Two-a-Days: Previewing the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 NFL season I am going to take a look at two teams a day. I will give you the impact players on offense and defense, a breakout player, and the biggest training camp question.

Offense
QB - Matt Schuab
RB - Arian Foster
TE - Owen Daniels
WR - Andre Johnson
WR - Jacoby Jones

Defense
DE - J.J. Watt (r)
ILB  - Demeco Ryans
ILB - Brian Cushing
OLB - Mario Williams
CB - Jonathan Joseph (acquired in free agency)

Breakout: Kareem Jackson - The Texans first round pick out of Alabama last year was the laughing stock of the NFL, well besides the Panthers who barely qualified as an NFL team. The corner got torched week in and week out, but he's better than that and with the switch to a 3-4 defense and the acquisition of Jonathan Joseph to play next to the second year man has a chance to improve his reputation. It's time we give this kid a second chance to be good.

Biggest Training Camp Question: Is the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense really going to help Houston erase its problems? Mario Williams is now standing up off the line and rookie J.J. Watt slides into the trenches. They may start off slow because of the lockout, but once they grasp new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' playbook this team could finally over take Indy for the top spot in the division.

Last year's record: 6-10

Projected finish: 11-5 (1st in AFC South)

Offense
QB - Peyton Manning
RB - Joe Addai
RB - Donald Brown
TE - Dallas Clark
WR - Reggie Wayne

Defense
DT - Tommie Harris (acquired in free agency)
DE - Dwight Freeney
DE - Roberth Mathis
MLB - Gary Brackett
S - Antoine Bethea

Breakout: Donald Brown - It's the little things like blocking, which is so important in Indianapolis' offense, that have Brown away from garnering more carries. But Joe Addai is longer capable of getting 15-to-20 touches a game and Brown is going to be forced into a bigger role. I think if Brown puts the work in he could become the feature back and in a potent offense.

Biggest Training Camp Question: There's a big difference between Curtis Painter and Peyton Manning and you are now dumber for reading that setence. I know I'm not blowing and minds with that statement. But as much as the Colts want to downplay Peyton Manning missing the preseason as he recovers from injuries Peyton for 16 games and Peyton for 12 games is the difference between a playoff team and a rebuilding year.

Last year's record: 10-6

Projected finish: 10-6 (2nd in AFC South)

** Check back tomorrow to look at the Jaguars and Chiefs