Partly Three of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sports activities.com’s Dwayne Bryant supplies his ideas and predictions for that NFC South. Teams are listed within their predicted order of finish.
one. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 injuries and lit up the league final time, tallying 103 catches, one,563 yards and twelve TDs. With recently-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on one other side, Smith should really facial area fewer double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will not likely only support the offense in that element, but his wonderful operate-blocking skill will help open up managing lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster is affected by accidents in the course of his profession, so don’t be amazed to see very first-spherical draft decide on DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries as well. Head mentor John Fox prefers a operate-1st attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme underneath Heart, Fox could be much better served using a much more balanced offense. This offense was working on all cylinders late previous period And that i seem For additional of the identical in 2006.
Defense: That is just one hard protection which will do all of it. Everything starts up front with move-hurrying phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They put together for eighteen sacks and three fumble recoveries – within an off-year. Carolina added DT Maake Kemoeatu to team with Kris Jenkins in the center. They also added Damione Lewis from St. Louis to incorporate A great deal-wanted depth to the line. Dan Morgan leads the LB crew, but contains a background of injuries difficulties. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble provide strong coverage and exceptional playmaking capability inside the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s defense rated 3rd in yards authorized for every match and fifth in points authorized. They also tallied forty five sacks and 42 takeaways. Try to find this protection to continue to generally be Among the many league’s finest.
Special Teams: There’s usually the opportunity 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 with the eight misses coming from over and above 50 yards.
Prediction: They will run. They might move. They will defend the run and pass. There’s nothing at all this crew can’t do. Try to find Carolina to get the hard NFC South and rather potentially snag a primary-spherical bye in the playoffs.
two. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Since the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head mentor Jon Gruden prefers a conservative solution, which means many touches for Williams. He’ll seem to remain wholesome and set together a period more remarkable than final time’s rookie marketing campaign in which he totaled one,178 yards and 6 TDs Even with an ankle injuries. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ main focus on in 2005. On the other hand, with Michael Clayton balanced all over again, I assume Clayton for being the go-to dude in the passing game this year. The offensive line Practically got Simms killed past time. The Bucs signed quite a few OL with the draft and no cost agency to improve this unit. Nonetheless, cohesiveness will take time. So I see this line as a work-in-development.
Protection: The Bucs defense was #one in yards allowed very last season. DE Simeon Rice registered fourteen sacks – very good for third-greatest in the league. Tampa Bay features a strong LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They can operate, include and rush the passer. The secondary options playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (5 INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Basic safety Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati may depart this unit susceptible around the center. That is an aging group, but ample expertise stays for this protection to be pretty formidable Yet again in 2006.
Exclusive Groups: The kickoff return crew was pretty much invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did handle to average 9.6 yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant designed 21 of twenty five FG tries, which include 18 of 19 from thirty-forty nine yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for the Wildcard location and will get one particular presented Cadillac Williams can keep healthier. Tampa Bay could challenge with the division title In the event the offensive line gels quicker rather than later on, but I see it staying later on.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in rushing each of the last two seasons because of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn could be the speedy, elusive back. Duckett is the large, bruising back utilized correctly around the objective line. This offense reveals flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will continue on to wrestle once in a while right until Vick can enhance on his precision and selection-generating. Atlanta employed their past two initial-spherical draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler stays Vick’s favourite focus on. Crumpler is significant, will get separation, would make catches in visitors and seldom at any time drops a move. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Glimpse for more inconsistent Participate in this season.
Protection: This device ranked 22nd during the NFL https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ final time. Many of that could be contributed to accidents (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith missed many of the year) and many to lack of a move hurry from your front four. Coordinator Ed Donatell was compelled to blitz his LBs to receive tension, but that left them outside of position in halting the operate. Their 128.9 rushing yards allowed for each game ranked 26th inside the NFL last period. CB DeAngelo Hall (six INTs in 2005) is producing into one of several league’s finest cover corners, but he didn’t have Considerably assist in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has added basic safety Lawyer Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to provide this device a direct enhance. But the most significant addition must be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (ten ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a solid front four. Accidents not withstanding, this unit should make improvements to on previous year’s effectiveness.
Specific Groups: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return quantities dropped massive-time above his 2004 figures. DeAngelo Hall could see some punt return obligation if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Regardless of only missing two FG tries very last year. It continues to be to generally be observed who’ll choose about the kicking duties.
Prediction: If Vick will take a action forward for a passer, this group could compete for just a Wildcard spot. If he remains inconsistent, Atlanta could possibly be thinking about One more 8-8 marketing campaign.
4. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is nutritious, this offense may very well be hazardous. New head mentor Sean Payton will only want Brees to become a match supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee injury, but really should be prepared to have the load. If not, next-overall draft pick Reggie Bush will do just fantastic. With McAllister healthy, Payton will nonetheless discover strategies to obtain the ball into the palms in the at any time-dangerous Bush. Bush will more than likely be utilised as a 3rd-down back, in two-again sets with McAllister, like a slot receiver and possibly being a return man. The Saints also included Michael Bennett for making to get a deep stable of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, and also six-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Defense: The Saints struggled around the defensive facet in the ball final year. They ranked twenty seventh in dashing yards permitted and 28th in details permitted. They also managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire season. The group did tiny during the offseason to boost this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are good. The LBs are a priority. As a bunch, they might’t deal with, they could’t halt the run and they could’t hurry the passer when called on. The secondary has a couple noteworthy users, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s little assist guiding them. They’ve extra LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, together with FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s too many new faces. A major adjustment interval lies in advance just before any considerable enhancement will be seen.
Specific Groups: Having Michael Lewis back again from harm should really spark the return match. 41-12 months-aged kicker John Carney returns following a stable 2005 marketing campaign.
Prediction: Even if Brees is wholesome, the protection has a method to go just before this crew is going to be competing to get a playoff spot. I count on a gradual start out, but a stable 2nd 50 % of the season to the Saints. I wouldn’t count on over six-ten.
Remaining Views: Carolina is sound in all areas and is amongst the leading decisions to acquire the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay really should land a Wildcard location as long as the offensive line keeps Simms upright. Atlanta will only go as far as Vick can take them, which could possibly be between 3rd from the division for the 3rd seed inside the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the proper direction, but I’d say they’re two decades clear of competing for the playoff place.