Partially 3 of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sports activities.com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his feelings and predictions with the NFC South. Teams are mentioned within their predicted purchase of finish.
one. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 personal injury and lit up the league previous year, tallying 103 catches, 1,563 yards and 12 TDs. With recently-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on one other facet, Smith should really deal with much less double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will not only assistance the offense in that aspect, but his fantastic run-blocking capability might help open jogging lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has become tormented by injuries through his vocation, so don’t be amazed to determine initially-round draft select DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries at the same time. Head coach John Fox prefers a run-first assault, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme under Middle, Fox would be far better served employing a extra well balanced offense. This offense was jogging on all cylinders late last time And that i search For additional of a similar in 2006.
Defense: This is certainly a person tricky defense which can do everything. All of it starts off up front with pass-dashing phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They put together for 18 sacks and three fumble recoveries – within an off-yr. Carolina added DT Maake Kemoeatu to workforce with Kris Jenkins in the middle. Additionally they extra Damione Lewis from St. Louis to add Significantly-necessary depth to the road. Dan Morgan leads the LB crew, but contains a historical past of harm problems. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble supply sound protection and superb playmaking potential from the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s defense rated third in yards authorized for each recreation and fifth in factors allowed. Additionally they tallied 45 sacks and 42 takeaways. Try to find this defense to carry on being Among the many league’s finest.
Particular Groups: There’s generally the potential of a return TD when Steve Smith is dealing with the punt-return duties. Kicker John Kasay related on 26 of 34 FG tries with 5 from the 8 misses coming from further than 50 yards.
Prediction: They can run. They will pass. They might defend the operate and pass. There’s very little this team can’t do. Seek out Carolina to get the tricky NFC South and rather maybe snag a primary-round bye in the playoffs.
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Given that the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head mentor Jon Gruden prefers a conservative strategy, meaning many touches for Williams. He’ll appear to remain healthier and place alongside one another a period much more extraordinary than final period’s rookie campaign wherein he totaled one,178 yards and 6 TDs Even with an ankle harm. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ most important focus on in 2005. Nonetheless, with Michael Clayton healthful again, I anticipate Clayton to get the go-to male from the passing recreation this season. The offensive line Nearly got Simms killed past period. The Bucs signed many OL throughout the draft and absolutely free company to improve this unit. Nevertheless, cohesiveness will consider time. So I see this line as a piece-in-development.
Defense: The Bucs protection was #one in yards authorized last time. DE Simeon Rice registered fourteen sacks – very good for 3rd-best within the league. Tampa Bay contains a strong LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They might run, go over and rush the passer. The secondary characteristics playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (5 INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Security Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati may leave this unit vulnerable above the middle. This is an growing older group, but sufficient expertise stays for this protection for being incredibly formidable once again in 2006.
Distinctive Groups: The kickoff return staff was just about invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did handle to regular nine.six yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant made 21 of twenty five FG attempts, together with eighteen of 19 from thirty-49 yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for your Wildcard location and should get a person supplied Cadillac Williams can keep healthful. Tampa Bay could challenge for that division title If your offensive line gels sooner rather than later, but I see it currently being afterwards.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in hurrying each of the final two seasons because of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn is the fast, elusive again. Duckett is the big, bruising back again utilized proficiently within the target line. This offense exhibits flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will continue to wrestle often right until Vick can make improvements to on his precision and determination-generating. Atlanta employed their very last two 1st-spherical draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler remains Vick’s favorite concentrate on. Crumpler is massive, gets separation, tends to make catches in visitors and hardly ever ever drops a go. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Glimpse for more inconsistent Perform this time.
Defense: This unit ranked twenty second during the NFL previous year. A number of which can be contributed to injuries (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith missed a lot of the year) and a few to insufficient a pass hurry in the entrance 4. Coordinator Ed Donatell was compelled to blitz his LBs to have stress, but that remaining them out of placement in halting the run. Their 128.nine dashing yards authorized for every match ranked twenty sixth while in the NFL last year. CB DeAngelo Corridor (6 INTs in 2005) is developing into one of several league’s greatest go over corners, but he didn’t have A lot assist in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has extra safety Lawyer Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to give this unit a direct improve. But the most important addition has to be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (10 ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a stable front 4. Injuries not withstanding, this device must increase on final year’s functionality.
Exclusive Groups: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return quantities dropped major-time over his 2004 numbers. DeAngelo Hall could see some punt return responsibility if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Even with only missing two FG tries past year. It remains to generally be witnessed who’ll take around the kicking duties.
Prediction: If Vick requires a stage forward as a passer, this team could contend for the Wildcard location. If he stays inconsistent, Atlanta could possibly be checking out another 8-eight marketing campaign.
4. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is healthy, this offense could possibly be hazardous. New head mentor Sean Payton will only need Brees to become a match manager. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee personal injury, but ought to be all set to have the load. If not, 2nd-overall draft choose Reggie Bush will do exactly fine. With McAllister wholesome, Payton will nonetheless come across approaches to have the ball into the palms of the at any time-harmful Bush. Bush will most certainly be used as a 3rd-down again, in two-back sets with McAllister, to be a slot receiver And maybe as being a return dude. The Saints also included Michael Bennett to make for a deep secure of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, and 6-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Protection: The Saints struggled over the defensive aspect of your ball final period. They ranked 27th in speeding yards permitted and twenty eighth in factors authorized. They https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ also managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire season. The group did small in the offseason to further improve this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are strong. The LBs are a concern. As a gaggle, they could’t protect, they might’t halt the operate and they might’t rush the passer when referred to as on. The secondary has a few noteworthy customers, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s small enable guiding them. They’ve added LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, as well as FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s a lot of new faces. A serious adjustment period of time lies ahead ahead of any considerable enhancement will likely be observed.
Specific Groups: Finding Michael Lewis back again from personal injury ought to spark the return match. forty one-year-aged kicker John Carney returns after a strong 2005 marketing campaign.
Prediction: Regardless of whether Brees is wholesome, the protection has a way to go right before this workforce will probably be competing for a playoff location. I count on a slow start, but a sound 2nd 50 percent with the season for your Saints. I wouldn’t anticipate a lot more than 6-10.
FINAL Ideas: Carolina is stable in all areas and is among the top selections to acquire the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay really should land a Wildcard location providing the offensive line keeps Simms upright. Atlanta will only go in terms of Vick will take them, which may be anywhere from third inside the division towards the third seed during the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the best path, but I’d say they’re two a long time from competing for just a playoff location.