Today, I'm doing things a bit different than all the other football mags. Instead of profiling the NFC North, I'm profiling the NFC South. (A FAR better conference than the NFC North, IMO.)
NFC SOUTH
Carolina Panthers: already, this team is facing injury issues. Maake Kemoeatu is out for the year with a torn Achilles' tendon. Jon Beason is nicked up. So is Steve Smith. So are Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, aka Smash and Dash. They have 21 of 22 possible starters returning. (Ken Lucas was cut.) Jake Delhomme has a lot to prove. Muhsin Muhammad, although 36, still has some good years left. The defense is solid, although Richard Marshall has to make the adjustment to being a starting CB. The schedule makers did the Panthers NO favors, although most of their tough games are at home. (1st)
Atlanta Falcons: their offense is first-class, with Matt Ryan proving to be a franchise QB. Michael Turner proved he was no fluke last season. Roddy White broke out big-time. They added future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, who looks rejuvenated and is poised for a big year. However, the defense is very suspect. This team will be in their share of shootouts. The Falcons have almost as tough a schedule as Carolina, as they play a second place schedule. (2nd)
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees will once again have a huge season, perhaps setting the new standard for pass yardage. It's a wonder his arm didn't fall off last season. Reggie Bush is poised to have a huge year. Now if only the Saints' coaching staff knew HOW to use Bush, the team would be MUCH better for it. We all know the Saints can move the ball and score. The Saints' defense is a question mark; like the Falcons, they'll be in their share of shootouts. (3rd)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: this team is a shell of what it once was. Ronde Barber is one of very few players left on the 2002 team that shellacked the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl. New coach, new system, new personnel. This is a big-time rebuilding process. Raheem Morris has to wonder sometimes what he got himself into. But, they do have young talent on both sides of the ball. They have an up and coming franchise QB in Josh Freeman. They got Derrick Ward via free agency, so there's some good building blocks there. But WHO'S going to catch the ball? On defense, WHOLE new system. Monte Kiffin's gone, he's with his son Lane at the University of Tennessee. Gone is the Tampa 2, replaced by a physical, pressing defense that emphasizes man to man. It'll take a couple of years, but I think the Bucs are on the right track. (4th)
TOMORROW: THE NFC NORTH.
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6 comments:
Hey jon, good breakdown.
I think your picks are good ones with the Saints maybe giving the Panthers and Falcons a run for their money.
My Bucs on the other hand have some growing pains coming, but on the bright side do have a solid core of players.
Good luck to you and the Panthers this season.
This division has a long history of "last to first". The team finishing last one year, ahs won the division the next year for like 6 of the last 7 years.
I wouldn't be surprised by any team in that division going 11-5, OR going 5-11.
Nice breakdown Jon. Do you just know all of these details off the top of your head??? lol
The Falcons are looking pretty good so far, 2-1 in preseason. Hope they can be more than just a wildcard team this year.
I'll probably start writing a weekly post once the season starts analyzing each of their games.
Nice work Jon! I think you nailed the South. Of course, they still need to play the games to find out for sure. Sports are weird.
Hey Aero, I REALLY like the QB the Bucs drafted in the first round, Josh Freeman. I saw him play when Kansas State played at Fresno State. It was like a man among boys. The Bucs don't have to worry about a QB for the next decade. I'd love to see the Bucs fight it out for the division title soon.
Gene, you got that right! However it's not going to happen this season. Maybe from third to first, if the Saints' defense holds up. The division has a BRUTAL schedule, playing both the AFC and NFC East.
Gonger, thanks. I keep up on what's happening with the teams in the division, not just the Panthers! Looking forward to those Panthers-Falcons tilts. If the Falcons' defense stays fairly strong and consistent, they can have a deep playoff run.
Bolt, thanks. Whoever wins the NFC South will have earned it. They play a BRUTAL schedule this season.
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