1. Does "new receivers" mean "better receivers"?

We’re convinced that nary a day goes by in which Jaguars GM James Harris doesn’t wish for the new Jimmy Smith. The Jaguars haven’t had a wide receiver they could truly rely on since Smith retired in 2005.

Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford and Dennis Northcutt just don’t get the job done as starting wideouts. This offseason, the Jags appeared to be making an effort to finally address their dearth of receivers, and they actually brought in two newbies.

Who are the Jags turning things over to in the receiving corps? Who do they see finally saving the passing game?

Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson.

Yes, this Jerry Porter. To emphasize the point, we’re referring to this Jerry Porter.

And, yes, this Troy Williamson.

Porter and Williamson will prove this year that taking the “L” from “quality” and adding an “NT” changes the definition of the word.

2. Is Marcus Stroud replaceable?

It’s never easy to replace a three-time All-Pro who’s 6-6 and 310 lbs, but Stroud’s injury problems and steroid suspension in 2007 showed the team that they have some capable guys who can step in at a cheaper price and get the job done alongside John Henderson.

Stroud wasn’t really a factor in ’07, and Jacksonville was still a Super Bowl contender, so the Jags decided to move on before paying too much for a 30-year-old who may or may not be cycling (and we don’t mean riding a bike, which might be a feat in and of itself for Stroud).

The Jags won’t miss a beat with Rob Meier and Derek Landri working inside. The run defence might never be what it was when Henderson and Stroud were in their primes, but it’ll be good enough to help the Jags make another playoff run.

3. Will change be good for the secondary?

The Jags brought Drayton Florence in to start at cornerback and moved Brian Williams to safety, where he’ll start alongside future Pro Bowler Reggie Nelson.

Rashean Mathis is trying to get healthy after injuries slowed him down last year. When he’s 100%, Mathis is one of the game’s five best corners.

Mathis appears to be healthy, Williams is expected to be more comfortable at strong safety (and the Jags have a talented backup in Gerald Sensabaugh in case things don’t work out), and Florence should help keep the pressure off Mathis.

The Jacksonville pass defence was only average in ’07. Look for it to return to form in ’08.

4. Why is Matt Jones still on the roster?

In case you hadn’t noticed, the GLS isn’t a big fan of Matt Jones. Something bothers us about his whole career. On draft day 2005, the Jags looked at Jones’ superb 40 time, vertical jump and broad jump, and decided he’d be their next star wide receiver. This in spite of the fact Jones was a quarterback.

It’s hard to blame the Jags. Had they not taken him, another team would’ve, but there’s no excuse, other than not wanting to fess up to a mistake, for having him on the roster at this point. Not when you consider the fact that Jones has put up worse numbers in his three seasons in Jacksonville than Randy Moss did in the first half of 2007.

And not when you consider that he has some heavy drug charges on his plate. We mentioned three questions ago that the Jags need to get better at wide receiver. The team has to realize that Jones just isn’t the answer.

5. Is this the year they overcome the Colts?

The Jaguars gave the Colts a hefty push in 2007. Not including the two meetings between the teams, Indy and Jacksonville were both 11-3. What hurt, though, was the fact the Colts beats the Jags both times the two hooked up.

They have the talent to play with Indianapolis, but we don’t think they’ll keep up over 17 weeks. Injuries will, of course, be a factor for both teams. The battle between the Colts and Jags will come down to health (something the Jags are winning so far), and the two meetings between the teams.

5-A. Did the cliché/question above just make us sick and give us déjà vu at the same time?

For years, we’ve likened the Jaguars to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were the à la mode pick to shock everyone when they first arrived on the national scene. But right when the world starting taking the Bulldogs seriously, they starting letting us down, free-falling from the NCAA tournament in the early rounds each year.

The Jags still have time to change that perception, but we’re getting sick of wondering when they’ll finally leapfrog the Colts.

There’s nothing like the late-August tradition that is cut-down day. NFL teams had to trim their rosters to 53 players on Saturday, and, as always, there were a few surprises. Here are our thoughts.

• The Colts must feel confident in Peyton Manning’s knee being ready for the opener. After releasing Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen, only Manning and Jim Sorgi remain on the roster.

• Former Roughrider Kenton Keith’s time in Indy came to an end. If he’s not added to a practice squad, Keith could look to return north.

• Is Rudi Johnson’s career over? It feels like just yesterday Johnson was considered one of the best backs in the game, and now he’s out the door in Cincinnati. Johnson was hamstrung by a hamstring last year, and, at 28, he might not have much more value than the unwanted Shaun Alexander.

• Willie Anderson was also part of Cinci’s roster chop. That helps explain why the Bengals feel so strongly about fellow tackle Stacy Andrews.

• If Johnson and Anderson don’t show Bengals fans how quickly NFL players can fall, Ahmad Brooks, who not even a year ago was considered a promising starter in the middle, should. He’s gone. So is Deltha O’Neal, who not long ago was considered one of the game’s best corners.

• Seattle placed wideout Ben Obomanu on the injured reserve after he broke his clavicle in the Seahawks’ last preseason game. With Deion Branch and Bobby Engram already hurt, the offence could be in trouble early.

• The Bills had a logjam at cornerback, and Will James paid the price. James will surely get attention from a team looking to upgrade the corner position. Houston and Cleveland come to mind.

• When healthy, Roydell Williams was the Titans’ best receiver last year. Tennessee doesn’t exactly have a full arsenal of weapons for Vince Young. We think releasing Williams was probably premature.

• Same deal with the Patriots and Fernando Bryant. Like, what's up with that?

• Travis Wilson was cut by the Browns, which means this guy was way off.

• The most amazing part of all this, though, is that somehow, some way, Jason David still has a job.

1. How will Peyton Manning’s knee affect his play?

While we’re still waiting to get a response from the folks who handle the honorary degrees at Amherst College, as of right now, we at the Goal Line Stand are not doctors, and can’t predict how Manning will play as he continues to recuperate from surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee.

While we continue to hear that there is nothing mechanically wrong with the knee, swelling and a lack of lubrication (stop laughing), could slow him down. At the end of the day, a pocket-passer like Manning needs only to have the mechanics right. We get the feeling a running back would be much worse off.

Let’s remember: it’s Peyton Manning we’re talking about. He’ll be there in primetime next Sunday, ready to open Lucas Oil Stadium.

2. How will Peyton Manning’s line affect his play?

More important than the knee for Manning might be the offensive line, which will be down two starters from 2007 for at least the first six weeks of 2008.

Losing guard Jake Scott in free agency hurt only a bit; the Colts were able to replace him with a guy they feel strongly about in Charlie Johnson. But losing centre Jeff Saturday is about as painful as an infected bursa sac.

There's a chance rookie Steve Justice could get a look in the middle while Saturday recovers from the knee injury he suffered in last week’s preseason game against the Bills. But with Saturday likely to miss about six weeks, guard Ryan Lilja might move over instead.

That would mean that the Colts will have two new starting guards for much of the first half. The team kept Lilja over Scott in the offseason, but now neither will be available, at least at guard.

To make matters worse, Lilja still hasn’t practiced in August after undergoing offseason knee surgery.

Left tackle Tony Ugoh is quickly turning into a star, and, when healthy, Johnson, Lilja, Saturday, Ugoh and Ryan Diem make one hell of a crew. Unfortunately, 60% of that crew is currently out of commission.

That doesn’t bode well for Indy’s mediocre running game or Manning’s bursa sac.

3. How will Peyton Manning’s receivers affect his play?

While there’s no question about what Reggie Wayne can do, Marvin Harrison is a mystery. Harrison claims he’s in tip-top shape again after dealing with knee problems most of 2007, and has been performing that way in practice.

Rookie Anthony Gonzalez had some big performances with Harrison’s knee on the fritz, but he’ll once again be the third option to start the ’08 season.

Harrison’s recovery is obviously a good thing for Manning and the passing game, and it’s good to know that if the 36-year-old does go down, Gonzalez and Dallas Clark are there.

4. How will Peyt… OK, fine. With Tyjuan Hagler and Freddy Keiaho hurt and Rob Morris and Rocky Boiman gone, do they have enough depth at linebacker?

This defence was great last year, but it struggled a bit against the run. Things could get worse in ’08 after the Colts lost Rob Morris and Rocky Boiman and will be without starting outside linebacker Tyjuan Hagler for much of the first half due to a torn pectoral muscle.

That leaves Clint Session and a group of guys people in Indianapolis have never heard of. If any other linebackers go down, the defence will be in big trouble.

5. Can they get back to the Super Bowl?

The previous four questions were tied to injuries, which says a lot. The offensive line and linebacking corps are in trouble, but this offence will always keep the Colts battling with the best in the AFC.

Assuming, of course, that the bursa sac stays liquidated.

1. Who will emerge as the starting running back?

A month ago, all signs pointed to Ahman Green being the starter in the Texans’ backfield. A couple weeks ago, Chris Brown became the man. But we all know Brown has as much trouble staying healthy as former President Herbert Hoover.

(We’re not aware of Hoover having any nagging health problems. But he’s been dead for 43 years. Not being alive can’t be too healthy.)

Lately, Steve Slaton and Chris Taylor have been getting the majority of the first-team reps. Slaton, the shifty rookie out of West Virginia (oh boy, we’ve said that before), has been the top back on the team throughout August.

But Slaton was never expected to be a top back all on his own, and he likely won’t be able to carry the load all season. Regardless, with Brown making his frequent trips to the trainer’s room, Green hurt and falling out of favour, and Taylor failing to produce in the preseason, there’s a good chance Slaton will end up leading this team in carries.

Watch for the Texans to use three or four different starting backs this season. We don’t like the odds of any one of these guys (including free agent pick up Darius Walker) staying healthy or performing consistently.

2. How will they replace Dunta Robinson?

Robinson was easily the team’s top cornerback last year, but he’ll miss at least the first six weeks of 2008 with a bad leg injury. Jacques Reeves, who the Texans picked up as a free agent from Dallas, and who at least one taker says wouldn’t even make the Cowboys’ roster, will have a featured role in the secondary, as will improving second-year starter Fred Bennett.

DeMarcus Faggins showed last year that he’s simply not good enough to be a starter, and rookie Antwaun Molden might not be ready to take on a major role.

The good thing is the Texans have a lot of relatively capable bodies at the position. In addition to Reeves, Bennett, Faggins and Molden, they also have Jamar Fletcher, who had a great camp.

Without Robinson, there aren’t any stars at corner. The team can only hope there’s enough talent and experience to keep the defence afloat before Robinson returns.

3. What are the odds Mario Williams doesn’t lead the league in sacks?

Not good. (If you read the question correctly, that’s a good thing.)

Williams became a monster in his second season, putting all the controversy around the Texans picking him over Reggie Bush to sleep. Looking at things broadly, Williams has easily had a more productive first two seasons than Bush or Vince Young, who was taken third overall by Tennessee.

Williams struggled in his rookie season, forcing some to prematurely label him as the newest draft bust. He managed only 4.5 sacks in his first season, and zero in the final eight games.

But Williams went nuts in year two, increasing his sack total to 14. He had three multi-sack games, forced two fumbles and scored a touchdown.

Third years are a charm for elite pass rushers. Reggie White recorded a career-high 21 sacks in his third season. Chris Doleman had a total of three sacks in his first two seasons, but registered 11 in year three. Kevin Greene had a career-best 16.5 sacks in his third year as a starter. John Randle had 11.5 sacks in his third season, while Richard Dent had 17.

Williams had 14 sacks in year two. We’re afraid to see what he might do the third time through.

4. Who’s healthy enough to start at guard?

One starter (Fred Weary) is on the injured reserve, and another (Chester Pitts), is hobbled with an ankle injury, meaning Mike Brisiel and Kasey Studdard are playing with the big boys. Brisiel has spot-started before, but wasn’t supposed to be a long-term option, while Studdard was expected to be on the roster bubble coming into camp.

There just aren’t any other options after that. The Texans better hope that Pitts gets back in a hurry, because the already questionable running game will take an even bigger hit with Brisiel and Studdard starting at the guard spots.

5. Is this the year they contend in the AFC South?

While they have continued to get better, they didn’t exactly go wild in the offseason. At least not wild enough to make up the difference between them and the Colts, Jaguars and Titans.

Injuries on the offensive line and instability in the offensive and defensive backfields will likely keep the Texans from making a strong push. But the game-breaking abilities of Williams, DeMeco Ryans and Andre Johnson might make up for their downfalls.

1. How good will the offensive line be without Alan Faneca?

What was once one of the league’s best offensive lines took a major hit in the offseason when Faneca left for bigger bucks with the Jets. The Steelers did little to replace Faneca; 2005 sixth-round pick Chris Kemoeatu will move into his starting left guard spot, and nobody else really made a push.

To make matters worse, Max Starks is slacking off and finds himself out of a starting job, at least for now. At centre, Justin Hartwig was Carolina’s garbage, but Pittsburgh’s potpourri. The line has looked out of sorts in training camp

It’s hard to measure a line’s performance in numbers, but only six teams surrendered more sacks than the Steelers’ line did last year – and that was with Faneca on Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side.

But Faneca’s biggest impact came in the running game. Willie Parker and co. averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2007. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the rush offence take a hit in 2008.

2. Who’s the number one wide receiver?

Hines Ward has been the man ever since Plaxico Burress left for New York, but Santonio Holmes has quickly emerged as one of the top young receivers in the game. Holmes is arguably the top deep threat in football, and the 32-year-old Ward is expected to take a backseat to Holmes in the passing game in the near future.

Here’s a look at Holmes’ and Ward’s stats in the first two seasons of Holmes’ career:

2006
Ward – 74 REC, 974 YDS, 6 TD
Holmes – 49 REC, 824 YDS, 2 TD

2007
Ward – 71 REC, 732 YDS, 7 TD
Holmes – 52 REC, 942 YDS, 8 TD

The numbers show Holmes has already become the most productive receiver in Pittsburgh. This year, the country will actually realize it.

3. Lawrence Timmons or Larry Foote?

Timmons and Foote are locked in a classic battle to start alongside James Farrior at inside linebacker. The Steelers’ linebacking corps can turn Joe Blow into a star, which makes it all the more exciting when two talented guys are fighting for one position in the middle.

Timmons, Pittsburgh’s top pick in 2007, didn’t do much last year in limited action while Foote started, recording 81 tackles and three sacks. But while Foote remains the starter on paper, Timmons has put the pressure on in August.

Watch for the Steelers to work out a rotation in the middle. And then watch for Timmons to make a run at the Pro Bowl in 2009.

4. Max Starks or Marvel Smith?

Speaking of position battles, the Steelers have (or, as of now, had) one at left tackle, the most important position on an offensive line in shambles.

Right now, Smith is the starter, but most insiders agree Starks, who’s younger, bigger, and has starting experience, is right for the gig. Unfortunately, Starks is having one of his patented slow starts. He doesn’t like August, and August doesn’t like him.

Smith has been plagued by a bad back, which could lead to opportunities for Starks to step in throughout the season.

Despite all the problems on the line, the Steelers can’t complain about having three formidable guys (right tackle Willie Colon being the third) to take reps at tackle.

5. Injuries killed 2007. Will the schedule kill 2008?

Some might say the Steelers’ 2007 season went down the drain when Parker went down with a broken leg in December. Others might say it was starting defensive end Aaron Smith’s torn biceps that did them in. Or maybe it was free safety Ryan Clark’s spleen injury.

Regardless, injuries did their share of damage to the ’07 Steelers.

Everyone’s healthy again, but playing in the AFC North could damage Pittsburgh in ’08. We mentioned in the Browns’ preview that Cleveland’s schedule was tough, but the Steelers have the hardest schedule in football.

This team has the talent to play for the Lombardi Trophy. To get there, they’ll need to beat some real good teams along the way.