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Houston Texans

As the Houston Chronicle starts a lengthy series evaluating the Texans, John McClain looks at the work of Rick Smith and the front office and the challenges ahead.

End-of-season grades and awards from McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

Jim Caldwell’s exit means the Colts will be moving on from Peyton Manning in the analysis of Bob Kravitz on the Indianapolis Star. “(Jim) Irsay and (Ryan) Grigson keep talking about ‘rebuilding’ and how this is a ‘new era.’ ‘Rebuilding’ and ‘new era’ sound a lot more like (Andrew) Luck than Manning to me."

Players were saddened but not shocked by the Caldwell news, says Phil Richards of the Star.

“The fate of his assistants, many of whom remain under contract and currently are scattered on vacation, remains uncertain,” says Mike Chappell of the Star.

Phillip B. Wilson of the Star thinks Grigson is “going after a strong-minded individual, perhaps someone who is different in personality than what we have been accustomed to for more than a decade” with Tony Dungy and Jim Caldwell.

A lengthy list of available and/or qualified guys, from Wilson.

“The revelation that Grigson has not even spoken to (Peyton) Manning was jarring,” writes Nate Dunlevy of Colts Authority. “The fact is that if the Colts thought it was likely that Manning would be healthy next year, they would be handling things very differently. Irsay's claims about being committed to Manning 'if he's healthy' are true. But the Colts clearly don't believe he's healthy.”

Moving on from Manning is inevitable now, says Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com.

For the rebuilding Colts, change was the only choice, says Don Banks of SI.com.

It was the right move, says Clark Judge of CBSSports.com.

Will Brinson and Ryan Wilson talk replacement candidates at CBSSports.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars will interview Ron Zook about an assistant job, says Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. Two former Jaguars players, Marlon McCree and Paul Spicer, have joined the team as entry-level assistants.

Vito Stellino of the Times-Union offers a rundown of a rally where Shahid Khan and Mike Mularkey spoke.

Tennessee Titans

Character played a role in Mike Munchak’s hiring of Brett Maxie as defensive backs coach, says John Glennon of The Tennessean.

Jeff Fisher is the right coach for the Rams right now, but he coaches under a glass ceiling, says David Climer of The Tennessean.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Jaguars cuts, just announced by the team:

Tight end Richard Angulo

Safety Marlon McCree

Running back Alvin Pearman

Offensive lineman Tony Pashos

Linebacker Tim Shaw

Running back Chauncey Washington

Punter Steve Weatherford

Defensive back Brian Williams

Linebacker Thomas Williams

Long snapper Joe Zelenka

Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood

Quarterback Todd Boeckman

Fullback Brock Bolen

Safety Michael Desormeaux

Cornerback Pete Ittersagen

Defensive end Jeremy Navarre

Center Cecil Newton

Wide receiver Todd Peterson

Guard Cameron Stephenson

Running back Josh Vaughan

Linebacker Johnny Williams

The team also placed defensive tackle Rob Meier (shoulder) on injured reserve.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

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


Houston

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

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

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



Indianapolis

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

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

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

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



Jacksonville

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

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

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



Tennessee

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

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

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

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Michael Lombardi assesses who's blue chip or nearly so in the AFC South. No mention of Eric Winston or David Stewart but Reggie Nelson makes the list?

Houston Texans

• Dominique Barber is beginning to challenge for a starting safety spot, writes Jordan Godwin. That's good news at a position that needs to be upgraded.
• Bruce Matthews is helping candidates to snap better, says the Chronicle notebook.
• Three starters are sidelined by injuries. Is it a bad run of early luck or a sign of things to come? John McClain considers.
• Battleredblog.com wonders if Ryan Torain could be Houston-bound. I speculated during the offseason that the Texans could jump on him if he came free from Denver, but now he's hurt so it may change the interest level.
• The Chronicle's camp insider has several nuggets.
• Lance Zierlein breaks down five Texans.
• Brian Cushing's injury history prompts Alan Burge to reserve the right to be concerned.

Indianapolis Colts

• The Colts' defense is the same scheme with new wrinkles and Reggie Wayne says it's very different, writes Mike Chappell.
• The Colts can't say when Bob Sanders will play, says Chappell.
• Indy feels like it will run better this season, writes Tom James. There might be an AFC South Blog column coming Thursday that delves into a similar theme.
• Peter King's postcard from Colts camp.
• Chappell takes questions about Sanders, Tony Ugoh and Terrance Taylor.
• Donald Brown has impressed with his professionalism, says John Oehser.
• Two Colts fans enjoyed lunch with Bill Polian and Peter King after winning an auction that benefitted Dr. Z, says Phillip B. Wilson.
• A practice report pieced together by stampedeblue.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Marlon McCree is a different guy the second time around, says Vito Stellino.
• The Jaguars' defensive front will have different looks, including some 3-4, writes Stellino.
• One-on-one battles tell the real story of preseason games, says Vic Ketchman.

Tennessee Titans

• Donnie Nickey and Ryan Fowler each got hit with $5,000 fines for hits in the Hall of Fame game, reports Jim Wyatt.
• Vince Young's agent said the quarterback could be willing to play for less than scheduled in 2010 if that's what it takes, reports Terry McCormick. Is it the right time for Major Adams to touch on this topic? I sure don't think so.
• Don Banks' postcard from Nashville. (Aren't these more like letters? Great reads and the more beef the better, but on a postcard the print would have to be tiny to fit 1,409 words. Yes, I spent my morning counting them.)
• Returner Mark Jones is back in action and Kenny Britt is going to get a look, says Wyatt.
• Craig Stevens was in four scraps during a Wednesday practice, says McCormick. Is that a record?
• Vincent Fuller has joined the injured list, says Wyatt.
• Wyatt and Gary Estwick offer their stock report.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Some quick first impressions from the last piece of the Jaguars' morning practice and some conversations that followed:

• Marlon McCree worked with the first-team defense as the second safety with Reggie Nelson. Brian Williams was at right corner. But insiders said it still boils down to Sean Considine at that safety spot -- he's on the PUP list with a left calf issue that should soon be resolved -- or Derek Cox at the second corner. So it'll probably be Cox at corner with Williams at safety or Williams at corner with Considine at safety. [Another take says it's not so simple, that Nelson could be in trouble, that the Williams-as-a-safety experiement is over and that he'll be a well-paid nickel supplementing Mathis and Cox.]
• Marcedes Lewis ran up the middle and made a nice play on a David Garrard pass, snatching it despite good coverage from Gerald Alexander, who actually got a piece of the ball. Later Lewis said he's been working on reaching out of frame to get balls instead of waiting for them to get to him.
• Atiyyah Ellison was at defensive tackle alongside John Henderson with the ones.
• Tiquan Underwood, who could wind up being this team's best deep threat based on the buzz, sneaked behind everyone and ran wide open up the right side and Garrard did well to get a bomb to him for an easy, long touchdown.
• Among those who hung around after practice: right tackle Tony Pashos, who worked with an assistant strength coach who pulled on a giant rubber band that provided resistance as the big tackle backed out of his stance.

Thanks to the quick hospitality of the PR staff, I've already chatted with several guys. I'm in Jacksonville through Saturday night's scrimmage and am looking forward to getting more in depth.

I'll provide periodic live thoughts and observations from practices via Twitter (@espn_afcsouth) which also ties to my Facebook: Paul Kuharsky Espn.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Houston Texans

• Ex-Texan Fred Weary dropped a federal civil rights suit, reports Brian Rogers.
• Houston signed sixth-round pick Brice McCain, says John McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

• A run-game rebound is the top priority for the Colts, writes Mike Chappell.
• A review of Colts minicamp from John Oehser.
• Oehser runs through the defensive tackles.
• What was said by and about Joseph Addai during minicamp, from Oehser.
• Ed Johnson is grateful for his second chance, says the AP.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Marlon McCree has a different perspective in his second time around with the Jaguars, writes Vito Stellino.
• Vic Ketchman talks ticket sales and lots more in his newest mailbag.

Tennessee Titans

• "[Vince] Young also still has no clue as to how to handle himself in public," Alex Marvez writes as part of a look at the 2006 trio of quarterbacks.
• Warren Sapp thinks Chris Johnson could be the league's most exciting player, says the Music City Miracles blog.