AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says that second-round CB Rock Ya-Sin and third-round LB Bobby Okereke are competing for starting jobs with the Colts. 
• Colts QB Andrew Luck will not participate in minicamp due to his calf injury, meaning he will have missed his third straight spring with the Colts. (Kevin Bowen)
• Reich added: “We’re not concerned. Just being conservative.” (Mike Chappell)
• Reich also mentioned that it’s a “no-brainer” that Luck will be full-go for training camp. (Zak Keefer)
• Reich confirmed RB Marlon Mack will lead their running back committee, while RB Nyheim Hines will be the chief third-down back. (Joel Erickson)
• The rest of the runners, including Jordan Wilkins and Spencer Ware, will compete for time behind those two. 

Jaguars

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes the Jaguars may have to get creative to extend DE Yannick Ngakoue.
• The Jaguars have around $9 million in cap space and Ngakoue’s current $2.234 million base salary is a long way away from the $20 million per season top edge rushers are getting. 
• Jaguars HC Doug Marrone says he’s spoken with Ngakoue: “Everybody knows the situation. It doesn’t take a genius. He wants a new contract.” (Daniel Popper)
• Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey says he’s stayed in contact with LB Telvin Smith during his leave from the team: “He has full support from me. …I wish people would leave him alone.” (Popper)
• Ramsey added that Ngakoue deserved a contract extension: “I think Yan has earned a contract. …I really hope something gets done.” (Popper)

Texans

• According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Patriots cannot block Nick Caserio from interviewing with the Texans if it’s for the general manager position. 
• Asked if the unsettled general manager situation affected LB Jadeveon Clowney, HC Bill O’Brien said: “He’s been franchised. He’s not here. It is what it is.” (Aaron Wilson)
• O’Brien said he had not talked to former Texans GM Brian Gaine since he was fired. (Wilson)
• O’Brien confirmed the Texans were looking to improve from good to better by moving on from Gaine: “I think we always need to improve communication. I’ve always said it starts with me. We have to do a better job. We’ve done some good things, but not enough to where we want it to be. It’s about the Texans, doing what’s best for the Texans.” (Wilson)
• O’Brien said the decision was CEO Cal McNair‘s, not his. (Wilson)
• O’Brien later added he did have some input: “Cal did a thorough evaluation of the football program. I’m not saying he did it by himself. He made some tough decisions.” (Wilson)
• O’Brien spoke on what newly-hired executive Jack Easterby‘s role in the Texans organization is: “He helps in all areas of the team, he helps me with the team. He helps me with putting in processes to help the duties of each department relative to the team. It’s all about the team. Jack has been an excellent addition to the organization.” (Wilson)
• O’Brien said McNair has been clear about expectations for the Texans moving forward. (Wilson)
• Asked if he’s easy to work with, O’Brien replied: “I guess that would depend on who you ask. I guess anytime you’re in a leadership position there are going to be a few people who don’t agree with you.” (Wilson)

Titans

Titans DE Harold Landry has put on some weight in anticipation of shouldering a bigger role in his second season. 

“I expect myself to be a game changer, a playmaker out on the field, that guys can look at me and not say, ‘Oh, he can just get the job done,’” Landry said via the Tennessean’s Erik Bacharach. “I want to get the job done and make plays, be able to create turnovers, help our defense out to give our offense as many chances as possible.”