In Part Three of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sports activities.com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his views and predictions for that NFC South. Teams are detailed within their predicted get of complete.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 injuries and lit up the league previous year, tallying 103 catches, 1,563 yards and 12 TDs. With freshly-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on another facet, Smith need to confront fewer double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will not only support the offense in that facet, but his excellent operate-blocking capability may help open up operating lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has long been tormented by accidents during his profession, so don’t be amazed to determine 1st-round draft pick DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries at the same time. Head mentor John Fox prefers a run-initial attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme less than Middle, Fox could well be much better served using a a lot more well balanced offense. This offense was functioning on all cylinders late previous period And that i seem For additional of the same in 2006.
Defense: This can be a person challenging defense that could do it all. All of it starts off up entrance with move-rushing phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They combined for 18 sacks and three fumble recoveries – in an off-12 months. Carolina included DT Maake Kemoeatu to crew with Kris Jenkins in the middle. Additionally they additional Damione Lewis from St. Louis to incorporate A lot-required depth to the road. Dan Morgan qualified prospects the LB crew, but provides a background of injury troubles. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble provide sound protection and excellent playmaking skill from the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s defense rated 3rd in yards allowed for each match and fifth in points authorized. In addition they tallied 45 sacks and 42 takeaways. Seek out this defense to carry on being among the league’s ideal.
Specific Groups: There’s always the potential for a return TD when Steve Smith is handling the punt-return duties. Kicker John Kasay connected on 26 of 34 FG tries with 5 with the 8 misses coming from over and above fifty yards.
Prediction: They're able to run. They could move. They could defend the operate and go. There’s nothing this staff can’t do. Search for Carolina to earn the hard NFC South and very probably snag a first-spherical bye inside the playoffs.
two. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: As the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head mentor Jon Gruden prefers a conservative approach, which suggests numerous touches for Williams. He’ll appear to stay healthier and place together a season more impressive than final season’s rookie marketing campaign in which he totaled 1,178 yards and six TDs despite an ankle harm. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ primary focus on in 2005. Even so, with Michael Clayton healthy yet again, I hope Clayton to generally be the go-to dude during the passing game this period. The offensive line Nearly acquired Simms killed final season. The Bucs signed numerous OL in the draft and absolutely free agency to boost this device. Nevertheless, cohesiveness will choose time. So I see this line as a piece-in-development.
Defense: The Bucs defense was #1 in yards permitted last season. DE Simeon Rice registered fourteen sacks – excellent for 3rd-finest during the league. Tampa Bay includes a strong LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They might run, 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 may possibly depart this device susceptible in excess of the middle. This really is an growing old team, but enough talent continues to be for this protection to become quite formidable Yet again in 2006.
Particular Teams: The kickoff return staff was pretty much invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did control to normal 9.six yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant produced 21 of twenty five FG tries, together with 18 of 19 from 30-forty nine yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for the Wildcard location and should get 1 presented Cadillac Williams can remain healthier. Tampa Bay could challenge for the division title If your offensive line gels sooner rather then afterwards, but I see it staying later.
three. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in hurrying Each and every of the final two seasons as a result of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn would be the fast, elusive back. Duckett is the big, bruising again utilized efficiently throughout the purpose line. This offense displays flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will proceed to wrestle sometimes till Vick can boost on his precision and choice-earning. Atlanta made use of their last two to start with-round draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler continues to be Vick’s favorite target. Crumpler is significant, will get separation, would make catches in traffic and almost never at any time drops a move. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Search For additional inconsistent Perform this year.
Protection: This device rated 22nd in the NFL past period. Several of that may be contributed to accidents (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith skipped many of the season) and several to deficiency of a go rush from your entrance four. Coordinator Ed Donatell was forced to blitz his LBs for getting pressure, but that remaining them away from placement in halting the operate. Their 128.nine hurrying yards allowed for each game rated twenty sixth within the NFL previous year. CB DeAngelo Hall (6 INTs in 2005) is establishing into one of the league’s finest protect corners, but he didn’t have A lot help in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has extra basic safety Attorney Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to present this unit a right away enhance. But the most important addition must be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (10 ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a good entrance 4. Accidents not withstanding, this unit should really make improvements to on previous season’s performance.
Particular Teams: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return figures dropped large-time in excess of his 2004 quantities. DeAngelo Hall could see some punt return responsibility if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Inspite of only missing two FG tries previous year. It stays to generally be found who’ll consider around the kicking obligations.
Prediction: If Vick will take a action forward like a passer, this staff could compete for your Wildcard place. If he stays inconsistent, Atlanta may be thinking about another 8-8 campaign.
four. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is wholesome, this offense can be dangerous. New head coach Sean Payton will only require Brees for being a sport supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee damage, but need to be willing to carry the load. If not, 2nd-All round draft select Reggie Bush will do just high-quality. With McAllister nutritious, Payton will nevertheless find ways to find the ball into your arms from the at any time-dangerous Bush. Bush will most likely be used as a 3rd-down again, in two-back sets with McAllister, to be a slot receiver And maybe as a return man. The Saints also extra Michael Bennett to generate for a deep steady of backs. https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, along with 6-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Protection: The Saints struggled about the defensive side of your ball last season. They ranked twenty seventh in speeding yards authorized and twenty eighth in points allowed. They also managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire time. The staff did little from the offseason to improve this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are solid. The LBs are a priority. As a gaggle, they're able to’t address, they're able to’t cease the run and they are able to’t hurry the passer when termed on. The secondary has a pair noteworthy members, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s small aid behind them. They’ve included LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, and FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s a lot of new faces. A major adjustment time period lies ahead just before any considerable enhancement are going to be noticed.
Unique Groups: Acquiring Michael Lewis back from harm should really spark the return match. 41-12 months-outdated kicker John Carney returns after a stable 2005 marketing campaign.
Prediction: Regardless of whether Brees is healthful, the protection has a means to go before this group will be competing for just a playoff spot. I hope a gradual start, but a good second 50 % from the period for the Saints. I wouldn’t anticipate over 6-10.
Closing Ideas: Carolina is reliable in all areas and is without doubt one of the best decisions to earn the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay must land a Wildcard location so long as the offensive line keeps Simms upright. Atlanta will only go as far as Vick usually takes them, which could possibly be between third within the division into the third seed within the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the appropriate course, but I’d say they’re two many years faraway from competing for your playoff location.