NFL Review and Predictions - NFC South

A series of reviews, predictions and ramblings on what to expect in the upcoming NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE season. As always, don't hold me to these.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have done everything right since Michael Vick tore their team apart by getting suspended. They have built through the draft, made some key signings and are now poised to contend. The Falcons are flying under the radar (no pun intended) due to the fact quarterback Matt Ryan had a less than spectacular second season, but he still has all his weapons and they will assist in bringing him back to form. The two headed running tandem of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood will shoulder most of the load, while TE Tony Gonzalez, WR’s Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Brian Finneran and Harry Douglas look to be on the receiving end of many Ryan passes. The defense is decent with one of the best young middle linebackers in Curtis Lofton and young pass rusher Kroy Biermann. This is a team that will challenge and make some noise in the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints
The defending Super Bowl Champions. They deserve lots of credit for last season. They were a middle of the pack team (NFL.com had them ranked 15th at the start of the season) and used good fortune and timely plays to win the Lombardi Trophy. Some of that fortune is bound to wear off this season and it is normally the case where one Super Bowl team has a “hang over” from the year before and does not perform as well. I believe it will be the Saints, not the Colts. Drew Brees is still an MVP type quarterback and everyone still wants to see Reggie Bush be an every down back. How will he perform without his Kardashian good luck charm? Marques Colston leads the receiver group that also features Devery Henderson and Lance Moore (that is why Brees is an MVP candidate). The defense which seemed to be always in the right spot last year will have to be that again if the Saints have a chance. Darren Sharper and Jonathan Vilma lead the defense which will have a lot of people gunning for them.

Carolina Panthers
Jake Delhomme is gone and it’s about time. After miserable playoff performances the reigns are handed over to Matt Moore who finished 2009 with three excellent games. It will be hard for him to keep the momentum when fans will keep clamouring for rookie Jimmy Clausen to get reps. Whichever quarterback is on site, just better learn to hand the ball off well. The Panthers were third in rushing last season and Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are both back to carry the rock again. It’s a good thing they have a running game, because Steve Smith is there only receiving threat and he has been beat-up (broke his arm in the off-season). The defense is good but not great. Jon Beason is a rock solid linebacker, but he doesn’t have enough around him, especially with Thomas Davis out for the year after tearing his ACL and being replaced with unheralded Dan Connor. The Panthers are hoping one of their quarterbacks pan out and a defense can step up, so they can return to the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The rebuilding division continues in Tampa. The Bucs have been on a consistent slide downward ever since winning the Super Bowl in 2002. The highlight of last season was a win wearing their throwback creamsicle uniforms. This season might be more of the same. The Bucs are counting on 2009 first round draft pick Josh Freeman to be poised under centre and for their young wide receivers (Sammie Sloughter and Arnelius Benn). Kellan Winslow (SOLDIER) provides the veteran leadership with Cadillac Williams still getting the majority of the carries. He will be challenged by former Giants running back Derrick Ward. The defense in Tampa has never really been a question. They get a boost from this year’s first round pick Gerald McCoy. He joins all-pro linebacker Barrett Rudd and veteran Ronde Barber. Tampa could surprise this year is the offense can click, but expect them to need at least one more draft before making an impact.