NFC South Preview
Defense rules in the NFC South. But is there enough offense to gain a reputation as one of the toughest NFL divisions?
By: Marc Lawrence
Looking for a good, physical brand of football? Look no further than the NFC SOUTH where defense is Priority One. It’s where two Top-10 defenses reside, with the other two (Atlanta and New Orleans) on the verge of breaking into similar status. Does enough offense exist or can the defense rest its case?
ATLANTA
When push came to shove the Falcons were swept aside like dust from Grandma’s porch in their attempt to become the first team ever in Atlanta football history to produce back-to-back winning seasons. A late season collapse wiped out a promising 6-2 start, sending the Dirty Birds home for the holidays. Holding more promise than anything from last year’s disappointing effort was a defense that improved for the 2nd-straight year under head coach Jim Mora Jr. It appears the only thing holding this team back is the erratic play of much heralded QB Michael Vick (32-20-1 SU as a starter), who often times looks like the second coming of a Quarterback Gone Wild. He needs to iron out the highs and lows of his play while becoming a lasting threat when contained in the pocket. In other words, become a leader. Until then, keep the broom and dustpan handy.
PLAY ON: vs. Carolina (9/10)
CAROLINA
Head coach John Fox, if he stood any chance at all of returning to the playoffs, needed to address a defense that had eroded > 40 YPG the prior year. He did just that and his reward was a return ticket the postseason in 2005. And he did it the old fashioned way, by failing to lose back-to-back games the entire year. Always reliable Jake Delhomme performed admirably, especially on the road where he won six of his eight starts in straight-up fashion. No surprise, though, as Delhomme has been terrific as a starter both on the road (19-8 ATS) and in underdog situations (14-3 ATS). The addition of 1st-round pick RB DeAngelo Williams in the draft should only help enhance those numbers. The bottom line is Fox is one tough coach. And like Delhomme, he shines in underdog roles (24-7 ATS). You know what to do.
PLAY ON: as dog at Tampa Bay (9/24)
NEW ORLEANS
After a season of destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Saints will finally settle back into a normal routine for the first time in over a year this season. A new slate brings head coach Sean Payton aboard as former head coach Jim Haslett checks out with a 46-52 mark in his six-years in New Orleans, including last year’s semi-understandable 3-13 effort. Nonetheless, the Saints will take on the league’s toughest schedule in 2006, as their opponent’s sported a .560 win percentage last season. The biggest news of all occurred when RB Reggie Bush fell to No. 2 in the NFL draft and landed in New Orleans. Along with Deuce McAllister, they form a solid balance of speed and power in the backfield. The addition starting C Jeff Faine from Cleveland also bulks up the offense. The Nomads are finally returning home, and feeling mighty good about it.
PLAY ON: vs. Atlanta - *KEY as dog - (9/25)
TAMPA BAY
With Jon Gruden handing the keys to the offense over to Chris Simms, the Bucs thought it prudent to keep him upright by using his first two draft choices on OL Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood. Wise choice. We also like the selection of Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski in the 6th round because you never know. Like HBO, Simms matured on demand last season and appears ready to make his mark. Unfortunately, he’ll take on the league’s 2nd-toughest schedule (opponents .550), including six of eight road games against .500 or better opposition. A taste of the playoffs last year will hopefully whet the appetite of those who remember Gruden’s Super Bowl win with the Bucs in 2002. Only two of their six losses were by more than a touchdown last season as Chucky’s compassion for devising a game plan is second to none. Okay, Chris, smile and say cheese.
PLAY ON: vs. Washington (11/19) - *KEY dog or fav 3 < points
Defense rules in the NFC South. But is there enough offense to gain a reputation as one of the toughest NFL divisions?
By: Marc Lawrence
Looking for a good, physical brand of football? Look no further than the NFC SOUTH where defense is Priority One. It’s where two Top-10 defenses reside, with the other two (Atlanta and New Orleans) on the verge of breaking into similar status. Does enough offense exist or can the defense rest its case?
ATLANTA
When push came to shove the Falcons were swept aside like dust from Grandma’s porch in their attempt to become the first team ever in Atlanta football history to produce back-to-back winning seasons. A late season collapse wiped out a promising 6-2 start, sending the Dirty Birds home for the holidays. Holding more promise than anything from last year’s disappointing effort was a defense that improved for the 2nd-straight year under head coach Jim Mora Jr. It appears the only thing holding this team back is the erratic play of much heralded QB Michael Vick (32-20-1 SU as a starter), who often times looks like the second coming of a Quarterback Gone Wild. He needs to iron out the highs and lows of his play while becoming a lasting threat when contained in the pocket. In other words, become a leader. Until then, keep the broom and dustpan handy.
PLAY ON: vs. Carolina (9/10)
CAROLINA
Head coach John Fox, if he stood any chance at all of returning to the playoffs, needed to address a defense that had eroded > 40 YPG the prior year. He did just that and his reward was a return ticket the postseason in 2005. And he did it the old fashioned way, by failing to lose back-to-back games the entire year. Always reliable Jake Delhomme performed admirably, especially on the road where he won six of his eight starts in straight-up fashion. No surprise, though, as Delhomme has been terrific as a starter both on the road (19-8 ATS) and in underdog situations (14-3 ATS). The addition of 1st-round pick RB DeAngelo Williams in the draft should only help enhance those numbers. The bottom line is Fox is one tough coach. And like Delhomme, he shines in underdog roles (24-7 ATS). You know what to do.
PLAY ON: as dog at Tampa Bay (9/24)
NEW ORLEANS
After a season of destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Saints will finally settle back into a normal routine for the first time in over a year this season. A new slate brings head coach Sean Payton aboard as former head coach Jim Haslett checks out with a 46-52 mark in his six-years in New Orleans, including last year’s semi-understandable 3-13 effort. Nonetheless, the Saints will take on the league’s toughest schedule in 2006, as their opponent’s sported a .560 win percentage last season. The biggest news of all occurred when RB Reggie Bush fell to No. 2 in the NFL draft and landed in New Orleans. Along with Deuce McAllister, they form a solid balance of speed and power in the backfield. The addition starting C Jeff Faine from Cleveland also bulks up the offense. The Nomads are finally returning home, and feeling mighty good about it.
PLAY ON: vs. Atlanta - *KEY as dog - (9/25)
TAMPA BAY
With Jon Gruden handing the keys to the offense over to Chris Simms, the Bucs thought it prudent to keep him upright by using his first two draft choices on OL Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood. Wise choice. We also like the selection of Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski in the 6th round because you never know. Like HBO, Simms matured on demand last season and appears ready to make his mark. Unfortunately, he’ll take on the league’s 2nd-toughest schedule (opponents .550), including six of eight road games against .500 or better opposition. A taste of the playoffs last year will hopefully whet the appetite of those who remember Gruden’s Super Bowl win with the Bucs in 2002. Only two of their six losses were by more than a touchdown last season as Chucky’s compassion for devising a game plan is second to none. Okay, Chris, smile and say cheese.
PLAY ON: vs. Washington (11/19) - *KEY dog or fav 3 < points