NFL - Fri 19/08/2011 - 18:28 EDT

NFL 2011 American Football Conference: South Division Preview

NFL 2011 American Football Conference: South Division Preview: The AFC South has been dominated by the Indianapolis Colts for the better part of the past decade. The Colts have finished first in the South in seven of the last eight years and were a game behind Tennessee (13-3) with a 12-4 record in 2008.

While the Titans, Texans, and Jaguars are still playing catch-up, the AFC South has more questions than answers as we enter the 2011 NFL season.

AFC South: More Questions Than Answers

Indianapolis has been the benchmark in the AFC South but they come into the 2011 NFL season a little long in the tooth and with All World QB Peyton Manning on the PUP list after off-season neck surgery. If Manning and his receiving core can stay healthy, the Colts are still be the team to beat in the AFC South.

It’s another year of “This Is Our Year” in the Houston as the Texans have reloaded on defense with the additions of CB Johnathan Joseph and S Danieal Manning. 2010 Rushing Champ Arian Foster should be fine after tweaking his hamstring in Week One preseason action against the New York Jets.

Questions abound in Tennessee has the Titans are in a bitter contract squabble with star RB Chris Johnson. It has been rumored that CJ2K wants to be the highest paid player in the league. QB Matt Hasselbeck isn’t an upgrade over Vince Young or Kerry Collins, but rookie QB Jake Locker is waiting in the wings.

Jacksonville appeared poised to make a run at the Colts after an 11-5 record in 2007 but they have slipped to the back of the pack instead. The Jaguars have gone 20-28 over the past three seasons and won’t be much better in 2011. RB Maurice Jones-Drew is showing signs of wear and QB David Garrard is just about done in Jacksonville.