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2008-2009 NFC SOUTH PREVIEW
Not Much separates three NFC South teams, the Panthers, Bucs and
Saints, while the Falcons continue to rebuild and recover from the
Michael Vick fiasco. Each of the three mentioned has their different
strengths. With the Saints, it's an offense led by Drew Brees. With
the Bucs, it's a solid defense, but also an offense that could break
out. The Panthers had to deal with the Jake Delhomme injury last
season. He played 3 games last season and still led the team in
touchdown passes! So with a healthy Delhomme and a coach in John Fox
potentially on the hot seat, watch the Panthers. Don't forget to
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New Orleans Saints:
Odds to win NFC South - 1-1
Head Coach: Sean Payton (3rd year)
Off. Coord: Doug Marrone; Def. Coord: Gary Gibbs
2007 Record: SUR 7-9, PSR 6-10, O-U 10-5-1
Even with a very questionable defense, the Saints are “leaps and
bounds” ahead of the other teams in this division……..
Drew Brees started slow like the rest of the Saints
offense in 2007 but once he got his rhythm there was no stopping
him. After averaging 232 yards over the first 6 games he averaged a
silly 303 yards the rest of the way. 5 TD passes in the first 6
games, 23 in the last 10. You get the picture. For the season Brees
finished 2nd in passing yards (4423), 3rd in comp. % (67.5), 6th in
TD passes (28), and 1st in red-zone comp. % (71.4). New Orleans
signed Brees to a 6-year, $60 million deal in 2006 but many were
afraid his surgically-repaired right shoulder was trashed. A lot of
the money was back-loaded to protect the team against re-injury.
Well, Brees is collecting the back-loaded money. In 2006 he was pure
magic: 4418 passing yards (1st), 26 TD passes (3rd), and a 96.2 QB
rating (3rd). Brees threw eight 300-yard games, including a 510-yard
game, and threw 20 TDs from week 8 to week 14.
This offensive line allowed a sack every 40.7
attempts, best in the NFL. Jahri Evans was robbed of a Pro Bowl spot
in '07. Goodwin replaced C Jeff Faine and did great.
Regardless of how potent the 2008 offense is, it might not matter
unless the “D” makes some big strides. Thus, the Saints were major
players in free agency, eyeing almost every available defender. And
they focused almost exclusively on defense in the draft.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Odds to win Division 2-1
Head Coach: Jon Gruden (7th yr. in T.B.)
Off. Coord: Bill Muir; Def. Coord: Monte Kiffin
2007 Record: SUR 9-8, PSR 8-8-1, O-U 9-8
Tampa Bay’s problems are: 1. Revolving quarterbacks during the
season. 2. A group of wide receivers that is ready for an old age
home. 3. Consistency at running back.
STICK WITH GARCIA, HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Garcia’s QB rating (94.6) was the 7th best mark in the league. His 4
INTs were the least of any starting QB not named David Garrard.
With Galloway (37) and Hilliard (32) both in
their 30s and Michael Clayton having settled into his role as
complement WR/blocker, Gruden is looking for
someone—anyone—who can make “splash” plays in his West
Coast passing game (16th LY). Many have gotten a look from Gruden.
But he’s still seeking a breakthrough guy.
In 2007, the Bucs were No. 1 in pass defense, No. 2 in total
defense, and No. 3 in scoring defense.
Carolina Panthers:
Odds to win the South 5-2
Head Coach: John Fox (7th year)
Off. Coord: Jeff Davidson; Def. Coord: Mike Trgovac
2007 Record: SUR 7-9, PSR 8-8, O-U 6-10
Just too many questions surrounding this club to make a serious
run at post season play.
You just knew that Williams couldn’t escape the 2008 draft
without a new running back added to the mix. After DeShaun Foster
left for San Francisco they needed a power back to fill his shoes.
In comes Jonathan Stewart with the 13th pick. Too bad for Williams,
he’s actually quite effective when he gets extended playing time. He
only had 10+ carries in 7 games but in those games Williams carried
98 times for 554 yards (5.6 ypc) with 4 TDs. And Carolina went 6-1.
But many teams are going to 1-2 punches these days and Williams
might be best suited for a change-of-pace role.
Gross/Wharton can maul, but playing new positions.
1st-rd OT Jeff Otah is thrown to the wolves. C Ryan Kalil is
good but only has 3 career starts. Many nice reserves.
With Peppers’ longtime DE colleague Mike Rucker finally calling
it quits, Carolina hopes young DEs Stanley McClover and Charles
Johnson can become pass-rush threats.
Atlanta Falcons:
Odds 15-1
Head Coach: Mike Smith (1st year)
Off. Coord: M. Mularkey; Def. Coord: B. VanGorder
2007 Record: SUR 4-12, PSR 8-8, O-U 9-7
Obviously, this is their second year as a rebuilding team but
even so this should a very “worthy” team to follow.
They've considered 2007 2nd-rd pick Blalock at RT. New OL coach
Paul Bodreau had great success with Panthers, Jags, & Rams. McClure
is underrated. Not a horrible group. Michael
Turner signed a 6-year deal worth $34 million, including a whopping
$15m in guarantees. That's not platoon money. That’s “20-25 carries
per game” money, hands down. Turner’s waited for 4 years for this
chance, so he wouldn’t sign with any team that even hinted at a
platoon. Just like LaMont Jordan and Chester Taylor, Turner caddied
for 4 years, towing the company line until he got his shot. Both
those guys topped 1,000 yards in their first season starting for a
new team - and just like Turner, both of them joined a pretty bad
team. Matt Ryan has the size, arm, and smarts – and since Dimitroff
was around a pretty good QB for the last 6 yeas in New England, we
have to believe Ryan will succeed. He might be thrown in immediately
so the road could be bumpy early.
The Falcons defense is in rebuild mode. They lost DB DeAngelo
Hall to the Raiders, and they have aging stars in DL John Abraham,
LB Keith Brooking and DB Lawyer Milloy. In 2007, they were last in
standard-scoring Fantasy leagues. One thing that could improve
Atlanta's defense is the addition of rookies Curtis Lofton, Chevis
Jackson and Thomas DeCoud, who could make an impact right away. New
coach Mike Smith, the architect of the Jaguars defense, has his work
cut out for him.
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