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By Marc Sessler
Around the League Writer
Original Story Published: April 9, 2014
As the dust begins to settle from free agency, Around The League explores how teams from each division have improved.
AFC West
» Division overview: Raiders moving up?
» Most improved position group
NFC West
» Division overview: Cardinals ascending
» Most improved position group
AFC South
» Division overview: Jaguars on the move
» Most improved position group
The offseason in the AFC South has been more about departures than arrivals.
Matt Schaub is gone from the +Houston Texans, and the +Tennessee Titans no longer house Chris Johnson or Kenny Britt. The division is in flux with the presence of two new coaches in Houston and Tennessee, but it's +Jacksonville Jaguar's second-year duo of Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell who have our attention.
The Jaguars aggressively raided the open market to upgrade their defensive end rotation with the signings of Chris Clemons and Red Bryant, two former +Seattle Seahawks who give Bradley a pair of reliable defenders already familiar with Jacksonville's scheme. Bryant is an upgrade over Tyson Alualu, who now shifts into spot duty after starting all 64 games of his four-year career. That's good depth.
Bryant remains a strong run defender while Clemons will split time with Andre Branch and Jason Babin on the edge as a "Leo" pass rusher. The concern for Clemons and Babin is age -- they're both on the wrong side of 30 and Bryant's not far behind -- but the Jaguars now have more flexibility and depth at the position than they have had in years.
It's also a sign that veterans who know Bradley yearn to play for him, another positive development for this growing squad.
By Marc Sessler
Around the League Writer
Original Story Published: April 9, 2014
As the dust begins to settle from free agency, Around The League explores how teams from each division have improved.
AFC West
» Division overview: Raiders moving up?
» Most improved position group
NFC West
» Division overview: Cardinals ascending
» Most improved position group
AFC South
» Division overview: Jaguars on the move
» Most improved position group
The offseason in the AFC South has been more about departures than arrivals.
Matt Schaub is gone from the +Houston Texans, and the +Tennessee Titans no longer house Chris Johnson or Kenny Britt. The division is in flux with the presence of two new coaches in Houston and Tennessee, but it's +Jacksonville Jaguar's second-year duo of Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell who have our attention.
The Jaguars aggressively raided the open market to upgrade their defensive end rotation with the signings of Chris Clemons and Red Bryant, two former +Seattle Seahawks who give Bradley a pair of reliable defenders already familiar with Jacksonville's scheme. Bryant is an upgrade over Tyson Alualu, who now shifts into spot duty after starting all 64 games of his four-year career. That's good depth.
Bryant remains a strong run defender while Clemons will split time with Andre Branch and Jason Babin on the edge as a "Leo" pass rusher. The concern for Clemons and Babin is age -- they're both on the wrong side of 30 and Bryant's not far behind -- but the Jaguars now have more flexibility and depth at the position than they have had in years.
It's also a sign that veterans who know Bradley yearn to play for him, another positive development for this growing squad.
