On paper, the new-look Tennessee Titans looked like a dark horse in the AFC South. While they clearly aren't a Super Bowl contender, their much-improved defense and Robert Saleh's expertise on that side of the field made them look like a team that could play spoiler.
That's why the Indianapolis Colts and their fans must have been thrilled with what they put on the field in the preseason opener. While those games should always be taken with a fistful of sand, Cam Ward looked like the same sloppy rookie he was last season.
The former No. 1 pick took the field for three drives. He led a 95-yard scoring drive that ended with a rushing touchdown, but he was just 5-for-12 for 57 yards, and the team gained a total of 15 yards with two punts in his final two series. It's early, but it looks like he won't be a problem after all.
The Indianapolis Colts shouldn't worry about Cam Ward and the Titans' offense
The Titans spent big bucks to fix the team and give their prized youngster a better supporting cast. Adding Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate to the mix could've been a problem for the Colts' strong secondary, but pundits might've given them too much credit.
Ward was extremely erratic as a rookie, and even with Brian Daboll as his new offensive coordinator, one can only wonder whether Robert Saleh, of all people, was the right guy to help speed up his development. Yes, the same Robert Saleh who could never find a playable quarterback with the New York Jets.
The physical traits are there, but the sloppy decision-making and hero-ball tendencies clearly haven't gone away. Also, his pass protection was average at best, which bodes well for the Colts' new look and improving pass-rushing unit.
The AFC South features two former No. 1 picks and one No. 2 pick at quarterback, with Daniel Jones being the only guy who's played for more than one team. Ironically, he's also the more experienced signal-caller in the division, not to mention the most efficient and probably better suited to run a championship-caliber offense.
Even without Charvarius Ward, the Colts' strong secondary should be able to blanket the Titans' plethora of pass catchers, knowing Ward will likely shuffle his feet and try to do too much as soon as he faces pressure, often leading to erratic passes or mistakes.
Sure, he can ride his athleticism to a win or two, but when it comes to playing consistent football and making winning decisions, he's clearly not there yet. And with an offensive line that can't set and maintain a clean pocket for him, he might be a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode.
The Colts still have some tough opposition in the division, and they might not even be the best team in the AFC South. That said, it looks like they won't have to worry about the Titans' offense so much after all.
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