NFL PREVIEW AFC South

A look at teams in the AFC South, in order of last season’s standings:

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (13-4)

Open camp: July 24, Terre Haute, Ind.

Last year: Finished 13-3 to win AFC South for fifth straight year after winning Super Bowl previous season. Lost first playoff game at home to San Diego, 28-24.

Important additions: No major signings in free agency and had no first-round draft pick. Took OL Mike Pollak with first pick late in second round. Re-signed RB Dominic Rhodes, who was cut by Oakland.

Important losses: G Jake Scott; TE Ben Utecht.

Camp needs: Get DE Dwight Freeney and WR Marvin Harrison healthy from injuries that limited Colts last season. S Bob Sanders, league’s Defensive Player of the Year, also needs work coming off shoulder surgery. All three are expected to start camp on physically unable to perform list.

Expectations: As always for a team with Peyton Manning at QB, Super Bowl is legitimate goal. However, many of the stars must be healthy, especially Harrison, Freeney and Sanders. For first time in Tony Dungy’s seven seasons as coach, they have all 11 defensive starters returning.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (12-6)

Open camp: July 26, Jacksonville, Fla.

Last year: QB David Garrard emerged as legitimate starter, RB Fred Taylor looked nothing like a 31-year-old back and Jaguars won playoff game for first time since 1999. Nonetheless, Jags showed they still have ground to make up by going 0-3 against AFC powers Indianapolis and New England.

Important additions: WRs Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson; DEs Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves; CB Drayton Florence.

Important losses: DT Marcus Stroud; S Sammy Knight; CB Terry Cousin; G Chris Naeole.

Camp needs: Can only hope retooled defense comes together under new coordinator Gregg Williams. Porter needs to stay healthy after missing most of organized team activities because of injury.

Expectations: Jaguars have talked about closing gap on perennial AFC South champion Indianapolis for years. They might have their best shot this season, but need to handle high expectations that come with being trendy pick to win it all in ’08.

TENNESSEE TITANS (10-7)

Open camp: July 25, Nashville, Tenn.

Last year: Titans reached playoffs for first time since 2003 almost in spite of quarterback Vince Young, who struggled in second year as starter. All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth led one of NFL’s stingiest defenses, while All-Pro kicker Rob Bironas provided most of the offense.

Important additions: TE Alge Crumpler; DE Jevon Kearse; WR Justin McCareins; RG Jake Scott; offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger; RB coach Earnest Byner.

Important losses: RG Benji Olson (retirement); DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy; LG Jacob Bell; DT Randy Starks; TE Ben Troupe.

Camp needs: Pressure is on Young to develop quickly under Heimerdinger and build chemistry with receivers after throwing more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (9) last season. Pick either Eugene Amano or Leroy Harris as new left guard. How Haynesworth handles status as franchise player, his conditioning and health, will be a concern.

Expectations: Winning in playoffs now is goal for a franchise that has rebuilt through the draft and low-key free agent signings. Coach Jeff Fisher focused on improving his defense in 2007 and went from most yards allowed to fifth-stingiest unit in NFL. Offense has been target of his attention in 2008 for a team hoping to challenge Colts atop division.

HOUSTON TEXANS (8-8)

Open camp: July 25, Houston.

Last year: Texans reached .500 for first time last season, but that record might be misleading because eighth win came against Jaguars team that already made playoffs and rested most starters. Mario Williams had breakout 14-sack season and new quarterback Matt Schaub looked good in his first year as starter, but Houston’s offense was slowed by injuries to him, Andre Johnson and Ahman Green.

Important additions: LT Duane Brown (first-round draft pick); LB Rosevelt Colvin; RB Chris Brown; CB Jacques Reeves.

Important losses: Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman; LB Danny Clark; RB Ron Dayne.

Camp needs: Johnson must show he’s recovered from knee injury that kept him out of seven games last season and led to offseason arthroscopic surgery. Brown, the rookie left tackle, will have to improve after being dominated by Williams in offseason workouts. Green’s durability will be tested after he missed 10 games with knee swelling.

Expectations: If Green and Johnson can stay healthy, offense in Schaub’s second season in Houston should be improved. Young and talented trio of Williams, Amobi Okoye and LB DeMeco Ryans will be better, but it will have to pick up slack from secondary playing without CB Dunta Robinson until at least late October. Entering their seventh season, Texans will be disappointed with anything less than their first playoff berth, but they’ll have to make big jump in the ultra-competitive AFC South.

Associated Press

XFriday/AFC West