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Mel Kiper has redrafted the class of 2005.

It's an Insider piece , but I negotiated permission to share AFC South details. Hindsight is crystal clear, but boy did the division get some upgrades.

No. 6 -- Tennessee Titans

Took: Pacman Jones, corner and returner from West Virginia -- Despite flashes, an absolute disaster as he emerged as the poster boy for Roger Goodell’s personal conduct policy.

Redraft: Vincent Jackson, receiver, Northern Colorado -- The sort of big productive target the Titans may have finally found in Kenny Britt, five drafts later.

No. 16 -- Houston Texans

Took: Travis Johnson, defensive tackle, Florida State -- Never panned out into the stalwart the team expected from such an investment. Traded after four middling years.

Redraft: Michael Roos, left tackle, Eastern Washington -- Get to see technically sound tackle twice a year as Mario Williams tries to get through him to get to Titans’ quarterbacks.

No. 21 -- Jacksonville Jaguars

Took: Matt Jones, wide receiver, Arkansas -- Never turned into half the player they thought he would be as they passed on Roddy White and Jackson.

Redraft: Chris Kemoeatu, guard, Utah -- A strong guard who’s done solid work for the Steelers and could have really been a presence inside for the Jaguars.

No. 29 -- Indianapolis Colts

Took: Marlin Jackson, defensive back, Michigan -- A starter on a Super Bowl team, who faded pretty quickly because of serious injuries.

Redraft: Mike Williams, receiver, USC -- Has taken him a long time to become a factor, but as Kiper says, imagine if he was working with Peyton Manning from Day One.

The Indianapolis Colts began restocking their secondary with a third-round selection of USC cornerback Kevin Thomas, who could rank as high as fourth at corner after a purge of the guys at the tail end of the group.

Indy nabbed Thomas with the 94th pick overall, right in the same range it found Jerraud Powers last season. Powers stepped in when injuries cut into the availability of Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden last year and was a key piece in a Super Bowl run.

With Jackson, Tim Jennings, T.J. Rushing and Aaron Francisco gone from the 2009 team, Thomas should get a chance to show he can function in the defensive backfield if one of the Colts top three -- Hayden, Powers or Jacob Lacey -- goes down.

Some write-ups like Thomas’s long arms, athleticism and instincts, while others see him as an underachiever lacking polish. A tough training camp working against Peyton Manning and a stacked crew of receivers could certainly help accelerate the growth process.

Just two players in the AFC South rate among the top 25 in the league’s performance-based pay program.

Both got the playing time that led to the financial rewards because of injuries to starters ahead of them.

Indianapolis rookie corner Jacob Lacey was 20th, earning an additional $263,563, while Houston guard Kasey Studdard was 25th with $247,983.

Lacey played a lot because of injuries to Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden. Studdard got in to the lineup when Chester Pitts went down early.

Some explanation from the league on how the performance based pay works:

“The program created a fund that was used as a supplemental form of player compensation based on a comparison of playing time to salary…

“Performance-Based Pay is computed by using a 'player index.' To produce the index, a player’s regular-season playtime [total plays on offense, defense and special teams] is divided by his adjusted regular-season compensation [full season salary, prorated portion of signing bonus, earned incentives]. Each player’s index is then compared to those of the other players on his team to determine the amount of his pay.”

The league also put out a list of the top-25 earners over the lifespan of the program -- from 2002 through 2009.

C.C. Brown, the safety who played for Houston and the Giants, was fifth, Colts safety Antoine Bethea seventh and Houston tight end Owen Daniels 23rd.

Joe in Chicago writes: The past few weeks I’ve been hearing a lot about players receiving roster bonuses. How does that work? If a player does not receive a roster bonus would it still count against the cap (if there was one) or does it work like an expiring contract that would not have any cap hit?

Paul Kuharsky: There are really two kind of roster bonuses.

If I give you a big contract now with $30 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, with roster bonuses of $5 million next year and $5 million more the year after, they amount to deferred payments. If I’ve paid you the 20, it’s pretty much assured I’m going to pay you the other 10.

The second kind come later in a contract and are there to force a decision: If you’re due $2.5 million at the start of the league year, I either have to judge you to be worth it, which pretty much ensures you’re going to be on the team this season, or I cut you to avoid it, which gives you the opportunity to go find a better gig.

If you’re cut to avoid it, it wouldn’t count against a cap.

OK, we go heavy on the Titans from here. Before the complainants from Houston, Indy and Jacksonville perk up, let me say I can only answer the questions I get and the mailbag address is no secret.

Onward…

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Titan4fan in Brentwood, TN writes: Why are the Titans not making any roster moves? I am a 10 year PSL season ticket holder ready to give them up, tired of watching Ravens and Jets improve dramatically while we do nothing. We are in the second wave of FA several good options available. Need a quality cornerback, safety, defensive end, quarterback and returner that can be signed at a reasonable price. We are paying a backup quarterback $7.5M that needs to retire. We could use that money plus the other $18M saved on players not re-signed that we could upgrade. Titan fans are getting tired of Bud Adams’ and Jeff Fisher’s plan, they deserve a championship. Bud spend some money, you can't take it to heaven with you!!!! Now is the time.

Paul Kuharsky: Good options are available?

OK, I’ll bite. Please give me a couple names.

They got a veteran corner, linebacker and, if the Eagles don’t match, defensive end.

That’s not bad for a team looking to build through the draft. They’ve got experienced insurance or depth, and can now go get kids with upside.

Who is it you want that’s available right now? How many FAs did Colts and Saints add last season before they went to the Super Bowl?

As for Kerry Collins’ money -- he doesn’t get a new dime until the first week of the season. (And it’s $5.5 M left not $7.5.) So with no second quarterback in play, wouldn’t it be irresponsible to make a move now?

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Brad in Houston writes: PK, what is your take on Kirk Morrison? I believe he is a solid run defender and a very consistent player who would fit what the Titans do. Could something materialize with sending LenDale White to Oakland in exchange for Morrison so that no draft picks are lost? Morrison was only tendered with a 3rd rounder.

Paul Kuharsky: I like what I know of him. But it would take a third or a fourth. People don’t give away good players for your junk and a lot of the league doesn’t regard White in a good light. Also, does Oakland need a running back? I don’t think it does.

Here’s something that touched on Morrison at the start of free agency.

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Jim in Memphis writes: Because the Titans are a small-market team, does that constrain their activity in free agency? They seem to want to save the bank, but have spent in the past and been burned. Steve McNair and Eddie George come to mind. It seems to me that they spend when they see something great and rarely miss.

Paul Kuharsky: No. Small market stuff is way over played. Does it hurt New Orleans or Indianapolis? They were in the Super Bowl. It’s not about saving the bank, it’s about paying what they judge someone to be worth. You think they should have spent on George and McNair? It was clear when they left they were done (McNair had one more year in him, George none) and the Titans had made the right decision rather than the sentimental one.

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Gerald Ball from parts unknown writes: Four questions. 1. Will the Titans make a run at Nate Vasher, the 28 year old Pro Bowl CB just released by the Bears? 2. Will the Titans start going after linebackers who can rush the passer like South Carolina's Eric Norwood (who has a third-round grade)? 3. Jordan Shipley is very good at returning kicks and punts, and would help the Titans more at wide receiver in 2010 than Lavelle Hawkins and Paul Williams put together. Any chance the Titans have interest? 4. Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler won't be in Nashville past 2010. Are the Titans likely to get a TE in the draft? Thanks!

Paul Kuharsky: 1) Don’t think he’s a fit. Once a Pro Bowler doesn’t mean always a Pro Bowler. Doesn’t sound like a great Titans’ match. 2) They don’t rush the passer often with their linebackers, so I don’t see why that would become a focus. But sure you’d like your backers to have that skill set. 3) Sure they’d love Shipley. They just don’t have a pick anywhere near where he will get drafted, I don’t think. 4) Maybe late. But the tight ends of the future are Jared Cook and Craig Stevens, both recent third-rounders. Crumpler left between the time you wrote in and I posted this.

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Darcy in Columbus, OH writes: On your recent draft update and the past you have mentioned the Titans need for a defensive end. I realize it's a primary need, but wouldn't be easier to "kill two birds with one stone" by drafting a corner/return specialist with the first pick? Such as Kyle Wilson (if he's still there) or Devin McCourty (family)? Just wanted to know your input? Thanks

Paul Kuharsky: It’d be a nice bonus. But if you don’t love him as a position player, you can’t let the return skills over-influence you. And if he’s good enough to start on defense, you’re not going to want to use him as a special teamer for very long.

McCourty shouldn’t get graded up because they have his brother.

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Josh Cates in Louisville, KY writes: I have a question about RFAs, and, as a Titans fan, I'll use LenDale White as my example to make the question clear. Do the Titans have Right of first refusal by default, or do they have to tender him the lowest RFA tender to have that right? And if they don't, and he doesn't get signed by another team, is he still a Titan next year? If so, at what salary -- RFA tender salary or his current contract salary?

Paul Kuharsky: You have to tender him, but tendered at any level you get ROFR. If you don’t tender him, he becomes free to sign anywhere -- see Marlin Jackson of the Colts who jumped to Philly. (Untendered, you’re basically unrestricted, but still categorized as restricted though no one has a right to match.)

You can pull an RFA's tender at any time, but it had to be put on him by the start of the new league year. And a guy can sign it at any time.

White will sign it -- they all do. The deadline is before the draft, and a team will say, “You’re last, best chance to get traded is on draft day, and we can’t move you if we don’t have you under contract.”

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David Dunston in Nashville writes: Why don't you stir someone else's pot? What say we give Vince Young a chance to continue without constantly reminding the world that he could "fall back to the things that got him demoted the first time.” I guess you media guys do that so you can say, “Hey, I warned you.” Funny you hardly ever hear someone come out and say, “Boy, I blew that one... and let's face it, in the world of "Expert Opinion" most media blows it more than they get right. And they never have to answer for it. I like your articles most of the time. I might still get the Tennessean if you were still there. But you are National now, so cut us some slack.

Paul Kuharsky: I’m giving him a chance. Why in the world would I not be allowed to use his past as a potential predictor of his future? I did it with a number of players in that post – see Kris Brown, for example.

I don’t understand the idea that I am national now so I should cut you some slack. Please explain?

As for never admitting I am wrong, please see here (for a general admission) and here (for a Young-specific example).

Upon seeing the news that Chicago cut cornerback Nathan Vasher quickly got the AFC South Blog thinking about his potential to fit in this division.

The Texans and Titans are cornerback needy, but it’s the Colts who rank as the best fit for him based on what the very smart Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. told me Thursday morning.

"Don't love him. He isn't real fast and he isn't real big. Two problems for a CB. The Bears didn't do a real good job of getting after the QB this past season, but Vasher also didn't play all that well either. He is more of a short-area quickness guy, which was a pretty good fit with the Cover 2, but not as much in Tennessee or Houston. He was much more productive early in his career -- on very good defenses -- and probably inflated his name value more than his true play now indicates. He also has missed a lot of time with injuries, which could have directly led to his overall play falling off."

The Colts do need secondary depth after a purge that saw Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings, T.J. Rushing and Aaron Francisco all become free agents after Indy didn’t tender them as restricted. Jackson signed in Philly where he’s going to convert to safety. Jennings signed in Chicago, where he’s surely part of the reason the Bears felt OK about parting with Vasher.

NFC North kingpin Kevin Seifert says the release came a year too late and that Vasher, who was productive early in his career, was already an “inferior player” at the end of 2008.

It will be interesting to see where he lands.

Quality read

This piece by Mike Tanier on privacy in the Internet age extends well beyond issues for draft prospects.

Houston Texans

John McClain’s take on Wade Smith joining the Texans.

Mark Berman spoke to Smith.

The new corner is likely coming in the first three rounds of the draft, says McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

Marlin Jackson signed with the Eagles, says Mike Chappell.

A look at some financial issues for the Colts from 18to88.

Jacksonville Jaguars

A wish list from Vic Ketchman.

A talk with strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson from jaguars.com.

Successful teams are disciplined, says Ketchman.

A look at Derrick Harvey, from Terry O’Brien.

Tennessee Titans

Will Witherspoon is ready to get it going for the Titans, says Jim Wyatt.

Witherspoon is high on Jason Babin, the end the Titans have hosted, says Wyatt.

We’ve fielded some questions about the “final eight” rule that restricts what the last eight teams alive in the playoffs -- including the AFC champion Colts -- bringing in unrestricted free agents before they lose one.

Here’s an old post detailing the rule.

And here’s the clarification:

The Colts were able to sign guard Andy Alleman because he isn’t a six-year player who reached unrestricted free agency when March 4 turned into March 5. Alleman was a restricted free agent for the Chiefs, but Kansas City declined to tender him, the same way the Colts declined to tender Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings, Aaron Francisco, T.J. Rushing, Daniel Federkeil, Tyjuan Hagler, Freddy Keiaho and Hank Baskett.

While all those guys become unrestricted in free agency in that they are allowed to sign anywhere, they aren’t the same sort of free agent that Gary Brackett was, briefly, or that any player with an expiring contract and six or more years of experience became.

And so the Colts were free to sign Alleman.

And if Jackson signs with Baltimore or Philadelphia this week, it won’t mean the Colts are then free to sign an unrestricted free agent.

Hope that clarifies things a bit.

And here’s what Scouts Inc. has to say about Alleman, who scored just a 53 in their free-agent grading. I presume he’ll get a chance to compete with Kyle DeVan at right guard or work as an interior backup.

Alleman has bounced around between three teams during the three years he has been in the NFL since being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2007 draft. He played in nine games, starting three, for the Chiefs in 2009. He is a good sized lineman with above average initial quickness and agility but is not a natural knee bender and will overextend into blocks. He tends to play with a narrow base and can struggle to react and right himself against good counter moves by the pass rusher. He is a decent backup that can step in to start for a game or two but is not the kind of athlete you want to start all 16 games.

In a free-agent landscape in which everyone will measure risk versus reward and try to squeeze value out of a signing, I present to you the case of Marlin Jackson.


The 29th pick out of Michigan in the 2005 draft by the Colts, he suffered season-ending ACL injuries in both 2008 and 2009. But it was still a surprise when Indianapolis decided not to tender him as a restricted free agent this week, effectively turning him loose for the rest of the league.

Because of the way he came free, the free-agent restrictions on the final eight teams don't apply to him.

If he rehabs and gets healthy, the guy can play and help someone. Perhaps the Texans or Titans, two division rivals in need of cornerback help, would like to add him with an incentive-laden contract.

Surely the Colts don’t think he will be effective after tearing his left ACL in a Nov. 2009 practice and his right ACL in an October 2008 practice. With Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey as corners and Antoine Bethea, a healthy Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt as safeties, they should be six deep in the secondary before factoring in a draft pick. Bethea is a restricted free agent with a first-round tender, and Bullitt has a second-round tender.

But what’s not good enough for the Colts could be worth a shot and some patience by several other teams.

“He is rehabbing way ahead of schedule,” agent Michael Sullivan told me in an e-mail exchange Friday afternoon. “Will be able to participate in June OTAs. More than a dozen teams have called so far-still sorting them out. Probably take some visits next week.”

Jackson is definitely a guy to keep an eye on.

Here's Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. on Jackson:

"I like Jackson. Big CB with good toughness and run support skills. The lack of a tender really makes me think that he still must have legit health issues-but that is speculation by me. Was an excellent fit in the Colts' Tampa 2 scheme where he would play near the line of scrimmage, reroute receivers and use his physicality. The nice thing with Jackson is that if he loses a step, he might be a good fit at free safety. Tennessee can be pretty demanding on their corners, so that fit would worry me. Houston wouldn't be bad. A real heavy zone team is where he belongs...if healthy."

ESPN’s John Clayton reports that Gary Brackett’s plans to dip his toe in free agent waters Friday have been scrubbed and that a new deal with the Colts is close.

Brackett may have been on the wish list of the New York Giants.

But perhaps no prominent unrestricted free-agent-to-be is a better fit with his original team than Brackett, a fireplug who’s size doesn’t bother Indy a bit so long as his speed and instincts help him consistently find his way to the guy with the ball and get him to the ground.

Once the Colts lock up their middle linebacker, they can move forward without any major departures from the team that won the AFC. Raheem Brock, a versatile defensive lineman in recent years, indicated via Twitter Thursday afternoon that he was being let go.

The draft will likely focus, then, on offensive tackle, a defensive end to grow up behind Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, restocking depth in the secondary after not tendering three players who were in line to be restricted free agents (Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings and Aaron Francisco) and perhaps the return games.

A few updates on developments in the division as the clock ticks toward the start of the new league year:

The Colts have reportedly declined to offer restricted free-agent tenders to Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings and Aaron Francisco. Jackson is the surprise. He tore up a knee for the second time in two years this season. But in time -- if his rehab goes well -- I’m certain someone will jump at him and could get a good player with a cheap incentive-laden contract.

No word yet on tenders for nine other Colts who are slated to become restricted free agents.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, signed defensive tackle Atiyyah Ellison to a contract, preventing him from becoming a restricted free agent. They also signed reserve guard Kynan Forney, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent. No word on tender offers for Clint Ingram, the linebacker, or defensive lineman Greg Peterson, the teams’ only other restricted free agents to-be.

Houston Texans

Potential unrestricted free agents: CB Dunta Robinson, WR Kevin Walter, RB Chris Brown, DT Jeff Zgonina, G Chester Pitts, S Brian Russell, S Nick Ferguson, LS Bryan Pittman, LB Chaun Thompson, QB Rex Grossman, LB Khary Campbell, G Tutan Reyes, T Ephraim Salaam, P Matt Turk.

Potential restricted free agents: DL Tim Bulman, S John Busing, OT Rashad Butler, TE Owen Daniels, RB Ryan Moats, S Bernard Pollard, LB DeMeco Ryans, G Chris White.

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: I don’t think the Texans will jump out and make any monumental moves. But by deciding not to tag Robinson they created another hole and saved themselves big dollars. With needs at corner, running back, free safety, interior offensive line and defensive tackle they may have more than they can address in one draft. That means they could jump out for one significant free agent – like they did last year with defensive lineman Antonio Smith -- and maybe another less expensive one or two.

Indianapolis Colts

Potential unrestricted free agents: MLB Gary Brackett, K Matt Stover.

Potential restricted free agents: WR Hank Baskett, S Antoine Bethea, S Melvin Bullitt, OL Dan Federkeil, CB Aaron Francisco, LB Tyjuan Hagler, CB Marlin Jackson, CB Tim Jennings, DT Antonio Johnson, OT Charlie Johnson, LB Freddy Keiaho, DT Dan Muir, CBPR T.J. Rushing.

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: Brackett is priority one and the team has indicated a plan to pay him as an upper-echelon guy. The restricted list includes a lot of key guys who will remain big factors next year. Indy is not a team that looks to bring in many outsiders for big roles and it won’t start now. Bill Polian’s said the Colts will sit back and see how things unfold in the new capless landscape.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Potential unrestricted free agents: DE Reggie Hayward, G Kynan Forney.

Potential restricted free agents: DT Atiyyah Ellison, LB Clint Ingram, DL Greg Peterson.

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: The Jaguars are draft-reliant, but will also shop for bargains in free agency, hoping to plug a couple holes with high-character guys with upside who fit what they are doing. As for a big splash, it’s unlikely based on their recent busts with big-name free agents like Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence and the direction they’ve moved since.

Tennessee Titans

Potential unrestricted free agents: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, C Kevin Mawae, LB Keith Bulluck, TE Alge Crumpler, CB Nick Harper, CB Rod Hood, DE Jevon Kearse, S Kevin Kaesviharn.

Potential restricted free agents: DE Dave Ball, DT Tony Brown, TE Bo Scaife, LB Stephen Tulloch, DT Kevin Vickerson, RB LenDale White.

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: The Titans will undergo a youth movement, especially on defense where Vanden Bosch and Bulluck, who’s recovering from ACL repair, are going to be allowed to walk. Mawae been told his only chance to return is as a backup at a backup price. Brown, Scaife and Tulloch are important guys they’ll want to retain. Beyond that, expect mostly bargain shopping.

Restricted free-agent tenders have to be done before midnight ET. Here's what's out so far:

Houston

• DL Tim Bulman – Right of first refusal.
• S John Busing – Not tendered.
• OT Rashad Butler -- Third.
• TE Owen Daniels – First and third.
• RB Ryan Moats – Third.
• S Bernard Pollard – First.
• LB DeMeco Ryans – First and third.
• G Chris White – Right of first refusal.

From John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Indianapolis

• WR Hank Baskett
• S Antoine Bethea – First.
• S Melvin Bullitt
• OL Dan Federkeil
• CB Aaron Francisco
• LB Tyjuan Hagler
• CB Marlin Jackson
• CB Tim Jennings
• DT Antonio Johnson
• OT Charlie Johnson
• LB Freddy Keiaho
• DT Dan Muir
• CB/PR T.J. Rushing

Bethea info from Adam Schefter.

Jacksonville

• DT Atiyyah Ellison
• LB Clint Ingram
• DL Greg Peterson

Tennessee

• DE Dave Ball – Second.
• DT Tony Brown – First.
• TE Bo Scaife – First at 110% or nearly $4.9 million.
• LB Stephen Tulloch –First.
• DT Kevin Vickerson –Second.
• RB LenDale White –Second.

From Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

Shaun in Nashville writes: Paul, People are saying that there is going to be much more trading in the off-season than usual. With that in mind, do you think LenDale White for Antonio Cromartie makes sense for both sides?

Paul Kuharsky: Here is why not: Brent Schrotenboer reports Cromartie’s got financial issues pertaining to child support.

Also Kevin Acee says Cromartie’s not particular good or willing to contribute to run defense and has a casual attitude.

The Titans were majorly wary of Travis Henry when his child support issues came up, and they ask their corners to be physical.

My colleague Bill Williamson suggested a third-rounder would be fair for Cromartie, so Cromartie for White might actually be a doable swap, barring the aforementioned issues.

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Jim in Memphis writes: Paul, I enjoy your articles, comments, etc. What are the possible places LenDale White could land in a trade? Realistically, what can we expect to get for him?

Paul Kuharsky: I would think a second would be high. My guess would be a fourth. Seattle with the connection to Pete Carroll would be one possibility, I’d guess. I like the idea of him in Houston with Steve Slaton. But I don’t know what either of those teams think of him.

In the AFC South he’s a compelling guy in that he’s got a good résumé, he’s restricted, his team appears ready to move on and he’d certainly like to get out. That’s why I think he will be one of the most interesting stories to watch.

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David in Jacksonville, Fla., writes: Would the Jaguars draft another WR in the first round after spending two first-round picks on WR's this decade and another on a TE? The Jags need talent at most positions but I have to think that the DL and pass rush have to be at the top of their list.

Paul Kuharsky: Well, you go best player available, but if he isn’t at a position where you feel it’s wise to spend your pick, you back out. So if they see Bryant as the best player there but don’t want to go receiver, they trade down.

He’d certainly help them, but I’d agree it’s not a priority spot. And they really need to address those priority spots -- pass-rushers first and foremost.

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Susan Solnick in Nashville writes: Do the Colts, given the same Super Bowl results they had, now reflect that a PERFECT season would have been sweeter than the fat GOOSE EGG they hauled home from Miami?

Paul Kuharsky: I don’t think it makes a difference to them. They are miserable from losing the Super Bowl. A perfect season wouldn’t be perfect anymore. Didn’t seem like much solace to the Patriots a few years ago.

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Allen in Houston writes: Hey PK. So now Owen Daniels has said he might skip training camp all together. So now you have another player coming off an injury like Dunta Robinson last year, and they are going to want a big contract. For Owen Daniels this is his third ACL tear he has had. If you’re the Texans, do you franchise him and deal with all the same stuff Dunta put us through last year, or do you pay the guy?

Paul Kuharsky: Like some other emailers, you’re confusing UFAs and RFAs. Unrestricted free agents can be tagged until the 25th. Daniels is a restricted free agent. Restricteds don’t get franchised, they get a tender offer. See details of that here.

If the Texans are willing to match any offer sheet Daniels gets, they are at no risk of losing him for 2010. He can hold out to make a play for a long term-deal, but has no alternative for getting on the field. I’d sign him long-term if I could. I’d take him for the season without camp if I had to under the tender.

I don’t think they can franchise Robinson, who will be unrestricted, again. Odds are someone gives him big dollars and he’s gone.

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Daniel W. in Berea, Ky., writes: Indy is a solid team that will make it to the playoffs maybe even the Super Bowl next year. Both the Texans and Titans are iffy but should be pretty good. The Jags have sucked it up as of late. Do you think it is coaching, GM, or just general lack of star players? Or maybe because Florida already has three NFL teams and should share one with another state, say, Kentucky?

Paul Kuharsky: You’re kidding about three teams in the state, right? Why would that have a bearing on anything?

Coaching hasn’t been great, old GM was bad, team overestimated David Garrard in a big way, division is tough. That’s a tough recipe. New GM Gene Smith has them on an improved course.

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Dustin in Stanford, Calif., writes: Hey Paul, Do you have any sense of the confidence level the Titans might have in Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton? It is clear the Nick Harper is a gone and something needs to be done opposite Cortland Finnegan and I was wondering if one of those two might be it. Also, Jason's brother Devin is getting a lot of draft buzz. Is there a huge difference in Jason and Devin's skill set?

Paul Kuharsky: If the Titans go into the season expecting Mouton or McCourty to be the guy opposite Finnegan, they are showing way too much faith in them. They need to bring someone in to be the starter opposite Finnegan. Not up to speed on Devin McCourty at this point. Mel Kiper has him 16th in his most recent book.

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Scott in Ottawa, Canada, writes: Paul, Iunderstand that the Titans usually put a value on a player and are loathe to pay more than that. The Titans must have a value in mind for guys like Keith Bulluck and Kyle Vanden Bosch. So my question is why don't they contact these guys before they hit free agency and see if they can make a deal at whatever value they think they are worth? Unless they see no value in KB or KVB, I don't see what harm it would do to reach out to these guys and at least have preliminary discussions about a new contract. Do you?

Paul Kuharsky: Because they decide, a) they are moving on and don’t care to have them back, or b) telling them what they think they’re worth would be insulting and just make the exit worse, or c) their agent has made it clear what he thinks they are worth and it’s not in the same ballpark.

While I don’t think it’ll apply here, I also think this is an important point: I’m not obligated to tell you what I think you're worth if I think it could potentially help me in negotiations down the road if you don’t get what you want elsewhere.

What player approaching free agency where he expects at least one new team to come forward and express love is going to be excited about his old team telling him frankly how it values him and go jump into negotiations?

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James Williams in Old Hickory, Tenn., writes: If you could control what the Titans do with their 1st round pick, would you A.) Select a DE to go along with Jacob Ford and William Hayes. B.) Draft a CB to slot along with Cortland Finnegan. C.) Take an OLB to replace Keith Bulluck. D.) Try to trade down to replace the second rounder lost last season?

Paul Kuharsky: I appreciate the kind words. Please keep clicking.

I’d wait to see a) what happens in free agency and b) who’s there at my pick.

From my vantage point, they should hunt a free-agent linebacker and look to draft corner and defensive end. In February I can’t go a lot further than that.

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Aaron in West Point, N.Y., writes: I'd like to start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoy your blog, and as an exiled Texan rely on it for scintillating Texans talk. In your esteemed opinion, do you think that the team's running woes last season were more indicative of a problem with the interior line or a lack of a stud back? Given the imminent free agency of Chester Pitts and more important needs on the defensive side of the ball, what do you think the Texans will/can do to fix it for next year via the draft and free agency?

Paul Kuharsky: Nice of you to say, thanks.

It was definitely a combination problem with the blocking and the backs. Pitts may be done. On offense, they need interior line help and a back to go with Slaton. Defense: Free safety, defensive line and a corner if Robinson leaves. They can address all of that in some through free agency and the draft.

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Mike in St. Augustine, Fla., writes: What do you think of the Jags LB corps? We were told locally that it was one of the strengths of our team at the beginning of last year, but now it sounds like no one in that unit is a lock to stay other than unheralded Daryl Smith.

Paul Kuharsky: I think it’s a bit overrated. I see flashes, but for all I have heard for the last two years they don’t consistently live up to the billing. Part of it is the group in front of it and behind it have not been sufficient, so the backers have been asked to do too much.

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Eric Cox from parts unknown writes: Paul, What free agents (UFA or RFA) do you perceive getting away from Indy? I am concerned about the safeties and DTs because they seemed to play such a huge part this year. I am certain they will get Gary Brackett taken care of, but I think Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt are just as important, especially Bethea. That said, people are saying how important Antonio Johnson was. That's a little harder to tell on TV, but he and Daniel Muir certainly made the run D look much better.

Paul Kuharsky: I think the significant restricted free agents -- Bethea, Bullitt, Marlin Jackson, Charlie Johnson, Antonio Johnson, Muir -- will be tendered in a way that teams can’t afford to come after them or that the Colts would be likely to match an offer sheet. If they didn’t match, they’d be getting a pick or picks, and picks for Polian are a pretty good way to fill holes that departures could create. I feel like the 2010 Colts will look a lot like the 2009 version.

It’s a whole new offseason world starting March 5, and we have no experience from which to predict what happens in an uncapped year. There are enough restrictions on the players’ side to offset the Wild West so many initially projected.

One area I am really curious to see is restricted free agency. Because there are fewer unrestricted free agents (it takes six years to get there now, not four), will teams be more protective of their RFAs and more aggressive in terms of signing RFAs from outside to offer sheets?

I certainly think a creative front office that can go after the right guys can lure them away or at least get a trade conversation going.

Teams must tender their RFAs by the end of March 4. Here are the levels of tags:

With no CBA by March 5, and we aren’t expecting one, here are the RFAs for each team in the AFC South, according to the NFLPA.

Houston

• DL Tim Bulman
• S John Busing
• OT Rashad Butler
• TE Owen Daniels
• RB Ryan Moats
• S Bernard Pollard
• LB DeMeco Ryans
• G Chris White

Indianapolis

• WR Hank Baskett
• S Antoine Bethea
• S Melvin Bullitt
• OL Dan Federkeil
• CB Aaron Francisco
• LB Tyjuan Hagler
• CB Marlin Jackson
• CB Tim Jennings
• DT Antonio Johnson
• OT Charlie Johnson
• LB Freddy Keiaho
• DT Dan Muir
• CB/PR T.J. Rushing

Jacksonville

• DT Atiyyah Ellison
• LB Clint Ingram
• DL Greg Peterson
• DT Montavious Stanley

Tennessee

• DE Dave Ball
• DT Tony Brown
• TE Bo Scaife
• LB Stephen Tulloch
• DT Kevin Vickerson
• RB LenDale White

Jeremy Lambert from Charlottesville, VA writes: Am I the only person who thinks the Colts are in desperate need of a solid cornerback? I know of no respectable NFL receiver who would be intimidated in the slightest by any Colts cornerback of the last 10 years. If there are not good ones in the draft, what about a rare trade possibility? The Colts have three running backs, two of which are first-round picks. I am thinking of Philadelphia, who need a running game badly and also have Asante Samuel. I understand NFL trades are very rare, I am just a concerned fan, that's all.

Paul Kuharsky: I can’t look over the last 10 years, but these Colts aren’t looking for intimidation out of their corners. Like most teams they are looking for coverage.

Put Marlin Jackson back in the mix healthy and they are pretty solid at cornerback. Kelvin Hayden, Jackson, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey are a pretty good foursome. They aren’t asked to cover one-on-one for a long time very often. Still, I’d say it’s the best group in the division.

People often seem to forget that even bad quarterbacks complete passes on somebody in an NFL game.

And the Colts gave up fewer pass plays of 30 yards or more than any team in the league. Intimidating enough for you or not, the corners are a big piece of that, don’t you think?

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Stephen Shumock from Jackson, MS writes: Have you considered a few other things? There's one other piece of the blue print other teams should follow to beat the Colts. They need the Colts' #1 receiver to be injured, their #2 (Anthony Gonzalez) to be on IR, their all-pro DE to be hurt, their all-pro safety to be on IR, and their #1 and #2 CB's on IR and their #4 CB to be injured. Let's face it no other QB or team makes it to the Super Bowl with those injuries. I have no clue how Peyton Manning and Jim Caldwell did it. I will say one other thing, for all Peyton's lack of success in the post-season, he did win the one Super Bowl in the season in which the defense showed up for him. If the Patriots' defense give up one more score in two of the Super Bowls, does that make Brady a "failure" like Manning? If the 49ers had given up one more score which nullified the significance of the catch, is Montana not as great?

Paul Kuharsky: The Colts overcame an awful lot of that to go 16-3, so why all of a sudden should we use all that as an excuse?

They were in position to win the Super Bowl or at least force OT and failed to do so. To analyze why or how it impacts Manning’s legacy or the Colts’ legacy is hardly unreasonable.

I don’t rate Manning a failure for this game at all, but he and Reggie Wayne failed on the pick and there is no way you can say otherwise.

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Rick M either from Mobile or via mobile writes: Great article… Reggie Wayne quit on his team and everyone except you will not call him out...Dungy mentioned it on TV… Wayne catches the TD at the end and Peyton has almost 400 hundred yards passing and 2 td with chance to win… Wayne quit… Run the film over and over in slow motion and watch Reggie Wayne’s effort... Pitiful... He quit on his team… Peyton will never ever trust him again...Watch for him to be traded… best to you.

Paul Kuharsky: Wayne insisted his knee wasn’t an issue. His effort on those two plays was. Was he moping because he didn’t like the approach? Was there some incident earlier? I don’t know. I don’t know if and when we will know. But I don’t expect him to be traded. I expect it’ll be resolved behind the scenes. It’s worth noting that Manning worked hard all season to stoke Wayne’s ego, noting how much he impacted coverage for Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie when they were productive and Wayne wasn’t.

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Jonathan in Ft Wayne, IN writes: Paul, Thanks for a great season of coverage, but I want to hit on what I know is an over-talked about subject now with Peyton and his legacy. I am a Colts fan and a Peyton fan, but I actually take all of this critical talk about him being a choker positively. While I agree it’s hard to truly determine a GOAT, only truly great players are criticized as harshly as Manning has been for a mistake because of how uncommon it is for these players make them. I think back to Roger Federer when he lost the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back to Nadal and everyone thought something was wrong and he was done, to only then go on and win the US Open (and more subsequently). Or even Woods (pre-scandal), who struggled to not win a major for awhile when tinkering with his swing and everybody thought something was wrong, to then win multiple ones, including one on essentially only one knee. So, while I agree the general idea of conversation is a struggle involving a GOAT, people only criticize players as harshly as they are Manning when they are truly one of the elite.

Paul Kuharsky: Thank you for reading, Jonathan, and for the kind words. Hadn’t really heard many people with that take, and so it gets play in the mailbag. Some truth in it. But maybe a little simplistic too?

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Chase Hargis in Brentwood, TN writes: Hey Paul, I’m a huge fan of your blog and check it nearly every day. Anyway, to my question, I’m also a HUGE Titans fan and was wondering if you thought there was any way that the Titans would try to get a big name defensive player such as Peppers this offseason? Now that our offense is so dynamic, I’m more worried about our D for once and with Vanden Bosch possibly being let go we will need a good DE. Also I was curious how likely it is you think we resign players such as Brown, Bulluck, Tulloch, Mawae, Amano, Scaife, and Crumpler? Thanks, Paul, keep up the good work!

Paul Kuharsky: Nearly every day? What do we have to do to get you up to a few times a day?

Constant theme with me: Big name does not equate with great production but does mean big price.

How high were you on Chris Hope and David Thornton when the Titans signed them? They weren’t big names. They were guys with upside who could play. I always defend the Yancey Thigpen and David Givens signings -- they were the best guys available at a sore spot. But they were big names and how did that work out?

If there were questions about how hard Albert Haynesworth would play after a big contract, well Julius Peppers sure seems to be a guy willing to turn it off for stretches. I don’t think he solves the Titans problems and I wouldn’t expect them to chase the most expensive guy on the market. When’s the last time they did that?