NFC South All-Star Squad: Offense

We started this project last week and had the readers decide the final three positions over the course of the weekend. Now, we have the team. The best the NFC South has to offer. At least according to the lead bloggers who cover the teams: Cat Crave, Who Dat Dish, The Pewter Plank and, of course, Blogging Dirty.

Today we’ll review the offensive side of the ball and tomorrow we’ll wrap up the defense. Hit the jump to see which players, and more importantly, which Falcons made the team.

The Offensive Line

Left Tackle
Jordan Gross, PANTHERS

This was a no-brainer really. Sam Baker and Jermon Bushrod are up and comers but still too young. Gross has been very good and has delivered on his first round selection in the 2003 draft.

Others receiving votes: None

Left Guard
Travelle Wharton, PANTHERS

I love Blalock but Wharton has been better for longer and he powers that Panther line that gives DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart huge running lanes. Two for two for Carolina on the offensive line.

Others receiving votes: Carl Nicks

Center
Ryan Kalil, PANTHERS

Kalil is coming off a Pro Bowl season and looks to hold onto this position as the division’s top center for years to come.

Others receiving votes: Todd McClure, Jeff Faine

Right Guard
Jahri Evans, SAINTS

Evans has improved every year culminating in an all-pro selection in 2009. He’s the best right guard in the division, hands down.

Others receiving votes: None

Right Tackle
Jon Stinchcomb, SAINTS

The same way the Panthers have the left side of the line locked down, the Saints have the right side. Since he entered the starting lineup in 2006, Stinchcomb has improved every year and he forms a tremendous duo with Evans.

Others receiving votes: None.

The Skill Positions

Quarterback
Drew Brees, SAINTS

Not much of a shock here. Josh Freeman and Matt Moore are embryos among the quarterbacking world and Matt Ryan has some catching up to do before he can challenge Brees. A positive for the NFC South is Brees is not only the best quarterback in this division but likely all the NFL.

Others receiving votes: None

Running Backs
DeAngelo Williams, PANTHERS and Michael Turner, FALCONS

Williams’ career 5.1 yards per carry is impressive but it’s his 20 touchdown season in 2008 that is fresh in our mind and gives him the number one spot on this team.

Turner the Burner could take over the top spot at running back if his 2010 is more like 2008 and not so much his 2008. Since 2008, only one running back has more rushing touchdowns than Turner does.

Others receiving votes: Reggie Bush, Jonathan Stewart

Wide Receivers
Steve Smith, PANTHERS and Roddy White, FALCONS and Marques Colston, SAINTS

Smith has been the best receiver in this division for a long time and despite a decline in 2009 and another broken bone, he still is dangerous. White has earned his position among the elite receivers and has outplayed Smith the past two seasons. They form a tremendous starting receiver corp. Colston fills out the roster as the number three.

Others receiving votes: Devery Henderson

Tight End
Tony Gonzalez, FALCONS

As with quarterback, this is a no-brainer. Gonzalez is a future Hall of Famer and has been crazy productive every year he’s played.

Others receiving votes: None

Well there you have it. The NFC South’s Offensive All-Star Team. The Panthers led the way with five players on the offensive side of the ball. The Saints had four players and he Falcons garnered three bids. The Buccaneers were left out in the cold with zero.

Remember to visit Fansided.com beginning Monday, July 19th to vote for the NFC South against the rest of the division all-star teams.

The contest will be held on the FanSided Network homepage. In a classic winner-take-all playoff bracket, two teams will face off each round until a “Super Bowl” champion is decided just before the start of training camps.

While it’s normal to have vehement hatred towards our division rivals, when we reach this stage, we want to represent the NFC South and vote early and often.

Up Wednesday morning is the defensive side of the ball.