Sporting News, The: AFC South

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CAMP PRIORITY: It's imperative for defensive coordinator Ron Meeks to get what will be a young and new-look group up to speed quickly. It's conceivable the defense will have five players making their first starts at new positions: WLB Cat0 Juno, SLB 0avid Thornton, FS Bob Sanders and CBs Donald Strickland and Joseph Jefferson.

POSITION BATTLE: The coaching staff hasn't been satisfied with the talent at safety. Idrees Bashir likely will open camp as the starting free safety, but he'll have to hold off Sanders. Bashir has shown flashes of his potential but has yet to fulfill expectations. He's adequate in coverage but isn't physical, and he missed seven games in 2003 with a shoulder injury. Sanders, a rookie, lacks size (5-8, 204) but is considered a hitter and playmaker. If Sanders unseats Bashir, he and Mike Doss could develop into an aggressive duo.

ON THE SPOT: Starting MLB Rob Morrie was reliable, not remarkable, in his first four seasons. The other linebackers are young, and his leadership is critical. This figures to be a career-defining year for Morris. He'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

HONING THEIR GAMES: After working in space as the weakside linebacker a year ago, Thornton must get comfortable lining up across from fight ends on the strong side. He also must learn how to fend off offensive linemen, something he seldom had to do last year. Thornton is smart and athletic, so there's every reason to believe he'll make the transition and be a suitable replacement for departed starter Marcus Washington (Redskins).... Backup RB Dominic 2Rhodes needs to become a stronger, more decisive runner and improve his pass catching and blocking.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The team is gambling that QB Peyton Manning can remain healthy; backup Cory Sauter is unproven. He knows the offense but has played in just one game in six seasons.... The team discovered the value of Strickland in 2003 when he was forced to play safety. He more than held his own. Now, Strickland is back at his natural corner spot. He has the instincts and aggressiveness to be the playmaking corner that has been missing.... Primarily a special teams contributor as a rookie in 2003, June is being given the chance to start. If he falters, it'll be a blow to the defense.... K David Kimball was drafted to kick off. He'll have to reach the end zone consistently because coach Tony Dungy is reluctant to reserve a roster spot for a specialist.... The team acquired speed rusher Jamal Reynolds from the Packers for a draft pick, and he likely will compete against Raheem Brock at left end. A first-round pick in 2001, Reynolds was a bust in Green Bay.--Mike Chappell

Terre Haute, Ind.

REPORTING DATE: August 1

TRACKING THE CAMPS Given his druthers, RB Edgerrin James would just as soon skip camp. Because that isn't an option, he makes the most of his three-week stay at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. James routinely turns his drab dorm room into a lavish retreat. "My dorm room is like the Ritz-Carlton of training camps," he says. The room is furnished with a big-screen TV and stereo system--all the comforts of home. And that's the idea. He's all work when it comes to practices but insists on relaxing when he's on his own time. His dorm room is a magnet for teammates who want to play video games. It's hard to argue with James' approach. In five seasons, he has become the franchise's career rushing leader.

HOUSTON TEXANS

CAMP PRIORITY: The team must find out whether NT Seth Payne can bounce back from multiple operations on his knee. He has been unable to participate in offseason workouts, but the club thinks he will be ready for training camp. If Payne can't play, Jolty Deloach will start, but that hurts the line's depth. Signing free-agent DE Robaire Smith and retaining DE Gary Walker upgraded the line. If Payne is healthy, the Texans could have one of the best defensive lines in the league.

POSITION BATTLE: Second-year TE Beanie Joppru could find a niche because Billy and Mark Bruener are specialists. Miller is a great receiver but not a good blocker; Bruener is a devastating blocker but not a good receiver. If Joppru develops as the team expects, he would provide the best of both worlds: a good blocker with good hands.

ON THE SPOT: The team moved incumbent LT Chester Pitts to left guard and handed the starting job to Sett Wand, who has never started a game at the position. Wand is one of the top five offensive linemen on the team, and the unit will be better if he can protect QB David Carr's blind side. If Wand can't rise to the occasion and prove he belongs, the team can always put Pitts back at tackle.

HONING THEIR GAMES: As a rookie, WR Andre Johnson proved to be a difficult matchup for cornerbacks and was the big-play threat the Texans hoped he would be. But his tendency to drop passes remains an issue. The coaches believe he will catch the ball more consistently if he develops better concentration.... A move to the weak side could help OLB Kailee Wong develop into the big-time pass rusher the team thought he would be when he was signed as a free agent before the 2002 season. He had just 8% sacks in two seasons playing on the strong side. Wong is one of the most complete and consistent players on defense, and if his pass rush improves, he will be a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Identifying the best playmakers and taking advantage of their strengths is one of the priorities of camp. The team realizes it needs to create more opportunities for WR Corey Bradford., who averaged 19.2 yards per catch and had four touchdowns last season despite making just 24 receptions.... The team needs nickel CB Kenny Wright to make a full recovery from knee surgery because he adds stability to a secondary that has a converted corner (Marcus Coleman) starting at free safety and a rookie (Dunta Robinson) starting at cornerback.... During offseason workouts, several offensive linemen admitted being confused by aspects of the new zone blocking scheme installed by line coach Joe Pendry. Progress has been made, but coaches want to get a better feel for how players are adapting when they begin working in pads at camp.--Carlton Thompson

Houston

REPORTING DATE: July 30

TRACKING THE CAMPS Each year during training camp, Texans coach Dora Capers surprises his team with a trip to the movies. So far, action flicks have been the choice. During their inaugural season, Capers bused the team to a nearby theater to see XXX, starring Vin Diesel. Last year's feature was Bad Boys II with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. For comedy, the Texans have entertained their players with highlights--actually lowlights--from the annual media flag football game.

TENNESSEE TITANS

CAMP PRIORITY: With DE Jevon Kearse and DT Robaire Smith gone, the pass rush is a huge question. The team has to find a way to pressure opposing quarterbacks, or the secondary will be attacked. With Kevin Carter moving from end to tackle, the Titans need thirdyear RE Carlos Hall or one of three rookies to step up.

POSITION BATTLE: Lance Schulters might hold off Lamont Thompson in camp, but Thompson is pushing for more time at free safety and likely will start by midseason. Schulters had offseason shoulder surgery and says his tackling will be better because he now is able to wrap up. Thompson is bigger and a better athlete; he replaced Schulters as the slot corner in the nickel late last season.

ON THE SPOT: Hall faces a huge task as Kearse's replacement. Kearse pulled pass protections to his side of the formation; now, Hall must battle offensive tackles as the primary rusher. He must find a way to work inside--and not just rush from the edge--to have a significant impact.

HONING THEIR GAMES: Four days after the team's playoff loss to the Patriots, RB Chris Brown was in the weight room, where he spent much of the offseason. He is far more ready for the rigors of a season than he was in '03, his rookie year, and has maintained the speed the team believes could make him an impact player.... WR Tyrone Calico has been far more consistent than last year while running routes and catching the ball in minicamps. He's a scoring threat when he's in the right spot because of his size (6-4, 223) and speed, especially when he's finishing off slant routes.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: with a year at center under his belt, Justin Hartwig should be even better at the position this year. Line coach Mike Munchak will try more things in the protection schemes, and Hartwig might pull on runs.... The team will line up rookie TE Ben Troupe all over, including wide, in an effort to get him downfield, where he can outrun a linebacker or manhandle a safety.... RCB Samari Rolle should have made the Pro Bowl the past two years and has looked even better in minicamps. He has quickness and burst and is at the top of his game in coverage.... Rookie FB Troy Fleming has showed the speed to get downfield as a receiver and has a knack for getting open. He's an ideal fullback for coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's offense and likely will start.... The chief beneficiary of Carter's move inside might be DT Albert Haynesworth, who should find protections sliding away from him. That will give Haynesworth more one-on-one situations and allow him to make more plays.--Jeff Legwold

Nashville

REPORTING DATE: July 30

TRACKING THE CAMPS At Titans camp, it's good to be a veteran. The team's rookies spend training camp in a hotel, with no visitors allowed in their rooms, but the veterans get to sleep in their own beds. The team has had camp at its home facility since 1999, which allows coach Jeff Fisher to give the veterans such a perk. The vets do have access to a hotel room for a quick nap between two-a-day practices if they want one, but many go home during the break, too.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

CAMP PRIORITY: Getting rookie WR Reggie Williams quickly up to speed is a must. Williams, who is expected to start, missed much of the team's offseason program because of an NFL rule regarding graduation dates. That cost him valuable time with QB Byron Leftwich. The team is concerned that Williams could be a possible holdout because he is represented by Carl and Kevin Poston, who are known for clashing with teams.

POSITION BATTLE: Signing OT Ephraim Salaam was the clearest signal yet that the coaches have little faith in third-year LT Mike Pearson. Salaam has started 85 games in the NFL, including 14 last year with Denver, and he isn't coming to the Jaguars to sit. Pearson is an adequate pass blocker but struggles in the running game and lacks toughness. Salaam is favored to win the battle, but he also lacks power in the running game. Pearson could win the job if he responds to yet another challenge from the coaches and steps up his game.

ON THE SPOT: The team gave Hugh Douglas a $6 million signing bonus last year, only to see him show up out of shape, pout about the scheme and muster 3 1/2 sacks from the vital right end position. Douglas has to produce, or this will be his last season with the Jaguars.

HONING THEIR GAMES: Speedy RB Fred Taylor is one of the NFLs top game breakers, but he's a liability as a receiver and could be pulled on passing downs if he doesn't start holding onto passes. Taylor had laser surgery to correct his eyesight in the offseason but hasn't showed much improvement catching.... New FS Deon Grant has a reputation as a solid pass defender who will gamble on occasion. Against the run, though, he often falls short. He needs to restrict his aggressiveness and not overrun plays.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: This will be Leftwich's first training camp, and the team is eager to see how he will respond to a full schedule of workouts--especially now that coordinator Bill Musgrave, who has a close relationship with Leftwich, also will be quarterbacks coach.... Don't be surprised if second-round pick Daryl Smith starts at weakside linebacker over Greg Favors and Tommy Hendricks. Smith was a tackling machine in college and has impressed coaches with his quickness, smarts and versatility.... WR Troy Edwards says he plans to keep the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Jimmy Smith, even though the team used the ninth overall pick on Williams. But Edwards is better suited physically for the slot/No. 3 position, and the team expects him to end up there.... The team signed Juran Bolden with the expectation he would win one of the cornerback spots, but he has struggled so far and will need a strong training camp to fend off veteran Dewayne Washington.--Bart Hubbuch

Jacksonville

REPORTING DATE: July 30

TRACKING THE CAMPS Coach Jack Del Rio enjoyed his time on HBO's Hard Knocks documentary so much three years ago that he volunteered the Jaguars for a similar dose of reality TV this summer. Del Rio, who got plenty of air time as a Ravens assistant in 2001. is willing to let NFL Films shoot his team's every move--on the field and off--in August and September. The hour-long show will run each week starting August 11 on the fledgling NFL Network. Del Rio enjoys preening for the cameras and is vowing that nothing will be off limits.