Partially 3 of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sporting activities.com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his feelings and predictions for the NFC South. Teams are outlined in their predicted buy of finish.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 injuries and lit up the league last time, tallying 103 catches, 1,563 yards and 12 TDs. With freshly-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on the opposite facet, Smith should experience considerably less double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will not likely only assist the offense in that component, but his superb operate-blocking means can help open up working lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has long been suffering from injuries throughout his occupation, so don’t be amazed to find out initially-round draft decide on DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries too. Head mentor John Fox prefers a operate-very first attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme underneath Middle, Fox might be better served utilizing a extra balanced offense. This offense was working on all cylinders late past time and I glimpse for more of the same in 2006.
Protection: This really is a person rough https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ defense that may do all of it. All of it starts up front with go-rushing phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They combined for eighteen sacks and a few fumble recoveries – in an off-calendar year. Carolina added DT Maake Kemoeatu to workforce with Kris Jenkins in the center. Additionally they additional Damione Lewis from St. Louis to add much-desired depth to the road. Dan Morgan qualified prospects the LB crew, but contains a background of injury issues. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble present solid protection and outstanding playmaking potential inside the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s defense rated third in yards permitted per sport and fifth in factors allowed. Additionally they tallied forty five sacks and forty two takeaways. Seek out this protection to continue to become among the league’s finest.
Exclusive Teams: There’s always 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 of your 8 misses coming from beyond 50 yards.
Prediction: They could run. They can go. They could defend the operate and pass. There’s nothing this team can’t do. Hunt for Carolina to gain the hard NFC South and pretty maybe snag a first-spherical bye during the playoffs.
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Since the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head coach Jon Gruden prefers a conservative tactic, which means a great deal of touches for Williams. He’ll seem to stay wholesome and place alongside one another a season much more remarkable than final period’s rookie campaign by which he totaled one,178 yards and six TDs Irrespective of an ankle personal injury. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ principal focus on in 2005. On the other hand, with Michael Clayton healthy once more, I hope Clayton to become the go-to male during the passing recreation this year. The offensive line almost bought Simms killed previous time. The Bucs signed various OL through the draft and cost-free agency to improve this unit. Nevertheless, cohesiveness will consider time. So I see this line as a piece-in-development.
Defense: The Bucs protection was #1 in yards authorized very last year. DE Simeon Rice registered fourteen sacks – great for third-very best from the league. Tampa Bay has a solid LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They are able to operate, include and hurry the passer. The secondary characteristics playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (five INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Basic safety Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati might depart this device susceptible in excess of the middle. This is an growing old team, but plenty of talent stays for this protection to become very formidable Once more in 2006.
Special Groups: The kickoff return group was just about invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did take care of to ordinary nine.6 yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant made 21 of twenty five FG tries, such as 18 of 19 from thirty-49 yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for the Wildcard place and will get one particular furnished Cadillac Williams can continue to be healthier. Tampa Bay could challenge to the division title In case the offensive line gels faster as an alternative to later on, but I see it remaining later on.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in hurrying each of the last two seasons thanks to RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn is definitely the speedy, elusive again. Duckett is the massive, bruising back again used efficiently throughout the intention line. This offense exhibits flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will continue on to struggle once in a while till Vick can increase on his precision and selection-building. Atlanta utilized their final two very first-spherical draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler continues to be Vick’s favorite concentrate on. Crumpler is large, gets separation, tends to make catches in targeted traffic and rarely ever drops a pass. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Look For additional inconsistent Engage in this period.
Protection: This device ranked 22nd while in the NFL last season. A few of which might be contributed to accidents (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith skipped the majority of the period) and many to not enough a pass hurry within the entrance four. Coordinator Ed Donatell was pressured to blitz his LBs to receive tension, but that left them from position in halting the operate. Their 128.9 dashing yards allowed for every video game ranked twenty sixth from the NFL previous season. CB DeAngelo Corridor (6 INTs in 2005) is building into one of several league’s very best include corners, but he didn’t have Significantly assist in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has included protection Lawyer Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to present this device an immediate upgrade. But the largest addition should be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (ten ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a stable entrance 4. Injuries not withstanding, this unit must improve on previous period’s general performance.
Particular Teams: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return quantities dropped large-time about his 2004 figures. DeAngelo Hall could see some punt return obligation if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Irrespective of only lacking two FG attempts very last time. It stays to become found who’ll just take more than the kicking obligations.
Prediction: If Vick usually takes a move forward being a passer, this team could compete for the Wildcard place. If he stays inconsistent, Atlanta can be looking at One more eight-eight marketing campaign.
four. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is nutritious, this offense might be dangerous. New head coach Sean Payton will only have to have Brees to be a video game supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee personal injury, but needs to be ready to carry the load. If not, second-All round draft decide on Reggie Bush will just do fantastic. With McAllister healthful, Payton will continue to obtain strategies to have the ball into the hands of your at any time-hazardous Bush. Bush will most probably be employed as a 3rd-down again, in two-back sets with McAllister, as a slot receiver And perhaps for a return male. The Saints also added Michael Bennett to help make for just a deep stable of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, and six-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Defense: The Saints struggled within the defensive aspect from the ball previous season. They rated 27th in dashing yards permitted and twenty eighth in details permitted. In addition they managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire time. The group did small during the offseason to enhance this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are reliable. The LBs are a concern. As a gaggle, they can’t protect, they could’t quit the operate and they're able to’t hurry the passer when identified as upon. The secondary has a couple noteworthy members, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s minimal enable driving them. They’ve additional LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, and FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s too many new faces. A serious adjustment period of time lies forward in advance of any considerable enhancement will probably be witnessed.
Special Teams: Receiving Michael Lewis again from injury ought to spark the return game. forty one-yr-previous kicker John Carney returns following a good 2005 campaign.
Prediction: Even if Brees is nutritious, the protection has a means to go ahead of this workforce will likely be competing for just a playoff spot. I count on a gradual commence, but a sound next 50 % on the season to the Saints. I wouldn’t expect over six-ten.
Ultimate Views: Carolina is good in all areas and has become the top choices to get the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay should land a Wildcard location given that the offensive line keeps Simms upright. Atlanta will only go so far as Vick can take them, which can be between 3rd while in the division to your 3rd seed from the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the best course, but I’d say they’re two a long time faraway from competing for any playoff spot.