In Part 3 of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sports.com’s Dwayne Bryant presents his feelings and predictions for that NFC South. Groups are stated inside their predicted order of complete.
one. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 personal injury and lit up the league last year, tallying 103 catches, 1,563 yards and twelve TDs. With recently-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on one other facet, Smith should deal with significantly less double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will likely not only help the offense in that element, but his outstanding operate-blocking potential should help open functioning lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has long been suffering from injuries throughout his profession, so don’t be amazed to discover to start with-round draft select DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries too. Head coach John Fox prefers a run-initial attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme below Centre, Fox could well be superior served employing a a lot more balanced offense. This offense was managing on all cylinders late previous year And that i seem For additional of a similar in 2006.
Defense: This really is a person tricky protection that may do all of it. Everything starts off up front with move-rushing phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They combined for eighteen sacks and three fumble recoveries – in an off-yr. Carolina included DT Maake Kemoeatu to workforce with Kris Jenkins in the middle. Additionally they added Damione Lewis from St. Louis to include A great deal-required depth to the road. Dan Morgan qualified prospects the LB crew, but provides a heritage of damage troubles. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble offer solid protection and superb playmaking ability inside the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s defense ranked third in yards permitted for each activity and fifth in details permitted. In addition they tallied 45 sacks and forty two takeaways. Search for this defense to continue to generally be Among the many league’s greatest.
Specific Groups: There’s constantly the possibility of a return TD when Steve Smith is managing the punt-return responsibilities. Kicker John Kasay related on 26 of 34 FG attempts with 5 in the eight misses coming from beyond fifty yards.
Prediction: They can run. They can move. They might protect the operate and move. There’s nothing this group can’t do. Try to look for Carolina to acquire the hard NFC South and fairly quite possibly snag a first-round bye in the playoffs.
two. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Since the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head mentor Jon Gruden prefers a conservative strategy, which suggests a lot of touches for Williams. He’ll appear to remain balanced and put alongside one another a season all the more https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ extraordinary than last year’s rookie campaign by which he totaled 1,178 yards and six TDs In spite of an ankle injuries. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ most important concentrate on in 2005. Even so, with Michael Clayton nutritious yet again, I assume Clayton for being the go-to guy in the passing sport this season. The offensive line Virtually bought Simms killed very last period. The Bucs signed various OL through the draft and cost-free agency to enhance this device. Even so, cohesiveness will just take time. So I see this line as a piece-in-development.
Protection: The Bucs defense was #one in yards allowed previous season. DE Simeon Rice registered 14 sacks – fantastic for third-ideal from the league. Tampa Bay provides a stable LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They will operate, include and hurry the passer. The secondary attributes playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (five INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Protection Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati may depart this device vulnerable above the middle. This is certainly an ageing group, but plenty of talent remains for this protection to generally be pretty formidable Once more in 2006.
Specific Teams: The kickoff return staff was virtually invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did deal with to normal nine.6 yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant manufactured 21 of 25 FG attempts, which include eighteen of 19 from thirty-forty nine yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend to get a Wildcard location and should get one particular offered Cadillac Williams can continue to be wholesome. Tampa Bay could obstacle for the division title In the event the offensive line gels faster as an alternative to later, but I see it becoming later on.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in speeding Just about every of the last two seasons as a result of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn would be the fast, elusive again. Duckett is the big, bruising back again used efficiently within the aim line. This offense shows flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will go on to wrestle occasionally right until Vick can improve on his accuracy and selection-producing. Atlanta utilised their previous two very first-round draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler stays Vick’s favored focus on. Crumpler is big, will get separation, would make catches in traffic and not often at any time drops a go. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Look for more inconsistent Perform this year.
Defense: This device ranked twenty second inside the NFL previous period. Some of which can be contributed to injuries (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith missed a lot of the season) and some to not enough a move rush within the front four. Coordinator Ed Donatell was forced to blitz his LBs to get strain, but that still left them out of situation in halting the operate. Their 128.9 rushing yards authorized for every match rated 26th while in the NFL last time. CB DeAngelo Hall (six INTs in 2005) is acquiring into one of many league’s best protect corners, but he didn’t have Considerably assist in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has extra safety Law firm Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to give this device an immediate upgrade. But the biggest addition must be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (10 ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a sound entrance 4. Accidents not withstanding, this device really should increase on previous period’s functionality.
Distinctive Groups: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return quantities dropped large-time more than his 2004 figures. DeAngelo Corridor could see some punt return duty if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Regardless of only lacking two FG attempts past time. It remains to become viewed who’ll just take more than the kicking duties.
Prediction: If Vick normally takes a move ahead as a passer, this team could compete for any Wildcard spot. If he stays inconsistent, Atlanta could possibly be taking a look at A different eight-8 marketing campaign.
4. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is balanced, this offense might be unsafe. New head mentor Sean Payton will only want Brees for being a video game supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee harm, but should be able to have the load. If not, 2nd-In general draft pick Reggie Bush will do exactly fine. With McAllister nutritious, Payton will however locate approaches to find the ball into the arms from the ever-perilous Bush. Bush will most likely be made use of as a third-down back again, in two-again sets with McAllister, as a slot receiver and possibly like a return guy. The Saints also additional Michael Bennett to help make to get a deep stable of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, together with 6-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Protection: The Saints struggled within the defensive facet of the ball final season. They ranked twenty seventh in speeding yards allowed and twenty eighth in points permitted. Additionally they managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire season. The team did very little while in the offseason to further improve this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are good. The LBs are a priority. As a group, they're able to’t cover, they could’t stop the run and they are able to’t hurry the passer when identified as on. The secondary has a couple noteworthy users, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s small aid driving them. They’ve additional LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, and also FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s too many new faces. A significant adjustment period of time lies in advance right before any substantial improvement are going to be witnessed.
Special Groups: Obtaining Michael Lewis back from injury need to spark the return game. forty one-yr-old kicker John Carney returns following a stable 2005 marketing campaign.
Prediction: Even when Brees is wholesome, the defense has a way to go before this team is going to be competing to get a playoff location. I assume a gradual begin, but a reliable 2nd half of your season for the Saints. I wouldn’t expect a lot more than six-10.
Closing Ideas: Carolina is sound in all facets and has become the top rated selections to win the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay must land a Wildcard spot providing the offensive line keeps Simms upright. Atlanta will only go as far as Vick will take them, which can be between third during the division for the third seed inside the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the right route, but I’d say they’re two years from competing for a playoff location.