ESPN AFC South Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Game plans are being polished today.

Every team in the league still has at least one big issue. I've covered most of the AFC South's over the course of the preseason, but wanted to revisit them today.

I chatted with Keith Kidd from Scouts Inc. this morning to get a second opinion about what those team-by-team concerns are.

Houston Texans

I've gone back and forth between the secondary and the running game, but tend to think Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and the passing offense can offset whatever rush deficiencies there are. History suggests Alex Gibbs' scheme will work and soon. A young group of defensive backs needs to jell quickly. But in a brutal first five games, the only intimidating passing offense the Texans will face is Indianapolis.

Kidd's take: "The secondary is a little suspect. Without [injured] Dunta Robinson, they don't have a proven No. 1 corner and that makes it difficult to game plan. It forces you to defend the whole field. You can't set your coverage away from him."

Indianapolis Colts

After all those stars were on PUP to start training camp, it's a new injury that winds up having the biggest impact come opening day. Center Jeff Saturday does a tremendous amount to sort things out at the line and communicate with the line and Peyton Manning. It appears Jamey Richard will fill in for at least the first month. Can he handle it and how much can Manning take off his plate?

Kidd's take: "In the Super Bowl, you saw that interior push at Tom Brady. I think that will be [what people try to do and] an issue somewhat. The center position is the weak link. Jeff Saturday stabilizes that front five, takes some things away from Manning."

Jacksonville Jaguars

Coming out of camp and the preseason, left tackle Khalif Barnes sure seems like concern No. 1 to me. He's been inconsistent and, perhaps, unfocused. Jack Del Rio has tried to fire him and the whole line up with a little criticism, but has it worked? Now the group is preoccupied with monitoring the condition of Richard Collier, who was shot early Tuesday.

Kidd's take: "To me the receiving position is still an issue. I'm not convinced Troy Williamson can be the guy. Reggie Williams is probably 1-B. Matt Jones probably makes it [on the field] by default based on Jerry Porter's injury situation. Coming off hamstring surgery, I don't know how effective Porter can be early in the season."

Tennessee Titans

It's the passing offense, whether you chose to point the arrow at Vince Young or his receivers. I have trouble choosing one over the other. But I know Young wants to be good and has a lot of fight in him. The receivers, in general, don't show a lot of fight or grit. It's one thing to lack talent, another to show insufficient desire. They need to run harder to balls, then jump, stretch or reach for them instead of being content to turn around and head back to the huddle.

Kidd's take: "It's the quarterback. Have they put enough weapons around him to make him successful? I don't think they have. He had a lot of work in the preseason and still wasn't that impressive. I do think Mike Heimerdinger is a much better fit for him than Norm Chow. They're going to run the ball, run the ball, run the ball. They need to get him out on the edge where he can do some things to his strengths which we haven't seen in the preseason."