AFC Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts’ HC Frank Reich spoke about what he expects to see from DE Kemoko Turay, who has been activated from the physically unable to perform list.

“What we’ve seen out at practice is the same guy, the same guy with the speed and bend coming off the edge, a disruptive player with a lot of explosiveness – natural knack to get off on the ball, get off on the snap count,” Reich said, via Andrew Walker of Colts.com. “You’re right … it would be natural to when and if he is up, just like there is in practice – he’s on a bit of a pitch count in practice. It would be the same thing in a game.”

• Over The Cap’s Nick Korte goes over the changes to the compensatory pick formula and how the projected picks have played out in 2020. He notes WR Devin Funchess still counts as a qualifying lost free agent despite opting out of the season after signing with the Packers. 
• However, Funchess’ deal does not fall under the 32-pick cutoff in Korte’s current projections. 
• Per Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Colts DC Matt Eberflus said they need to see more out of 2019 second-round DE Ben Banogu in practice to give him more snaps in the game, though he cautioned it often takes defensive linemen a few years to transition: “As with any player, it’s about practice. If you practice well or produce on the practice field, it moves on to the game.” 
• Colts DT Grover Stewart has been as heavy as 345 pounds but he’s now down to 308 as he looks to extend his career. (Erickson)

Texans

Before he was the interim general manager for the Texans, Jack Easterby was a chaplain/character coach for the Patriots. In fact, he was outstanding in that role and left a strong impression on a number of people in New England, including HC Bill Belichick. 

“Jack did a great job for us,” Belichick said via Pro Football Talk. “His role was a varied one. He worked with a lot of different aspects of the organization — players, coaches, support people, so forth. He was a person who could connect well with everybody, from the owner of the team to the equipment manager or equipment guy that picks up towels and all the people in between. He was a very valuable person in this organization in the time he was here.”

Asked if he ever thought Easterby would pursue a front office role like what he has now with the Texans, however, Belichick said he wouldn’t have expected that. 

“Jack’s not a personnel person, no,” Belichick said.

Titans

• Per ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Titans ILB coach Jim Haslett says they plan to use LB Rashaan Evans more as a pass rusher going forward to try and create more pressure: “To get more sacks. He has good rush ability and can impact the game when he’s doing those things. We try to move him around a bit and do different things with Rashaan.”
• Haslett acknowledged LB Jayon Brown is playing a ton of snaps and could use more rest breaks but the best way to do that might be possessing the ball more on offense. (Terry McCormick)