AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

Many players transitioning to new teams have only met their teammates virtually because of the NFL’s current work restrictions. However, that hasn’t stopped some players like new Colts starting QB Philip Rivers from making a strong impression out of the gates. 

“I feel like I’ve got to know him,” Colts WR T.Y. Hilton said via ESPN’s Mike Wells. “I mean, he’s already taken control of meetings. So he’s asking questions, knowing the terminology. He’s been in this offense — just some things we’ve changed up with different names. So he’s just getting those things down, and once he gets those down, he’ll be ready to go.”

Jaguars

The Jaguars saw more prominent players exit than come to Jacksonville this offseason. But one of their bigger additions, TE Tyler Eifert, is expected to have a major impact on the offense if he can stay healthy. Tight end has been a major weakness for years for the Jaguars and Eifert brings a lot of experience in OC Jay Gruden‘s system. He’s expected to be a boon to QB Gardner Minshew in the red zone at the very least.

“It’s difficult down there,” Gruden said via John Oehser of the team’s website. “You can double receivers all you want to. It’s hard to double tight ends and tight ends really are a key component down there in the red zone and on third down. They’re a quarterback’s best friend. he passes don’t have to be 25 yards down the field. They can be option routes, choice routes, in-breaking routes … you know, quicker-type element passes – if you have that tight end.”

Texans

Texans OC Tim Kelly said QB Deshaun Watson has been very impressive through the team’s offseason program and is focusing on fully learning their offensive system.

“I think Deshaun’s excited,” offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I don’t want to speak for him, but with the communication that we’ve had these however many days throughout this virtual offseason, he’s come in with a great mindset, coming in, trying to get better at some areas and really take grasp of the offense. He’s doing a great job as far as that’s concerned.”

As for the Texans acquiring WR Brandin Cooks, RB David Johnson, and WR Randall Cobb, Kelly believes they have “versatility” at the receiver position and “diversified” their route tree. 

“Then, yeah, obviously there’s versatility that goes along with playing that wide receiver position, being able to play inside and outside and do some different things and have a diversified route tree. It’s all things that are going to help us basically take the next step here as an offense.”

Kelly said he wants to make sure he’s on the same page with Watson and there are still aspects of the game he wants the quarterback to improve on. 

“I think you always — if you’re calling plays or you’re a part of the play calling process, you want to make sure that you’re seeing the game through same set of eyes as the quarterback, that you’re all on the same page, that you all have the same vision of the play when the play gets called,” Kelly said. “That’s something where as we continue to grow, that’s going to be important. And yeah, there’s things that Deshaun needs to get better at, as all of us need to improve on.”  

“We’ve talked about that with him, coming out and being consistent and playing at that — he’s set the bar so high, so it’s really a challenge for him to be able to play at that level every time he steps on the field.”

• UTEP announced former QB Kai Locksley had received an invited to Texans minicamp. (Twitter) 
• Houston has not announced any minicamp dates yet as their facility remains closed to coaches and players.