Partly 3 of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sports activities.com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his ideas and predictions to the NFC South. Teams are outlined within their predicted purchase of finish.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 injury and lit up the league last season, tallying 103 catches, 1,563 yards and twelve TDs. With recently-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on the other facet, Smith should really face fewer double and triple-teams. Keyshawn will not likely only assistance the offense in that facet, but his fantastic run-blocking ability may help open working lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has become stricken by injuries during his vocation, so don’t be surprised to determine first-spherical draft choose DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries too. Head coach John Fox prefers a run-very first attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme beneath Heart, Fox might be superior served utilizing a additional balanced offense. This offense was working on all cylinders late previous season And that i appear For additional of a similar in 2006.
Defense: This is a person rough protection that will do it all. Everything begins up front with go-speeding phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They blended for 18 sacks and a few fumble recoveries – in an off-year. Carolina extra DT Maake Kemoeatu to crew with Kris Jenkins in the middle. They also extra Damione Lewis from St. Louis to incorporate Substantially-wanted depth to the road. Dan Morgan leads the LB crew, but incorporates a heritage of injury issues. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble offer sound coverage and great playmaking capability inside the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s defense rated 3rd in yards authorized for each sport and fifth in points authorized. In addition they tallied 45 sacks and 42 takeaways. Seek out this defense to continue to be Among the many league’s ideal.
Distinctive Groups: There’s generally the possibility of a return TD when Steve Smith is handling the punt-return obligations. Kicker John Kasay conservative campaign jobs connected on 26 of 34 FG attempts with 5 from the 8 misses coming from over and above 50 yards.
Prediction: They're able to run. They could go. They will protect the operate and pass. There’s nothing at all this group can’t do. Look for Carolina to gain the tricky NFC South and very quite possibly snag a primary-spherical bye during the playoffs.
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Since the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head mentor Jon Gruden prefers a conservative method, which means a lot of touches for Williams. He’ll appear to stay nutritious and place with each other a period even more impressive than previous year’s rookie marketing campaign in which he totaled 1,178 yards and 6 TDs In spite of an ankle injury. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ primary goal in 2005. Nonetheless, with Michael Clayton healthful yet again, I anticipate Clayton to be the go-to man while in the passing video game this year. The offensive line Nearly bought Simms killed last period. The Bucs signed a number of OL with the draft and free company to boost this unit. Having said that, cohesiveness will take time. So I see this line as a piece-in-progress.
Protection: The Bucs defense was #1 in yards authorized very last time. DE Simeon Rice registered 14 sacks – very good for third-very best while in the league. Tampa Bay provides a stable LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They will run, include and hurry the passer. The secondary features playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (5 INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Protection Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati may well leave this device vulnerable above the center. This is often an ageing team, but enough talent remains for this defense to be incredibly formidable once again in 2006.
Specific Teams: The kickoff return workforce was pretty much invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did handle to normal nine.six yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant designed 21 of twenty five FG tries, which includes eighteen of 19 from 30-forty nine yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for your Wildcard place and should get a single furnished Cadillac Williams can continue to be wholesome. Tampa Bay could problem for the division title If your offensive line gels sooner as an alternative to later, but I see it being later.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in speeding Each individual of the last two seasons as a result of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn will be the speedy, elusive back again. Duckett is the large, bruising back utilized proficiently throughout the intention line. This offense shows flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will keep on to wrestle at times until finally Vick can boost on his precision and choice-generating. Atlanta used their final two initial-spherical draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler continues to be Vick’s favorite target. Crumpler is big, receives separation, would make catches in site visitors and seldom ever drops a move. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Seem For additional inconsistent Perform this year.
Defense: This device ranked 22nd during the NFL past time. Some of that may be contributed to injuries (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith missed many of the year) and several to not enough a go hurry with the front 4. Coordinator Ed Donatell was pressured to blitz his LBs to obtain strain, but that left them away from position in halting the operate. Their 128.nine rushing yards allowed for every game rated twenty sixth from the NFL final year. CB DeAngelo Hall (6 INTs in 2005) is acquiring into among the list of league’s most effective address corners, but he didn’t have A great deal help in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has added protection Attorney Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to give this device a right away improve. But the most important addition has to be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (ten ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a solid front 4. Accidents not withstanding, this device ought to improve on last season’s overall performance.
Particular Groups: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return quantities dropped large-time about his 2004 numbers. DeAngelo Hall could see some punt return responsibility if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Irrespective of only lacking two FG tries previous season. It stays to be seen who’ll take about the kicking responsibilities.
Prediction: If Vick requires a phase ahead to be a passer, this staff could contend for just a Wildcard location. If he stays inconsistent, Atlanta may be checking out A different eight-eight marketing campaign.
four. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is healthful, this offense can be harmful. New head coach Sean Payton will only want Brees for being a match supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee damage, but needs to be willing to carry the load. If not, next-Over-all draft pick Reggie Bush will do just high-quality. With McAllister nutritious, Payton will however obtain strategies to get the ball to the arms in the ever-harmful Bush. Bush will most likely be used as a 3rd-down back again, in two-back again sets with McAllister, for a slot receiver And perhaps as a return person. The Saints also additional Michael Bennett to help make for just a deep secure of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, together with six-foot-8 TE Zach Hilton.
Defense: The Saints struggled about the defensive aspect with the ball past year. They ranked 27th in rushing yards authorized and twenty eighth in details authorized. In addition they managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire season. The group did tiny from the offseason to improve this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are good. The LBs are a priority. As a gaggle, they will’t include, they could’t stop the operate and they will’t hurry the passer when identified as upon. The secondary has a couple noteworthy users, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s tiny assist at the rear of them. They’ve additional LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, in addition to FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s a lot of new faces. A serious adjustment time period lies forward just before any sizeable advancement will likely be noticed.
Distinctive Groups: Receiving Michael Lewis back again from personal injury need to spark the return recreation. 41-12 months-outdated kicker John Carney returns after a strong 2005 campaign.
Prediction: Whether or not Brees is healthful, the defense has a way to go ahead of this staff might be competing to get a playoff spot. I expect a gradual start, but a solid 2nd fifty percent in the period with the Saints. I wouldn’t count on greater than six-ten.
Remaining Ideas: Carolina is strong in all elements and is probably the prime selections to acquire the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay must land a Wildcard location given that the offensive line keeps Simms upright. Atlanta will only go as far as Vick takes them, which could possibly be anywhere from third in the division on the third seed from the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the appropriate route, but I’d say they’re two several years clear of competing for a playoff location.