Gil Brandt was at Texans practice this weekend and told me he likes the team's chances to win the AFC South. The Colts and Titans have not stood still acquisition-wise but it's the Texans who appear poised to leap forward while the others may take a small step back.

Anyone who saw Sunday morning has to be pumped about the defense. They're performing like they are sick of hearing all the love about the offense while they get analyzed like a dysfunctional child. Demeco picking off a pass and Mario and friends forcing negative plays got plenty of oohs and ahhs from the crowd. The offense will be fine. It's the defense that needs to look better immediately.

It's the 8th Texans camp and the buzz is louder than ever. The turnout for the first few practices has been super strong and there is an expectation of success in the air that we only caught occasional whiffs of the last couple of years.

The contract quotes from Ryans and Daniels put a bit of damper on day one but Rick Smith put it all to rest for the moment by saying "it's time to play football." The most important thing about negotiations is leverage and Dunta, Demeco and Owen don't have enough. Ryans and Daniels are likely to remain restricted free agents next year and Dunta can still be franchised. If he is not then his value likely dipped below the reported $23 million guarantee offer he turned down this offseason.

Enough on the cash, how about the dash? Arian Foster looks spry and James Casey catches almost everything thrown at him. Jacoby Jones was sensational Saturday and David Anderson looks more solid than ever. Punt returner is wide open with Andre Davis getting a long look with the rest of the candidates. It should be Jacoby's job but he left the door open.