An Early Look

[BigdaddyQH]

My early look at the NFC South:

1. New Orleans. The suprise team of last year will surprise no one this year. Still, with the general talent drop off in this division, they have enough to win it. Brees and Bush improved the offense tremendously. Bush-McAllister are the best RB duo in the NFL. Meachem was a good pick, but the rest of the draft was iffy. The "D" needs some work.

2. Carolina. The Panthers just did not fire last year. Delhomme is capable at QB, but the offense lacks fire power. Jarrett could help at WR. Once again, the Panthers are going to have to depend on their "D" to lead them. Giving up 81 points in a 3 game stretch, like they did last year, will not cut it.

3. Atlanta. Assuming that Vick does not get suspended, which is iffy at best now. Vick is still over rated, and may become a detrement to this team. Atlanta must win on the ground and on D. The Falcons had a solid draft, improving both lines. How Vick affects this team will be critical.

4. Tampa Bay. The QB situation is up in the air. Simms is a major queston mark, as is the entire offense. Tampa drafted almost exclusively on the D side of the ball. Still, something is going to have to develop on the offense for this team to contend. I don't see that happening.

[JCD]

1) Panthers. Going against CW here, I think they will rebound big. Delhomme will either rise up, or Carr will finally see what it is like behind a good offensive line. Didn't play nearly up to their ability last year. The offense has all the tools to be a very good unit. Defense underacheved mightily last year (Peppers aside) and should rebound. I think they go 11-5 and push for the NFC title.

2) Saints. Feel good story last year, but now face a tougher schedule. Offense will remain excellent, defense still looks weak. Lots of high-scoring affairs. 9-7 and a WC berth.

3) TB. Lots of reasons to doubt the Bucs, but I think this is a swan song performance carried by their defense. Brooks, Rice, Carter and Barber are nearing the end. June and Adams inject some new life, but this could be the last year for the old guard. It is a very talented unit, that has added depth and speed. If the offense can keep the game close (a task Simms or Garcia are capable of), this team will be competitive. Not play-off worthy, but a shot at .500.

4) Falcons. Major work going on here. Complete change of offensive style and line requirements. Defense is losing players (Coleman, Kerney and likely Grady) as well. Add that to the Vick circus and you have a recipe for disappointment. Contrary to Blank's belief, coaching wasn't the problem here. It was an over-rated QB with a thin and injury-prone defense. Neither of which were addressed.

[BigdaddyQH]

I think Carolina has seen better days. I'm not sold on Delhomme or Carr. The ground game is just average. WR should be in good shape. The D is getting some miles on it. Consistancy seems to be the major issue with this team.

As far as the battle for 3rd place is concerned, we all know how college coaches fare in the NFL, and the record is not glowing. Vick is a cancer on this team. If the Falcons can not get a ground game going and improve their D, they will slide to the cellar.

[hit_'em88]

1.)New Orleans-(no i'm not a homer) they haven't made many off-season moves besides LB Simmons and TE Eric Johnson but the rest of the division has gotten worse when they needed to get better. Anything short of a NFC championship appearance will be disappointing

2.)Carolina-I'm not sold on this team but they are better than ATL and TB. If Delhomme struggles they finally have a backup in Carr instead of Chris Weinke who has only won one game in his career.

3.)Tampa Bay-If they can figure out this QB mess,TB can scare some people. They've got the Cadillac,and an old but still solid defense.

4.)Atlanta-No receivers,no defense and a QB who is better off returning kicks or smuggling weed onto an airplane. This team is going nowhere but the new coach will shine some light on the team and get them prepared for the future.

[ColossalCanadian]

I dont really know enough to make predictions like these, but excellent stuff guys, i enjoy reading it and posts like these make this a great place to visit and get info from!

[Football Boards]

Garcia will start for the Bucs. BK is finally healthy and with some young talent to add to the Defense things should be some what back to normal. If Clayton can come back into form after his injuries than we should have some decent wr's for Garcia to throw too. Galloway is still a deep threat with his speed. Barring an injury plagued season we should do just fine.

[hit_'em88]

*gasp* a bucs fan runs our board? I REVOLT!!!

[rebel26]

New Orleans-Class of division no doubt. Brees Bush McAllister Will Smith and Charles Grant what more do i need to say?

Carolina/TB-both teams i think have a good shot of makin the playoffs as an 9-7 or 8-8. CAR has a good offense and an alright D and TB has Cadillac and Garcia and the receivers i think are just good enough and the D is still elite and the TB-NO games are always close and exciting

ATL SUCKS!!!! Vick sucks receivers suck D sucks new head coach they will have a top 10 pick next year