Ah yes a slightly (haha) better conference than the NFC North. This is a harder group to predict I think. Well except for the last place team but still.
New Orleans Saints 11-5
The Saints have enough offensive weapons to win the division easily. Drew Brees is a great QB and he has several targets to throw to now. Colston is awesome, though he does tend to have serious ups and downs week to week. The RB situation is odd, every fan in football is waiting for Reggie Bush to mature into an every down back, but between him and McAllister and whoever else is around they should do well. The defense is ok, and I expect some good things from them. If Smith can sack the QB the way he is getting overpaid to do then it will be all good. Also the D needs to force more turnovers, and use them to score more often. NO takes the division.
Carolina Panthers 10-6
Carolina is going to go into week 17 looking to knock off the Saints to win the division but NO is going to take it. Now that Jake Delhomme is back the Panthers should have a much better time then last year. Even if he isn't 100% he will still be better than the crew that was tossing the ball last year. On that note, Steve Smith should be huge this year. Look at what he did last year with the quarterbacks he had. Add in Williams and Stewart with a fairly decent rushing attack and they are going to score often. The defense is going to have a field day with some of the teams they are going to play. Detroit, the Raiders, Atlanta, and the Bears are going to hand over the ball easily so I expect a good amouth of turnovers from this defense. 10-6 should nab the Panthers a wild card spot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-8
Tampa has a medium tough schedule, with weeks 4 through 8 looking ugly. This team just doesn't look great this year. They will get some easy wins playing ATL, Detroit, and Chicago, and I'm sure they will tough out some wins during the season but a .500 season is all they can hope for. The fact that they have no idea who is going to start QB this year is an issue, they don't have a real deep recieving group, and the running backs are injury prone. Dunn might be looking to make a statement this year, but he won't do too much. The defense is the high point of this team and should continue to take the ball away, but without some solid offense it won't matter. The defense also needs to put more pressure on the QB, 33 sacks for the whole team last year isn't super.
Atlanta Falcons 3-13
I hate to say it Falcons fans but they are headed down the Miami trail. I think 3 wins is generous. They have a rookie at QB who has yet to play a down and is going to be expected to carry the team. Joe Horn and Roddy White are the 2 best receivers on the team, and they wouldn't start on most other teams in the league. They let Alge Crumpler walk away and didn't exactly fill the opening with a superstar. Michael Turner is going to starting for a whole season, and who knows how he will pull it off without LT to soften up the defense. Norwood has played backup his whole career and with the loss of Dunn thought he was going to get a chance to start, so Turner is going to crush that dream. Together I see them running as many yards as LT alone. The defense is full of holes and has no one on it that stands out. They aren't great pass rushers, nor do they stuff the run. The only half good thing about the defense is playing in Oakland now.
So there is the NFC South, tough on the teams but accurate I think.
Glad I was first to let everone know this guy has no clue whats going on in the south.....Aints Bias and no love for the Bucs....GARBINO I would be sore on the Bucs also after being swept last season by a far lesser team than they have now...WEAK
The team that wins the NFC South one year has a letdown the next year. It's happened to the Panthers, it's happened to the Saints, it's happened to the Bucs. I look for the Bucs to have enough of a letdown to miss the playoffs.
DL, you're spot on about the South, except I have the Panthers and Saints reversed. Atlanta's going to struggle to win games.
OBVIOUSLY THE BUCS DEF. DIDNT COME INTO PLAY HERE,CAN WE GET AN UNBIAS WRITER 4 ONCE??DOES ANYBODY THAT IS A TRUE WRITER EAT,SLEEP,BREATHE,NFC SOUTH FOOTBALL? IF SO BLOGS LIKE THIS WOULD BE BETTER WRITTEN,THE BUCS CAN REPEAT AS DIV. CHAMPS IN 08,USING LAST YEARS ROOSTER,THEY ADDED MUCH DEPTH,SHOULD REPEAT AGAIN!!SAI8NTS,2ND PLACE
The Bucs have a great defense. No question. The real question will be on offense. Will Cadillac be completely healthy? Who will be Jeff Garcia's go-to receiver, one that makes plays in crucial situations? And lastly, can they seem to win key divisional games?
I see them going only 3-3 in division, losing to Carolina (twice) and New Orleans. Carolina has had the Bucs' number in recent years. And they have to play at Dallas and at Denver, two places where it is difficult for a visiting team to win.
DL1957- You should do some home work and think alot more about what you write . You made some good points but most of it is very wrong. First off offence does not win games . Great Defence DOES ! THE BUCS have the best D in the south by far. Look at our running game also it will be the best in the south also . The Saints and Bucs will baddle to the last game of the season. It will be the BUCS WINNING THE SOUTH IN 08 AGAIN. Dont believe what the medea always says because there wrong 60 % of the time. Do more reseach before you write your next blog . NICE TRY HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Atlanta is in a depression but not 3-13, Carolina will flirt with .500 like they do every year, the Saints are over-rated big-time and will disappoint all of you 'writers' once again. Bucs have the best QB, running backs and defense in the division.
I didn't authorize you to put that head on my body.
This is a tough division to call however, I don't see the Bucs not taking it. If Cadillac is healthy, this offense has a two headed monster at running back. I would also guess it's safe to say the offensive line has something to do with that.
The defense is solid and the Bucs are very quietly assembling a corps of receivers. Not to mention having thirteen QB's on the roster. lol
Last edited by sixfigurefan2 on July 5th at 4:15 PM.
the truth is, Tampa, New Orleans, and Carolina are playoff worthy teams. Each one of those teams 'could' win 10 or more games this year
New Orleans has made good defensive additions, and everyone knows the offense can score points. although I don't think Bush is a every-down back. but Passing will be good enough to open some holes.
Carolina has Jake Delhomme back which will help a ton, especially with Mushin Mohamed, and DJ Hackett, and Jonathan Stewart added. The Defense will be above average.
Tampa Bay will have the undisputed best Defense of the division, and possibly the NFL. If Talib is as good as Kiffin says, look for him to make splash plays, Gaines Adams should continue on a strong finish from last year, Barret Ruud Should make the pro bowl, along with many others on this gruop and with the veteran leadership of Derrick Brooks, and Ronde Barber, you cant go wrong. On offense, they finally have a repeating starter in Jeff Garcia, Earnest Graham will have another great year, even though he got no credit in the media about last year, Dunn will be a great receiver out of the backfield. Joey Galloway, is ageless, Hilliard is dependable, they have a sort of hidden talents at receiver, like Antonio Bryant.
Overall:
Tampa Bay 11-5
New Orleans 10-6
Carolina 9-7
Atlanta 5-11
All the top three may be switched around, although I really like the Bucs this year, I think one of the most overlooked teams this offseason. O yeah and what the hell do you mean by Roddy white and Joe Horn wouldnt start any where else. both of them can play really well
I agree that the top three teams are pretty much interchangable at this point, I just see it the way I see it. There is no arguing about Tampas D, but like I said without a solid offense it won't matter. And for the record, I am a Lions fan, and really don't hate on any one team. This is a preview of one division, with the others either done, or coming soon. I didn't just pick the South because I'm bored.
i agree w/ gimpie 9 that is more real,the bucs do have a great recieving,running corp,dont need caddy this year,good offensive line,back up qb if needed,all they have 2 do is stay healthy
faithfulbucfan,
LMFAO! Dude your killing me with your jokes! Saints over-rated yeah right. Even funnier is you say the Bucs have a better QB than the Saints. None of your RB's are better than a healthy Deuce McAllister. Now defense I'll give you but you'll see a much improved defense from the Saints.
GAMBITXXX- I will give the Saints the advanage in QB. WR. It will be even this year we have 2 coming off IR and a rookie that will be a deep thret. We also picked up Bryant. Bush will be nothing with out Deuce I dont see him making an impact this year or ever again. His injories are way to servere even if he makes it back. Tampas run game will be a huge surprize to all teams who play us. GRAHAM, DUNN,BENNETT will be awsome. You might see Williams even by week 6 or 7 .
TELL ME ANYONE PLEASE LETS BE VERY HONEST HERE. What side of the ball do the Saints have the advantage over the Bucs. ONLY 2 POSITIONS QB and WR. Thats it PERIOD ! That will not win the south for the Saints SORRY ! The Bucs will have a better WR. core than last year as you will see Sept.9 All teams in the south will be much better this year.
rusty0812,
thx for being honest. I wriiten a blog about this division a few days ago. you are more than welcome to check it out. I will be honest myself and say the Buc's are a much improved team. I think the biggest surprise will be the Saints defense. Vilma was a huge pickup. Although Eliss is a rookie he'll make huge plays and is a stud at DT. In '06 the only year Mcray got to really play for Jacksonville he recorded 10 1/2 sacks so even if Charles Grant isn't in the game he's more than capable of handling the load. Besides you know Will Smith is a Top ten DE.
Sure McAllister had a serious injury but he has comeback from it befor and it's not the same knee. He's a powerback not a speedy guy. Bush I'll give up until this season to see what he can do. We do however have a RB named Pierre Thomas who is pretty damn good. Realisticaly I think they are pretty evenly matched the Saints and Bucs as far as Talent goes. Thing is the Buc's are older on the D side. Also Shaun Payton will out coach Gruden this season. One thing is for sure teams of other divisions best not over look the NFC South period...well with the exception of the flightless Falcons that is.
i have an honest question,how is the o-line of the saints,panthers? their qb/rb/ are nothing without them so that must be figured in the prediction too
I don't care how good any defense is you need a manager on offense to move the chains, ala, Brad Johnson or the current Jeff Garcia.Just like good offense, you need a respectable defesne. One side of the ball can only do so much. Where would the Pats and/or Colts be without there QB'S???????
Rusty, whats up dude haven't talked to you n a minute. On the reference of O-lines i call it a split due to how our teams run the offense. We are a passing team and probably one of the best IMO in the league. When you allow the least amount of sacks with the most passing attemtps, that has to account for something even when we had a inconsistent year. Yes Brees has alot to do with that but you can't be a great qb and have a TERRIBLE LINE. Tampa is built around the run, they have maulers at every position and that is your teams strength and that is what they rely on. You can throw out who has the best this and that but right now, the saints have the be OFFENSE and Tampa best defense. You can't throw in what this guys can do and that cause none of us even know if Bryant and etc. will make your squad and the same applies to all the teams "new editions." You have to go off of what we know and that is our offense is going to be force as well Tampa's defense barring major injuries. NOBODY CAN ARGUE THAT!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING ELSE IS SPECULATION.
Dont take my comment the wrong way. I have always thought Deuce was a great RB. As said he is a power back your knees play a huge role in that. Now he has both that are a problem. He will never get back to his form where he was at 2 years ago. NO WAY!!!!! NOW THE COMMENT ABOUT OUR OLDER DEFENCE HAHAHAHAHAH.
We have 3 players who are at the end of there carrees BROOKS-BARBER AND CARTER THATS IT. All our other DEFENCE players are younger. How about there replacements JUNE-RUDD-ADAMS and our new CB-DB {TALIB} who will be a FN stud 6-1 206 who plays like a WR. Remember this write this # down GAINS ADAMS will have 12 to 14 sacks this year. I see our DEFENCE much better this year than last. I couldnt think of a better opening game for both teams. We will all see right away who is the better team Sept.9 in the Saints crib. GO BUCS
Gambitxxx- Thats nice dude ! It brings back memories the last time I was there in 02. I spent 80% of my time in The Bourban St. Blues Club . We lost to the Saints that weekend but I dam sure had one hell of a time there. I was stoned drunk non stop the hole time I was there. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
By the way that year the Bucs won the Super Bowl.
I didnt get sober after that trip to New Orleans till April 29, 03 and haven had one drink since.
wow is everyone jumping back in the saints wagon...dont forget what happened last year when everyone jumped on...the wheels fell off!!! i wouldnt over look our D too much...afterall...defense wins championships...like we showed to get the only ring in the division...so dont sleep on the bucs just yet..6-0 division wins... we dont play anyone in our division late in the season so bet on us to take it all
This guy is crazy! Atlanta is going to surprise everyone. There is talent there and with a coach who actually knows what he is doing, things are going to be different this year. And there is the worst to first phenomenon in the NFC South. Anyway, I can tell you that the Falcons will probably win this division.
DL1957
The NFC South as a division isn't that inspiring. You've two possibly three teams at best and a lamentable one in the guise of the Falcons.
The Bucs'll go as far as the incumbent QB and defense can take them. And in terms of a playmaker all they've got is Galloway. Beyond that name me a gambreaker on that team ? Rusty is being an optimist at best. Knowing full well that the team'll go only so far as Garcia or whomever can take 'em.
And as it now stands they're probably waiting for the second coming of Christ in terms of Favre to make it so.
They've got a choice to make at this juncture . Go after Favre pay him $12m for this year or extend Garcia's contract and pay him what he's allegedly asking for.... $6m he's looking for per year for two years.
justan' aka tophatal ...........
Last edited by justanotherfan on July 25th at 9:10 AM.
