Everyone is a scout these days. But instead of projecting on upside, fans, media and blogs across the country think that they can look into a crystal ball and predict success, which is near impossible to do with any sort of certainty. Too many variables are at play.

More frustrating than everyone's misinterpretation of scouting, is the inability of so many to form their own opinion. Such was the case with Blaine Gabbert this season. As soon as Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski ripped into Gabbert on Monday Night Football against the Ravens, it became the cliche and lazy analysis of the masses. Phrases such as pocket presence, "you can't coach courage" and reading the defense, were being thrown around ad nauseum to describe the play of Blaine Gabbert, with very few people actually understanding Gabbert's situation, or the situation of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Now, many are speculating that Gabbert was bad enough for the Jaguars to considering selecting another quarterback seventh overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The analysis is lazy, and after the jump, I'll explain why.

Continue reading this post »

All good things eventually come to an end and for Tennessee Titans’ fans this couldn’t be any truer than after this past season. For the first time since 1994, the Titans won’t have Jeff Fisher calling the shots on the sidelines when they open the 2011 season. After finishing with a disappointing 6-10 record, Fisher made it clear to team owner Bud Adams that Vince Young had to go or else he would. Well guess what? Not only will Young not be with the team next season, Fisher won’t be there either.

After an offseason filled with turmoil regarding the direction of the team, Fisher and the Titans decided to call it quits. Enter Mike Munchak who steps into his first head coaching gig and he has the challenge of replacing his former boss. Munchak, who has been the Titans’ offensive line coach since 1997, will have a daunting task in front of him and that starts with finding the team’s future quarterback.

Tennessee started this past season going 5-2, but lost eight of its final nine games. One of the main reasons for the struggles came from the offense. Thanks to injuries and mainly inconsistencies at the quarterback position, the Titans struggled in the second half of the season. With Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson in place, Munchak needs to add a quarterback to complete the tri-fecta. It will be interesting to see whether the Titans bring back veterans Randy Moss and Kerry Collins.

On defense, Tennessee enters the offseason with several personnel question marks and one big coaching loss. The loss of defensive line coach Jim Washburn to the Eagles may have more of an impact than people realize. Washburn, who has a reputation for getting big results out of marginal talent, showed his worth this past season after NFL journeyman Jason Babin finished with a career-high 12.5 sacks. Besides replacing Washburn on the coaching staff, the Titans may also lose starting middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch. The 26-year-old Tulloch, finished the past season with 160 combined tackles, which was second in the NFL.

Continue reading this post »

Entering the 2010 NFL season as an after thought in the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars emerged as a contender in the division late in the season. The Jags were eventually upended by the Colts in week fifteen, but the season marked a major step forward for the franchise. Not only did starters emerge on both sides of the ball, but Jacksonville was able to avoid blackouts all season long.

With the attendance issues on the back burner, the football world can now focus on the admirable job general manager Gene Smith has done constructing this team. Building from the inside out, Smith has found a pair of bookend offensive tackles in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton along with two stud interior defensive linemen in Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton. Meanwhile, veterans Maurice Jones-Drew, David Garrard, and Marcedes Lewis appear to be hitting their stride.

Of course, Jacksonville still has a ways to go in terms of building a consistent winner. The pass rush showed signs of life early in the season, but Aaron Kampman's knee injury put the Jags right back where they started, finishing second to last in the league in sacks. The lack of a consistent pass rush contributed to the disgraceful secondary that allowed 250 yards a game through the air. Those two areas will need to be addressed if Jacksonville is ever going to claim the division title over Peyton Manning.

Continue reading this post »

It’s hard to argue that a team that finished with a 10-6 record had a down season, but for the 2010-11 Indianapolis Colts that’s exactly what it was. The Colts finished with their worst record since 2002, which was highlighted by a 17-16 Wild Card loss to the Jets.

Peyton Manning had another stellar year this past season, but the amount of time he was pressured can’t go unnoticed. Even though the Indianapolis’ line gave up an NFL-low 16 sacks you can’t risk it with an aging Manning. If the Colts want to get back to an elite level in the NFL they will have to improve in the trenches and that starts on offense. Not only will an improved offensive line go a long way in keeping Indianapolis’ franchise player healthy, but it will also improve a running game that finished 29th in the league (92.7 yards per game) this past season. It’s a scary thought to think how productive Manning could be with a healthy group of receivers (and Dallas Clark) and improved offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, the Colts arguably feature the best defensive end tandem in the NFL. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are both coming off strong seasons, but with little help at defensive tackle they could only do so much. Indianapolis had the 25th worst run defense and it is apparent defensive tackle is an urgent need. The oft-injured Bob Sanders was recently let go, which creates a hole at the strong safety position. Jim Caldwell and his staff should look to first bulk up their trenches then add depth at other positions.

Continue reading this post »

After a horrid start to the season the Titians were able to give the fans hope for next season. The Titians are aging at several positions and need upgrades at others. This will be an important offseason if the Titans want to get back to the playoffs.

1. Defensive End

- Kyle Vanden Bosch is gone and there is very little to replace him. The Titians need to find an upgrade over William Hayes. Some first round options include Everson Griffen and Carlos Dunlap.

2. Cornerback

- Injuries last season exposed the lack of depth. Roderick Hood was release twice before signing on with the Titans, that should tell you about the depth issue. First round options include Devin McCourty, Kyle Wilson, and Kareem Jackson. Later rounds look at Brandon Ghee and Chris Cook.

3. Linebacker

- Keith Bulluck will be moving on and that hole will need to be filled. I suspect the Titans will use a later round pick on this position. Possibilities include Navorro Bowman and Koa Misi.

The Houston Texans were again very close to the playoffs but in this league close doesn’t cut it. The Texans have done a good job acquiring talent and now it’s time they put it all together and make a playoff run. To make a playoff run they will need to address a few positions.

1. Cornerback

- Losing Dunta Robinson will hurt and filling his void should be top priority. Adding depth to this position is also a need to look for the Texans to select more than one cornerback during this draft. Some first round options include Devin McCourty, Kyle Wilson, and Kareem Jackson.

2. Running Back

- Steve Slaton’s slump is cause for concern and Arian Foster and Ryan Moats are not starting caliber running backs. The Texans need to find a productive power runner to compliment Slaton’s speed and pass catching ability. First round options include Ryan Matthews. Later round options include Jonathan Dwyer and Toby Gerhart.

3. Safety

- When John Busing is starting games you know you need an infusion of talent. I think both talent and depth is a must at this position. Bernard Pollard was a good mid season addition and they need to find a compliment to his stop the run first mentality. First round options include Earl Thomas. Later round options include Nate Allen and Morgan Burnett.

The Jaguars are coming off another disappointing season and have a few areas of need. The recent signing of Aaron Kampman addresses a need at defensive end.

1. Wide Receiver

- It was obvious last year that Torry Holt is very much declining and that lead to his release. Mike Sims- Walker had a good season and will look to build off that. Other than Sims- Walker the talent is very scarce and addressing it during the draft is a must. There is only one Wide Receiver worthy of the #10 pick and that is Dez Bryant. Bryant has some baggage that could have his stock dropping. Some later round options include Demaryius Thomas, Damian Williams, and Brandon LaFell.

2. Safety

- The Jags need to find a replacement for Reggie Nelson who has disappointed. Some possibilities at the #10 spot include Taylor Mays and Earl Thomas. Later round options include Nate Allen, Chad Jones, and Morgan Burnett.

3. Linebacker

- Russell Allen is nothing more than a backup and a young talented replacement needs to be found. Former Linebacker Jack Del Rio will be on the lookout of a later round steal.

Another successful season is in the books for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts dominated the regular season and make it all the way to the Super Bowl, so this team isn’t going to have too many needs to fill. However, the draft is important to improve immediately and to ensure future success.

1. Offensive Tackle

- Charlie Johnson is not a good fit at left tackle. The Colts need to focus on stabilizing the offensive line and protecting Peyton Manning. At pick #31 there will be limited options because many teams have offensive line needs. There are some rumors that the Colts might consider signing Ravens OT Jared Gaither who has a first round tender. If not they might have to hope someone falls to their spot.

2. Cornerback

- There is a good chance that Marlin Jackson moves on in free agency. The Colts do have some young talent but you could never have enough cornerback help. At the end of the first round someone like Kareem Jackson and Patrick Robinson could be available.

3. Defensive End

- Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are a very good pair but there is an issue with depth. For a team with little needs finding depth at importation positions is a key to sustaining success. Later round possibilities include Corey Wooten, George Selvie, and Brandon Lang.