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AFC South Predictions

1. Indianapolis Colts

Hard to pick against five consecutive division titles – especially if the defense continues to perform so well.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

If they were in the NFC, they would maybe be the Super Bowl favorite.

3. Houston Texans

Capable of winning 10 games if everyone stays healthy, but they’re in an unfortunately tough division.

4. Tennessee Titans

The offensive and defensive lines have both taken a step back. Thus, this team gets doubted for another year.

Click cont. to see All-AFC South Team

The Jacksonville Jaguars are just going to have to win a Super Bowl. That’s the only way they’ll get people to like them. Nothing else seems to be working.

In a sense, there’s a certain pureness to this. Almost like, isn’t this how it should be? Perhaps. But it’s not how it is for the 31 other teams in the NFL. If we are to believe the polls and statistics, all 31 of those teams are more popular than the team from Duval County. Despite having won 31 games since 2005 (tied for fifth most in the NFL), and not having finished below .500 since 2003, Jacksonville has ranked dead-last in size of fan base each of the past three seasons.

The Jaguars themselves have done nothing wrong. Poll Americans to find out which teams are most despised and you wouldn’t see Jacksonville’s name anywhere near the top of the list. But herein lies the problem. There is a cruel sense of apathy toward this team. Almost as if the Jaguars were in the NHL. Or even the WNBA. Rooting for Jacksonville has become like protesting discrimination against women at Augusta National: many appreciate the idea, but whatever.
Cont…

As part of the NFLTouchdown.com Top 27 Veteran Acquisitions piece

God bless ‘em, they’re trying. The Jacksonville Jaguars have continually brought in talented projects to fill the abyss that formed at the wide receiver position after the retirement of Jimmy Smith. Anticipating the abyss, Jacksonville drafted Reggie Williams with their first-round pick in 2004, then Matt Jones with their first-rounder in 2005. They used another first-round selection on a pass-catching tight end in 2006, drafting UCLA’s Marcedes Lewis.

What’s more, before Smith’s retirement in 2005, the team was routinely searching for a replacement for Keenan McCardell. In ’03, Jacksonville traded for Cleveland’s Kevin Johnson, a former 33^rd-overall draft pick. That year, they…

1.) Jared Allen                  DE     TRADE         6-6          270       4    Chiefs         Vikings

Contract:  6 yrs, $78 million with incentives ($31 million guaranteed)

Traded with a 6^th round pick in ’08 for a 1^st round pick, two 3^rd round picks and a 6^th round pick

The Hope: The high-motor Allen builds on his league-leading 15.5-sack performance from a year ago.

The Caveat: The Chiefs labeled Allen an “at risk” player, thanks to is two DUI’s while in Kansas City.

The Reality: Without approving drinking and driving, the fact of the matter is Allen already served a two-game suspension and has been a model citizen over the past year and a half. His legal woes are behind him. On the field, he may very well…

NFL.com recently published a list of all the rookie free agent signings for 2008 (view it here).

Few fans realize how many good players in the league today were once rookie free agents. Just take a look at this All Undrafted Team. It’s stunning.

(starters in bold)

QB: Tony Romo, Dal   Jake Delhomme, Car   Jeff Garcia, TB

RB: Willie Parker, Pit   Dominic Rhodes, Ind   Marcel Shipp, Ari  

FB: Tony Richardson, NYJ

WR: Drew Bennett, Stl   Mike Furrey, Det   Hank Baskett, Phi

WR: Wes Welker, NE   Eric Parker, SD  

TE: Antonio Gates, SD   Mark Campbell, NO

OT: Jason Peters, Buf   Tom Ashworth, FA

  G: Brian Waters, KC   Ryan Lilja, Ind   Jason Whittle, Buf

  C: Jeff Saturday, Ind   Casey…

Yesterday, Eric Kuselias, filling in as host of the Mike Tirico Show, brought attention to the stunning difference between the success of the top 10 picks in the ’04 NFL draft versus the success – or lack thereof – of the top 10 selection in the ’05 draft.

Take a look at this:

1^st pick

’04: Eli Manning, SD (NYG) – Super Bowl champion.

’05: Alex Smith, SF – Injury prone and anything but secure.

2^nd pick

’04: Robert Galley, Oak – OK, so ’04 wasn’t flawless. This is the only disappointment.

’05: Ronnie Brown, Mia – Just one 1,000-yard season in three years, tore ACL in ’07.

3^rd pick

’04: Larry Fitzgerald, Ari – You could argue he’s the best WR…