Keeping an eye on the Tennessee Titans’ rivals, here are some of the more interesting headlines of late pertaining to the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.
Colts plan to use Parris Campbell more in the slot in 2020 (via Colts Wire)
Colts head coach Frank Reich says the plan is to use 2019 second-round pick and wide receiver Parris Campbell in the slot more in 2020.
“To your point, he will play more in the slot this year, but you guys know how we do things. We will move him around,” Reich said. “We’ll move everybody around. That’s just the way we roll. You play one position (at) receiver, you need to play all three.”
Colts Wire’s Kevin Hickey says this means that T.Y. Hilton and rookie Michael Pittman Jr. will play primarily on the outside, but he also notes Hilton will still be moved around, per usual.
Texans offensive line could be the class of the AFC South in 2020 (via Texans Wire)
Mark Lane of Texans Wire believes Houston’s offensive line has the potential to be the best in the division in 2020 after the group made strides in 2019.
If the Texans’ offensive line gets another season together without any major setbacks, and they are able to maximize their availability together, Houston could outshine the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans for having the best offensive line in the division. It will be hard to ignore if Deshaun Watson’s sacks continue to decrease, as they did going from 62 to 44 in 2019, and the Texans have another 1,000-yard rushing season for the second straight year with as many running backs.
While that’s certainly possible, Indianapolis will enter the 2020 campaign with the best all-around offensive line in the division by default, and really, one of the best in the league.
Tennessee’s group upfront is neck-and-neck with Indianapolis’ in terms of run-blocking, though. Both the Titans and Texans need to improve in pass protection if they’re going to match the Colts.
4 reasons the Texans offense could be more explosive in 2020 (via Texans Wire)
Lane also makes a pretty good case as to why the Texans’ offense could be more dangerous in 2020, despite the team losing star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in an offseason trade with the Arizona Cardinals.
One of the reasons is very obvious: the Texans have a ton of speed in their receiving corps. in Will Fuller, Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks. The only question with that group is if it can stay healthy — Fuller in particular.
Coordinator Jay Gruden on Gardner Minshew: I love his competitive spirit (via Jaguars Wire)
New Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden made it clear it’s his job to make sure he gets on the same page with quarterback Gardner Minshew, but notes he already loves Minshew’s “competitive spirit.”
“Well, it better mesh,” Gruden said Tuesday when asked about the relationship he looks to have with Minshew. “It’s my job to make it mesh, you know, to take on the personality of the quarterback and get him to understand what we’re trying to get accomplished on the play to play, game to game, week to week basis, it’s going to be critical. I love Gardner’s competitive spirit. You could see it shine through on tape when he was in college and obviously last year in the games he got to play.”
I’d venture to guess Gruden loves Minshew’s mustache, also.
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