Written by Steve Wright
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21 July 2010
The AFC South is the final AFC destination on our NFL training camp tour. Peyton Manning and the defending AFC Champion Colts will be trying to hold off a trio of teams hungry to knock the kings of the division off their throne.
Houston Texans - Houston, TX - July 30th
Starting RB - Steve Slaton vs Ben Tate vs Arian Foster
The problem for Slaton may be that he overachieved as a rookie. In 2008 he led the AFC in yards from scrimmage, but as a small back he was always going to have problems with the daily grind of being an NFL back. Those problems resulted in an injury last year and questions going into 2010. Foster is a former Tennessee Vol. of whom big things were expected coming out of college. In the last two games of 2009 he showed flashes of what he could do when handed the ball more often. Both backs may be pushed out by the new kid on the block however. The Texans grabbed Ben Tate from Auburn in the 2nd round of this year’s draft. Tate is a bruising back that looks ready made to be much more of an impact player in the NFL than he was in college. Running back can be one of the easier positions to transition to in the pros and as a result this a battle that is really up in the air.
Predicted winner - Ben Tate
Indianapolis Colts - Anderson, IN - August 1st
Starting RB - Joe Addai vs Donald Brown

Addai is one of those backs that seem to have been under pressure for his place almost as soon as he took the role of Indy’s starting running back from Edgerrin James. In a pass heavy system where sometimes there is little chance for a RB to shine, Addai does everything that is asked of him and more while keeping a low profile and never complaining about carries. Brown is the heir apparent, and some even had him winning this job going into last year’s training camp. They will split carries again, and Brown is certainly more of a home run threat, but for one more year at least expect Addai to stay put.
Predicted winner - Joe Addai
Jacksonville Jaguars - Jacksonville, FL -July 29th
Number 2 WR - Troy Williamson vs Jarett Dillard
This battle is assuming that Mike Sims-Walker is the number one WR, and that the Jags are comfortable using Mike Thomas as a primarily slot guy. That leaves a wide open competition with about five different contenders for the number 2 WR position, but I am narrowing it down to two players. Williamson was an enigma in Minnesota who frustrated the Vikings with production at a far lower level than his talent would suggest. Since moving to Florida injuries have derailed any attempt at redemption but now he finally seems to be healthy. Dillard was a stat machine at Rice, and the 2009 5th round pick showed flashes of brilliance last year in limited action. He is a human highlight reel and a playmaker that will be hard to keep off the field.
Predicted winner - Jarett Dillard
Tennessee Titans - Nashville, TN - July 31st
Number 1 WR - Kenny Britt vs Nate Washington vs Justin Gage
Everyone knows the Titans love to run the ball, and with Chris Johnson in the backfield who can blame them. The coaching staff though must want to keep Johnson’s touches limited so that he conserves his breathtaking speed without taking a beating from opposing defenses, and to do that someone needs to step up at WR. Kenny Britt is probably the favorite going into camp. Britt has great athleticism in a big (6'3) frame, and can make the spectacular catch when needed. Ex Steeler Nate Washington really failed to live up to expectations in Tennessee last year catching only 47 balls, he will have to show better ability to separate in camp to win the job. Justin Gage is the outsider of the group and is a player who has seen his receptions totals go down every year since entering the league. If this team is going to improve from a year ago one of these players is going to need to step up his game.
Predicted winner - Kenny Britt