AFC Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich said second-year WR Parris Campbell (foot) is healthy and impressing their coaching staff. 

“He looks strong, fast, smart, explosive, good hands, understands the offense, consistent,” Reich said, via Kevin Bowen of 1075TheFan. “It’s early but that’s what we are looking for from him. Now we just need that to continue to build.”

Campbell feels in the best shape of his life “mentally and physically” this offseason and said that he is fully healthy.

“This offseason I really challenged myself to just come back in the best shape of my life,” Campbell says. “Mentally and physically, I feel like I’ve done that. That’s just allowed me to play freely on the field. I’m comfortable. I’m just glad to be finally healthy. I’m having a blast out there just being able to play freely, no injuries, no setbacks. It’s definitely fun to just be out there again.”

Campbell said he feels “much more comfortable” with the Colts system entering his second year in the league. 

“It’s just going back to that comfortable level,” said Campbell. “Last year I came in just learning new plays, learning a new offense. I would just say, I’m much more comfortable, and it’s kind of like clockwork when I hit the field. I’m not thinking a whole lot like I was last year and I can just go out and play. Every day there’s new plays that we run. There are going to be mistakes made, but just from being comfortable in the system, I’m able to learn from them and just keep pushing forward, keep playing fast. It’s definitely good to be comfortable in the system.”

• Clearly the Colts starter, RB Marlon Mack referred to his thoughts on the team drafting RB Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin: “As a running back, it motivates you.” (Joel A. Erickson)
• Mack also had good things to say about Taylor, adding: “He’s gonna be a beast, man. And teams should be aware of him right now.” (George Bremer)
• As for his contract situation, Mack admitted that he has thought about it but will continue to work hard and stay patient. (Bremer)
• The Colts are hoping to activate rookie S Julian Blackmon in the next two or three weeks, according to GM Chris Ballard. Blackmon is on the active/NFI list coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in December. (Alex Marvez)

Texans

Former Texans WR Andre Johnson said he is no longer on the team’s staff as an offensive advisor.

“I had a meeting with Bill (O’Brien). We talked about it. It was a lot for me being with the team every day. I almost felt like I was back playing again. It was something I wanted to experience. I got to experience it,” said Johnson, via Aaron Wilson. 

Johnson said he still plans to be around the team.

“I’ll still be around. Right now, I’m just taking some time to myself and spending time with my daughter. I’ll help out when I can,” said Johnson, via Wilson. 

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of the team’s official site expects Titans’ second-round CB Kristian Fulton to make the largest impact of Tennessee’s rookies this season given he will have a “significant role” on defense. 
• Offensively, Wyatt believes Titans’ third-round RB Darrynton Evans will also make an impact as Derrick Henry‘s backup. 
• Wyatt notes that Titans’ recently signed players this week in QB Trevor Siemian, TE Geoff Swaim, RB Marcus Marshall, and WR Krishawn Hogan were signed as backups and not to challenge for starting roles. 
• Wyatt does not think the Titans will pursue free agent S Eric Berry considering that they have Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro.