AFC South Defense Breakdowns: Preseason Edition

As promised, here's the second installment of my AFC South Breakdown. Today we'll focus the defenses of the division.

For defense I'll once again break it into 5 categories: Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks, and Safeties.

Defensive Ends

Houston, 4 points: Mario Williams was the best defensive end in the AFC South last year. Indy's Freeney and Mathis could reclaim the top spot in the division once Freeney proves there are no lingering effects from his injury.

Indianapolis, 3 points: Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are one of the toughest sets of defensive ends in the league. Freeney's season ending injury last year raises some questions coming into the 2008 season, but even with that I still put them second.

Jacksonville, 2 points: Paul Spicer and Reggie Hayward have proved to be serviceable ends, and if the additions of Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves work out as intended, this could be a very difficult group to handle.

tennessee, 1 point: Kyle Vanden Bosch is a man, plain and simple. This group would have been a spot higher, had they not lost Odom and Laboy. They might not have been lights out, but they will be on the field more than Jevon Kearse will.

Defensive Tackles

Jacksonville, 4 points: Even with the injuries to their starters, teams found it difficult to pound the ball up the middle. Marcus Stroud might be gone, but Big John Henderson is still an absolute mammoth in the middle and Rob Meier showed enough spunk at the end of last season (that's right, spunk) to convince me that he'll be able to make an impact up the middle.

tennessee, 3 points: Albert Haynesworth is to Texans as Albert Pujols is to Astros. After witnessing his assault on Matt Schaub, Haynesworth soon earned my submissive respect. Rob Bironas could line up next to Big Al and they would still have one of the best interior lines in the league.

Houston, 2 points: It hurts me to drop them to third, but I considering the products that are being fielded ahead of the Texans, this isn't exactly an insult. Preliminary indications are that Okoye looks to build off of last season's moderate successes and Travis Johnson provides a stable anchor beside him. Rookie Frank Okam has drawn a lot of attention as an intruiging prospect that could pay huge dividends very soon.

Indianapolis, 1 point: Unlike their undersized defensive ends, their undersized defensive tackles are not much of a threat. Can't win 'em all Indy.

Linebackers

Houston, 4 points: Houston's linebackers are the most stable piece of the Texans defense. Demeco Ryans has established himself as the centerpeice of this unit, while Morlon Greenwood has quietly amassed over 110 tackles three years in a row. Add pass-rushing specialist Rosevelt Colvin and free agents Kevin Bentley and Chaun Thompson and you're looking at a deep Texans linebacking unit that's poised to turn some heads this season.

tennessee, 3 points: Keith Bulluck and David Thorton anchor a solid linebacking corps. Both linebackers have the speed and athleticism to close off the outside edges, forcing backs to cut inside and face the gauntlet that is Vanden Bosch and Haynesworth.

Jacksonville, 2 points: Mike Peterson is a monster, but as is the case with Dwight Freeney, I need to see if the 9-year vet can completely recover from last year's injury. His supporting cast leaves something to be desired as well.

Indianapolis, 1 point: Since Cato June and David Thorton left, I haven't been very impressed with the Colt's linebackers. Gary Brackett is a stable presence at middle linebacker, but has posted no better numbers than Morlon Greenwood. Aside from Brackett, this linebacking unit could use a revamp.

Cornerbacks

tennessee, 4 points: I have to give this to those banjo-playin yokels; they don't like people throwing on them. Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper were key components of the titans' defensive successes last season, and it looks as if this year will be no different.

Jacksonville, 3 points: Rashean Mathis is one of the league's best and with Drayton Florence in the fold as well, the Jaguars look to remain one of the league's most dominating secondaries.

Indianapolis, 2 points: Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson were major factors last season for a secondary ranked in the top 5 in yards allowed. But these guys aren't very opportunistic, with only 4 interceptions shared between the two.

Houston, 1 point: Houston's secondary still leaves much to be desired. The addition of Jacques Reeves and continued development of Fred Bennet should help in the long run. But with Dunta Robinson sidelined until late October, the Texans look to be in for a bumpy ride. Antwuan Molden could provide a much-needed relief, but until I see him perform I'm not getting my hopes up.

Safeties

Indianapolis, 4 points: Take Bob Sanders, add Antoine Bethea and what do you get? A backbone capable of supporting one of the stingiest defenses in the league. Sanders is a freak of an athlete for his size and warrants a spot on my upcoming man-crush post.

tennessee, 3 points: Chris Hope and Michael Griffin round out an incredibly tough titans secondary. Look for these guys to get the ball back after Vince tosses an interception.

Jacksonville, 2 points: Reggie Nelson is a thug, and a punk. That said, he's also on pace for an amazing NFL career as a dominating safety. With a year of experience now under his belt, look for Nelson to continue to make his presence known (and felt) this year.

Houston, 1 point: Will Demps was a steal last season. Besides him, this is just another hole the Texans are working to shore up. Hopefully Marion Barber's bro can bring that same intensity to the other side of the ball.

Defensive Totals

tennessee, 14 points

Jacksonville, 13 points

Houston, 12 points

Indianapolis, 11 points

Overall Team Totals

Indianapolis, 30 points

Jacksonville, 25 points

Houston, 23 points

tennessee, 22 points

Feel free to argue it if you'd like. I understand that Indy has an amazing defense statistically, but it's more of a result of good coaching than it is outstanding athletes at the position. When the totals are added together it provides what I believe to be a fairly accurate perspective on the balance of power throughout the division. This is going to be a very entertaining season.