It's a simple numbers-based ranking system which implements rotisserie style scoring to each of the major components of both the offense and defense. Offense and defense are tallied seperately and added together in the end to produce an fairly accurate perspective on the layout of a given division.
This morning I'm focusing on the offenses. Later, I'll tackle the defenses and then add up the totals.
With offense, I break it into 5 non-statistical categories: Quarterbacks, Running backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and the Offensive Line. I count the o-line as one whole category, but you can waste your own time ranking each specific position. Now since the AFC South is a four-team division, the highest ranking any team can earn a given category is a 4. Assign the best team in the category a 4, and the worst, a 1. You can only use whole numbers, so don't be wishy-washy.
Alright that's enough set-up. Let's start with the quarterbacks:
Quarterbacks
Indianapolis, 4 points: Peyton Manning could have had his leg amputated the other day and I would still rank him among the NFL's elite. Call it a man-crush, but he's still the best in the AFC South.
Jacksonville, 3 points: David Garrard saved Jack Del Rio's job last year by not being terrible. Garrard's thank-you gift came in the form of a pair of new wide receivers, Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson. If Porter can prove he still has some tread on his tires, I expect big things from Garrard.
Houston, 2 points: An improved O-line should help keep Schaub on the field. If that proves true, Schaub should have a breakout year.
tennessee, 1 point: Vince Young has a lot in common with fellow Longhorn alum Cedric Benson. Both were picked 3rd overall, both love the sauce, and if Vince doesn't watch out they'll share the same label: NFL busts. Blame it on the Madden Curse, blame the wide receivers, blame whoever you want. Bottom line is, Vince Young is the only one you can blame for airmailing 17 turnovers to the other team.
Running Backs
Jacksonville, 4 points: Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor form a nasty backfield that can stretch a defense wide, or pop them in the jaw. MJD is also on my man-crush list for steamrolling Shawne Merriman.
Indianapolis, 3 points: Joseph Addai is a man-child, plain and simple. Very productive back who, according to my girlfriend's sage football analysis, has "a very nice smile."
Houston, 2 points: I'm takin a leap and going with the home team. If Green can stay healthy and the offensive line is as improved as advertised, Houston will be fielding a very versatile backfield this season.
tennessee, 1 point: Lendale White proved to be a good runningback last season, but I think he's very one-dimensional. That doesn't bode well when you don't have much of a passing attack to back the defense up.
Wide Receivers
Indianapolis, 4 points: Reggie Wayne. Marvin Harrison. No need to go any further.
Houston, 3 points: Andre Johnson continues to bully people out wide. Kevin Walter has established himself as a dependable possession receiver, and Andre Davis provides a speedy home run threat for The Schaub.
Jacksonville, 2 points: Jacksonville made significant improvements to their receiving corps. with Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson, but they still lack the home-run hitter that Houston and Indy have with Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne/Marvin Harrison. Garrard should be able to make things work though.
tennessee, 1 point: I know you think I'm picking on them, and I am. I just don't see much in this offense. But you can't argue with me on their WR ranking.
Tight Ends
Indianapolis, 4 points: Dallas Clark gets the job done. He's a red-zone monster who's even more likely to get open this season with Marvin back in the fold.
Houston, 3 points: Owen Daniels was a big target last year, with 63 receptions. Daniels ranked 5th among all TEs last season in receiving yards with 768. He should find the end zone with a little more regularity this season.
tennessee, 2 points: Look, see? I don't always put them on the bottom. But Algernon Darius Crumpler III is getting old and durability is a concern. Bo Scaife should continue to be one of the few consistent receiving options on the titans.
Jacksonville, 1 point: The Jaguars say Marcedes Lewis has improved considerably. You still have to use him for that to mean anything though.
Offensive Line
Indianapolis, 4 points: Jeff Saturday and Co. dictate the line of scrimmage. You think Kenton Keith would've done anything without them? That was all o-line.
tennessee, 3 points: Last year they gave Vince all the time he needed...to throw an interception. Lendale White found it to be a tight squeeze but managed to run between these guys to the tune of 1,110 yards.
Jacksonville, 2 points: It's tough picking between these teams, because of the successes MJD and Fred Taylor had behind the Jags o-line. This is still a great unit, nonetheless.
Houston, 1 point: This could be the year they pull it together and finally shrug the bad wrap they've caught since the team took the field. Even so, they've still got a lot of ground to cover in this category.
Totals
Indianapolis, 19 points
Jacksonville, 12 points
Houston, 11 points
tennessee, 8 points
It's not an exact science, but I find it fairly accurate of what to expect this season. Next up, I'll breakdown the defenses.
Extra Dirt
Rocco Mediate, holla at ya boy. What's up with Phil these days?
I'll play fantasy football, Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. But the draft party's still at my place. (does fantasy football rule #17 include owners names?)
What do the Astros and Texans have in common? In August, neither team will be playing games that matter. OH SNAP!
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