AFC SOUTH PREVIEW

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Count Peyton out until at least mid-November according to reports from espn.com. But now that they have revealed that he has had 3 neck surgeries in 19 months for a herniated disc, and that this most recent surgery was a “one-level cervical neck fusion” reaks of the likelihood that Peyton could miss the entire season.

Peyton has now officially hit his Stone Cold Steve Austin years. While most will continue to eagerly wait for his return, when he actually does, Indy fans will be so happy to see him under Colts Center, Jeff Saturday that few will realize that the Peyton Manning we once knew will never be the same. That stinks, and I hope I’m wrong, but we’ll probably see Peyton chug beers off the middle turn buckle rather than execute some Stone Cold Stunners on the Texans.

Speaking of which, expect a great effort from the Colts this weekend, but with the news of Peyton’s surgery, there will be little wind in the sails of Indy’s battle ship. It’ll take 3-4 weeks for the Colts to overcome the shock. Plus Kerry Collins is not the answer and I smell a David Garrard deal announcement coming soon.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Everyone says this is the year for the Texans. For those Canadians out there, the Texans are the Calgary Flames of the NFL. They reak of high expectations with superstar, big-name players at all core positions, but have a history of not getting it done.

They tried to find some answers with the hiring of Wade Phillips at Defensive Coordinator going from one uncertain situation in Dallas to a similar high pressure deliver now-situation in Houston. This is oddly similar to the hiring of Mike Keenan as Head Coach in Calgary a few seasons back. The outlook for Houston seems to be similar for the Texans as it was for the Flames: another underachieving non-playoff season.

Personally, there is a hatred for the Texans as my picks for Houston games last year was like Michael Bolton trying to change lanes in “Office Space”…..always too late. When I thought the Texans would shine they’d bust and when I’d think they’d tank then they’d blow out teams. I’ll take the feeler bet on the Texans over the Colts this week, but it’ll be a tough read for the rest of the season.

They got a great group of players, but over the past 2-3 years have not had the right mix at the right time.

Now rethinking about all of the under-achieving….there’s the Peyton news and now Jacksonville’s cost-cutting moves to get rid of a competent starting QB. Let’s not forget Houston’s favorable schedule with a depleted divisional sked and non division games vs. Miami, Oakland, Cincinnati and Carolina. This could parallel a stay of execution like all the artificial economic stimulus packages in the Unites States. Houston may finally make the playoffs this year, but like the Amerrrr-can economy, they will eventually collapse.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Speaking of economics, how bout cutting your starting QB a week before your first game of the season right after a strike shortened off-season to save $9 million!?!?!?!? Garrard is a competent QB, and deserves some criticism in his game, but cutting him to save a buck and relegating to a rookie QB does not bode well for the already empty fan base in J-Ville.

There are great reports on rookie QB, Blaine Gabbert, but if he will be a great field general it won’t be this year. Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman were highly touted in their rookie years as well, achieving 3 and 1 win season respectively. It’ll be a long year for J-Ville and Mo-Jones Drew.

TENNESSEE TITANS

This’ll be a year of extremes. Either the Titans with their new Head Coach and new vet QB will prosper from the new scenery and new Peyton-less AFC South sked. Or they will have no chemistry and tank like the Colts.

The last time Matt Hasselbeck had an all-world Running Back, his team happened to go to the Super Bowl. Now that’s obviously not imminent but the change of scenery was needed for Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s bro-in-law. He was done in Seattle, but the question remains whether he is a good veteran QB that’ll pave the way for up-n-comer QB Jake Locker or whether he’s a washed up QB who only flourished under Mike Holmgren’s tutelage from his Green Bay and Seattle days.

Chris Johnson is way too fast to be rusty, so bank on him to get his yards, so the only question remains about the lackluster defense of Tennessee and they’re woeful secondary.

It’ll be a banner year or a long rebuilding process. I say they surprise some people. The chemistry issue with new personnel will hinder most teams, but some will flourish, and I think Tennessee will be one of those teams.