NFC South Preview

To speak plainly, this division is ridiculous. Any given year it seems like three teams have a legitimate shot at the division crown, though this year I believe that it is more of a testament to their weakness than their strength. It's now been 5 years since Tampa won the Superbowl, 4 since Jake Delhomme led his Carolina Panthers to it, and 2 years since the Saints road a wave of national support all the way to the NFC title game. Just a few years ago Michael Vick beat the Packers in Lambeau in the playoffs, though for some reason I think his impact on the NFC South this year will be somewhat less signifcant. Onward with the preview....

Division Winner- Carolina Panthers (10-6)

Since Carolina made it to the Superbowl and nearly upset the Patriots, I've foolishly considered them a good team. Somehow they've only made the playoffs once since their Superbowl run. Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgey, and says he's felt better than he has in years. While he's by no means an elite quaterback he'll defintiely be able to do more for them then say, David Carr. I like the new tandem backfield with DeAngelo Williams and first round pick James Stewart for no real good reason. Me historically overrating the Panthers + a healthy QB = division championship.

Flirtatious Wild Card Contender- New Orleans Saints (9-7)

We know about their offense- Brees, Bush, McAllister, and Colston. Will Robert Meacham come out from the dark this year and become a play maker on this offense? I think that can happen. Will Reggie Bush finally validate his no. 2 overall draft day expectations? Perhaps.

Tangent- would Reggie Bush be the dirtiest slot receiver in the NFL? How could this guy not be a Wes Welker type of reciver? His rookie year he had an absurd number of catches out of the backfield. I don't think he's a full time back, but maybe he isn't a running back at all...

Anyways, we know they can score points with the best of them, but how good is this NO defense? I think they win enough shoot outs to put them in a position to make a run at the playoffs.

A boring team that will hang around in most games- Tampa Bay Buccanears (7-9)

Should the 49ers just have kept Jeff Garcia? Did they get rid of him because he was too old? Or was it that thing with TO? Anyways since his departure Garcia has lead all sorts of teams around the NFL from the Browns, Lions, Eagles, and Bucs. The latter two all the way to the playoffs. I've got to respect his veteran wiliness, but I don't the Bucs this year. A good defense and a decent veteran QB usually leads a trip to playoffs, but I think Carolina and New Orleans outplay Tampa this year and leave them out of the picture.

Another top 5 pick- Atlanta Falcons (5-11)

Atlanta has hit a terrible streak of bad luck over the past year with the face of their franchise going to jail, a college coach quitting on them mid season, AND having to deal with the aftermath of convincing themselves that Joey Harrington knows anything about the game we call football. They might be more competitive than they were last year, but I don't see them winning more than five games. I like the move to start Matt Ryan right from the get go considering he's not really going to learn much behind Chris Redman. Michael Turner, though impressive backing up Ladanian Tomlinson, is still somewhat an unknown, but teamed with Are-You-Jerious? Norwood in backfield I think Atlanta should be able to grind out five wins.


Any thoughts on my very thorough and balanced preview?