AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts WR Devin Funchess‘ goal during the spring was to establish a rapport with QB Andrew Luck. That didn’t happen after the passer missed the entire spring with a calf injury. 

“He’s got to see how I run,” Funchess said via Kevin Bowen. “I’ve got to see what the angles are coming out when he throws the ball. Then personality wise, just see what type of guy he is and see what type of guy I am. You’ve got to know the person and trust the person.”

Funchess had a bit of an up-and-down spring, looking good at times and out-of-sync with backup QB Jacoby Brissett at others. Colts HC Frank Reich was happy with Indy’s free-agent addition, though. 

“Very encouraged,” Reich said. “We knew right away, you could tell day one that he was smart. (He was) not going to have a problem grasping the system. Then it’s just a question of getting used to the way we do things, the way we teach things and then our schemes. I just thought he showed a very high aptitude for that. Then really as a route runner, for a big guy for his size we’ve said he’s got good feet and he’s got good body control. So I was just really encouraged by his progress.”

Funchess is expected to play a major role as a red zone threat for the Colts this season, as that was the area he was most consistent in during his time with the Panthers. 

“I think I do pretty well inside the 30,” Funchess said. “Coach Reich, (the Colts staff) they are gurus. It’s exciting to see what’s going to happen.”

Texans

• According to NBC Sports’ Tom Curran, the Patriots asking price for executive Nick Caserio would likely be a first-round pick given Caserio’s substantial role in the organization.
• Curran writes the Texans aren’t likely to meet that price given Caserio has only one year left on his contract. 
• The Patriots could gauge Caserio’s level of irritation with being blocked from interviewing with Houston and potentially lower their asking price to maximize their return and allow the Texans to hire a general manager before training camp. 

Titans

Titans QB Marcus Mariota has struggled with both injuries and his play on the field the past two seasons. Tennessee GM Jon Robinson hopes that by addressing the former, they can improve the latter. 

“The thing I’ve stressed to him, and I know our coaches have stressed to him is, ‘Let’s live to play another play,'” Robinson said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “Don’t take that hit. If you feel the pocket coming down on you and you take off running, and the ‘backer is coming off of coverage and he’s coming screaming at you, throw the ball away. It’s OK to punt, we’ll get another crack at it. That’s the main thing, it’s stressing to him-to try as best as possible, like all quarterbacks do, to avoid getting hit.”