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NFC South preview
By Tommy Dutch
Don Best Associate Editor
The South benefits from a schedule which includes matchups with the NFC North and the AFC West. The Buccaneers are the division champs and should be just as good, while the Saints and Panthers have the potential to be vastly improved. It's going to be a long season for the Falcons but a brand new attitude will have their eye on the future.
New Orleans Saints
Projected Record: 11-5
Sean Payton earned the 2006 Coach of the Year while taking the Saints to the NFC Championship game. New Orleans' young and talented team appeared to be a contender in the NFC for the foreseeable future. However, a series of injuries and an embarrassing defense sent the 2007 Saints into a tailspin. Shoring up the defense was the focus of the offseason. If the Saints stay healthy and the upgraded defense can deny the big play the South is theirs.
Drew Brees started the 2007 season in a slump. New Orleans started 0-4 and Brees threw nine interceptions in the disappointing losses. The signal caller recovered nicely, ending the season completing 67 percent of his passes, throwing 28 touchdowns and set an NFL single-season record with 440 completions. Brees has the opportunity to become the fifth quarterback in league history to throw for over 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Brees must stay healthy in order for the Saints to be the team to beat in the South. Veteran Mark Brunell was signed in the offseason to serve as the backup.
Deuce McAllister suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third game last which crutched the team's offensive flow. McAllister has had a year to recover but it's questionable if he'll be able to cut and run as effectively. McAllister gives New Orleans a punishing back and takes the focus of the opposing defense away from Reggie Bush. Despite being the whipping boy of many critics and missing the final four games with a knee injury, Bush caught 73 passes and led the team in rushing. Pierre Thomas will also get a considerable look in the New Orleans backfield. Thomas had 105 yards rushing and 121 yards receiving in the final game last season. It was his first NFL start.
Marques Colson is the number one target for Brees. He has excellent hands and has posted consecutive 1,000 yard season. Robert Meachem missed all of last season with an injury and could be a huge addition to the offense. Last season's first-round draft pick could make the offense nearly unstoppable if he able to effectively step into the role of the number two receiver. The biggest addition to the passing game is the signing of TE Jeremy Shockey. The former Giant is also recovering from injury but is one of the best in the business when healthy.
Defense is the big question in the Crescent City. They allowed 348 yards per game and a league worst 32 passing touchdowns. New Orleans used the first-round of the draft to select DT Sedrick Ellis and signed DE Bobby McCray to bolster the front line. LB Jonathan Vilma was signed to solidify the middle row. Vilma and Scott Fujita will be the leaders of the linebacking corps. Fujita hasn't lived up to expectations since arriving in New Orleans and may benefit with the presence of Vilma.
CB Randall Gay was signed from New England to provide depth in the secondary. Safeties Josh Bullocks and Roman Harper are aggressive playmakers and will benefit from the increased from the increased pass rush.
The Saints are full of potential and could be a contender in the NFC. Few teams possess the all around offensive athleticism and the defense may be vastly improved. If old injuries heal and the new guys fit into their roles the Saints will be amongst the league's elite.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Record: 9-7
The Buccaneers have won the division three of the past six seasons, including last year's 9-7 campaign. Tampa will have a similar team but may need to slightly improve the record in what should be a more competitive division.
The Bucs offensive line is the foundation of their success. Tampa has drafted four offensive linemen in the first three rounds during the last three drafts. This year, they also added free agent center, Jeff Faine who was also a first-round selection. The line will have to be as good as advertised to protect an aging group of skill players.
Jeff Garcia will attempt to provide some stability at quarterback. Tampa has used nine starters since John Gruden took over as coach in 2002. Garcia's solid 2007 ended up with a trip to the Pro Bowl but the veteran missed three games due to injury. He has been injury prone throughout his career due to an aggressive style of play and lack of physical stature. Brian Griese is a serviceable backup and will be called upon if Garcia goes down.
Cadillac Williams is still recovering from a knee injury and may miss the entire season. Tampa signed Warrick Dunn via free agency from the Falcons. Dunn is making his second tour of duty with Tampa and will likely be used as the third down back. The veteran is a natural leader with an outstanding work ethic and may end up playing every down. Ernest Graham returns after rushing for 898 yards in 10 games and is expected to start the season getting the bulk of the carries.
Joey Galloway recorded his third straight 1,000 yard receiving season and is still one of the best in the league. Tampa is desperate for someone else to step up at wideout. Michael Clayton led all rookies in receiving in 2004 but has struggled with injuries since. Ike Hilliard is coming off a nice season but his role is expected to be diminished. Dexter Jackson is a second-round pick out of Appalachian State. His lightning quickness will be used in return situations and he may make an occasional appearance on offense.
Much of Tampa's success last season was due to the defensive improvement. The unit was second in the conference and should be strong again. Barrett Ruud leads a terrific group of linebackers. Ruud led the team in tackles, intercepted two passes and recovered three fumbles. Cato June, a free agent from Indianapolis a year ago, provides excellent speed and is a huge asset in pass coverage. Derrick Brooks has lost a step but is still above average and the spiritual leader of the defense.
Gaines Adams and Greg White will be putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. The duo combined for 14 sacks a season ago. Free agents Jimmy Williams and Marques Douglas were brought in to help against the run.
The Bucs will likely find a way to win their share of close games. They are well coached, play good defense and have seasoned veterans in the skill positions. However, the overall talent may not be enough to keep up with the first tier teams in the league. The postseason is a possibility but the Buccaneers are unlikely to do much if they get there.
Carolina Panthers
Projected Record: 8-8
The Panthers went to the Super Bowl in 2003 and the NFC Championship Game in 2005 but the past two seasons have been disappointments. Coach John Fox needs to have a successful season to keep his job and many think this team has what it takes to return to the postseason.
Jake Delhomme needs to recover from Tommy John surgery and be 100 percent in order for the Panthers to be competitive. Delhomme's injury last season began the team's free fall. The Panthers ended up using four quarterbacks while losing seven of the last 10 games. If Delhomme is not healthy, expect Matt Moore to get the call. Moore went 2-1 as a starter last season.
The team has spent two first-round draft picks on running backs in the past three years. DeShaun Foster is out and it's now time to hand the ball to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams is in his third year and may be the number one guy early in the season. He's quick and elusive and averaged 5.0 yards per carry last season. Stewart is a hardnosed runner out of Oregon and could get significant carries as the season progresses.
Steve Smith is one of the best receivers in the league. The speedster needs someone to consistently get him the ball and for another receiver to emerge as a legitimate number two. D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad were brought in during the offseason and will compete for the second slot.
The defense underperformed all of last season. Julius Peppers has a surprisingly bad season registering only 2.5 sacks and needs to be re-established as the leader of the defense. The secondary is solid but not spectacular. Third-round draft pick Charles Godfrey may start immediately at free safety. He has the coverage skills the unit has recently lacked.
Linebacker is the strength of the defensive unit. Jon Benson was arguably the team's best player as a rookie and Thomas Davis has the quickness necessary to get to the quarterback. Na'il Diggs, Landon Johnson and rookie Dan Conner are also members of the deep and talented corps.
The health and subsequent performance of Delhomme is the key to the season. The Panthers could just as easily go 5-11 as they could 11-5.
Atlanta Falcons
Projected Record: 4-12
The 2007 season was a train wreck in Atlanta. The Michael Vick fiasco was trumped by the Bobby Petrino nightmare and the Falcons stumbled to a 4-12 season. This year's team is left to pick up the pieces with a rookie quarterback and rookie head coach. Thankfully the favorable schedule includes games against the NFC North and AFC West. Atlanta will be lousy but will find a few victories against uninspired competition.
The Falcons used the third pick in the draft to select QB Matt Ryan out of Boston College. It's a rebuilding season and the plan is to throw the youngster into the fire. Ryan is tall and thin but has a competitive nature, which the Falcons' brass is impressed with. Ryan's effectiveness is highly questionable and backup Chris Redman may end up being the starter.
Establishing a running game is critical in order for the Falcons to remain competitive. LaDanian Tomlinson's long time backup Michael Turner was signed in the offseason to replace the departed Warrick Dunn. In limited duty, Jerious Norwood averaged 6.0 yards per carry last season and is expected to get 5-10 carries per game. Atlanta must be effective running the ball in order to take some pressure off Ryan.
Wide receiver is a bright spot for the Atlanta offense. Roddy White had over 1,200 yards and six touchdowns in becoming the team's best threat last season. White is joined by the steady Michael Jenkins from the slot position. Second-year player Laurent Robinson will serve in a complimentary role.
First-year defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder offers a simple straight ahead scheme. DE John Abraham will lead a better than average pass rush, while Pro Bowler Keith Brooking and Michael Boley give the unit a pair of solid linebackers.
The revamped secondary has several fresh faces and should be much better. Free agent Erik Coleman will join Lawyer Milloy as a serviceable duo at safety. CB DeAngelo Hall will not return but Von Hutchins was signed to fill the spot. Chris Houston was impressive after being thrown into action during his rookie season and should continue to hold down the other corner spot.
The Falcons admit a rebuilding process is in order which usually results in a poor record. An optimistic first-year coach, plenty of young talent and a relatively weak schedule will result in an occasional win but the Falcons will have a long season.
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