Taking a look at the AFC South

Taking a look at the AFC South Division as training camp opens
(Teams listed in alphabetical order)

HOUSTON TEXANS
2007 record: 8-8
Camp opens: July 25
The Forecast: Partly cloudy, chance for periods of sun
The Texans are slowly establishing a solid offense. That it was 14th in the NFL last season despite injuries to QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson is a testament to both Coach Gary Kubiak and the club's ability to gradually upgrade perpetual trouble spots such as the line and receiving depth. Houston needs someone from among injury-prone Ahman Green and Chris Brown or rookie Steve Slaton to step up in the running game. The defense has outstanding players in DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans, but just not enough of them.
The Price of Texas T Will Plummet If: No one steps up in the running game and CB Dunta Robinson (out first half of season because of a knee injury) can't make it back in 2008.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2007 record: 13-3
Camp opens: July 24
The Forecast: Sunny
Like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano annually, the Colts will win at least 12 games if QB Peyton Manning is healthy. And this year, that is not a given because of his recent knee surgery. The Colts have talent at every position, but maybe not the depth to absorb the injuries like they had last year, especially WR Marvin Harrison and DE Dwight Freeney. It also doesn't help that TE Dallas Clark and S Bob Sanders get nicked a lot. Still, Indy always reloads, and for a team that is rightly considered an offensive powerhouse, people forget the Colts had the No. 3 defense WITHOUT Freeney in 2007.
The Road Will Be Rough If: Manning misses more than a game or two because of his injury. With all the injuries the Colts endured last season, he and Sanders are the team's most indispensable players.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2007 record: 11-5
Camp opens: July 25
The Forecast: Sunny
The Jags are a team with few, if any, discernable weaknesses. QB David Garrard is efficient and can make plays in the clutch, the running game is punishing, and the receivers have been upgraded. Both lines are solid, as are the linebackers and special teams. Jacksonville addressed its needs in the offseason (WR and DL) and is a physical club that does not make many mistakes. This is a club positioned to not only challenge the Colts but make a Super Bowl run.
Jaguars Go on Endangered Species List If: The D line is young, so injuries to veterans there or to Garrard would hurt.

TENNESSEE TITANS
2007 record: 10-6
Camp opens: July 25
The Forecast: Partly sunny, some clouds
A funny thing happened on the way to rebuilding, the Titans won four of their final five games to make the playoffs. Their defense is outstanding, especially against the run. Adding rookie RB Chris Johnson and pairing him with the emerging LenDale White should ensure the Titans' ground game is solid. Really, any gains the Titans make are tied to QB Vince Young and a barely average receiving core. The Titans receivers caught only eight TD passes all of 2007. 17 PLAYERS caught more.
The Grand Ole Oprey Is Safe But: If Young (9-17 TD-INT ration in '07) doesn't improve it's tough to see Tennessee repeating last season's playoff berth.

Next: AFC West