AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Titans

Colts

Colts GM Chris Ballard said he’s confident that several players will have big seasons ahead including WRs Michael Pittman, Zach Pascal, and Parris Campbell. 

“I’m betting on Michael Pittman, who I think’s got a chance to be really good,” Ballard said, via Josh Carney of Sports Illustrated. “I thought he ended the year strong. He had a big playoff game with over 100 yards. Everybody just ignores Zach Pascal, but all he’s done is catch (10) touchdowns over the last two years. And then getting Parris Campbell back is a big bonus and he’s looked great during the offseason. We think we’re a little better than other people do.”

Ballard reiterated that the Colts have a “talented group” of receivers and still thinks T.Y. Hilton is a dependable player. 

“They’re a talented group,” Ballard said. “Is there a guy that, you know, you just line up and go, ‘Holy crap man, how are we gonna stop this guy?’ Maybe not, but they are really damn good players, and T.Y. Hilton can still play. He can still play. T.Y. Hilton is as competitive and as good a teammate as I’ve ever been around.”

Jaguars

Jaguars LB Joe Schobert called rookie QB Trevor Lawrence a “once-in-a-generation arm” and thinks all he needs to do is mentally prepare for the regular season. 

“Trevor’s got an arm — a once-in-a-generation arm — and if he can put it together upstairs mentally for the rookie season in the NFL, which is always, as a quarterback, the hardest thing to do, we’ll be very successful if we can get all that accomplished,” Schobert said, via CBSSports.com.

Beyond just his skill set, Schobert is impressed by Lawrence’s confidence and presence on the field. 

“I mean, as a rookie coming into the NFL, I know I definitely wasn’t that confident,” Schobert said. “I was looking up to my veterans, trying to soak up all the information, which he has been very respectful in asking questions. He comes in with a certain poise and a certain caliber, which I expect quarterbacks really should believe in themselves because they play in such a high-stress environment and they’re the ones who get critiqued and judged the most on the football field. I think if he’s able to mentally put everything together, like picking up a new playbook, understanding teams and going against different kinds of athletes on the defensive side of the ball, he can be an extremely good quarterback for the next 10, 15, 20 years for Jacksonville. It’s going to be exciting to see how he progresses because he has all the tools and all the talent.”

Titans

Former Titans TE Delanie Walker praised TE Anthony Firkser and thinks the addition of Julio Jones will open up the field for him. 

“He sat under me for years and I tried to teach him everything I know, but the dude got wiggles. He can get open, he can catch the ball. I think he going to be elite,” Walker said, via Talking With TD featuring Turron Davenport. “Just adding Julio [Jones], it’s gonna open, have more opportunities for him. Over the middle. With matchups against linebackers. And that’s gonna be hard for them to cover him, cause he destroys linebackers within seconds. It’s gonna be good.”

Walker expects Firkser to have a “good year” and reiterated that he will combine well with Jones, WR A.J. Brown, and RB Derrick Henry. 

“I feel like it’s going to be a good year for him,” Walker said. “I’m excited. I hope he does well, cause I want him to get paid. That’s what it comes down to. Just hope he does well. I know he built his confidence over the years. Now he has that opportunity to be the starter. I told him the last time I saw him, I said it’s your opportunity, don’t lose it. Cause they don’t give it to many people often. He has the opportunity to be great. And I think with Julio and A.J. [Brown] and Derrick Henry, that opportunity is high.”