NFC South Power Rankings (pre training camp edition)
1. New Orleans Saints:
Nawlins’ holds this spot for no other reason then they should be the class of the division. They have a very good QB in Drew Brees, a ton of receivers (now with Shockey), Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister sounds good enough right? Well I haven’t mentioned the defense.
The D last year just sucked, it was so bad because the D-line couldn’t pressure the QB and the defensive backs couldn’t catch up with their opponents. They were ranked 30th in the league in pass defense last year behind defensive stalwarts like Arizona , Buffalo and (ouch) Cincinatti. And, they were just average against the run (13th).
This season should be better though. First off they drafted Sedrick Ellis a big body with surprising mobility out of USC. He should be a force at the defensive tackle position for years to come and posseses the ability to pressure the QB and possibly require double teams allowing for sacks and causing turnovers. They also signed Johathan Vilma another good aquisition from the New York Jets to add to a linebacking corps that could only be charaterized as average.
This is a team that, for all of it’s weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball should be able to (if heathy) outscore their opponents. I project a 9 to 11 win season and a trip to the playoffs.
Who to watch:
WR Marques Colston: 6′ 4″ great hands and a fantasy dream player. He is just an amazing player and should be the lynchpin in what I feel could be a very very good passing offense.
RB Deuce McAllister: This is his first time on the field since injuring his knee last year and he has the ability to give the Saints what they lacked last year, a real running back to pound the ball and move the chains.
RB Reggie Bush: He was great in college, but this is his 3rd year now in the NFL and at this point I would classify him as a glorified slot receiver. He needs to learn that cutting and making guys miss is important but so it not crumpling like a ’85 Yugo when you get hit but a linebacker. Barry Sanders has nothing to worry about with this kid taking his crown anytime soon.
2. Tampa Bay Buccanners:
Tampa is in an odd position from what I can see. The defense that was at one time so dominant seems to be a shell of it’s former self. First off it has been 5 years since they won the Super Bowl. John Lynch, Simeon Rice, Anthony McFarland and Warren Sapp have all either retired or are playing elsewhere now.
But since then Jon Gruden just never seems to catch any breaks, either it is QB issues (ruptured spleen included) to receivers that just don’t seem to catch the ball so well to injuries to Cadilliac Williams and others.
Tampa enters this season as a team that could win the division again or could be terribly average. They are considered to be the team to beat for the services of Brett “The Waffler” Favre. But they have a good running back in Ernest Graham and Jeff “I might not be great, but I won’t cough up the ball either” Garcia is not a great QB but he isn’t bad by any measure.
This team just seems so average so plain, so vanilla. I project a decent season again (they did win the division last year) Maybe 7-10 wins depending on which team shows up.
Who to watch:
RB Ernest Graham: He was the man in TB last year and should be the starter again in the backfield. I wasn’t overly impressed with his play last year but I don’t dislike the guy either. I think he is a serviceable back who moves the ball and can take a hit. You can’t ask for much more than that.
OLB Derrick Brooks: This could possibly be the guys swan song season (this is is 14th year in the league), but I feel that Brooks may be one of the most underrated and underappreciated guys at his position. A class act off the field and a brutal player on it, he leads by example and he plays hard every down. A truly great linebacker for whom I am almost positive Canton, OH awaits.
3. Carolina Panthers:
Carolina is barely keeping it’s head above water at this point. The team had a bucketfull of injuries last year and this year they look ready to possibly rebound. They have in my opinon a possible badass running back in Johnathan Stewart out of Oregon I get a very good feeling about this kid and hope I get a chance to get him in my fantasy league as I feel that he will be stealing the starting job from DeAngleo Williams very quickly.
Jake Delhomme is a good QB. He took his team to the Super Bowl a few years back and he can play. I don’t know if I think he is so inconsistant because the expectations on him after going to the Super Bowl were so high or if maybe the guy just had one really really good season and he really is just a “good” QB.
Steve Smith is a monster, of course not in size. But in his effect on the field every Sunday. I try not to believe the hype on players so much. I really really do but I have no reason not to believe when the hype is warranted. Smith might be, pound for pound the best receiver in the league. He is fast and has great hands and he scores ( I am looking at you Atlanta). The guy burns my birds and when he does I just have to stand there and just laugh because he makes us look just silly.
The Panthers just don’t look good ot me at this time. I am projecting a 8-8 season. They are a solid sleeper pick if Delhomme decides to go off and if they stay healthy. But with a D that just doesn’t seem to play to potential and what can be a very inconsistant running attack I can’t project them to be a playoff contender at this early stage.
Who to Watch:
QB Jake Delhomme: Tommy John surgery last year and he is coming back in under 12 months. This is either going to be a medical miracle where the guy puts the team on his shoulders or where he hurts himself again and the team falls by the wayside.
WR Steve Smith: He will continue to flourish in this system and will continue to make defenders look like they are running in slow motion.
RB Johnathan Stewart Rookie running backs I feel have the best chance of making the biggest impact right away. Where most positions need a few years to truly excel. If you are special enough you can come out of the backfield and destroy teams. I feel this guy just might be that kind of player. Watch out for the former Oregon Duck.
4. Atlanta Falcons:
QB is a weak position right now. Chris Redman is the penciled in starter in September due in large part to playing effectivly in the last few games last season. He has a decent arm and is good in the pocket. If you give the guy time he can and will find receiving options. For now he is the Falcons best available option at what eventually will be a strength on this team
Running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood both have very good speed, both hit the pocket well and both are going to need a lot of touches to keep teams from taking advantage of the Falcons potentially weak pass protection.
Who to watch: Look out for WR Laurent Robinson, he had a decent rookie campaign and is considered the odds on favorite to be the 2nd WR on the field passing over vets like Mike Jenkins and Joe Horn.
Jerious Norwood: This is his 3rd year and this could be his “make or break” season, he has great speed and was underused in the Petrino offense so he should have fresh legs and be used quite often as a spell back for Turner.
Michael Jenkins: This will most likely be the last chance the receiver out of OSU will have with the Falcons if he continues to play the way he has. He has fallen down on the depth chart the last two years and his inability to make plays is a cause for concern. I like the guy, but his back is against the wall and I hope he responds with a great camp and big season.
Matt Ryan: The face of the franchise might just impress the staff enough to make them think about starting him early………….DON’T DO IT GUYS! let the kid learn the offense and get comfortable. You have Joey Harrington on your team already don’t make the mistake of creating another one.