NFC South 2011 Predictions

Here we go -- a division with three potential playoff teams. However, I have faith in New Orleans here. Really. They bounce back really well. Read Drew Brees' book, any body?

NFC SOUTH

1)      New Orleans Saints

Life will once again be a Brees in New Orleans. People are underrating them – big time. The nucleus of their 2009 Super Bowl team remains and the Saints often have a down year then come back with a vengeance. Helping Brees and Payton on offense are Graham (TE), Colston, Henderson, Moore and Meachem (WRs). But most important are the addition of Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles (RBs) to help Thomas. With Bush gone, this could finally be the Saints’ chance for a real power running game. Run sets up the pass. Defensively, the Saints aren’t bad – they just fell apart in that loss to Seattle. On the defensive line, they added Rogers (FA) and Jordon (1^st round) to help Ellis. Will Smith (DE) needs to find the rhythm he had in 2009 (13 sacks, compared to 5.5 last year.) Vilma is the leader of the defense and an incredible middle linebacker., the people around him remain question marks. Casillas, Arnoux or Wilson? Who knows? The secondary of Jenkins, Greer, Porter and Harper should continue to perform to playoff standards.

Overall, don’t count New Orleans out—they could go far with a real running game.

2)      Atlanta Falcons

I don’t think the addition of one wide out is enough to push the Falcons over the edge. What knocked them out last year wasn’t offense—it was nonexistent defense. Matt Ryan has proven himself a franchise quarterback and leads an efficient passing attack. Gonzalez (TE), White, Jenkins and Jones (WRs) all combine into an elite receiving core. If the running game of Turner, Norwood and Rodgers can have the success they had last year, it should open up Ryan’s throwing even more. A rebuilt offensive line will have to prove they’re up to the test. Defensively, the Falcons remain a 4-3 team, relying on power pass rushers like Abraham to  provide the pressure. However, there’s not star to play alongside him and take some of the double teams. The linebackers are a bunch of unknowns, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play well. Remember the 'No-name’ defense of Miami? A few coming back from injuries (Lofton and Weatherspoon) could make a difference. The secondary got torched by Rodgers. Grimes broke out last year – can he continue to develop and bring the rest of the unit with him?

Overall, the Falcons gave up their souls for a WR- I’m not sold that he’s the answer.

3)      Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The combination of Josh Freeman (QB), Mike Williams (WR) and LeGarrette Blount (RB) shocked the league last year. Freeman will continue to develop this year and his young wide outs will help him. With defense focusing on Williams, Arrelious Been should be open more and therefore see more of Freeman’s throws. While the skill players on this team are built young, the offensive line is full of veterans ready to anchor the unit. They should open holes for Blount and keep Freeman on his feet. The defense has been nicknamed the ‘Tampa 2.1’ for the mixture of fronts, blitzes and coverage that are new. Once again, this is a unit built young. Draft picks from the last two years will fill the line. McCoy, Price, Clayborn and Bowers. Chemistry will be important here. In the line backing department, they have solid but no fearsome players. The secondary has old man Barber, but could lose Jackson and Talib to off-field issues.

Overall, the Bucs aren’t enough to division but could make another wild card push.

4)      Carolina Panthers

I am not on the Cam Newton bandwagon. He reminds me too much of Vince Young, or even a Ryan Leaf. And that’s pretty much as bad as it gets. Pretty much. That being said, I think they will win more than two games this year. Maybe four or five. They are in a killer division. Williams and Stewart will have to carry this team—which they’ve proven they can. Newton should get used to find Smith, Gettis and Shockey to help take some pressure off the running game, due to the prone-ness for injury. This offense is a wild card, but I’m not solid on a one year turn around. Ron Rivera had a good defense in San Diego and Sean McDermott will be ‘running it’ in Carolina. But he doesn’t have a terrible group to work with. Johnson (DE) is the only bright spot on the line, however. There is the potential for talent to emerge here. Jon Beason is one of the most underrated linebackers in the game. If Davis, Williams and Norwood can pick up, this could be a solid group. The secondary has no one to play the corners—that will be problematic in controlling Brees, Ryan and Freeman (six times a year).

Overall, Carolina is headed in the right direction –if Newton pans out.