

“Now the reality is, we’ve got to cover a lot of ground. I’m not unrealistic with that. But I’m not going to concede anything. We’re going to work our tails off to maximize our potential. We can say this is our goal, this is our mission to do these things, but our focus has to be on squeezing what we can out of every day.”

Or as Maurice Jones-Drew said, you never run a race you once lost aiming to finish second-to-last.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Are the safeties enough? They have faith in Gerald Alexander at strong safety, though he’s not a guarantee to lock down a spot all season. But free safety is a huge issue. Reggie Nelson struggled badly last season with botched coverages and missed tackles and Anthony Smith didn’t do a lot to displace Nelson last year. Word is Nelson has been better, but neither guy has made a big impression in practices I’ve seen so far.

They need the free safety to consistently play a reliable center field. And if he can’t make a tackle, he at least has to hold the ball carrier up long enough for help to arrive.

With two games against Peyton Manning and two against Matt Schaub, if one of those guys can’t provide help to corners Rashean Mathis and Derek Cox -- even if there is a vastly better pass rush -- the Jaguars could have some long AFC South afternoons.

They could look for an additional option on waivers.

2. Is there enough weaponry to go with Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker? Jones-Drew is a top-flight weapon taking handoffs or running under short passes and Sims-Walker did well establishing himself as a go-to guy for David Garrard. But beyond them, do the Jaguars have the playmakers to take the next step?

They certainly have a large pool of candidates. Marcedes Lewis averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season, the best number in the league for a tight end, and another tight end, Zach Miller, is a potential big-play option.

Troy Williamson hasn’t created buzz yet as he did last camp, but I still think they’d like him to secure the starting role opposite Sims-Walker because of his field-stretching speed. The three receivers from the 2009 draft -- Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood -- are an intriguing pool. I anticipate Thomas can really grow into a nifty slot option.

They also like sixth-round pick Deji Karim from Southern Illinois, a quick back who could earn some touches and can win the kick return job. He’ll probably have to get past Rashad Jennings to be a factor on offense, and I feel like they still like Jennings plenty too.

3. Do they have sufficient leadership? While they are relying on a load of young talent, particularly on defense, the two significant veteran imports -- free-agent defensive end Aaron Kampman and trade-acquisition middle linebacker Kirk Morrison -- need to lead the way.

“You want to give the young guys everything that you’ve seen in the league,” Morrison said. “I’ve been in the league five years already. I’ve seen what losing can do, how it can separate a team. I’m saying this is what needs to be done, if you want to go out and win games, you’ve got to work like this. Losing was not fun. There are things I can bring over here like my toughness. I’ve never missed a game in the National Football League.”

The best way to lead is to produce. Morrison can be a tackling machine, and if Kampman returns healthy to a 4-3 defense a year after major knee surgery, he’s a constant threat to the quarterback.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Defensive end Jeremy Mincey has been productive on a daily basis so far. With a crowd at defensive end including Kampman, Derrick Harvey and rookies Austen Lane and Larry Hart, can Mincey stay healthy and wedge himself onto the roster? The line overall is a young bunch, but its new position coach, Joe Cullen, has the group absolutely flying around and setting a tone the entire team would be wise to follow.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton’s got a good head on his shoulders and has time to get where he needs to be. But he was 346 pounds on Monday, and the team would like him close to 330. If his play drops off, they could be in trouble in the middle no matter how good first-round pick Tyson Alualu is, and he’s been real good from what I’ve seen of him at OTAs and in his debut camp practice. The team can’t move into Knighton’s house and feed him, but how did his weight get so out of hand?

OBSERVATION DECK

• Vince Manuwai’s flipped from left to right guard and the Jaguars will make that their power side for the run game. But if he doesn’t bounce back from a poor 2009, when he was coming off reconstructive right knee surgery, the team could look to Kynan Forney as the next best interior run blocker.
• Undrafted running back Chad Kackert catches everything and can turn and go… Are there too many guys on this team who can play good to great special teams but not contribute on offense or defense?
• I like the way Ted Monken teaches receivers on the field -- with pointed-but-encouraging detail. I watched him spell out to Roren Thomas how and why he needed to be patient and allow a play to develop for his quarterback after he'd run a short route way too quickly.
• Harvey and Hart have created some buzz. Are they off to really good starts, or is a slow start by right tackle Eben Britton contributing?
• The Jaguars really like second-year corner Don Carey, and it would seem he’d make sense to be the nickel. But Del Rio left the door open that Carey could even earn a starting spot. Left unsaid is whether Del Rio thinks that would impact veteran Mathis or second-year man Cox, whom they loved as a rookie. Or perhaps he’s just looking to light fires.
• I hope offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter runs some option with tight end Zach Miller taking snaps. It’d create excitement and a wrinkle for a team that can be limited on offense and wouldn’t suffer for taking some snaps from Garrard.
• An early Achilles injury to third-round defensive tackle D’Anthony Smith already puts a dent in the depth there. Walter Curry will be a beneficiary.

Reading the coverage:

Houston Texans

The Texans have to beat the Colts to beat the Colts, says Chris Mortensen.

Steve Slaton is determined to overcome his sophomore slump, writes Jordan Godwin.

Brian Cushing’s suspension will likely mean a chance for Xavier Adibi to be an X factor, says John McClain.

Trindon Holliday electrified the crowd with some punt returns, says the Chronicle gang.

McClain says there is an early buzz about the Texans.

Indianapolis Colts

Jerry Hughes gives the Colts even more speed off the edge, says Phil Richards.

Indianapolis must resolve these five issues, says Mike Chappell.

Twenty-seven camp storylines from Phillip B. Wilson.

Wilson’s comprehensive camp guide.

The Star’s 2010 Colts primer.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Vince Manuwai knows he’s working to hold onto a starting job, says Tania Ganguli.

A contract for the 11th pick might mean the Jaguars can get closer with Tyson Alualu, says Ganguli.

The Jaguars are searching for a second starting receiver.

A bit on the return games from Ganguli.

It’s time for the Oklahoma drill, and some matchups are set, says Vic Ketchman.

Larry Hart’s been great so far, says Alfie Crow.

The defense looked good, the offense not so much, according to Terry O’Brien.

Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson’s not satisfied, but he’s ready to play, writes Jim Wyatt.

Stephen Tulloch learned about the business side of football this offseason, says John Glennon.

The Titans’ sellout streak reached 124 games as single-game tickets sold out Saturday, says Bryan Mullen.

Chris Simms talked for the first time about his summer arrest, from Wyatt.

The Titans and Derrick Morgan struck a deal, say Wyatt and Glennon.

David Climer still sees an 8-8 team.

Receivers were the stars of Day 1, says Wyatt.

Tom Gower takes a shot at predicting the Titans’ 53-man roster.

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.

Reading the coverage:

Michael Lombardi breaks down the AFC.

Houston Texans

Gary Kubiak’s father passed away, according to KHOU.

The Texans reached a deal with rookie Dorin Dickerson, says Mark Berman.

Andy Benoit previews the Texans and thinks the depth is a lot better,

A look at the Texans zone coverage from Battle Red Blog.

Indianapolis Colts

John Oehser wonders if Anthony Gonzalez will start.

A look at what Football Outsiders says about the rest of the AFC South, from Nate Dunlevy.

Nick Yeoman gives us five reasons the Colts won’t win the division.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags reached a deal with Larry Hart, their first draft pick to agree, says Vito Stellino.

Benoit’s Jaguars preview isn’t filled with optimism. Cue a new round of the linebacker debate. He thinks Russell Allen in the best Jacksonville’s got.

Vic Ketchman expects an improved offense.

Ketchman expects the Jaguars to draft a quarterback next year no matter what David Garrard does.

Tennessee Titans

Damian Williams knows about climbing to the top of a talented group of receivers, says Mark Wheeler.

David Howard pleaded no contest to an assault charge.

Avoid Chris Johnson in your fantasy draft, says John Lindinger.