At the time that I'm writing this the Colts are still playing in their preseason opener against the St. Louis Rams, but the early results make me feel pretty good about saying that I feel pretty encouraged about what the AFC South might look this season.

- Andrew Luck looks like he's going to be the real deal. His numbers are going to be a little inflated thanks to Donald Brown's 63 yard trot, but going 10-16 for 188 yards and two TDs is nothing to shake a stick at.

- Speaking of Donald Brown, did I mention the 63 yard touchdown?

- Jacksonville actually did not look inept against the defending world champions and even managed to pull off a win. Yes, I know its preseason, but as bad as they were last season this is pretty encouraging.

- Maurice Jones-Drew might want to rethink his holdout. Rashad Jennings looked pretty capable gaining 56 yards on 12 carries. 

- Blaine Gabbert didn't look like a stud completing just 50 percent of his passes, but the offense didn't look like a train wreck either with him guiding it. Add in his two best weapons, Justin Blackmon and MJD, and there might be hope for this kid just yet.

- Matt Schaub appeared to be fine in his first action since his dreadful injury last November. The interception wasn't nice, but he led the offense just fine and was able to take it right down the field on the opening drive.

- Now if only the Texans could score a few touchdowns after those drives...at least they don't have to worry about missing any field goals with former Texas A&M kicker Randy Bullock booting them through.

- Houston had eight sacks against the Panthers, seven of them from linebackers. The fact that five of them came against Jimmy Clausen and a weak line could mean something, but it could also mean that the team knows how to go for the throat when the opportunity presents itself.

- Tennessee might be okay if they go with the youth trend this year and give Jake Locker a shot. Locker was 8-13 for 80 yards, but more importantly he looked strong and confident in the pocket--good indicators for being able to handle the rigors of the game.

- If Chris Johnson doesn't get it together the team might be able to roll with Javon Ringer and Darius Reynaud. Ringer looked good when he got his hands on the ball (four carries for 22 yards and one catch for 12) as did Reynaud (five carries for 29 yards and a TD; he had another TD on a 85-yard punt return).

- Kenny Britt may not be missed if he does get suspended. Rookie Kendall Wright looked good when he played (three catches for 47 yards), but it was a 2010 7th round pick from Montana (Marc Mariani) that led the way with two catches for 52 yards.

No need to remind me that it is preseason here guys; I know not to read too much into it. However, that isn't going to stop me from being excited that it's here!  

Indianapolis Colts:

I know this guy is no longer on the Colts team, but after the year that Curtis Painter endured in Indianapolis last season I wanted to give the man a shout out here.

Thursday night, with his new team--the Baltimore Ravens, Painter completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards and three TDs. Yes, the much maligned Purdue grad looked pretty good. He was the beneficiary of some top notch defense, but the man made the plays when they counted. I know its only preseason, but so what; I'm happy for him.

Good for you Curtis.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

These guys don't suck! 

Again, I know its preseason, but these guys did not look horrible in their first action of the preseason against the defending world champs.Blaine Gabbert was not bad, Brian Robbiskie was a little surprising, and the team didn't miss Maurice Jones-Drew with the way Rashad Jennings ran (12 carries for 56 yards).

The defense needs to stiffen up. Its never good to give up three TDs in a row to a team like the Giants. However, hats off to the 3rd and 4th string guys for putting up a good fight in the second half and coming back to win 32-31.

It may not technically matter since its only a preseason game, but no one ever hates winning.

Tennessee Titans:

What in the world is Kenny Britt thinking? The man has been arrested 8 times since becoming a pro. He just got sent to the principal's office (I mean commissioner) for a talking too and possible punishment. Time to walk the line , right?

Not this guy. Rather than mind his ps and qs he tweets a picture of the team fine levied against him for missing a rehab session along with some rather choice (colorful) words. 

What the *&^%?!?!? Kenny--please learn from Terrell Owens here. TO is a proven elite talent and no one was willing to give him a chance because of his attitude. You are not a proven talent let alone an elite one. Lately teams are concerned about image so you might want to button it up before you are looking for a job (and become the next joke).

Houston Texans:

It all begins for the Texans on Saturday when the face off with the Carolina Panthers. For years they've been a good, middle of the road team, but after last year's breakout the team now has expectations. The defense largely returns--not something Cam Newton wants to hear, but the offense is missing one side of the line.

The play of the line has been stellar for the last few seasons and key to Arian Foster and Ben Tate working their magic. Matt Schaub appears to be fine, but he is not getting any younger. With his injury history tacked onto concerns for his age the team has to protect him. 

Of course, as if replacing two guys was not hard enough the line has had injury issues in camp so far. At least the Panthers D-Line is not expected to be real tough (but watch out for that weak side linebacker.

Triplets are like the holy grail of offense. Every team wants to have one--a stud QB, RB, and WR-- but most are not lucky enough to be able to put the pieces together. Jacksonville is hoping they might have the makings of one.

To call Blaine Gabbert and Justin Blackmon studs at this point would be pushing it at this stage in their careers. Gabbert has yet to do anything of value, but he hasn't had any tools to do anything with either. The team did pick up Laurent Robinson in the off-season, but the real addition is in former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

His holdout was a little on this side of ridiculous. Blackmon did screw up. He should not have been shocked that the team wanted to add some protection into his contract. A stud player is just another convict when he gets arrested.

In the end the team did not get much of anything included in the way of protection. They did get a good chunk of his signing bonus deferred, but that's it. I suppose the team figured that they needed a play-maker more than they needed protection in case he screwed up again.

That leaves running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

MJD is one of the best. Sadly he became as good as he is about half way through his current contract meaning that technically he can't bank on his game for another couple seasons (although an extension after this season would not be unheard of).

For Blaine Gabbert and Justin Blackmon to have the time they need to get on the same page they need to have MJD in the backfield. With him there the focus of opposing defenses will be on the run giving Gabbert and Blackmon some much needed time to develop.

Shahid Khan has to know that he needs his best player in camp. Rashad Jennings (MJD's current backup) is not bad. In limited action during the '09 and '10 seasons he averaged over five yards a carry when he played. The man is no MJD though.

Fans can only hope that the two (Khan and MJD) will find some middle ground and get the team's best player into camp--soon!

The NFL lowered the ticket threshold teams had to meet in order to keep the game from being blacked out on local television. While the idea may appear to be a boon to the fans, it wasn't a smart business decision for the teams so guys like the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars declined to take the option.

This means that unless the team sells out every home game the home town fans not in the stands might not be able to watch their team play.

For Jacksonville the struggle is nothing new; its been one they've had to deal with the last few seasons. Should the team not get two thirds of its dynamic trio into camp soon they will likely be looking at having those issues again.

Without Maurice Jones-Drew in the lineup the team will not have a running game. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon is expected to give them a much needed threat at wide receiver. It's widely believed that someone like Blackmon is needed so the team can see if Blaine Gabbert is the QB of the future.

Jim Irsay should have seen this issue coming in Indianapolis. After years of selling out every game with ease and having a season ticket waiting list as long as Kenny Britt's rap sheet, the team has over 1600 season tickets still up for sale. With the team not expected to be much better than the one that took the field last year fans just aren't willing to pay the high cost of tickets.

The teams are trying to empower the fans by saying that they can't affect the game from home, but in this economy spending a couple hundred to sit in small seats rather than a comfy couch is not too appealing.

What would training camp be without a little bit of drama, right? Jacksonville sure has plenty of it with the absence of Maurice Jones-Drew and the 'fine' controversy.

I understand exactly what Shahid Khan, the Jacksonville Jaguars owner, is thinking. MJD is under contract; two years left. Technically and legally there is no need to pay him any more than what he is already getting. It isn't Khan's fault that MJD has played better than his contract.

That's the joy for a businessman in the NFL though; getting more for your money. Too often owners end up paying on the promise of results (like they used to do with rookie contracts). Now negotiations are skewed in the owner's favor.

However, what he's not understanding is that he is a new owner and his team has not been that good for some time. In fact, the only players that have really been producing with an regularity is his kicker (Josh Scobee) and MJD. 

Business is business, but sometimes you have to bend. The Jags need MJD in camp. He is the team leader and the best weapon they have. They need to have him operating on all cylinders when the season starts in order to give the team any chance at being competitive. 

Throw the man a bone Khan and move on before you alienate your best player and biggest draw. There will be plenty of teams that would love to steal him when he becomes a free agent...

I'm sure there aren't too many sports fans that this will be news too. I think it's pretty clear who I'm talking about. Definitely not the Indianapolis Colts. The Jacksonville Jaguars are way off too. Tennessee could be a dark horse candidate if CJ2K comes back instead of Chris Johnson.

I'm talking about the Houston Texans.

Okay, maybe there are some that just don't like the Houston Texans because they are the Houston Texans, but if those folks are honest with themselves they'll realize that the Texans have a better than average shot at making it to New Orleans. 

The team is coming back just as loaded this season as it was in the last. The offense will  be just as potent now as it was last year; more so if it can remain healthy. Even without its No 1 QB and wide receiver they were hand full of plays from making it to the AFC Championship last season.

Some folks might think the defense will let the team down this season after the losses that it suffered in free agency. While the losses are significant, the addition of guys like Bradie James, Whitney Mercilus, Adam Ball, and Eddie Pleasant will keep the unit as one of the toughest in football.

Of course the trick will be the health of two guys--Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub. The team has proven that they can win without either, but they have also proven that they are not an elite as well without them.