#Lowellcommittee

[dedicationm18]

AFC South Preview

The NFL season is just getting underway and Dedication is gearing up with every team an undefeated hopeful. The copious amount of excitement, trade rumors, and shit talk is enough to make one giddy about the start of the franchise.

The AFC South is full of potential roster wise. It’s no secret that 4 of the youngest QB’s reside in this division along with 4 of the youngest head coaches. John Barkus, Nathan Hand, Jesse Black, and Austen Burns are all 1 year in the league head coaches and have become known as the #Lowellcommittee thanks to Joshua Kimble. 

These 4  coaches will start in the same division for the first time and they are bound to have quite a few quarrels throughout the season. Below are a few questions answered by each of the head coaches about their upcoming season.

John Bartkus - Jacksonville Jaguars 

Bartkus has coached previous seasons as the HC of the Cowboys with whom he won a superbowl. When asked about his expectations for the season and the chance at a repeat for him with the Jaguars he quickly turned the attention to his starting quarterback Blake Bortles. 

“It all comes down to how Blake Bortles plays, if he keeps playing the way he has in the preseason I don’t like our chances. I feel that we have all the pieces in place to make it to the superbowl. It all comes down to Bortles” -  Bartkus

Bartkus also weighed in on who he feels is his biggest competition for the upcoming season. “Team wise, I would have to say the biggest competition would be the Texans with their high powering offense and their front 7 it’s going to be a difficult team to beat. Sorry Nathan, sorry Jesse, but suck a dick” 

Austen Burns - Houston Texans

This is arguably the best front 7 in all of the NFL and easily the best that Burns has ever had the privilege of coaching. He is taking over a team that, to many, is believed to be ready to win the Superbowl. Burns however believes that his team has many holes to fill. He’s going into this season with some middle of the road expectations for his Texans. 

Along with this being the best front 7 Burns has every played with he also is playing with the best defensive player in the game and that is a huge help to his game. “JJ is the best defensive player in the league. Minus a few upstarts like Mack, there is no one else even close. I definitely think he is always in the conversation for DPOY until the year he retires as a Texan.” - Burns

Burns has been known for some salty “shit talking” through his tenure with this league. Most of his shots seem to be aimed at Black specifically. I was curious to see how he felt about Black and his Titans. “ As for Jesse, he is a guy that likes to talk up his game a lot. I'm just giving him friendly (but true) reminders that he is garbage at everything. Always has been always will be. I don’t need to highlight those games. I just use them as extra bye weeks.” 

Uh oh Jesse, looks like you’re gonna need some ice for that “Burns”!

Jesse Black - Tennessee Titans

Black was getting calls from both the Texans and the Titans about the HC position available. When it came down to it, Black had to make a call, his decision was Tennessee. We have to believe that the stout O-line, young QB, and RB have something to do with his decision to take the job in Music City. When asked about his decision Black had this to say: “Mariota has looked great in camp so far and is building great chemistry with the WR core. As for the defense we have some great young guys that we need to step up. If they do we'll be fine.”

Black also took some time to talk about his running back battle for the starting position. “It's always good to have competition, especially when it's because both players are extremely talented. So no I have not made my decision yet.” Sorry for anyone who is wanting to trade for one of these players, looks like it may be a struggle.

And in response to Austen Burns comments? “I'm glad I'm on his mind, but trash talking my abilities won't help his team win games.”

Nathan Hand - Indianapolis Colts

Hand has previously been the HC of the Denver Broncos. He has had a history of running a successful defense but he will have his hands full with this team. The Colts also have a history of durability issues. When asked about the injury rate of his team and the upcoming season he had the following to say.

 “We have a good team of guys, as long as we can stay healthy on the offensive side of the ball and keep Luck upright then I feel like we have a good shot at making the playoffs.” 

When asked about how he feels about the loss of Pat McAfee this season, well...

What bout your defense? Do you feel like like you’ll be able to duplicate previous seasons under your coaching?

“With young talent like Hooker, Wilson, Geathers, Green, Anderson, and Simon to build around I like the way the future of our defense looks. As long as we can go out, make plays, earn some progression and stay healthy. I feel this team will be a scary one to face.”