HOUSTON TEXANS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP: July 26
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LAST YEAR: Texans had first losing record since 2013 as they dealt with numerous injuries, including to rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and superstar defensive end J.J. Watt. Watson was bright spot in disappointing season for his play in seven games before he tore anterior cruciate ligament in right knee in practice. He threw for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns, giving Texans hope they've finally found franchise quarterback after years of misfires and disappointment. Another positive was continued improvement of 2014 top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. Defensive end finished second in NFL with career-high 21 tackles for losses and his 9 1/2 sacks, 21 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles were also career bests. He had career-high 59 tackles and started all 16 games for first time in career after struggling with injuries in first two NFL seasons before playing 14 games in 2016
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: S Tyrann Mathieu, G Senio Kelemete, G Zach Fulton, OT Seantrel Henderson, CB Aaron Colvin, QB Brandon Weeden.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Brian Cushing, OT Jeff Allen, OL Xavier Su'a-Filo.
CAMP NEEDS: Texans will have eye on two of their biggest stars who are returning to field after sustaining season-ending injuries last season. Watson must show surgically repaired right knee has healed and that he still has same burst and playmaking ability he showed as rookie last season. After Watt played eight games over last two seasons because of injuries, including broken left leg last season
Youth Derek Grant Jersey , Houston must see if Watt can return to Defensive Player of Year form. Texans will also use camp to see how offensive line fits together and hope revamped group protects QB much better than last season, when team allowed second-most sacks in NFL.
EXPECTATIONS: If Watson is healthy and can build on limited work as rookie, Houston's offense will be much better. Defensive front will get boost if Watt can stay on field to play with Clowney, and secondary should be much improved with addition of Mathieu and Colvin. With Watson and Watt leading team, Texans should shake off last season's struggles to contend for third AFC South title in four years.
Frank Reich might not have been the Indianapolis Colts' first choice as head coach.
Turns out, he might be the better fit anyway.
Just three days into training camp, the 56-year-old former quarterback has injected energy, enthusiasm and excitement into a team desperately needing to change directions after three straight seasons of missing the playoffs.
"I think he brings a really neat perspective," Andrew Luck said this week. "He's certainly had an amazing career as a player and has done an amazing job as a coach. I've really enjoyed talking to him, learning from him, talking with him and figuring out what the best course of action is in many different arenas."
The new tandem is just getting started.
Throughout the first two public workouts in suburban Indianapolis, Luck and Reich have been conversing regularly as Luck learns his fourth offense in seven pro seasons.
But Reich does more than just talk.
He's innovative, passionate and personable, and players seem to respect the unique journey Reich took to his first head coaching gig.
After graduating from Maryland
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His coaching career began when another Hall of Famer, Tony Dungy, hired Reich as an intern with the Colts in 2006. Peyton Manning earned his first championship ring that season, though Reich did not receive one.
In 2009, Reich was promoted to quarterbacks coach as Manning captured his fourth MVP Award, led the Colts to a 14-0 start and another AFC title.
Then after stints in Arizona and San Diego where he worked directly with Larry Fitzgerald and Philip Rivers, Reich was named the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator in 2016 and finally picked up the elusive ring when Nick Foles beat New England in February.
Not enough?
Even before he replaced injured Bills quarterback Jim Kelly in the 1992 playoffs and overcame a 32-point deficit to complete the largest comeback in NFL history, Reich threw three second-half TD passes in relief of Stan Gelbaugh and led the Terrapins back from a 31-poinnt deficit to beat highly-ranked Miami in 1984. At the time, it was the largest comeback in major college football history and still ranks No. 3.
"The backup role has suited me well in my career," Reich joked at his introductory news conference in February.
The Colts are counting on him to do it again, this time in the family tradition.
His father was a football coach, his mother coached sports and his brother, Joe, is entering his 18th season as head coach at Division II Wingate University in North Carolina.
And Reich may need all of his expertise to turn things around in Indy.
He inherits a young roster that has more questions than answers
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So instead of McDaniels, general manager Chris Ballard brought in a reigning champion who understood the organization, who helped Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz put himself in the MVP conversation in just his second NFL season and who refused to take a single interview until Philadelphia's season was over.
He didn't care what the critics said then about the Colts, and he doesn't care now.
"I see and hear the chatter, but we don't focus too much on that," he said, referring to one projection of a two-win season. "That is, I guess, a little bulletin board material, but for the most part, it's about believing in one another. I've seen what we've done. I've seen the kind of players we have. I just have a lot of confidence in who we have here."
The players like what they have in this coach, too.
Reich
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"He certainly is a sounding board for all of us quarterbacks," Luck said. "I think he's also a great teacher. The best coaches have always been the best teachers. He does a fantastic job of that."
Reich's frank, succinct assessments have been a big hit, too.
He's made no secret of his personal expectations: The Colts must work hard, be prepared, play with discipline and finish games. He also encourages players to be themselves, a combination that led free agent tight end Eric Ebron to Indianapolis and could bring more help to Indy in the future.
"Frank is just Frank, he always just keeps it real," Ebron said. "That's what I like about him."
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