AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

• 1075TheFan.com’s Kevin Bowen notes the Colts made it a point this offseason to add experienced depth on both the offensive and defensive lines to prepare for a 17-game regular season. 
• On offense, the Colts signed OT Sam Tevi, G Chris Reed, and OT Julie’n Davenport as well as re-signed C Joey Hunt. The group as a whole has combined for 106 career starts. 
• On defense, Indianapolis signed DL Isaac Rochell and DT Antwuan Woods, who have a combined 41 career starts, as well as used its first two picks in the draft on DE Kwity Paye and DL Dayo Odeyingbo. 

Jaguars

Former Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey recalled the experience that led to his trade demands out of Jacksonville after a meeting with owner Shad Khan, executive Tony Khan, former executive Tom Coughlin, and former GM Dave Caldwell. 

“I get in the office and it’s Tony, Shad, Tom Coughlin, and Dave Caldwell,” Ramsey said, via the Catching Fades podcast with Aqib Talib. “It’s four of them in there and then it’s just me and they were like standing like in a semi-circle just all looking at me. So I’m hot now, like, first of all, you told me it was just you and pops and now I’m in here [with Coughlin and Caldwell as well].”

Ramsey said that Shad Khan respectfully approached him about mending his relationship with former HC Doug Marrone.

“Shad started to speak first and was very respectful. You know ‘Jalen we got a lot of respect for you, we’ve got a lot of respect for your game’ this, that whoop-de-whoop… ‘Are you and Doug going to be good? We don’t want anything going on between a key player and our head coach.’ I’m like ‘We good. It is what it is and that’s just part of the game. We’re moving on.”

Ramsey mentioned that Tony Khan shared the same sentiments about the cornerback’s relationship with Marrone, while Ramsey reiterated that there was no need to apologize. 

“Tom Coughlin didn’t say nothing the whole time. He was just sitting there staring at me, like trying to give me one of those little ‘I’m going to intimidate you’ kind of looks, but I don’t care about none of that. So I’m just sitting there staring right at him too. Tony said something, too, and was real respectful, again. Basically repeated what his dad said and kind of kept it moving like ‘Man we really think y’all should talk before anybody talks to the media. Y’all two should talk just to make sure y’all good and maybe you need to apologize to him.’ And then I told him, I said ‘Respectfully, I’m not about to apologize to him.’ I said, ‘That’s a part of the game. Emotions get high and we might get into it. It ain’t no beef, ain’t nothing going on between us. Me and coach good. We’ve always been good. I ain’t about to apologize to him for having high emotions during the game.’ He was like ‘OK, I respect it. Just think about it.’”

According to Ramsey, Caldwell became aggressive with him after insisting he wouldn’t apologize to Marrone. 

“So then Dave Caldwell, who was the GM at the time, he took the total opposite — I guess they were in there playing good cop, bad cop. He took the total opposite approach,” Ramsey said. “He started cussing and started trying to cuss me out, like ‘You need to go [expletive] apologize.’ I said ‘No, that ain’t happening.’ And then he said something else, but I forgot what he said. You know how when you’re in shock sometimes, you give like that little laugh, like ‘He’s crazy.’ So, I gave him a little grin and he’s like ‘Oh, is this funny to you?’ And I just started shaking my head, and then he was like, ‘Well, just get the [expletive] out!’ And he opened the door, and I just walked out like laughing a little bit, and he slammed the door behind me.” 

Texans

Texans’ second-year DT Ross Blacklock said playing under new HC David Culley feels like “another rookie year” and is excited about the change. 

“Man, I’m just excited,” said Blacklock, via Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk790. “It’s almost like starting all over again for another rookie year. I’m excited for what’s to come: new defense, new coaches, new players. Everybody seems really hungry. It’s a competitive roster, which is going to make it better for everybody. I think it’s going to be a good change for us and I’m just excited to see what’s going to happen this year.”

Blacklock is confident that he will learn from his experience as a rookie and is focused on continuing to develop. 

“I had my tough moments and frustrations and my good moments,” Blacklock said. “It’s just all about learning. I know I’m not going to have all the answers my first year. I think when it all develops, I’ll be a pretty good player. One thing I learned is you’ve got to keep working.”

Blacklock views himself as a “versatile” defensive tackle and wants to earn a spot in the Texans’ rotation. 

“I’m versatile, I can play wherever they need me,” Blacklock said. “The opportunity is always there. I’m just excited for the opportunity. I know there are a lot of guys we’ve got in the rotation. I want to be one of those guys. I’m just excited to see where everybody ends up and how this team does. I’m definitely ready to compete.”