Partly 3 of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Athletics.com’s Dwayne Bryant delivers his views and predictions for that NFC South. Groups are stated within their predicted purchase of end.
one. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 injury and lit up the league last period, tallying 103 catches, one,563 yards and 12 TDs. With newly-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on the opposite side, Smith ought to experience much less double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will never only aid the offense in that aspect, but his exceptional operate-blocking capability may help open up working lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has long been plagued by injuries during his career, so don’t be surprised to view initial-spherical draft decide on DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries also. Head coach John Fox prefers a operate-to start with attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme under center, Fox would be far better served using a much more balanced offense. This offense was operating on all cylinders late previous time and I look For additional of a similar in 2006.
Protection: This really is one challenging protection that may do it all. Everything starts off up front with go-rushing phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They put together for eighteen sacks and 3 fumble recoveries – in an off-12 months. Carolina included DT Maake Kemoeatu to staff with Kris Jenkins in the middle. Additionally they additional Damione Lewis from St. Louis to add A lot-necessary depth to the line. Dan Morgan sales opportunities the LB crew, but contains a historical past of injuries complications. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble offer good coverage and excellent playmaking skill in the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s protection rated 3rd in yards allowed for each recreation and fifth in points permitted. They also tallied 45 sacks and forty two takeaways. Seek out this defense to continue to become Among the many league’s ideal.
Particular Teams: There’s normally the opportunity of a return TD when Steve Smith is handling the punt-return duties. Kicker John Kasay linked on 26 of 34 FG tries with 5 in the 8 misses coming from over and above 50 yards.
Prediction: They could run. They might go. They will defend the run and pass. There’s nothing this team can’t do. Search for Carolina to earn the hard NFC South and quite possibly snag a first-round bye during the playoffs.
two. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: As being the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head coach Jon Gruden prefers a conservative tactic, which implies numerous touches for Williams. He’ll appear to remain healthier and put jointly a season even more outstanding than past season’s rookie marketing campaign by which he totaled one,178 yards and 6 TDs Even with an ankle injury. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ major focus on in 2005. Nonetheless, with Michael Clayton healthy yet again, I anticipate Clayton being the go-to man while in the passing activity this time. The offensive line Virtually acquired Simms killed very last time. The Bucs https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ signed various OL throughout the draft and totally free company to improve this unit. However, cohesiveness will consider time. So I see this line as a piece-in-progress.
Defense: The Bucs protection was #1 in yards permitted past year. DE Simeon Rice registered fourteen sacks – excellent for 3rd-very best while in the league. Tampa Bay includes a stable LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They might run, cover and rush the passer. The secondary characteristics playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (five INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Security Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati may well leave this unit vulnerable about the center. This can be an getting old team, but plenty of expertise stays for this protection to be really formidable Once more in 2006.
Particular Groups: The kickoff return staff was virtually invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did handle to average nine.six yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant made 21 of 25 FG tries, such as eighteen of 19 from thirty-49 yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for the Wildcard place and will get 1 provided Cadillac Williams can keep balanced. Tampa Bay could problem for the division title In the event the offensive line gels faster in lieu of afterwards, but I see it staying later.
three. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in speeding Every single of the final two seasons because of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn would be the fast, elusive again. Duckett is the massive, bruising again utilized properly across the aim line. This offense shows flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will continue to struggle at times until eventually Vick can improve on his accuracy and conclusion-building. Atlanta utilized their past two 1st-round draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler stays Vick’s beloved goal. Crumpler is large, gets separation, would make catches in targeted visitors and hardly ever at any time drops a go. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Glimpse for more inconsistent Engage in this year.
Protection: This device rated twenty second during the NFL very last season. Many of that may be contributed to accidents (LB Ed Hartwell and DE Brady Smith missed most of the year) and some to not enough a go rush with the front four. Coordinator Ed Donatell was forced to blitz his LBs for getting strain, but that still left them out of posture in stopping the operate. Their 128.9 dashing yards permitted per sport ranked 26th within the NFL last year. CB DeAngelo Hall (six INTs in 2005) is developing into one of several league’s greatest address corners, but he didn’t have A lot help in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has added basic safety Attorney Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to give this unit an immediate improve. But the biggest addition must be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (ten ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a strong front 4. Accidents not withstanding, this unit ought to make improvements to on past season’s effectiveness.
Exclusive Teams: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return quantities dropped massive-time about his 2004 quantities. DeAngelo Corridor could see some punt return duty if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Regardless of only lacking two FG tries previous season. It remains being witnessed who’ll consider over the kicking obligations.
Prediction: If Vick requires a move forward to be a passer, this staff could compete for just a Wildcard spot. If he remains inconsistent, Atlanta may be thinking about A different eight-eight campaign.
4. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is nutritious, this offense could be dangerous. New head coach Sean Payton will only need to have Brees to get a game supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee personal injury, but ought to be wanting to carry the load. If not, second-Over-all draft pick Reggie Bush will just do fine. With McAllister nutritious, Payton will continue to uncover approaches to find the ball to the arms with the ever-unsafe Bush. Bush will almost certainly be made use of as a 3rd-down back again, in two-again sets with McAllister, to be a slot receiver and possibly being a return guy. The Saints also included Michael Bennett to create for the deep secure of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, in addition to 6-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Defense: The Saints struggled over the defensive facet of your ball past time. They rated twenty seventh in rushing yards permitted and twenty eighth in points allowed. Additionally they managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire time. The team did minor inside the offseason to further improve this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are strong. The LBs are a concern. As a group, they're able to’t cover, they can’t halt the operate and they will’t rush the passer when called upon. The secondary has a few noteworthy associates, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s little help at the rear of 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 a lot of new faces. An important adjustment time period lies forward just before any substantial advancement will likely be witnessed.
Specific Teams: Acquiring Michael Lewis back from harm should spark the return recreation. 41-12 months-old kicker John Carney returns following a reliable 2005 campaign.
Prediction: Even if Brees is nutritious, the protection has a method to go prior to this staff might be competing for the playoff spot. I expect a sluggish start out, but a good second 50 % on the year for your Saints. I wouldn’t anticipate in excess of 6-10.
Last Views: Carolina is stable in all factors and is amongst the top possibilities to acquire the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay really should land a Wildcard location so long as the offensive line retains Simms upright. Atlanta will only go in terms of Vick can take them, which may very well be anywhere from third inside the division to your third seed inside the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the proper way, but I’d say they’re two several years clear of competing for just a playoff place.