NFC SOUTH 
Atlanta – “With the number three pick
in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select… Dead Meat!”
Poor ol’ rookie QB Matt Ryan has no chance. None. The man who
gave us the Miami Dolphins offense last year is now in charge of the
offense in Atlanta. Seldom-used Michael Turner will be asked to take
on a punishing schedule. None of the five starting offensive linemen
would start in Kansas City. Their crop of underachieving wide receivers
(save Roddy White) are still on the roster. The only capable tight end
they had was cut unceremoniously. Ryan just seems doomed, doesn’t
he? If the kid weren’t such a seemingly level-headed guy, I’d
consider him a dead man walking. Hopefully, Turner and scatback Jerious
Norwood can keep defenses from pounding Ryan’s face into the Georgia
Dome carpet.
The Falcons did make one pick who should find some success this year:
MLB Curtis Lofton. After winning the starting job in camp, Lofton is
now poised to put up monster tackle numbers (given that his defense
should be on the field for a long, long time every game). Michael Boley
and Keith Brooking make this linebacking corps the most well-rounded
in the division. DE John Abraham is coming off a fine year as a pass
rusher, but you’ve got to wonder what the hell happened to the
guy on the other side. Jamaal Anderson was a first-round draft pick
last year, and big things were expected of him. He delivered exactly
ZERO sacks. Zero! Wanna know who else had zero sacks? ME! I TIED HIM!
(And I’m a little pissed that the Falcons didn’t pay me
anything for my contribution to the team, by the way) That is simply
not acceptable for a 16-game starter. Falcons fans are hoping for a
Mario Williams-esque resurgent second season, but even Mario came away
with 4 ½ as a rook. Another position of concern in Atlanta is
cornerback. Former 2nd round pick Chris Houston will start along with
unheralded Brent Grimes. In his third year out of Shippensburg, Grimes
is now… uh, wait a minute… did I just write “Shippensburg?”
Is that a made-up college? Better check his resume. I don’t know
who Brent Grimes is, and I get the feeling opposing offensive coordinators
are DYING to get to know him. They want to see him targeted on every
play. Expect HUGE receiving days for whoever faces this dude. The Falcons
acquired CB Domonique Foxworth from the Broncos just days before the
season. Once Foxworth is acclimated to the scheme, he should be starting.
But it may be too late by then. This off-season, safety Erik Coleman
left the Jets for a worse team. Money makes men do strange things. He’s
joined by Lawyer Milloy, who retired 12 years ago.
The prospects for the Dirty Birds this year are faint. It’s not
a “rebuilding" year; it’s a "9-month wait for
the first pick in the draft" year.
Strength: linebacker
Weakness: quartercornerbackoline
2008 MVP’s: Michael Turner & Curtis Lofton
Unsung hero: Domonique Foxworth
Record last year: 4-12
Record this year: 3-13
Carolina – Tell me Jake Delhomme isn’t
one of the most valuable players in the NFL! The past two years, his
absence has cost this team dearly. Vinny Testaverde, David Carr, Matt
Moore, Chris Weinke, Brett Basanez… they all took a shot and failed
badly. Without Delhomme, this is a very different team. And when they
field a defense in the bottom half of the league (as they did in 2007),
that should make this team awful… right? They still crawled to
a 7-9 record. What could happen if Jake stays healthy?
That’s the big question. After receiving Tommy John surgery this
off-season, Delhomme is said to have regained all the strength in his
throwing arm and then some. That may be a bit of an overstatement on
the part of Carolina coaches though. Delhomme looked off-target for
most of the pre-season. Perhaps that’s just Jake working out the
kinks in his post-surgical throwing motion. He’d better work them
out quickly. With star wide receiver Steve Smith serving a 2-game suspension
for beating the boogers out of teammate Ken Lucas, the Panthers will
turn to an old friend. WR Muhsin Muhammad returns to the team after
three years of being ignored in Chicago. Muhammad and Delhomme were
a potent hook-up, so there’s no doubt he’ll be the main
target in Weeks 1 & 2… maybe even well into the season. Muhammad
may or may not be joined by the ridiculously injured D.J. Hackett. When
Hackett plays, he looks like one of the NFL’s finest. The problem
is… he hardly ever plays. Hackett has got to be more susceptible
to injury than one of those bubble-boys. If Hackett should collapse
again, perhaps WR Dwayne Jarrett can finally make up for his early indiscretions
and become the stud the Panthers hoped he would be. At running back,
the Panthers are proud to have two quality runners. DeAngelo Williams
and rookie Jonathan Stewart are both capable of carrying the full load,
but most fans expect they’ll be worked in evenly. Either one could
go off at any moment. The Panthers are also building a formidable offensive
line. Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton (finally playing his natural position
of guard), Ryan Kalil, Keydrick Vincent, and rookie Jeff Otah are –
for the most part – high draft picks loaded with potential greatness.
The zone-blocking scheme the team implemented last year should finally
start paying off in 2008.
The normally-stout Carolina defense fell off a bit in 2007. DE Julius
Peppers sank to a career-low 2 ½ sacks on the year. All indications
are that he’s taking this season a lot more seriously, given that
it’s a contract year. With longtime DT Kris Jenkins leaving for
the Jets, the Panthers will try Ravens and Rams castaways Ma’ake
Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis in the middle of the D-line. DE Tyler Brayton
comes over from the Raiders after a failed stint there. This is an uninspiring
group for Panthers fans who expect big things from their D-line after
years of greatness there. At least the linebackers make up for that
group a bit. MLB Jon Beason had a phenomenal rookie season, and strong-side
linebacker Thomas Davis racked up quite a few tackles himself. Na’il
Diggs and Landon Johnson had a spirited competition for the other starting
job, and either ‘backer seems capable of holding down the job.
Rookie Dan Connor needs some grooming if he’s going to overcome
his size and speed disadvantages, but he’s got the heart and the
head to make an impact in the league given a chance. Corners Chris Gamble
and (the aforementioned booger-less) Ken Lucas are a steady pair. #3
CB Richard Marshall has shown flashes of greatness, and he should see
a lot of time as well. Rookie safety Charles Godfrey was handed a starting
job practically the day after he was drafted in April. The team is very
high on the Iowa product.
This should be a comeback year for the Panthers if Delhomme stays healthy
into December. There isn’t much more slack for head coach John
Fox; he really does need to produce right now to save his job. The shadow
of Carolina-native Bill Cowher looms large over the head of John Fox,
and he knows it. Expect a close call for the playoffs… and with
a little luck, maybe even a surge toward that #6 spot.
Strength: running back
Weakness: defensive line
2008 MVP’s: Steve Smith & Julius Peppers
Unsung hero: Richard Marshall
Record last year: 7-9
Record this year: 9-7
New Orleans – With Hurricane Gustav safely behind
the people of New Orleans, Saints fans can once again rejoice a resurgent
team. After stumbling to a terrible start, the Saints collected themselves
and pulled out a 7-9 season. They won’t make that same mistake
twice.
The Saints are blessed with a strong offensive line, anchored by one
of the best left tackles in the league, Jammal Brown. Head coach Sean
Payton couldn’t do half the things he does offensively without
Brown. Guard Jahri Evans and RT Jon Stinchcomb are also strong components
to this great pass-protecting line. QB Drew Brees is given plenty of
time to find his targets – often guys who wouldn’t play
at all on most teams. Receivers like Terrance Copper, Lance Moore and
Billy Miller are below average, yet they look capable in this offense
(thanks to Brees). WR Marques Colston would be greatly improved if the
Saints promote the game-breaking WR Robert Meachem to the starting lineup.
That may be a few weeks away though. The addition of TE Jeremy Shockey
should provide a better receiving option that in years past. Despite
his reputation for dropping passes and mouthing off at the wrong times,
Shockey is a great all-around tight end. At running back, there seems
to be great depth, but question marks at every spot. Reggie Bush can’t
play inside the tackles; Deuce McAllister can’t keep his knees
from snapping off; Pierre Thomas is unproven; Aaron Stecker is…
well… Aaron Stecker. They’ve all shown hints of being reliable.
The Saints just need to find the right mix.
Things did not go right for the Saints well-paid defensive line in
2007. Will Smith found the quarterback 7 times; Charles Grant only 2
½ times. $124 million should buy more than that, don’t
you think? This year, the team adds to the rotation former Jaguar DE
Bobby McCray. First-round pick DT Sedrick Ellis will clog up the middle.
At linebacker, the pair of Cowboys castaways, Scott’s Shanle and
Fujita, will make way for Jonathan Vilma. In the Jets 4-3 defense, Vilma
was one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL. When the Jets switched
to the 3-4, Vilma was out of place and largely ineffective. Now, Vilma’s
back in the 4-3, and I suspect he’ll return to his former ways.
Look for in excess of 120 tackles out of the Vilminator. Last year,
the cornerback play of Jason David was laughable. A capable corner in
Tony Dungy’s Tampa-2 system, he was exposed as a fraud over and
over again in the Saints’ defensive backfield. Somehow, he made
the squad in 2008. Whatever, dudes! At least CB Mike McKenzie is there
to hold down the other side. He’s a stud, although he will begin
to give in to age pretty soon. The team is hoping that former-Patriot
Randal Gay can save them from Jason David. The Saints have potentially
a great trio of safeties. Roman Harper, Josh Bullocks and Kevin Kaesviharn
can rotate according to situation, their individual talents, and their
health.
The Saints surprised the league in 2006 with an NFC South title and
playoff win. They’re not sneaking up on anyone this year. But
they should still claim this weak division pretty handily.
Strength: offensive line
Weakness: cornerback
2008 MVP’s: Drew Brees & Jonathan Vilma
Unsung hero: Robert Meachem
Record last year: 7-9
Record this year: 10-6 (playoffs)
Tampa Bay – Ah, the famous rotating NFC South!
As soon as one team hits rock bottom, they rocket back to the top the
very next year. The Bucs did just that in 2007. The problem is…
that team always comes back down to earth the next year.
The ageless QB Jeff Garcia remains the starter in Tampa. Somehow, he
remains an accurate passer despite the inadequacies of his receiving
corps and offensive line. WR Joey Galloway, also seemingly ageless,
returns as the #1 WR. There seems to be no one willing to take the #2
job though. Ike Hilliard, Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Antonio
Bryant and even rookie Dexter Jackson had shots to solidify the spot,
but none could stand out. The trio of running backs will once again
have to carry the team. Earnest Graham had an unexpectedly dominant
season following many solid pre-season appearances in multiple cities.
Warrick Dunn, coming home to Tampa to close out his career, and journeyman
Michael Bennett will be called on to spell Graham on occasion. The Bucs
lack a true left tackle on the O-line, so it may be another year of
Garcia running around like Jason Voorhees is chasing him with a chainsaw.
In case you didn’t see the pattern… the Bucs are old. And
not just on offense. LB Derrick Brooks continues to prowl the middle
of the field. CB Ronde Barber is still holding down his quarter of the
backfield. DE Kevin Carter outstayed his welcome in St. Louis, Tennessee
and Miami. The attempted infusion of youth should be more effective
on the defensive side though, as evidenced by their ending 2007 with
the #2 D in the league. MLB Barrett Ruud was truuly guud before an injury
slowed him mid-season. How ruud! DE Gaines Adams hopes to build on his
6-sack rookie year. Safety Tanard Jackson turned in an impressive season
as a rook. And first-round pick Aqib Talib could be the perfect Tampa-2
corner. The future is bright here, but the past still clogs up many
spots.
The Buccaneers limped to a division title last year, but they were
far from dominant. This crown should be stripped easily from Jon Gruden’s
boyish head. If it weren’t for Atlanta, Tampa could sink to the
bottom as easily as they rose to the top last year.
Strength: defensive backs
Weakness: wide receiver
2008 MVP’s: Jeff Garcia & Barrett Ruud
Unsung hero: Sabby Piscitelli
Record last year: 9-7 (playoffs)
Record this year: 6-10
- Uncle Scurvy - RotoKingdom Staff Writer
