AFC South: Maurice Williams
Penalty tracker: Jags showing discipline
An overdue review of penalties in the AFC South reveals that the young Jaguars have shown great discipline. They have given up the least penalty yards in the league (290) and their 39 penalties are tied with Seattle for second-fewest in the NFL behind Cleveland (37).
Those are very good developments for a young team, and speak to the ability of Jack Del Rio and his staff to get a message through to a roster filled with newcomers and to the ability of veterans to spread the word about how to do things the right way.
Thanks to Mark Simon of ESPN Stats & Information for running the numbers.
Here’s a team-by-team look at penalties and the primary offenders:
Jaguars
Penalties: 39, tied for 2nd fewest
Yards: 290, fewest
- Maurice Williams: 4 for 25
- Tyron Brackenridge: 2 for 20
- Courtney Greene: 2 for 20
- John Henderson: 2 for 10
- Vince Manuwai: 2 for 10
- Rashean Mathis: 2 for 10
Penalties: 43, tied for 7th fewest
Yards: 331, 5th fewest
- Pierre Garcon: 5 for 45
- Antonio Johnson: 3 for 25
- Philip Wheeler: 3 for 25
- Ryan Diem: 3 for 15
- Dwight Freeney: 3 for 15
- Peyton Manning: 3 for 15
- Jacob Lacey: 2 for 23
- Antoine Bethea: 2 for 22
Penalties: 56, 7th most
Yards: 480, 7th most
- Duane Brown: 5 for 35
- Dunta Robinson: 4 for 49
- Antonio Smith: 4 for 30
- Connor Barwin: 3 for 25
- Brian Cushing: 3 for 25
- Eugene Wilson: 2 for 30
- Vonta Leach: 2 for 25
Penalties: 49, tied for 15th most
Yards: 397, 16th most
- Kyle Vanden Bosch: 5 for 44
- Tony Brown: 5 for 35
- Jacob Ford: 3 for 25
- Ahmard Hall: 3 for 25
- Gerald McRath: 3 for 20
- Michael Roos: 3 for 11
- Jake Scott: 3 for 20
- David Stewart: 3 for 13
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans promised changes beyond Vince Young for Kerry Collins.
But Jeff Fisher indicated they’d be minor and they are: Jason Jones is starting at left defensive tackle for Jovan Haye, who’s inactive, and Rod Hood is starting at left cornerback for Jason McCourty.
Who's returning for Tennessee? Not Alvin Pearman, signed after Mark Jones suffered a hamstring injury. Pearman's inactive. Look for some combination of Kevin Kaesviharn and Ryan Mouton on punts -- they are fielding them now in warmups -- and either Michael Griffin or McCourty on kickoffs.
For the Jaguars, Reggie Nelson shifts to corner to start at corner for the injured Rashean Mathis and Brian Russell replaces Nelson at free safety. (Sean Considine was in line to replace Nelson, but is sick and inactive.)
Tra Thomas is starting at left tackle for Eugene Monroe.
The list of inactives:
Jacksonville
- Receiver Tiquan Underwood
- Mathis
- Considine
- CB Brian Witherspoon
- LB Brian Smith
- OL Maurice Williams
- OT Jordan Black
- DT Greg Peterson
- CB Nick Harper
- RB Javon Ringer
- CB Cary Williams
- OT Mike Otto
- Haye
- TE Craig Stevens
- DE Jevon Kearse
- PR-KR Alvin Pearman
Players of note out or limited Wednesday
Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky
Players of note in the AFC South who did not practice Wednesday in preparation for Texans-Bengals, Rams-Jaguars and Titans-Patriots:
- Houston: Tight end James Casey (illness), safety Nick Ferguson (knee).
- Jacksonville: Cornerback Rashean Mathis (hip).
- Tennessee: Cornerback Cortland Finnegan (hamstring), safety Michael Griffin (neck), guard Jake Scott (illness).
Players of note who were limited:
- Houston: Linebacker Brian Cushing (foot), linebacker DeMeco Ryans (shoulder), defensive end Mario Williams (shoulder).
- Jacksonville: Safety Sean Considine (groin), linebacker Justin Durant (hip), defensive tackle John Henderson (shoulder), offensive lineman Maurice Williams (knee).
Further review: Wilford's catch on Griffin
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
The situation: The Jaguars lead the Titans 10-3 with 8:29 on the clock in the second quarter and face a second-and-2 from the Tennessee 38-yard line.
The Jaguars line up with Maurice Jones-Drew alone behind David Garrard who’s under center and has two tight ends on the field. Marcedes Lewis is to the right of right tackle Maurice Williams and Ernest Wilford is in the slot to the left. Receiver Mike Sims-Walker is wide right and Torry Holt is left.
The Titans are in their base defense with rookie corner Jason McCourty across from Holt, Nick Harper on Sims-Walker and Michael Griffin with Wilford, the former receiver. Chris Hope is one deep safety, as least 12 yards off the line of scrimmage, out of the wide screen TV picture at the snap.
Here’s what I saw unfold after the snap:
Garrard takes a three-step drop, looks to his right and makes a shoulder fake as if he’s throwing to Sims-Walker, who’s taken off up the right side.
Left linebacker David Thornton steps to the line between left end Jevon Kearse and left tackle Jovan Haye and comes on a bit of a delayed blitz, but Jones-Drew steps up to meet him. His initial foray stopped, Thornton sees the crowd of people between him and Garrard and bounces back toward the line of scrimmage, beginning to pursue Garrard on a clearer route. But to much time's gone by and the ball is gone by the time he really starts his move.
Williams blocks down on Haye leaving Lewis to single block Jevon Kearse, who gets good push.
Center Brad Meester and right guard Uche Nwaneri double right tackle Tony Brown who starts to his left before pushing the pocket.
Left tackle Tra Thomas rides right end Kyle Vanden Bosch in a loop around Garrard, but Vanden Bosch winds up making a late move back to the quarterback.
Holt moves at an angle off the line, cutting in front of Wilford and taking McCourty with him.
Garrard senses Meester being pushed into him, with Lewis also being pushed back and Vanden Bosch recovering to close some as well and the quarterback shifts up and to his left while throwing for Wilford on the left.
Griffin is about three yards off Wilford at the snap, gets one hand on him briefly and is facing the middle as the routes begin to unfold. Griffin might actually bump or brush Holt as he turns to go with Wilford who separates. Wilford collects the ball placed nicely over his left shoulder at about the 17-yard line with Griffin a few yards ahead of him and towards the middle of the field.
Result: A 29-yard gain that sets up a first-and-goal at the 9-yard line.
Ultimate outcome: Garrard hits Sims-Walker over the middle on the next play for a touchdown and the Jaguars never lead by less than 13 on their way to a 37-17 rout.
Reading the coverage: Garcon a key development
Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky
- John Clayton sorts through the AFC South.
- Brian Burke looks at game probabilities for Week 4. AFC South chances to win: Indy 87 percent; Houston 68 percent; Jacksonville 51 percent against Tennessee (49 percent).
- As bad as they’ve been, the Texans have allowed fewer yards each week, writes John McClain.
- Jerome Solomon looks at just how important this one is for Gary Kubiak.
- Third-down defense gets this look over from Dale Robertson.
- Kubiak is talking about making changes on defense. McClain asks which ones you want to see.
- Breaking down the stats so far, with Alan Burge.
- Battleredblog.com questions Kubiak’s clock management. Sure you want to score with as little time left as possible, but it can’t be priority No. 1. You can’t generally control when you punch it in, when you have to be concerned with making sure you punch it in.
- Mike Chappell’s source says Dwight Freeney will miss three weeks and two games.
- Five key early season developments include smooth transitions, the emergence of Pierre Garcon and a return to form for Joseph Addai.
- Chappell takes questions, including one about Philip Wheeler.
- A Q&A with Mo Williams.
- The Jags signed defensive tackle Greg Peterson.
- David Garrard’s wearing a play cheat sheet on his wrist out of superstition, says Michael C. Wright.
- Maurice Jones-Drew on Fox Sports Radio, courtesy of sportsradiointerviews.com.
- Arm strength gains can be made, but they are subtle, says Vic Ketchman.
- Bigcatcountry.com sees the Jaguars, and everybody, heading toward a spread offense.
- Jeff Fisher deserves a delay of game flag for Tuesday’s roster moves, opines David Climer.
- Fisher’s in no trouble, says Peter King in his mailbag.
- The Titans make roster moves, including adding Mark Jones and putting Craig Hentrich on IR, says Gary Estwick.
- Five things Jim Wyatt knows about the Titans.
- Cary Williams was signed to the practice squad.
- The Titans also looked at veteran cornerbacks Rod Hood, Eric Green and Dante Hughes and safeties Kevin Davis and Keith Lewis, says Terry McCormick.
Reading the coverage: Houston on historic pace
Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky
Houston Texans
- How bad is the defense? It’s on pace to allow the most yards and the most rushing yards in history, writes John McClain.
- Gary Kubiak is not happy with the pass rush and could turn to the practice squad for help, says McClain.
- Changes are coming in the secondary, writes John McClain.
- Richard Justice is thoroughly unimpressed with the defensive line.
- Are the defensive struggles personnel, scheme or learning curve? Alan Burge dissects.
- Fast starts are a way of life for the Colts, writes Jeff Rabjohns.
- Bill Polian anticipates playing it by ear with Dwight Freeney, says the Star’s notebook.
- WTHR-TV in Indianapolis is reporting Dwight Freeney is out for a month. (Hat tip to stampedeblue.com for pointing us to it.)
- The best of Polian from his radio show in two parts thanks to yeoman’s work from John Oehser: Part I and Part II.
- Bob Kravitz’s report card from Sunday night.
- Jim Caldwell wants his team focused at 3-0, says Tom James.
- A 3-0 start doesn’t mean too much, says Dave Goldberg.
- At 1-2, some believe there is some deja vu for the Jaguars, says Vito Stellino.
- Mo Williams is a difference maker for the Jags, says Cole Pepper.
- Vic Ketchman addresses the claims about empty seats in Houston.
- L.A. debunking 101 from bigcatcountry.com.
- Jeff Fisher is not contemplating any quarterback change, writes Jim Wyatt.
- Wyatt doesn’t think a quarterback change is needed.
- Vincent Fuller is out four to six week after breaking his arm, says Gary Estwick.
- The Titans are considering outside return men, says Estwick.
- Tennessee makes John Czarnecki’s list of surprises.
- Titans Radio breaks down the Jaguars game.
Further review: Missed PI on Holt
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| Sam Greenwood/Getty Images | |
| A possible missed pass interference call on the Cardinals Bryant McFadden against the Jags Tory Holt was a game-changer last Sunday. |
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
The situation: Down 10-3 in the early second quarter, the Jaguars’ Sean Considine recovers a punt muffed by Greg Toler, positioning Jacksonville at the Arizona 26-yard line. After a sack and a run, the Jaguars face third-and-12 from the Arizona 28.
The Jaguars line up quarterback David Garrard in shotgun with Maurice Jones-Drew to his left, a tight end Marcedes Lewis is to the right of right tackle Eben Britton and back a step. Three receivers are deployed, two to the right and Torry Holt to the left.
The Cardinals have three men on the line with their hand down. They are in nickel or dime -- I cannot identify the player to the left of Darnell Dockett, who functions as the left end here. The unidentified defender and safety Adrian Wilson, who’s a step behind right end Adrian Branch, creep forward as if to blitz from both sides.
Here’s what I saw unfold after the snap:
Garrard takes the snap and drops back an additional three or four steps. He might have looked middle then left, he might have been looking at Holt the whole time. He’s sandwiched by two rushers just as he lets go of the pass.
Wilson drops off and when he sees Jones-Drew come out of the backfield and head to the left flat, he follows him.
Branch gets a good rush from the right, sliding around left tackle Eugene Monroe at the end to hurry Garrard.
The defensive back or linebacker on the left side blitzes, and while Britton holds him up, Dockett loops around, loses right guard Maurice Williams as he gets caught up in what’s going on his right and gets to Garrard as he throws.
Holt has 10 or 11 yards of cushion from cornerback Bryant McFadden at the snap and runs straight, turning left just after the 15-yard line. He inches back while cutting to the left sideline. Before the ball arrives, McFadden’s initial contact with Holt is his right hand on Holt’s right shoulder, pulling and turning the receiver. McFadden winds up with each arm over each of Holt’s shoulders before the ball arrives. It ties up Holt’s arms and he cannot reach for an on-target ball as it arrives.
Holt argues about the non-call with field judge Greg Gautreaux. It unfolded in front of Jack Del Rio, who pulls out his red flag but is helpless and it’s not a reviewable play.
Result: Fourth-and-12 from the 28. Kicker Josh Scobee attempts a 46-yard field goal. Calais Campbell blocks it, Antrel Rolle recovers it and returns it for an 83-yard touchdown.
Ultimate outcome: With the pass interference call, a team with little margin for error would have been in position for a touchdown to pull even at 10-10. The field goal would have made it 10-6. The block and return make it 17-3 and the Jags are never closer than 14 points again.
The Jaguars line up with an unconventional offensive line set: Tight end Marcedes Lewis is acting as the left tackle and left guard Vince Manuwai pulls to head lead Jones-Drew up the middle. Brad Meester is the center with three linemen to his right -- guard Maurice Williams, tackle Eben Britton and tackle Eugene Monroe.
To top it off, Jones-Drew is lined up like a shotgun quarterback, with receiver Nate Hughes wide left, receiver Torry Holt in the slot on the right and quarterback David Garrard wide right.
Here’s what I saw unfold after the snap:
- Hughes comes from the left side towards Jones-Drew, who fakes a handoff to him, but no one on the Colts appears to bite on the idea that Hughes is getting the ball and heading right.
- Jones-Drew pulls the ball back, puts his head down and heads up the middle.
- The Colts get good penetration from the snap. Left end Robert Mathis turns Monroe outside and slides inside him to bottle up any possibilities to the right.
- Right end Dwight Freeney slips inside Lewis and gets low on Jones-Drew in a big pile.
- Cornerback Jerraud Powers, who tracked Hughes from the left plugs in behind Lewis to prevent any sort of possible spin out by Jones-Drew, who’s stuffed well short of the goal line.
Ultimate outcome: That was the Jaguars last best chance to pull even their last two possessions start at their own 1-yard line and their own 33, and they never even cross midfield as the Colts hold on for the win.
Jaguars add veterans Forney and Russell
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
The Jaguars did some roster tinkering Tuesday, adding veteran offensive lineman Kynan Forney and veteran safety Brian Russell while cutting reserve center Dennis Norman.
Also of note: While Jack Del Rio declined recently to name his starting right guard, Maurice Williams remains in the spot on the team’s newest depth chart, with Forney listed as his backup. Uche Nwaneri is listed as the backup at center and left guard.
A bit from the team on the two newcomers:
Forney, 6-3, 302, is in his ninth NFL season and has appeared in 95 games with 88 starts at right guard. The 31-year-old Forney was released by the San Diego Chargers last week. He spent seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons from 2001-07 before joining the Chargers in 2008. Forney was part of the NFL’s top rushing attack from 2004-06 with the Falcons and was a first alternate to the Pro Bowl in 2005.
A native of Nacogdoches, Texas, Forney was originally a seventh-round pick of the Falcons in 2001 and earned a starting job as a rookie. He played collegiately at Hawaii and Trinity Valley College in Texas and currently resides in Atlanta.
Russell, 6-2, 210, is in his eighth NFL season and has played in 108 games with 94 starts for Minnesota, Cleveland and Seattle. He has started all 16 games five times in his career including the last two seasons at free safety for the Seahawks. Russell, 31, has recorded 484 career tackles, 16 interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Russell originally signed as a rookie free agent with the Vikings in 2001 and spent his rookie season on the practice squad. Over the next three years he started 50 games and tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions in 2003. He joined the Browns as a restricted free agent in 2005 and played under Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker for two seasons.
A native of West Covina, California, he played collegiately at Penn before transferring to San Diego State following his freshman season. He made the transition from quarterback to defensive back midway through his junior season.
Del Rio ready to roll with rookie tackles
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Jack Del Rio’s comfortable with his rookie tackles starting Sunday in Indianapolis, and he’s comfortable not revealing who his starting right guard is.
Maurice Williams was the starter at the spot on the final preseason depth chart, though he gave way to Tony Pashos in the preseason finale. Pashos has since been let go and signed with San Francisco. So it’ll be Williams, who missed last season with a biceps injury suffered warming up for the season opener, or Uche Nwaneri, who replaced him.
Del Rio didn’t offer a clue as to who it will be and wouldn’t say if players know when he talked to the local media Monday.
He was more revealing about starting left tackle Eugene Monroe, right tackle Eben Britton and cornerback Derek Cox and said he wasn’t wary of relying on youth and inexperience.
“I think that’s where you start, is you start with your best players,” he said. “Ideally you would like to have guys that are two-, three-, four-, five-year veterans, maybe older, that have been doing it, they’re proven commodities. I think we have to trust our judgment and the work that we put in and the evaluation process. We have some younger guys that are going to play right away and we expect them to play well. We expect to play well as a team.”
Later, he talked about the paths the team’s two top draft picks took to the starting lineup.
“I think Eugene came in a little bit of a delay at the start but then really came into camp and has been pretty steady throughout,” Del Rio said. “I think Eben on the other side probably started at a lesser place, maybe lower down the rung, but each week got better and better and better and then played very well even in our last preseason game. So each week he got better, dramatically better.
“So they both in different ways came in and earned a spot. We wanted to have good competition and make them earn it and I feel like through the whole process, the evaluation of all the exposure that we had with them was enough to evaluate. We do feel like the body of work that we have to look at with the offseason, with training camp, with preseason games, all of that, that they are our best options.”
I think the Jaguars are taking the right approach here. They’ve said they are re-tooling, most of us outside team headquarters view it as a rebuilding year. And when a team’s rebuilding the best course of action is to get those high draft picks on the field, provided they’ve showed they aren’t in over their heads, and let them learn from real experience. If Monroe and Britton live up to the pre-draft expectations they’ll do OK early and show quick and steady improvement.
That said, I expect Marcedes Lewis to line up beside Monroe often at Lucas Oil Stadium to try to help keep Dwight Freeney away from David Garrard.
Does Black extension signal end for Pashos or Thomas?
The Jacksonville Jaguars are presumed set at tackle for the long term with first-round pick Eugene Monroe and second-rounder Eben Britton. They started at left and right tackle, respectively, in Thursday night’s preseason finale against Washington.
But earlier in the day the team made a move that may indicate more about its veterans, Tony Pashos and Tra Thomas. The Jaguars signed backup Jordan Black to a deal that runs for three years and is worth $3.65 million with an additional $1.8 million in possible incentives, according to ESPN.com senior write John Clayton.
So something is brewing and the team will be dealing or cutting a name lineman.
Pashos, who started at right guard Thursday night against Washington, or Thomas, the left tackle signed as a free agent this offseason, could be on the way out.
Uche Nwaneri and Maurice Williams are valuable because of their versatility. Nwaneri can play all three inside spots and Williams, who was listed as the starter at right guard before Pashos' shift, can play anywhere on the line if needed.
Pashos signed as a free agent in 2007, getting a five-year, $24 million contract. Thomas’ incentive-laden deal was for three years and from what I can find the financial details were never reported.
Brad Meester is the starting center and Vince Manuwai, the team's best run blocker, is back at left guard after suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year's opening game.
One thing to look for in three games
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
With three of our four teams playing Thursday night and the fourth preseason game meaning little or no time for starters in many instances, we reduce our previews.
Here’s one thing from each game to be closely monitored.
Washington at Jacksonville
Right tackle Eben Britton and right guard Tony Pashos: Word is this is what the right side of the line will look like against the Redskins. Once the starters are out of this game, the Jags will have all the evidence they can get and have to decide on a starting line. Is Pashos at guard to test his versatility as a potential backup or is he a better option than Maurice Williams or Uche Nwaneri? Will they go with veteran Tra Thomas to start the season at left tackle, or conclude it makes sense to get top pick Eugene Monroe out there ASAP?
Indianapolis at Cincinnati
Lots of chances to look dumb here, talking about someone who doesn’t wind up dressing as the Colts put no real value on starters getting work in their preseason finale. So the guys to watch are the undrafted rookies making a bid for roster spots. Big games for players like linebacker Ramon Humber or Mike Tauiliili, cornerback Jacob Lacey, defensive tackle Adrian Grady or receiver Brett McDermott could have a big bearing on their fates. Yes, it’s hard to measure them against second or third stringers on the Bengals, but coaches and the front office make big dollars to translate such things and find their meaning.
Green Bay at Tennessee
Jeff Fisher talked this week like his plan for the game was a super secret. I think it’s a secret until he knows what it is, at which point we will see it. Mark Jones is sure to get a lot of opportunity against the Packers, and the Titans will be hoping to force a bunch of punts and kickoffs. But they should be looking at Javon Ringer for kickoffs and saying prayers for the health of Ryan Mouton who seems a good punt return candidate but is recovering from a high ankle sprain. It would be good for Jones if he could make something out of chances at receiver too, if he gets them.
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Three quick hits on the Jacksonville Jaguars:
1. The team has tried to put David Garrard in the best situation possible. That meant rebuilding the offensive line even as two guys returned from injuries (Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams), adding free-agent left tackle Tra Thomas and tackles with the first two picks in the draft (Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton). The Jaguars also revamped the receiving corps, bringing in Torry Holt and three draft picks. Still, so far in preseason work, the offensive line has allowed far too many hits on Garrard.
2. The Jaguars traded a 2010 second-round pick in order to draft Derek Cox in the third round. He's been banged up and has not played in a preseason game yet, but he was impressive early. Brian Williams has not had a great preseason as the second corner, so once Cox is ready he could overtake Williams and bump him to the nickel job. Will Cox, who will play Thursday against Washington, and new strong safety Sean Considine be enough to make a big difference in the secondary? Can free safety Reggie Nelson rebound from a bad second year and become the guy the team envisioned when it drafted him in the first round?
3. With an emphasis on character, new general manager Gene Smith has revamped the roster. Thirty-six players currently with the team weren't part of things last year, and guys they felt like didn't help chemistry are gone. This group is expected to be better in terms of sticking together, being accountable and staying on message no matter how things are going. Jack Del Rio won't have a chance to ease his team into things. In the first month of action the Jaguars face all three of their AFC rivals, and Tennessee, Indianapolis and Houston are all rated as playoff-caliber teams.
On Oklahoma and beyond in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Oklahoma drill is a great thing for the Jaguars.
It creates buzz and anticipation. It's become a tradition. It's something people won't likely see in any similar setting. There are full-speed collisions, popping pads, hoots from the players and fans alike.
That's why practice Wednesday night drew nearly 2,500 people.
But I must admit, for the hype that's built up from a couple of years of hearing about it, it was a bit underwhelming. It wasn't like the scene I was told about when Marcellus Wiley tossed a handful of candy at Mike Williams, then got clobbered by the giant offensive tackle after the stunt.
There were as many draws as wins and it's hard to know for sure what you saw in a very fast couple of seconds, so I'll send you elsewhere to more expert eyes for any sort of scorecard.
Julius Williams toppled Tony Pashos in one crowd-pleaser and linebacker Tim Shaw twice created major thumps against Zach Miller, but I felt like Miller did well enough to allow the running back to get somewhere.
It's very cool that Jack Del Rio does it -- fans, players, staff and media all enjoy it.
But there was plenty more to see as well, so here are some things that struck me:
- In a nine-on-seven run period, Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams were rotating at left guard while Uche Nwaneri manned right guard.
- In a blitz pickup drill, Greg Jones did just that -- he picked up Johnny Williams off ground, then tossed him aside. Williams then tied his shoe.
- Mike Walker looks great and seemed to be the target of the first pass of every team period. Looks solid, shifty, and consistent. The first pass he caught was a touchdown from 21-yards out on which David Garrard got good protection.
- Derek Landri knocked a ball out of Todd Bauman's hand, something that shouldn't be able to happen in a practice.
- Garrard hit Torry Holt at the right sideline near the pylon and he got in, beating Rashean Mathis. Later, during a special-teams period, I watched Holt play catch with a coach, watching the ball in to his hands from about eight yards away at a variety of angles with a wide array of loft or lack thereof.
- In seven-on-sevens, when a quarterback should be close to perfect working against no pass rush, Garrard had one 1-for-3 stretch -- lucky that Mathis didn't pick a pass for Jarett Dillard and throwing a ball away when he could find nothing. A throw away is generally a good thing, but not something that should happen often in that context. Maybe somebody botched a route?
- Garrard saw Nate Hughes pull away from Kennard Cox and Mesphin Forrester, and delivered a bomb for a 60-yard touchdown. When I visited organized team activities, I didn't think Garrard was throwing well deep to the sidelines. This made for twice on the day he had a guy break open and put the ball where he had to, well down the field.
Reading the coverage: Maurice Williams update
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Houston Texans
- Five reasons the Texans will not match the hype and will miss the playoffs, writes Alan Burge.
- Rex Grossman makes Clark Judge's list of the top 10 backup quarterbacks. So I guess Judge expects Grossman to outplay the pricier Dan Orlovsky to win the No. 2 job.
- Frank Okam intends to make people account for him. Video from the team's Web site.
Indianapolis Colts
- A series from John Oehser on 20 questions facing the Colts starts with No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.
- Oehser's breakdowns of Melvin Bullitt, Michael Coe and Keyunta Dawson.
- A look at the Colts' nickelback options from Stampede Blue.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Williams offers an update in an interview with Jaguars.com.
- Clifton Brown looks at a couple of rebuilt offensive lines, including that of the Jaguars.
- The Jaguars signed fourth-round pick receiver Mike Thomas, reports Vito Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
- Nashville accentuates the positive in remembering Steve McNair, says Les Carpenter.
- Jim Wyatt considers McNair's Hall of Fame chances.
- Jeff Fisher's style sealed McNair's Hall of Fame fate, says Stellino.
- Vince Young will try to move on without his mentor, David Climer says.


