ESPN NFL Nation Blog

	Bob Levey/Icon SMI
	This season, quarterback Matt Schaub and the rest of the Texans' offense need to figure out how to score more often in the red zone.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans have defensive playmakers, but to make the sort of leap they're expecting this year, they are going to have to build on the good offensive work they did at the end of last season.

During organized team activities and minicamp, the Texans emphasized eliminating turnovers and producing more touchdowns out of their red zone trips.

In 2008 Houston scored touchdowns just 45.9 percent of the time it got within 20 yards of the goal line. The Indianapolis Colts (68 percent) and the Tennessee Titans (62.2 percent) --- the AFC South's frontrunners  -- were among the league's best in that department.

Two topics are clearly at the forefront of the red-zone efforts: keeping things simple and running the ball more and better.

"We got kind of complex down in the red zone," quarterback Matt Schaub said. "If we can kind of keep it simple and especially run the ball, that's an important thing, being able to run it down there."

As with all good teams, the coach and quarterback provided very similar answers on the same topic.

"I think red-zone wise offensively, we have to run the ball better down there," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Last year we ran the ball pretty good between the 20s, but down there inside the 20 I think we got kind of greedy calling plays and stuff, and that's me. I think we can run the ball better down there and we can do a better job of calling things."

I was struck by the discrepancy between the Texans' yardage and scoring. They were No. 3 in offense, averaging 382.1 yards a game, but just 17th in scoring with 22.9 points a game.

Keith Hawkins of ESPN Stats and Information ran the numbers for me and found Houston was one of just four teams since 2000 that were top five in offense but not top 10 in scori...

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

CINCINNATI -- It didn't take long for Chad Ochocinco to make his first bold statement of the 2009 season.

Ochocinco

On the first day of mandatory minicamp, the Cincinnati Bengals' No. 1 receiver upped the ante on the team's expectations this season.

"It's going to be a great year; we're going to the playoffs," Ochocinco guaranteed Thursday. "We're going ... We're making progress. I mean, I see it, and I can come out on a limb and say what we're going to do."

For more on Ochocinco's promise, here is the full news story.

My early impression of Ochocinco Thursday after the first of two practices is he looks motivated and in great shape. He's quick, explosive off the line and has good muscle definition in his upper body. In one-on-one drills Thursday morning, Ochocinco had no problems getting open.

Another quick note to pass along: Veteran receiver Laveranues Coles tweaked what appeared to be his groin in the morning practice but it didn't appear serious. He sat out for a couple of plays and then returned to the lineup.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

A look at the key loss and his replacement for each team in the division:

Atlanta Falcons

Brooking

Peterson

Who's out: Keith Brooking, LB (wasn't re-signed and went to Dallas as a free agent)

Who's in: Mike Peterson, LB (signed as free agent from Jacksonville)

Outlook: On the surface, swapping one aging linebacker for another may look like a wash. But, keep in mind, Peterson played for coach Mike Smith in Jacksonville. That means Peterson is Smith's kind of player -- something Brooking and fellow departed linebacker Michael Boley were not. Brooking may have been an institution in Atlanta, but he looked old last year and looked lost in the playoff loss to Arizona.

The Replacements • Tuesday: AFC North | West • Wednesday: AFC South | East • Thursday: NFC South | East • Friday: NFC North | NFC West

Peterson spent most of his career playing middle linebacker, but he'll move to the weak side. Smith already has designated Peterson as a team leader and this is a chance for a fresh start. That's something Peterson wants. His once-sterling reputation was dirtied a bit when he stood up to coach Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville last year. This is Peterson's chance for the last laugh.

Carolina Panthers

Lucas

Marshall

Who's out: Ken Lucas, CB (released in a salary-cap move and signed with Seattle)

Who's in: Richard Marshall, CB

Outlook: Marshall had been the nickel back the last couple of years, which essentially meant he was a starter. But Marshall has a bit of an ego (not a bad thing for a cornerback) and quietly kept saying he thought he should be in the starting lineup. Now, he'll get his chance. (Note to Marshall: Be careful what you wish for because now you have to go against Steve Smith in practice every day.)

There really shouldn't be much drop-off because Lucas showed signs of age the second half of last season. In fact, the Panthers believe Marshall can be better than Lucas. The only downside is the Panthers have to find a new nickel back.

New Orleans Saints

McAllister

Bush

Who's out: Deuce McAllister, RB (released and has not signed elsewhere)

Who's in: Reggie Bush, RB and Pierre Thomas, RB

Outlook: Yeah, Thomas and Bush were ahead of McAllister last year. But the icon of the Gulf Coast region still was on the team. Even as he stood on the sideline, there was always a suspicion from fans McAllister might be thrust back into a prominent role.

Now that he's really gone, fans don't have a safety net to grasp for. Neither does coach Sean Payton. Thomas showed some signs of being a pretty good back last year, and Bush flashed his usual promise at times. But it's time for Thomas, Bush and, maybe a short-yardage back to be named later to step up. The Saints are going to be a passing team as long as Payton's around, but it sure wouldn't hurt to have at least something that looks like a running game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brooks

Phillips

Who's out: Derrick Brooks, LB (released and has not signed elsewhere)

Who's in: Jermaine Phillips, LB

Outlook: In the first real move of the new regime of Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik, the Bucs made the bold decision to release Brooks, the best player in franchise history. Yes, he's old and yes, the situation could have been handled better. But it's over now.

The Bucs had a plan all along. That was moving Phillips from safety to Brooks' spot on the weak side. If Morris, who was Phillips' position coach last year, didn't think this would work, it wouldn't have happened. Phillips might not be the Brooks of five years ago, but he might be better than the Brooks of the last two seasons.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

A look at the key loss and his replacement for each team in the division:

Dallas Cowboys

Owens

Williams

Who's out: Terrell Owens, WR, cut and signed with Bills

Who's in: Roy Williams, WR

Outlook: Williams was acquired so that he could complement T.O., but that thought was abandoned when Jerry Jones released T.O. after the season.

Williams becomes the de facto No. 1 receiver -- and he'll face enormous pressure. His '08 campaign was shaky at best, but he'll get every opportunity to shine this season. In my mind, 65 catches for 850 yards and eight touchdowns sounds about right.

Williams needs Miles Austin to continue to develop as the potential No. 2 receiver. Austin's speed could open things up for Williams to work the middle of the field. Williams has been frustrated by all the doubters, but they're not going anywhere -- unless he helps take the Cowboys to a playoff game. 

New York Giants

Burress

Nicks

Who's out: Plaxico Burress, WR, free agent awaiting trial

Who's in: Hakeem Nicks, WR

Outlook: The Giants won't ask Nicks to immediately replace Burress -- and they shouldn't. Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith should be able to hold the fort while Nicks gets up to speed.

But Nicks is too much of a playmaker to redshirt. At some point this season, he'll be called on to play a significant role. I think Eli Manning is relieved to not have the Plax drama hanging over his head this offseason.

I know that rookie Ramses Barden has a body type more like Burress', but he's more of a project at this point. Early in the season, the Giants will lean heavily on the running game. That should buy Nicks and Barden some time to grow up. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Thomas

Peters

Who's out: Tra Thomas, LT, cut and signed with Jaguars

Who's in: Jason Peters, LT

Outlook: The trade for Peters jump-started the offseason. Yes, he gave up too many sacks last season in Buffalo, but he'll bounce back this season.

He finally feels appreciated, and I think he'll turn into one of the best in the league. You also have to remember the loss of Brian Dawkins. But Quintin Mikell is a pretty solid replacement. You get younger, although Dawkins' influence in the locker room will be missed.

Peters should make the Eagles a better running team -- immediately. Now, we just need to see how Brian Westbrook bounces back from a couple of offseason surgeries. 

Washington Redskins

Jansen

Heyer

Who's out: Jon Jansen, RT, cut and signed with Lions

Who's in: Stephon Heyer, RT

Outlook: The Redskins didn't really have any major losses, although Shawn Springs was a very solid presence in the locker room.

Springs was still talented, but he couldn't stay on the field because of injuries. Jansen gave the Redskins almost a decade of service, but he had no business starting this season.

Right tackle is Heyer's job to lose, and I think he'll nail it down in training camp. It's still a potential soft spot for this offense, though. Heyer has excellent size and pretty good feet for a big guy. But I'm not convinced he's the long-term answer.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Based on your concerns as expressed regularly in the mailbag, it's appropriate to re-visit the brewing contract situations in the NFC North.

The timeframe for resolving these issues is multi-faceted. Chicago and Minnesota have concluded their offseason workouts and might not resume serious business until the middle of July. (Yes, even NFL coaches and contract negotiators take vacation.) Green Bay and Detroit, meanwhile, will hold mandatory minicamps next week before breaking for the summer.

The Lions, of course, have already signed No. 1 overall draft pick Matthew Stafford and have no major contract concerns that I'm aware of. But let's take a spin through the other situations, in order of urgency:

Winfield

Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield

Contract status: Entering the final season of a six-year deal originally signed in 2004. Current deal calls for a $6 million base salary in 2009. Would be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2010. Nearly 32, Winfield is an unlikely target for the franchise tag.
The rub: Winfield would like to parlay his 2008 Pro Bowl performance into a market-level deal for a No. 1 cornerback. Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha set the bar this offseason with an unprecedented three-year, $45.3 million deal. Winfield won't fetch close to that number, but it has given him a ceiling that has made it difficult to find common ground. The Vikings have concerns about paying a rich deal to a player who will be 33 in its first year. Another factor not to be discounted: The Vikings are conserving salary-cap space in the event they sign retired quarterback Brett Favre.
The future: Winfield is serious enough about these negotiations that he skipped organized team activities after negotiations broke down. Vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said Wednesday the team will do whatever it can to retain him. But the sides have a lot of work remaining before a deal could be completed. There have been no indications that Winfield would hold out of training camp.

Jennings

Green Bay receiver Greg Jennings

Contract status: Entering the final year of the rookie deal he signed in 2006. Base salary is $530,000 this season. Would be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2010. If the NFL fails to extend its collective bargaining agreement, he would be a restricted free agent.
The rub: The Packers have been working on his deal for much of the offseason. Jennings' participation in offseason workouts suggests he is satisfied with the progress of talks. One contract to keep in mind is the deal Minnesota gave Bernard Berrian last year: Six years and $43.4 million, including $16 million guaranteed. Jennings produced significantly higher statistics than Berrian in his first three seasons. So does that push his targeted guarantees toward the $20 million mark? And what about the average annual pay? Should it approach $9 million?
The future: Jennings has developed into the Packers' No. 1 receiver and has appeared to be the top priority on a long list of near-future free agents on their roster. That list means Green Bay must be prudent with Jennings' deal, but there is every reason to believe an agreement could occur long before free agency begins in 2010.

Collins

Green Bay safety Nick Collins

Contract status: Entering the final year of the rookie deal he signed in 2005. Base salary is $3.045 million this season. Would be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2010. But he would be a restricted free agent if the NFL fails to extend its collective bargaining agreement before then.
The rub: Collins would like his deal extended after making the Pro Bowl last season, but it's clear the Packers have prioritized at least one player (Jennings) ahead of him. That delay is at least one factor in Collins' decision to skip most of the Packers' offseason program. His absence has been especially noteworthy as the Packers shift to a new defensive scheme. The NFC's other Pro Bowl safety, Arizona's Adrian Wilson, recently signed a new deal that will play him $15.5 million over the next two years.
The future: It will be interesting to see how Collins plays the situation next week at the Packers' mandatory minicamp. There is no reason to believe he won't attend. But to what extent will he participate? And has his starting job been compromised by the offseason absence? You can only assume that some of his teammates are further along in the schematic adjustment. Beyond that, it's clear the Packers don't feel the urgency to extend his deal on an accelerated timetable.

Ogunleye

Chicago defensive end Adewale Ogunleye

Contract status: Entering the final season of a six-year, $33.4 million deal he signed in 2004. Agent Drew Rosenhaus has approached the Bears about an extension. Without one, Ogunleye would be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2010
The rub: Ogunleye will turn 32 in August and managed only five sacks last season. He hasn't had a double-digit sack year since 2005 and would seem to be approaching the final stage of his career. What's an appropriate figure for a player in that profile? Based on last year's numbers, not much. General manager Jerry Angelo recently suggested that some veteran players will have to take care of their business on the field this season in order to get the type of deal they are looking for.
The future: Ogunleye has told reporters that he understands this is a prove-it season and has no expectations of a new deal until next winter. His stance all but ensures harmony during the 2009 season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

MINNEAPOLIS -- The term "elephant in the room" was employed several time Wednesday night during a panel discussion of Minnesota officials in front of about 1,200 Vikings season-ticket holders. Naturally, everyone wanted to know the team's stance toward retired quarterback Brett Favre.

Neither owner Zygi Wilf nor coach Brad Childress disputed the version of events Favre described during a televised interview Monday night. In fact, the Vikings appear to have extended him an open invitation to join the team if and when his surgically-repaired arm heals.

Said Wilf: "Like I've said many times ago, be it Brett Favre or anybody else, we will do the most that we can to get the players that we need to get better. If that means Brett Favre, or if it means anybody else, we're going to go out and do it. We'll just have to wait and see. ... Right now it's all up to Brett Favre to determine what his future is."

Indeed, Favre is continuing to rehabilitate his arm near his Mississippi home. He threw at a local high school Wednesday but expressed some concern about discomfort he continues to feel while throwing and the dwindling time left for progress. (Watch the video here.)

Here's what Favre told WDAM-TV:

"I threw the ball OK, but OK isn't good enough in the National Football League. At least not for me. So it's got to get better."

Favre made it clear Monday that he wants to play for the Vikings if his arm recovers as expected. Childress indicated both sides have agreed the arm must be 100 percent before a deal is struck.

"He's trying to make a push to get back," Childress said. "I just know this: He won't play unless he feels like he's capable of playing at the level that he's played over the course of years. I know he's working hard at it."

When you combine Favre's interview Monday night with these comments from Childress and Wilf, you have on-the-record confirmation from both sides of what we have discussed here for some time: Favre wants to sign with the Vikings and the Vikings want to sign Favre. The ball is in Favre's court, and even with all the twists and turns this story has taken, I think we can all expect a decision on the condition of his arm -- and therefore final resolution -- at some point next month.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

	Paul Kuharsky/ESPN.com
	There is little evidence the Houston Oilers were ever located here.

HOUSTON -- Since I lived here for a calendar year -- summer of 1996 to summer of 1997 -- I've been back 12 or 15 times.

I'm ridiculously sentimental, but never really felt the pangs upon my returns. I was sort of a mercenary covering the last year of the Houston Oilers for The (Nashville) Tennessean, and knowing I was only on a short assignment, I didn't have a lot of personal investment.

It wasn't until Wednesday, with some time between the conclusion of Houston Texans minicamp and my flight home to Nashville, that I thought to find my way over to what had been the Houston Oilers headquarters.

Let's be clear -- it was a dump back in 1996. I did my best to dodge airplane-sized mosquitoes during sweltering hot practices. The locker room, weight room and meetings rooms were at 2727 El Camino, but the executive offices were down the street in an office park.

Now, the gate that rolled to a close to offer some privacy doesn't appear to be working. The Oilers' building is revamped into Harris County offices for four or five departments including the Harris Country Street Olympics. Hermethia Haynes, the first person you see when you enter, told me anyone taking a tour is told the Oilers were once housed there.

On the practice field that was closest to the locker rooms, there is a new building -- 2731 El Camino houses the Johnnie Means Swimming Pool. The facility offers free swimming lessons for kids and a competitive swim team -- the Mighty Dolphins of the Harris Country Aquatics Program (HCAP).

The other fields are a mess, with black paths laid across some of them in what seems a haphazard fashion. Swimmers run there sometimes to get loose.

You'd never know Warren Moon worked there unless they told you.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Even life's most mundane tasks turn into high drama when Terrell Owens is involved.

The country's most hotly reported house-hunting effort came to an end when Owens finally found a spot to rest his head, a 4,500-square-foot home in Orchard Park, N.Y., home of the Buffalo Bills' training facility and Ralph Wilson Stadium.

"I wanna thank ALL the people that opened up their homes n the WNY area 2 assist n finding me a place 2 stay this yr w/my new team! THANK YOU"

That was what T.O. tweeted on Tuesday.

His search reignited Wednesday afternoon with an all-caps Twitter fit.

"W/THE RELEASE OF MY POTENTIAL RENTAL @ 34 WOODTHRUSH TR, I WILL NOT B RENTING DUE 2 THE UNPROFESSIONALISM OF MAUREEN FLAVIN!!"

Maureen Flavin is the unfortunate realtor who found the property for Owens to lease. He was supposed to move in July 1.

We can't say for sure why Owens is angry at her. Associated Press reporter John Wawrow spoke to Flavin, but was careful not to disclose the exact location of Owens' new pad. Perhaps the local TV stations revealed his address.

Either way, now that Owens has tweeted the address, he can't live there.

The drama continues. Over lodging, no less.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

	Jerome Davis/Icon SMI
	Rob Ryan says he's implementing an 'attacking defense' in Cleveland.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Ryan family knows defense.

It goes back to Buddy Ryan, whose revolutionary 46 scheme led the 1985 Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl. It's transferred down to Buddy's twin sons, Rob and Rex Ryan, who have been very good defensive coordinators in the NFL. Now Rex Ryan is a first-year head coach for the New York Jets.

Meanwhile, Rob Ryan is spending his first season as defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. He has high hopes for a unit that finished No. 26 in the league last year and collected just 17 sacks in 16 games.

Rob Ryan says he's in Cleveland to change that.

"I know one thing," he said. "What we're going to have here in Cleveland is an attacking defense. It's going to be an exciting defense, and we're going to play great football."

Rob Ryan praised individual players Wednesday such as defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, cornerback Eric Wright and linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Kamerion Wimbley, all of whom are working with Rob Ryan for the first time.

The Browns' defensive coordinator also said he's going to mix things up. He even hinted that the Browns will use some variations of the 46 defense to create havoc on game days.

Buddy Ryan also is expected to make an appearance in Cleveland this summer, according to his son.

"Right when training camp starts he's going to be here," Rob Ryan said. "He's a Cleveland Browns fan."

So why isn't Buddy Ryan also a Jets fan?

"I don't know," Rob Ryan said with a smile. "Maybe he likes them, too."

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The offseason of unrest in Denver appears to be extending into the summer as the team's second disgruntled Pro Bowl player wants to be traded.

Still, the Broncos do not plan on trading receiver Brandon Marshall, who wants out of Denver because he wants a pay raise and has medical trust issues with the team. New Broncos coach Josh McDaniels has publicly said the team expects Marshall to show up for training camp in late July.

	AP Photo
	Brandon Marshall is hoping to be traded by the Broncos.

I believe Denver is doing the right thing by planning not to trade Marshall. Here are five reasons why it would not be prudent for the Broncos to trade Marshall:

The Broncos hold all the cards. This is not a unique situation. There have been several players who stayed away from a team and requested a trade because they felt underpaid. Marshall is not breaking new ground here.

This is not the Jay Cutler situation all over again. This is an emotional player wanting a pay raise. This isn't a dispute with McDaniels. This isn't a dicey situation created by the team, which was the case in the Cutler saga. This is a player unhappy for financial reasons. Big deal.

If Denver sticks to its guns, Marshall will have three choices: Report and be a good citizen and get paid very well next year (either by Denver or as a free agent); hold out and not get paid and affect his free-agent status; or report and be a disturbing presence, which would affect his earning power as a free agent.

Really, Marshall has no choice. Denver knows it.

It would be crippling to lose another star. The Broncos set themselves back by trading Cutler. He is a top-tier quarterback who is entering his prime. Teams chase franchise quarterbacks for years. Denver needed to find a way to keep Cutler.

Losing Marshall, who has had 100-plus catches in each of the past two seasons, will further damage this team and make it even tougher for Denver to be a legitimate playoff contender in 2009. Cutler and Marshall -- both part of a strong 2006 draft class -- were supposed to grow old together. They were a special tandem. Denver has to keep at least half of the pair. Teams just don't lose multiple skill-position Pro Bowl players and become better.

...

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Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

The St. Petersburg Times' Rick Stroud has a very interesting item in which he quotes quarterbacks coach Greg Olson as saying the Bucs may adjust their plan for rookie quarterback Josh Freeman.

Freeman

The original plan had been to sit Freeman at least at the start of his rookie year and, maybe, the entire season and go with either Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown as the starter. But Olson said the team's brain trust had a meeting last week in which the possibility of accelerating the plan for Freeman was discussed.

I've liked what I've seen out of Freeman in workouts and it's obvious the people who evaluate things for the Bucs do, too. I can't say McCown or Leftwich has looked particularly impressive in what I've seen, although they're not bad.

It sounds like the new plan for Freeman might be to give him a shot to compete for the starting job in training camp and the preseason. Not a bad idea. He's going to be the quarterback for the long term anyway. If he's ready to start, go ahead and start him. If he's not, go back to the original plan.

This situation's going to sort itself out. At this time a year ago, the Falcons had no idea whether Matt Ryan would open the season as their starter. They saw some promise in offseason workouts, but they really didn't know what they had until training camp. They simply let Ryan compete in camp and he stepped up and won the job.

Freeman could end up doing the same thing.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Peters

Walker

A look at the key loss and his replacement for each team in the division:

Buffalo Bills

Who's out: Jason Peters, left tackle (Philadelphia Eagles)

Who's in: Langston Walker, left tackle

Outlook: The Bills couldn't cope with the prospect of another prolonged Peters holdout, so they traded away the headache -- even though he's one of the best in the business -- for some draft picks.

The Replacements • Tuesday: AFC North | West • Wednesday: AFC South | East • Thursday: NFC South | East • Friday: NFC North | NFC West

The Bills opted not to draft any tackles or sign any through free agency. Instead, they are slopping Walker from the right side and shifting right guard Brad Butler to right tackle.

Walker will be a drop-off from Peters. Scouts are skeptical the 6-foot-8 Walker will be mobile enough to handle some of the best pass-rushers in the game. The Bills will face several who finished among the top 10 in sacks last year.

Miami Dolphins

Satele

Grove

Who's out: Samson Satele, center (Oakland Raiders)

Who's in: Jake Grove, center

Outlook: The Dolphins identified their biggest problem on the offensive line last year was their center. They didn't think Satele, who has been a starter since he stepped foot in the league, was physical enough against top 3-4 nose tackles.

The Dolphins have to deal with the Patriots' Vince Wilfork and the Jets' Kris Jenkins twice a year. Marcus Stroud is no slouch in Buffalo's 4-3 setup.

Miami targeted Grove in free agency because he grades highly in run blocking and plays with a mean streak. Dolphins defenders say they notice a much more aggressive tone in the trenches since Grove arrived. He has been injury prone, but if he stays healthy he'll improve the run game.

New England Patriots

Vrabel

Woods

Who's out: Mike Vrabel, outside linebacker (Kansas City Chiefs)

Who's in: Pierre Woods, outside linebacker

Outlook: The most noticeable void on New England's depth chart is the one left by Vrabel's trade to Kansas City. His numbers regressed from his Pro Bowl season in 2007, but he still was a player opponents worried about.

The Patriots still could bring in another veteran before the season begins, but for now it looks like Woods will be the replacement. Woods seems to have Bill Belichick's trust, starting three games last year when Adalius Thomas went down.

Woods, an undrafted fourth-year pro, is decent against the run but hasn't demonstrated pass-rushing skills in a game yet. Barring any developments before training camp, it looks like the job is his to lose.

New York Jets

Law

Sheppard

Who's out: Ty Law, right cornerback (free agent)

Who's in: Lito Sheppard, right cornerback

Outlook: The Jets plucked Law off the street in November when they decided rookie Dwight Lowery wasn't good enough to man the position opposite lockdown left cornerback Darrelle Revis. They didn't re-sign Law after the 2008 season and acquired Sheppard from the Eagles.

Sheppard is a playmaker because he attacks the ball. If he comes up with it, look out; he can go the distance. His coverage skills, however, are suspect. He couldn't retain his starting job in Philly, but the belief is that with Revis on the other side, the Jets can roll help to Sheppard's side.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

A look at the key loss and his replacement for each team in the division:

Weaver

Smith

Houston Texans

Who's out: Anthony Weaver, defensive end, released

Who's in: Antonio Smith, defensive end, signed as free agent from Arizona

Outlook: Fortifying the line and upgrading opposite Mario Williams were huge priorities for the Texans, and Smith was their prize acquisition.

Not necessarily rated as a great pass rusher, he's a hard-worker who will defend the run well, does good work with his hands, brings leadership and good experience and can shift inside to tackle on rush downs if it will help get the team its best four on the field.

He's a much better player than Weaver, who had 28 tackles, a pick and no sacks in 2008 despite starting all 16 games.

Harrison

Gonzalez

Indianapolis Colts

Who's out: Marvin Harrison, wide receiver, released

Who's in: Anthony Gonzalez, wide receiver, third year

Outlook: A lot of people have stereotyped Gonzalez as a slot receiver since the Colts drafted him in the first round in 2007. But he's shown he can be effective lining up anywhere and is the crafty and dependable sort of route runner who can thrive with Peyton Manning.

Gonzalez is on a lot of lists for potential breakout players, because even though Harrison wasn't himself in his final season, he caught 60 passes for 636 yards and five touchdowns. A good share of that production will go to Gonzalez, who had similar numbers himself. The battle for the third receiver slot Gonzalez is graduating from could be the most interesting of Colts camp with Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Roy Hall slugging it out.

Jones

Holt

Jacksonville Jaguars

Who's out: Matt Jones, wide receiver, released

Who's in: Torry Holt, wide receiver, signed as a free agent after release from St. Louis

Outlook: Holt's lost a bit since his days as a centerpiece in "The Greatest Show on Turf." But the Jaguars have had a terrible run as they searched for a lead wideout, most recently with Reggie Williams, Jones and Jerry Porter. They are all gone now.

Holt's a steady, productive, durable guy who should be able to get open and gain some yards after the catch while leading the way for a young group that includes three draft picks.

Haynesworth

Tennessee Titans

Who's out: Albert Haynesworth, defensive tackle, free agent signed with Washington

Who's in: Jason Jones, defensive tackle, 2008 second rounder; Jovan Haye, defensive tackle, free agent signed from Tampa Bay

Outlook: Haynesworth was a beast on the interior, and the Titans will miss the automatic double teams he drew and the way he could crush the pocket.

Jones

Haye

But they drafted Jones and his giant wingspan knowing this was possibly on the horizon and signed Haye after Haynesworth left. Defensive line coach Jim Washburn has effectively replaced key cogs before.

The biggest difference will be that the Titans will go back to being a smaller group on the interior, which it was before the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth joined the team as a first-rounder in 2002. Now just two players contending for roles in the tackle rotation top 300 pounds and no one is taller than Jones at 6-5.

	Getty Images
	Lions and Rams fans have had little to cheer about in recent years.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando and Kevin Seifert

The weekly Double Coverage feature is back with a new twist: Audio. NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert and I joined ESPN's Jay Soderberg in sizing up two rebuilding teams. At issue: Whether the Lions or Rams would fare better in 2009.

The Lions have plugged holes in their roster with veteran players such as Grady Jackson and Julian Peterson. The Rams have flushed out established veterans while becoming one of the youngest teams in the league. The Lions are building around a rookie quarterback. The Rams are trying to revive a veteran under center. The Lions hired Scott Linehan to fix their offense. The Rams fired Scott Linehan as part of a plan to fix their franchise.

Podcast: Football Today NFL bloggers Kevin Seifert and Mike Sando debate which team will be better in 2009 -- the Lions or the Rams? Football Today

Which team is taking the wiser approach? Kevin and I had fun seeking answers. Both teams have defensive-minded head coaches, putting pressure on their offensive coordinators. We covered that ground early before hitting on other topics. An excerpt:

Kevin Seifert: Scott Linehan is the offensive coordinator for the Lions. He obviously had a rough time in your division as the head coach of the Rams, but I covered Scott when he was the Vikings' offensive coordinator, and players loved playing for him. He listened to what they thought and incorporated that into his system. Obviously, they had some very successful years with the Vikings' offense under Linehan and there are some similarities in Detroit with Calvin Johnson playing the Randy Moss role and perhaps Matthew Stafford eventually developing into the Daunte Culpepper role. Until then, they have the actual Daunte Culpepper, so I think [Lions head coach Jim] Schwartz made a good hire and a well-respected hire in Scott Linehan for offense.

Mike Sando: Rams fans are going to have a hard time buying that, though, Kevin. To think you think the Lions upgraded by adding Scott Linehan, who went 5-27 over the last two years [actually 3-17, at which point the Rams fired him before going 2-10 the rest of the way], is a stretch. I will give you this, though. I think as a head coach, he is an excellent coordinator.

Kevin Seifert: Thanks for that.

Mike Sando: I think he is better in that role and I think you are probably right. He can successful in that role and certainly at least you have a guy who has been a head coach. Maybe not a good one, maybe [things] did not go his way.

Kevin Seifert: And what is [Pat] Shurmur's résumé? I know [Steve] Spagnuolo has been with him a while in Philadelphia, but what is his résumé and why should we trust him that he's going to be able to invigorate this offense?

Mike Sando: He has been with high-powered offenses in Philadelphia -- one of the most successful franchises over the last 10 years, for sure, even though they don't have the Super Bowl ring to show for it. I think there is a sense in the league -- we'll see if it's right -- that Shurmur, not unlike Scott Linehan a few years ago, possibly has a future as a head coach. We'll see, but I think the initial signs are encouraging.

Soderberg served as the judge once this mini-debate concluded. Tune in to the podcast to learn how he ruled. The teams will decide matters themselves when they meet Week 8, Nov. 1 in Detroit.