AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Titans

Colts

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor said he is starting to see the game better and slower than he did in his rookie season.

“It’s funny because I see it from the perspective of I now know the basics and what needs to be done,” Taylor said, via Kevin Bowen of 93.5 The Fan. “It’s now, ‘How can I make the job a little bit easier? How can I see the pre-snap and anticipate what’s going to happen?’ Don’t really bank on it, but anticipate that pre-snap read. Seeing what the defense is giving me and knowing our playbook and how we can make adjustments. It’s fun.”

• Former agent and CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry writes that Colts LB Darius Leonard has a great shot at hitting $20 million a year on a long-term deal. 
• Corry points out two franchise tags for Leonard would work out to an average of more than $20 million a year and Leonard is crucial enough to the Colts’ success even as an off-ball linebacker that they would use the tag. 
• The current top of the linebacker market is $18 million a year for Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner. Corry says whoever signs their deal last between Leonard and 49ers LB Fred Warner will likely hold that distinction this year.

Jaguars

During recent media availability, veteran LB Joe Schobert discussed the challenges of transitioning to a new coaching staff. 

“It’s just tough to learn the verbiage at first. You’re always going to associate things you did in the past and there’s always going to be a way that you thought you liked the best. But once you get through OTAs and mandatory minicamp and training camp, that’s three times we’ll have installed the whole playbook and everything going forward,” Schobert said, via JagsWire.

In the past, the Jaguars have used their front four to generate pressure dating back to former DC Gus Bradley. Under new DC Joe Cullen, the Jaguars will transition from the traditional 4-3 scheme to a 3-4, which relies heavily on generating pressure from the entire front-seven.

“I’d say like 50 percent of the plays in spring we’ve been running blitzes, so I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure,” said Schobert. “Coach Cullen’s not afraid to get after it and put some guys in man coverage, get pressure on the quarterback, try to force him to make mistakes, so it’s going to be fun to see what he has dialed up in games actually in the fall.”

Titans

Titans OLB Bud Dupree said he’s on schedule with his recovery from a torn ACL but wouldn’t put a timeline on when he’s expected to return to practice. 

“I’m recovering well. I’m on schedule. As far as when they’ll let me practice, I really don’t know. It’s up to them to decide what they want to do and how they want to go forward with it. I’m just taking it day by day and I’m excited for the season ahead,” Dupree said, via Terry McCormick. 

Dupree said his five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Titans will not make him complacent on the field. 

“To me, you expect to get paid big your second contract. If you’re working hard your first contract, you expect to get paid big in your second contract. That doesn’t mean that you go out there and change who you are, because that’s what got you paid. The bigger part of that is it’s not me producing, but it’s bringing someone else along to produce as well. Once you do that, it’s all working,” Dupree said.

Titans HC Mike Vrabel said they will determine Dupree’s full role when he is available to practice. 

“I’m sure they have conversations. When Bud is out there his role will change, right now his role is to get as healthy as he possibly can. Be ready to go, continue to work hard. His role on the field right now hasn’t been defined,” Vrabel said.