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With the offseason in full swing, let’s take a look at one major question facing each AFC South team as it begins preparations for the 2011 season:

HOUSTON TEXANS

How do they fix the secondary?

New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is charged with repairing and revitalizing a defense that was 30th overall and dead last against the pass. His 3-4 front will alter a lot of things and the Texans will need to add some personnel to fill it out. Better work up front will ease some of the pressure on the defensive backs, but they will need more than that.

We don’t know when -- or even if -- there will be free agency. But the Texans need to make a big splash with a veteran outsider. Nnamdi Asomugha or Champ Bailey could knock every one down a peg at corner, shut down a side of the field or a primary receiver and help transform things. A veteran free safety like Eric Weddle could provide a big boost as well.

If the Texans think the pass defense can be fixed by coaching and will improve dramatically with a scheme and maturing kids, they’re overestimating what they’ve got, again.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Are they going to take action to address the offensive line?

We’ve heard for years about how the Colts would get better at converting that tough third-and-1 in the run game. We saw Bill Polian drop Ryan Lilja after pointing to the offensive line as a reason for the loss in Super Bowl XLIV. We heard Polian admit Rodger Saffold could have been a solution for the Colts at left tackle.

Now, as Peyton Manning heads into the final stretch of his prime, the Colts need to move from talk to action with regard to the offensive line. After last year’s comments, Polian added middling free agents Andy Alleman and Adam Terry and drafted Jacques McClendon in the fourth round. Only McClendon stuck and he did nothing.

Getting Manning more time for things to develop downfield and creating more of a push for ball carriers means investing at least one premium draft pick and landing at least one quality veteran via free agency or trade when those windows open. The Colts don’t have to find Hall of Fame linemen. But there is a lot of room between some of the guys they’ve been relying on and that level of talent.

They’re overdue to follow through with a real revamping.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

How do they fix the secondary?

With four games a season against Manning and Matt Schaub, the Jaguars are woefully unprepared to face them with what they’ve got at safety. Last season, Jacksonville spent its first four draft picks on defensive linemen. This season, they’d be wise to put a similar emphasis on the secondary, and safety in particular.

Ideally they’d have drafted an up-and-comer to go with a veteran brought in from the outside -- someone like Weddle, Dawan Landry, Quintin Mikell or Donte Whitner. They've already had Bob Sanders in for a look. While depth at cornerback is also an issue, I suspect Rashean Mathis, Derek Cox and William Middleton will all look a lot better if they are playing with safeties who are superior to Don Carey and Courtney Greene.

They’ve got a big question at quarterback, too. It’s time to draft and develop a signal-caller with more upside who can be more consistent than David Garrard. But they contended last season with Garrard. It's possible they can make a playoff push with him under center -- provided they address the secondary.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Who’s the quarterback?

There couldn’t be a worse time to be uncertain at the position, and the Titans’ depth chart at the spot currently has blanks at starter and backup. Blame it on Bud Adams and his love affair with Vince Young.

New coach Mike Munchak and his offensive coordinator Chris Palmer don’t really know what they will be able to do offensively, because they do not know who they will be asking to do it. General Manager Mike Reinfeldt has said the team will find a veteran and use a draft pick. But if the draft comes before free agency and trades, it will be more difficult to be patient and to take more of a project guy out of college. It’s not a good year to need a quarterback in the draft, and the scouting department will have to show it can find someone in the group who will develop into a franchise guy.

Once they do, they could look to make a big move for Kevin Kolb, Carson Palmer, Kyle Orton, Matt Flynn or any number of veteran options they believe could operate an offense that will remain run-centric keyed around Chris Johnson.

Reading the coverage …

Today we skip the papers and yield the floor to the blogs so many fans spend so much time writing and putting together.

Houston Texans

Send Vonta Leach to the beach, says Battle Red Blog.

Battle Red Blog thinks I committed a mortal sin by saying Cortland Finnegan did good work against Andre Johnson. I’ll repeat my thinking: Any defense would happily surrender Johnson’s Sunday stat line of 56 yards, a 6.2-yard average and one touchdown.

Indianapolis Colts

Breaking down the offensive line play with Nate Dunlevy.

Simple steps the Colts should take to win the division, from Stampede Blue.

The defensive tackles are underrated and playing well, says Brett Mock.

The league needs to re-emphasize defensive holding, says Brad Keller.

Bill Polian's reasoning regarding the Ryan Lilja move, courtesy of Stampede Blue.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have not been very good in Nashville lately, says Alfie Crow.

Who’s crisp and who’s soggy, from Luke Sims.

Tuesday was the team’s 17th anniversary, Crow reminds us.

Brian Levenson wonders if the Jaguars are on the verge of greatness.

Tennessee Titans

Upon further review, the Titans’ defense wasn’t that bad, says Music City Miracles.

Checking on where the Titans land in various power rankings, including ours, with Music City Miracles.

It’s time for more Jared Cook, says Drexel Perry.

Jeff Fisher certainly made some changes, says Andrew Strickert.

The Colts could have some big players back in the mix for Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. Mike Chappell reports that Colts president Bill Polian said on his radio show that linebackers Gary Brackett and Clint Session, as well as running back Mike Hart, could be back.

Others, including Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders, are likely further off.

But as Chappell points out, while Hart and Addai could provide a boost to the run game, none of the injury returnees is going to help the offensive line, which has been insufficient as a run-blocking group and increasingly leaky in pass protection. (Sacks remain low, but pressure is up.)

“I think oftentimes, you guys are driven by what you see on TV," said coach Jim Caldwell at a news conference Monday. "They can highlight a certain couple of areas, and you think that was the way the entire game went. I think they can sort of prejudice your opinion a little bit.

"What we do is we take a look at it. We think we have the right people in there, but we are always trying to jostle it around, trying to make adjustments, trying to make certain that not only do we have the right people, but also are we doing the right things with the folks that we have in there? That’s up for critique, and we challenge ourselves in those areas and we try to find a way to improve. That’s the important thing.”

Polian identified the offensive line as a position of concern after last season, really singling out the effort in the Super Bowl. They were comments several players bristled at. (Greg Easterbrook hit on some of this here in his weekly Tuesday Morning Quarterback column.)

Longtime line coach Howard Mudd was known for molding players who were not high draft picks or top free agents into effective contributors. He retired and passed the torch to Pete Metzelaars, a transition that seemed smooth.

But in a move that was a stunner then and is baffling now, Polian let right guard Ryan Lilja go. Lilja has received good reviews for his play in Kansas City, while the Colts have played two ineffective right guards.

Mike Pollak was benched in favor of undrafted rookie tackle Jeff Linkenbach three games ago.

Left guard’s hardly been solid either, with Jamey Richard getting displaced by Kyle DeVan.

There should be more options.

After Lilja was released, the Colts brought in a couple low-level free agents in Andy Alleman and Adam Terry. Neither stuck. Fourth-round rookie Jacques McClendon has been inactive or worked on special teams.

Polian and the Colts identified a problem, but they really didn’t do anything to fix it, unless we count the Tony Ugoh resolution and release as addition by subtraction.

In the past five drafts, the Colts have taken eight offensive linemen, five in the fifth round or later.

Charlie Johnson is a scrappy left tackle who’s been better than many expected but still might be ideal as a third, swing tackle. Ugoh, Michael Toudouze and Steve Justice are gone. Pollak has been benched. McClendon is a reserve as are seventh-rounders Jaimie Thomas and Richard.

However this season plays out, the offensive line must be the primary concern in the offseason.

It’s time to hit on value picks -- plural. Quality guys and the team’s draft slots may not line up. The Colts may need to maneuver to change that.

It’s critical to Peyton Manning’s chances for another Super Bowl in his remaining years.

We won’t know it until we have the full context of the season, of course. Still, the Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts contest on "Monday Night Football" could prove to be the game of the year in the AFC South.

I’m not talking point spreads when I call the Texans the underdog. The Texans are trying to climb over the incumbent division champs; the Colts, on the other hand, are eager to extend an eight-year term as a playoff presence.

In a preparation week when both sides will spew some familiar phrases, I thought it might be fun to look at the game from the Texans’ perspective through the prism of some of those clichés:

They have to establish their running game.

Football Outsiders has preached to us that running well usually means you had a late lead and could stack up the carries, and that forcing the run early doesn’t correlate to wins. Look back at the Texans’ win in the first matchup on opening day. Arian Foster had 10 carries for a respectable 40 yards. But it was a second-half push to build on a second-half lead and wear down the Colts where he did his massive damage: 23 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns.

Related cliché quote: “It was just one game. That’s what I was saying throughout the course of the whole week. It was just one game. This is just another game.” -- Arian Foster.

They have to give 110 percent.

The buzz out of Houston is that the Texans are actually planning on giving 112 percent. Because the Texans expect the Colts have considered the 110 percent rule, Houston goes up 2 percent just in case the Colts were thinking the same way and decided to boost their effort to 111 percent.

They just have to worry about themselves.

It’s certainly true. The Texans have things they should definitely be worried about in house: that shaky pass coverage and the weak rush that can take far too long to make the quarterback get the ball out of his hands. But I think they’d be wise to worry about Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney and Antoine Bethea, too. It’s impossible to extract just “you” from an equation that includes the guy you’re matched up against, because at least some of what you do has to be based on what he does. Are the Texans just worried about themselves? Sure. Duane Brown is thinking about what he needs to do to slow Freeney. Andre Johnson is looking and how some routes will help him shake Bethea.

Related cliché quote: “We all respect what [Manning] is all about, but we know what we have to do as a team to have a chance to be successful.” -- Texans coach Gary Kubiak.

The more physical team will win.

I don’t see it as any sort of guarantee here. The Colts can be a finesse team. Any squad that goes for speed and smarts over size and power fits the label, which has taken on a negative connotation because somehow power football is preferred. The Texans don’t like to be called finesse, because it’s usually part of the build up to someone accusing them of being soft. But there is nothing wrong with using athleticism and angles to make plays as opposed to brute strength. (Ryan Lilja covered that nicely in this piece.) The Texans certainly can be the more physical team in this game and still lose it.

No one thought we could win.

The beloved Rodney Dangerfield “no respect” card in cliché form. The Texans haven’t struck me as a big disrespect team, but it runs through every team that hasn’t won big and believes it has to prove itself. The Texans' defense is the worst yardage defense in the NFL, that’s not a respect-earner. Heck, even coaches of great teams like to use this tactic. It absolutely doesn’t matter if it’s not true if you can get players to buy it. Kubiak wouldn’t even need to doctor a pick sheet to slap up on the bulletin board or to talk about in a team meeting. He could simply urge everyone to look at this endless row of blue horseshoes. “The Colts are all beat up, we are 4-2 and have already beaten them and not one entry in 10 thinks we’ll win! Why, we'll show those @&*^(%!.$*s.”

Related cliché quote: “It’s a national televised game and people will get to see how the Texans respond.” -- Johnson.

They can’t shoot themselves in the foot.

Clichés are boring because part of becoming a cliché is being overused. But many of them became overused because they were accurate. Every team buys into this one. There are games every week decided by mistakes, and the Colts usually aren’t one of the teams making them. Everyone knows a key turnover, untimely penalty or missed field goal can be the difference. Tuesday morning, I’ll be looking for a divisional decisive moment. Plays like that are always contenders. But if you buy into “The Secret” and the idea that what you think about you bring about, then concentrating on not making mistakes is likely to help produce ... mistakes.

Related cliché quote: “It’s not about the talent. It’s really not. It’s about us making mistakes. We make the stupidest mistakes in the craziest times in the game.” -- Bernard Pollard.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

The Giants dominated the lackluster Texans, says John McClain.

It's not just that the Texans lost to the New York Giants 34-10 on Sunday afternoon at Reliant Stadium. It's how they lost, says Richard Justice.

The offense sputtered all game, says Jeffrey Martin.

Brian Cushing made little difference and the secondary sputtered, says Dale Robertson.

Mike Brisiel’s injury is the most serious new issue for the Texans, says Jenny Dial.

McClain’s report card.

A lot of people will be mad about this, says Justice.

Analysis as the game unfolded from Mark Viera.

This creates doubt. Grave doubt, says Lance Zierlein.

Where was the offense, asks Battle Red Blog.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts did just enough, says Phil Richards.

We still don’t know anything about this team, says Bob Kravitz.

This was a Romeo Crennel-induced grind, says Mike Chappell.

Mike Hart finished an up-and-down week well, says Chappell.

Ryan Lilja’s return to Indianapolis was bittersweet with the Chiefs' loss, says Phillip B. Wilson.

Peyton Manning is still talking about finding an identity, writes John Oehser.

Kravitz’s report card.

Even with a sluggish offense, the Colts turned away the Chiefs, says Alex Marvez.

Gregg Doyel examines Manning appearing human.

Against the Chiefs, the Colts couldn’t force things the way they often do, says Jason Cole.

Some schedule notes from Nate Dunlevy.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars recovered from early miscues and won in Buffalo, says Vito Stellino.

Marcedes Lewis broke free again, says Tania Ganguli.

Deji Karim made a positive first impression, says Ganguli.

Mike Thomas bounced back from an early fumble, says Stellino.

Derek Cox got back in action when David Jones struggled, says Ganguli.

Gene Frenette and Ganguli discuss the Jaguars’ win. (Video.)

Gene Smith’s guys led the charge in Buffalo, says Vic Ketchman.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans' offense had one of its better days, says David Climer.

A thrilling win could give the Titans a momentum boost, says Jim Wyatt.

Marc Mariani’s big kickoff return could be a turnaround point, says Climer.

Tennessee got the big stops when it needed them, says Wyatt.

Gerald McRath made an impact in his first game back from suspension, says Wyatt.

Chuck Cecil laughed at himself before kickoff, says Climer.

After the winning score, Chris Johnson sought out the Cowboys’ star, says Climer.

The mailbag is filling up with notes from panicked Colts fans.

The gist of their questions: Isn’t it time for the Colts to make a move to get one of the disgruntled offensive linemen out there: Marcus McNeill or Logan Mankins?

Sure, if the Colts found them a system fit, adding either would give a big boost to the offensive line.

But it’s uncharacteristic for the Colts to go outside looking for help. Those guys would be costly, and making a move would amount to a concession that Indy underestimated its offensive line issues.

That’s the confusing part of this.

Bill Polian was quick to say the offensive line was a primary issue in the Super Bowl loss to New Orleans.

But the Colts did little to fix it. Left guard Ryan Lilja was released. Two street free agents, Adam Terry and Andy Alleman, didn’t stick. Only one of eight draft picks was spent on an offensive lineman, and Jacques McClendon was not active in Houston.

The Colts couldn’t do major free-agent shopping because the CBA limited the top teams’ ability to do so.

Still, with the head honcho saying it was a concern, it sure seems like the Colts could have done more on the line to ensure better protection and better run blocking.

On a bad foot, Charlie Johnson put forth a courageous effort against Mario Williams. But Johnson’s not cast as a left tackle by a lot of personnel folks. If Indy had a franchise left tackle, Johnson would likely be better as a guard. Polian missed on Tony Ugoh in 2007. The guy they hoped to be the heir to Tarik Glenn was waived/injured and is now on IR.

Putting Peyton Manning at risk is a dangerous game. He was face down on the turf, an official checking on him after one hit. He bounced up. But will he always? He absorbed two sacks, eight additional hits and stuff that didn't register in the stat book.

The guys the Colts do have will play better. Manning can continue to get the ball out quickly and make pressure less of an issue. Joseph Addai can make the most of what’s there. Not every team has a Williams-like threat to mess things up.

In Sunday's loss, the Colts didn’t choose to go with two tight ends very often, leaving Johnson mostly on his own. Put tight end Brody Eldridge in to help the way I imagined and you’re taking one target out of the arsenal. Maybe the Colts do that more if they find it necessary. The choice at Reliant Stadium was to throw it more quickly with more options running routes.

I don’t expect Polian to be making calls about McNeill or Mankins Monday.

Polian talked before camp about throwing all the linemen in a pot and seeing who came out as the best group. Injuries to Jeff Saturday, Johnson and others made that system more difficult and there was no time to build continuity with the five who started against the Texans.

Still, today, I can understand why Colts’ faithful are wondering today why there wasn’t more in that pot.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 1

ANDERSON, Ind. -- They could have made a bid at an undefeated regular season and their hopes for a Super Bowl win were snuffed out by an onside kick and an untimely pick.

So it should concern the rest of the AFC South that the 2010 Indianapolis Colts appear to be better than last year’s version.

They get two high-quality players, who were injured for most of last year, back in safety Bob Sanders and receiver Anthony Gonzalez. The Colts added a third edge rusher and a blocking tight end in the draft.

“Coach [Jim] Caldwell wants us to be a consistent team and not one that plays really well one week and not one that goes into a slump the next couple of games and then comes back,” Peyton Manning said. “I think we have been pretty consistent. Our offseason work, our execution and our attention to detail in training camp make a difference.

“But what has happened in the past doesn’t guarantee you anything for this 2010 season. We have some new players, new coaches and it is up to us to go out and form the identity of his team and to go out and try to win games this season.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Can Sanders stay on the field? The thing that makes him so good is the same thing that makes him so injury prone. He throws himself around like a torpedo, and suffers the consequences. He’s upbeat and happy right now to be spending his time on the field and with coaches and teammates instead of in the training room with medical staff.

“I don’t think you can put yourself in less danger on the field,” Sanders said when I asked if there was any way he could be less reckless to try to preserve himself. “We’re football players so we’re going to be physical. It’s a physical game. I make tackles. You just never know what’s going to happen. You just have to play your best, hope for the best, I pray and put it in God’s hands and just try to do my job.”

When he’s out there, he’ll be more creative than when we last saw him playing consistently. Second-year defensive coordinator Larry Coyer is much more willing to blitz than Ron Meeks was.

As good as Melvin Bullitt's been as Sanders’ replacement, Sanders is a game-altering presence when he’s out there. Sanders is making plays in camp. If he’s out there, the Colts’ defense could be fantastic.

2. Will offensive line changes amount to an upgrade? Left guard Ryan Lilja was let go, so at least one spot will be filled by someone new. Tony Ugoh looked like the early choice, but he’s been pulled back to tackle to work for the injured Charlie Johnson, so Jamey Richard is in play. Richard might shift to center while Jeff Saturday recovers from a knee scope, which could open the door for rookie Jacques McClendon, if he’s healthy, or someone like Jaimie Thomas.

The talent pool now includes McClendon and tackle Adam Terry, but there was no overhaul. Pass protection combined with Manning’s ability to get the ball out quick meant few sacks, but the team needs to run better for balance. Short-yardage bugaboos have been a factor in season-ending losses the past two years.

New offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars has a chance to make minor alterations that could have a bearing, and a quality-blocking tight end like Brody Eldridge could even help revive the once bread-and-butter stretch play.

3. Will secondary depth hold up? Bill Polian purged the roster of some injury-prone corners, then saw third-round pick Kevin Thomas go down shortly after the draft with a serious knee injury. Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey should be a fine top three, but if one gets hurt, Deshea Townsend or Marcus McCauley, who were available recently, could be the next option.

If the Colts have to go that deep down the depth chart, their pass rush will be even more vital. But how many teams would love for the fourth cornerback to be a primary issue heading into a season?

BIGGEST SURPRISE

It’s hard to find them with a very low-key team that drafts and grooms the bulk of its players. Polian’s harped on short-yardage failures, but then the team didn’t add a sure fire starter to the line with Andy Alleman (already gone), Terry and McClendon.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Before the Colts could start to sort things out, injuries dictated they move offensive linemen around. Saturday is out 2-6 weeks after a knee scope, and Johnson and McClendon are sidelined. It would have been nice to see Metzelaars have a full deck for a long stretch in order to best hold competitions and compare and contrast players. The sooner they resolve the lineup and start to build cohesion, the better. Now it’s probably going to be later than would be ideal.

OBSERVATION DECK

• [+] Enlarge
  AP Photo/Darron CummingsExpect more surprises out of Larry Coyer's defense this season.
  In Year 2 of Coyer’s tenure as defensive coordinator, I expect the Colts will be more exotic with an occasional surprise look or package -- perhaps most often utilizing their depth at safety where Sanders, Antoine Bethea and Bullitt make for three starting-caliber players.
• While the defensive line shows fantastic speed and strength, Mitch King looked the least smooth during the drill in which linemen weave through blocking dummies, turn a corner and try to strip a quarterback. For those excited about him, an adjusted timetable might be advisable.
• As the punter and kickoff man, Pat McAfee is electric. But teams in the market for a kickoff specialist might want to keep an eye on Garrett Lindholm, who looks like he can regularly put the ball in the end zone.
• Powers carries himself exceptionally well. During a break in one practice, as most guys went to the cool-down tent or took themselves out of football mentality for a minute, he picked the brain of Reggie Wayne. Powers already has become a media favorite, too.
• Manning could make good money if his only job was to put on clinics about how to best loft red-zone passes to the pylons in the back corners of the end zones.
• Joseph Addai knows what he’s doing on every play, and Donald Brown is smart enough to follow his lead, though Brown doesn’t shine in pass protection one-on-ones versus linebackers. The Colts will be just fine if the line can block for the runners, and maybe even if it can’t. Brown’s had more than a year to get pass protections down. If that keeps him off the field any this year, it’s no one’s fault but his.
• Better didn’t mean great for the interior defensive line in 2009. Daniel Muir and Antonio Johnson continue to improve, and Fili Moala will make for a third 300-pounder in there. He appears to be comfortable and ready to contribute.
• The Colts haven’t emphasized the return game and, at times, it’s felt almost like they de-emphasized it. But undrafted rookie Brandon James is a miniature speedster who is in position to win at least the punt-return job. He could give Manning and the offense a short field once in a while.
• John Chick, who joined the Colts from the Canadian Football League, could win the fourth defensive end spot if he shows a good learning curve and durability.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Minicamps and OTAs produce free positive publicity. Everyone is happy. No one’s lost a game.

Writers warn readers about reading too much into anything, and some players who shine at this time of year annually disappear come training camp and end up among the football unemployed.

Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian hates getting caught up in things with minimal meaning.

So ask about two young offensive linemen trying to get back into the lineup, Tony Ugoh and Mike Pollack, and he offers only this:

“Thus far OK,” Polian said. “We’re not playing now. There is a tendency in the parallel universe to want to judge everybody. The first thing I tell the coaches is, ‘Don’t make any judgments until after the first two weeks of training camp, it’s not fair to the players.’ So thus far, they’ve had good offseasons. But that’s all they are. We’ll see.”

The line could be just one man different than last season’s, with guard Ryan Lilja gone, or there could be a bigger shakeup. Long-time position coach Howard Mudd retired and Pete Metzelaars has taken over.

I wondered if guys like Ugoh, who’s moved from tackle to guard and is getting first look at left guard, and Pollak, who had fallen out of favor, could benefit from a clean slate with Metzelaars, new coordinator Clyde Christensen and new assistant offensive line coach Ron Prince.

Polian downplayed that idea, but veteran center Jeff Saturday thinks there is something to it.

“Everybody gets a clean slate every year,” Polian said. “Every year is a new year, each team writes its own story… The past means nothing. Everybody starts with a clean slate and, you hope, good health."

Said Saturday: “We’ve had a lot of changes in our offensive staff, and those [two] guys are getting new life. They have an opportunity to take advantage of it. Both those guys were high draft picks for us. Obviously from the team’s perspective, they want them on the field. When you draft guys that’s what you want to happen.”

Polian talks about throwing the whole group into a pot and sorting through it during training camp. Even with Mudd gone, the team president looks for the same process to unfold.

“Our history here has been that every year we throw 14 or 15 offensive linemen into the pot and Howard has taken out his ladle and worked around for the five weeks of camp and out of it comes an offensive line that’s in the top three or four in the league in giving up sacks and that plays exceptionally well,” Polian said. “I don’t doubt that will be the case this time around even though Howard is retired.

“Who that will be I have no idea at this point.”

Be it running up the middle or stifling pass-rushers coming that way, the AFC South’s looking for change on interior offensive lines heading toward the 2010 season.

The Tennessee Titans, who blocked for just the sixth 2,000-yard rusher in league history, have made an alteration. The Indianapolis Colts, the defending AFC champs who allowed a league-low 13 sacks, are auditioning interior candidates. The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars both identified the interior line as an area in need of improvement, too.

Yet of 32 draft picks by the four teams, just two were used on offensive linemen -- a fourth-rounder by the Colts for guard Jacques McClendon and a sixth-rounder by the Texans for guard Shelley Smith. And only three veteran additions seem like they can influence the mixes -- Justin Smiley in Jacksonville, Wade Smith in Houston and Andy Alleman in Indianapolis.

Said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.: “Didn't anyone in this division address the interior offensive line during the draft with any pick of substance? That seems odd.”

So here’s a team-by-team look at what’s going on inside, with some thoughts from Williamson:

Jacksonville

The Jaguars appear willing to have true competitions to hash things out.

Last year’s interior trio of left guard Vince Manuwai, center Brad Meester and right guard Uche Nwaneri is back. But the team is willing to shuffle, and at least two others are in play now as well -- Smiley, a guard acquired recently from Miami in a trade for an undisclosed draft pick believed to be a conditional seventh, and Kynan Forney, a backup guard last year.

At minicamp the weekend following the draft, Jags head coach Jack Del Rio and offensive line coach Andy Heck had flipped Manuwai to the right side, figuring he and right tackle Eben Britton are the team’s best run-blockers. With the aid of tight end Marcedes Lewis and fullback Greg Jones, the Jaguars could send Maurice Jones-Drew that direction and dare people to stop it.

But at organized team activities (OTAs) this week, Manuwai wasn’t working with the starters and Del Rio was talking about how the torn ACL the guard suffered back in the season opener of 2008 was still a factor for him.

“I think he’s still a little bothered by that but at some point you’ve got to get beyond that and go and he knows that,” Del Rio said. “I think Vinny still has a ways to go. I think Vinny’s working at it. He’s got his weight down. He’s trying but he needs to play better. I think he knows that. He’s working hard it and trying …

“We clearly [come] out of last year saying, ‘Look, we’ve got to have better play with our line, period,’ and our two young tackles [Eugene Monroe and Britton] we know are going to grow and get better but our interior line needs to pick it up as well. And they are working at it and they are challenging and competing and we expect them to play at a much higher level for us.”

I honestly think it’s wide open, but I’d be very surprised if Manuwai, who can be a very effective run-blocker, isn’t in the starting lineup for the opener against Denver.

Williamson says: “Adding Smiley could pay dividends, as this offensive line (especially on the interior) really was a problem area last year. Their protection up the gut was really poor. While I have some real doubts any more about Meester, I do like Manuwai quite a bit and expect more from him this year.”

Houston

The Texans' run troubles were in large part because of their backs. But they lost guards Chester Pitts and Mike Brisiel early and it’s a tough order for any team to replace 40 percent of its line and keep plugging. Steve Slaton had a miserable year as he tried to deal with a neck injury, couldn’t hold onto the ball and wound up on injured reserve.

Pitts is a free agent who won’t be back and Brisiel has been working as a backup so far in OTAs. The team’s lined up with Kasey Studdard at left guard, Chris Myers and at center and Antoine Caldwell at right guard. But Smith’s been rotated in some early at center.

With offensive line guru Alex Gibbs gone, the team will still be using his principles. But the three remaining coaches who oversee the position -- John Benton, Frank Pollack and Bruce Matthews -- may have fresher eyes and a willingness to shuffle. And odds are it's second-round pick Ben Tate getting many of the carries behind that line.

We should see some real competition for all three slots. I’ve repeatedly hear good things about Myers. And because Caldwell was a third-rounder, I expect the team would probably like to see him stake a claim.

Gary Kubiak said Studdard and Caldwell have earned the right to say they are starters “right now.”

“We are as competitive in there as we’ve ever been as a team,” Kubiak said. “It’s going to be hard to hold a job, and it’s going to be very competitive to get one. So that makes the team better.”

Williamson says: “I thought Myers played real well and he is an excellent fit in this system. Their interior offensive line is loaded with no-name guys, but overall they are well coached and effective enough. Still, an upgrade at one of the starting guard spots would have been a real nice addition. … Smith is an ideal sixth guy, but not a liability as a starter.”

Indianapolis

The Colts paid him a bonus, but still cut Ryan Lilja who seemed pretty effective to me at left guard last season. Team officials have worked hard to deflect the idea the Colts made the move because they want to be bigger on the line. But it’s a sensible time for a change with Pete Metzelaars taking over for Howard Mudd as line coach and the team looking to be more effective in clutch third-and-short situations and the like.

Tony Ugoh, who lost out at left tackle, has worked at left guard in recent offseason practice sessions. Jeff Saturday is entrenched as Peyton Manning's guy at center. Kyle DeVan is the incumbent right guard, who came out of nowhere last season.

Presuming no other tackles are shifted inside and that left tackle remains Charlie Johnson's job, Ugoh and DeVan face their competition from Alleman, McClendon and 2008 second-rounder Mike Pollak.

Bill Polian has talked about throwing everybody out there and seeing what happens. With a new position coach, the fight for roles may not start with any true favorites. While they have to continue to favor pass blocking above all else, I do think it’s in their best interest to be a bit more determined to be able to call for and execute runs in key situations with more success.

Williamson says: “Saturday is obviously the leader and his symbiotic relationship with Peyton carries a ton of weight. He is smart and very technically sound. I do think his game is falling off ever so slightly though. I was shocked that they let Lilja go and thought he was far and away their best guard. Now, they really need to count on youngsters and those youngsters still have a lot to prove.”

Tennessee

The Titans had the least concern here as they considered their roster, but with Kevin Mawae getting older and Leroy Harris on the bench and ready to play, they decided to go with youth and size. So last year’s left guard, Eugene Amano, is replacing Mawae at center, with Harris taking over at left guard.

Tennessee loses leadership and experience in the equation, but gains significant strength. Harris is very much an interior guy, but he’s athletic and smart enough that he played effectively at right tackle in a win at San Francisco last season.

A Hall of Famer as a player, line coach Mike Munchak knows when a guy is ready, and he’s fully endorsed this plan or the Titans wouldn’t be going with it. Whether Chris Johnson or someone like LeGarrette Blount is running up the middle, I think they’ll find a bit more daylight. And Vince Young should feel less inside rush closing in on him.

Williamson says: “You have to wonder how much Mawae will be missed. It isn't that he played great -- and clearly he isn't what he once was -- but just from the standpoint of making the calls and especially from a leadership perspective. So, this interior line is in transition. Right guard Jake Scott probably hasn't quite lived up to what Tennessee was expecting to get from him when they signed him in free agency, but he is a quality starting guard. I think Harris has a good amount of ability and could surprise with more playing time.”

The Indianapolis Colts’ running game could use improvement. I really don’t have issue with Indianapolis’ ball carriers, and I expect halfback Donald Brown to improve noticeably in Year 2. Still, the Colts’ run-blocking must improve.

Indianapolis’ offense operates pretty much exclusively from 31 (3 WR/1 TE/1 RB) or 22 (2 WR/ 2 TE/1 RB) personnel schemes. Obviously that doesn’t leave room for a fullback.

The Colts’ tight ends -- most noticeably Dallas Clark -- are more wide receivers than they are inline hammer blockers. In fact, all of the Colts’ holdover tight ends are subpar blockers in the run game, which is a reason they used a fifth-round pick on Brody Eldridge. The former Oklahoma Sooner is widely regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends out of the 2010 draft. If he works out as planned, Eldridge also will help in pass protection on the edge, but his role should be more in the run game, specifically in short-yardage situations.

With these personnel groupings, it also should be noted the Colts get little blocking from their wide receivers. Receiver blocks down field are a major reason why many backs are able to break long runs. Halfbacks Joseph Addai and Brown don’t benefit from such downfield blocking.

While the front five doesn’t get much help from the peripheral blockers, the offensive line must improve in opening holes in the run game as well. Fearing the Colts’ lethal passing game, many defenses are unable to dedicate extra defenders near the line of scrimmage. The Colts’ running game needs to exploit that.

After being released by the Colts, guard Ryan Lilja is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Considering that Lilja might have been Indianapolis’ top run blocker last season, I don’t understand why the Colts released him. Otherwise, the line remains pretty much intact -- for better or worse. The left side of the line should be of particular concern.

The Colts have to find a replacement for departed left guard Lilja, and left tackle Charlie Johnson might be moved to another position. Right tackle Ryan Diem and center Jeff Saturday are probably the Colts best run blockers. Right guard Kyle DeVan has come a long way since he was playing in Arena Football’s minor league this time a year ago, but still has a ways to go.

The Colts don’t need great production from their rushing attack, but a great offense would be far more potent with a consistent threat. It would open play-action passing, devour the clock and wear down defenses. A consistent running game would give quarterback Peyton Manning more comfort when switching to run plays when needed. Now, Colts’ opponents do not respect the run.

Even Manning’s deep passing abilities have been compromised of late, which can be attributed to less of a threat in the play- action game and lesser play from the Colts’ offensive line. I understand how few sacks that Indianapolis allowed in 2009, but I also think the majority of that is due to Manning’s rare pocket presence. The Colts’ play calling also recognizes that this pass-blocking unit was unable to consistently hold up on long routes.

All of this said, only six offenses scored more points than Indianapolis last season. Averaging a measly 3.5 yards-per-rushing attempt (second-worst in the league), is obviously a problem. Still, you might recall the Colts managed to have a pretty decent season despite their poor run game.

» NFC Big Question: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

What will the Colts’ offensive line look like in 2010?

Straight answer: We don’t know and only can speculate. There will be a new left guard, as Ryan Lilja was let go. Beyond that…

The team has added three players: sixth-year tackle Adam Terry, fourth-year guard Andy Alleman and fourth-round draft pick Jacques McClendon. They also added three undrafted tackles (one who was on the practice squads in Cincinnati, San Diego and Philadelphia last season) and an undrafted guard.

Team president Bill Polian recently said the intent is to toss all 15 offensive linemen on the roster into the OTA, minicamp and training camp mix and see what shakes out. That leaves a lot of room for a lot of scenarios including a tackle like Charlie Johnson kicking inside.

It’s my feeling that of the four remaining incumbents, only center Jeff Saturday is a lock to return in the spot he was in last season. But I also wouldn’t be at all surprised if all four -- Johnson at left tackle, Saturday at center, Kyle DeVan at right guard, Ryan Diem at right tackle -- were in place on opening day in Houston, with only Lilja’s replacement a newcomer. The group, after all, was good enough to get the Colts to a second Super Bowl in four years.

Pass protection is going to remain priority one with Peyton Manning taking the snaps, but more effective run blocking in some crucial scenarios is a factor that can help the Colts.

They need to lock in a left tackle and go from there. Charlie Johnson could remain in the spot, though some think he’s best as the sixth man who can fill in for a few games here and there at tackle or guard. Tony Ugoh needs to make his claim to the job now, and could get a clean slate with Pete Metzelaars taking over for longtime offensive line coach Howard Mudd.

A scout from another team told me recently that he thought Polian wanted to see Ugoh developed at the spot while the decisive Mudd had determined Ugoh couldn’t be effective enough for the Colts last year. We’ll likely never know if that’s the case, thought the results of the competitions could give us some degree of information.

Whoever the tackles are, they and the run game should get a boost from Brody Eldridge. He's the big blocking tight end the Colts drafted in the fifth round out of Oklahoma. He’s not going to hurt the Colts while getting in the way of an extra pass rusher either.

The Indianapolis Colts turned to what a lot of us thought would be a draft priority in the fourth round when they selected Tennessee guard Jacques McClendon with the draft’s 129th pick.

PFW’s draft guy listed McClendon as the 38th best guard and rated him as a guy that has a chance to be in an NFL training camp.

Though Bill Polian’s recent offensive line history is not the best, I’m sure Colts fans will prefer his opinion, and I will come back into this post to share it after I see Polian comment on him.

Mel Kiper lists him as 6-3, 320 pounds. That would make him 30 pounds heavier than Ryan Lilja, last year’s right guard who was released, and at least 15 pounds heavier than any guard on last season’s AFC Champions.

Lilja’s agent said he was told the Colts were looking to go bigger.

UPDATE: 2:51 p.m. ET

Comments from Bill Polian to the Indy media: "He is a converted defensive lineman, so he has a tough, physical disposition, very smart, he can run. He had a nice year this year. He played very well against Alabama. He held his own against [Tampa Bay second-round draft pick Brian] Price from UCLA. We feel like he’s in the mold of the same kind of players that we’ve drafted in the fourth round before that have come in here and performed well on the offensive line..."

"The fact is we think he has a chance to be exactly, he’s got the tools, to be exactly what [former Colts, current Titans guard] Jake Scott was, exactly what [tackle] Ryan Diem was. Those were all players we drafted in that round, who came on and performed very well for us because they are athletic, they’re smart, they can move around, they are tough. It’s a good place for him. We think he can come in and compete for a job.”

The Colts tend to cycle through linebackers, though they locked up Gary Brackett long-term and found a gem in Clint Session.

Second-round choice Pat Angerer could be a candidate to play on the strong side, where Philip Wheeler finished the year after Tyjuan Hagler had beat him out in camp but got hurt.

At Iowa, Angerer played his final three seasons in the middle. Jon Gruden just compared him to Zach Thomas. But Matt Williamson of Scouts is a little surprised about his 4.73 speed: “Angerer makes a lot of plays, but his lack of speed doesn't fit the Colts LB mold.”

He does, however, fit their size mold. He’s just over 6 feet and weighs in around 235 -- numbers right in line with Brackett and Session. Write-ups make him sound like a playmaker who might not have all the measurables, which are just the sort of things Bill Polian isn’t generally concerned with.

The Colts have five picks remaining -- 94th in the third, 129th in the fourth, 162nd in the fifth, 238th and 240th in the seventh -- and the lingering question is about the offensive line.

It’s perceived as a need after Bill Polian complained about the group's play in the Super Bowl and told Ryan Lilja’s agent upon the guard’s release that they were looking to get better. Adam Terry and Andy Alleman have been added, but many expected they’d address the offensive line high in the draft too.

Comments at his pre-draft press conference should have signaled for us to ease up on those expectations.

Instead they’ve gone with edge rusher Jerry Hughes in the first and Angerer in the second.

They added Adam Terry and Andy Alleman. Bill Polian’s analysis after the Super Bowl included a significant shot to the O-line. Ryan Lilja's agent said when the guard was let go that the Colts said they were looking to go bigger.

We've spent weeks interpreting that as indications that the Colts intend to get bigger on the offensive line.

Then, on Wednesday, he worked to debunk the idea at a session with the Indy press corps. Here is a snippet, courtesy of John Oehser:

“I would say no to that. I've never said that. I don't know of anybody around here who has. We've not deviated one iota from our formula, which is that we need to be athletic. We need to be smart. We need to be physical. I think we have players here who certainly fit that mold. They may not fit the mold of what other people think should be, but they're fine by us. It works OK for us. We've never felt like we need to get bigger or stronger. We're not that kind of a team.”

We’ll find out in the next three days, I suppose. But the primary prospect people are pegging for the Colts, Rodger Saffold from Indiana, isn’t really much bigger than what the team already has.

Saffold is 6-foot-4 and about 315 pounds. Last year’s left tackle, Charlie Johnson, is 6-4 and 305.

Quality read

Mike Tanier shares thoughts on the toughest college programs to evaluate.

Houston Texans

John McClain thinks the Texans will go running back in Round 1.

An offensive value board from a Texans perspective courtesy of Lance Zierlein.

Indianapolis Colts

Melvin Bullitt and Dan Muir signed their tenders, says Phil Richards.

Assessing the defensive line with John Oehser.

Ryan Lilja didn’t love the way the Colts line was talked about but is moving on, writes Oehser.

Stampede Blue found an interesting NFL venue ranking that put Lucas Oil Stadium at the top of the list. I agree it’s a great venue, but if you factor in the bad food and limited dining options I think No. 1 is a bit of a stretch.

A quality Q&A with Mike Chappell.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are being proactive in trying to trade out of No. 10, says Vito Stellino.

Vic Ketchman contemplates the need for buzz.

The Jaguars are looking for more draft-day steals, says Chris Harry.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans see a lot to like in Gerald McRath, writes Jim Wyatt.

LenDale White signed his tender, says Wyatt.

Wyatt thinks the Titans will look to bring back Daniel Loper. I think Loper’s chances hinge on what the team thinks of Mike Otto and Troy Kropog.

Cortland Finnegan makes Andy Benoit’s list of the league’s top 10 corners.

Voice of the Titans' Mike Keith is impressed with how Vince Young is carrying himself.