The Shark's Divisional Review (3)
Next on the list is the NFC South Division
NFC SOUTH - Teams : Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons
Last Season :
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-7 (Lost to NY Giants Divisional Champs Game)
2. Carolina Panthers 7-9 (Did Not Qualify for Playoffs)
3. New Orleans Saints 7-9 (DNQ)
4. Atlanta Falcons 4-12 (DNQ)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Buccs are a no nonsense, what you see is what you get kinda team...no real stud players, sound offensively, sound defensively, difficult to beat yet always beatable - the kind of team you dont wanna see on your forthcoming schedule, but if you do, it doesnt send shivers down your spine. It is hard to place exactly where they are at right now...they currently have 4 QB's vying for the starters job, with Earnest Graham at RB keeping Carnell "Cadillac" Williams place warm whilst Cadillac recovers from injury, but doing a nice job in the meantime. Head Coach Jon Gruden will expect playoff football from his team, as they have been postseason regulars in the last few years...but you get the sense if one of their divisional rivals puts any kind of pressure on them they may struggle to hold the #1 spot in the NFC South.
Offensive Rating : 6.5/10
Defensive Rating : 7/10
My Prediction : Something telling me this isnt gonna be a good year for the Buccs...dont really know why though.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Alot will depend here on how their number one QB Jake Delhomme returns from injury and whether he will have star WR Steve Smith to throw to - and if he does, whether Smith can stay fit as well. Carolina are traditionally strong defensively and this remains the case, but they can become very one dimensional, relying heavily on their passing game to put points on the board. If injuries/fitness goes against them, they will lose more games than they win.
Offensive Rating : Potentially 8/10 - also potentially 5/10
Defensive Rating : 8/10
My Prediction : Will look world beaters one week, no hopers the next. If Delhomme/Smith stay fit, they will have a winning season. Not much more though.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
This team could be an exciting one to follow this season. They have offensive weapons aplenty....Drew Brees is one of the premier QB's in the NFL and has a rising star of a WR in Marques Colston. They are strong in the RB department, with Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister back fit from injury. They have brought in one of the top Tight Ends (although i cant stand the punk) Jeremy Shockey and will score points with alarming regularity and pretty quickly as well. Can they stop teams from scoring though? That is what stops the Saints becoming one of the premier teams in the NFL, and why they end up losing matches they really should win. The Saints are alot of peoples "second" team, and no one really chunters if the Saints go marching to the Superbowl..they have never been there yet though...its gotta happen one year though...hasnt it???
Offensive Rating : 8.5/10
Defensive Rating : 6/10
My Prediction : The Saints could (should?) take the division this season and boast one of the hottest offenses around. Their games will be exciting to watch...could be a roller coaster season in NO.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Gotta feel sorry for the Falcons...they were crusing along with Micheal Vick as QB, and were primed for eventual success...then Vick goes and gets himself disgraced and jailed and the house comes crashing down around the Falcons. They had a terrible year last season being one of the leagues lowest scorers whilst having a defense that seemed to enjoy watching the opposition score. They have taken steps to redress this though - the signing of Michael Turner at RB from the Chargers being a fine capture, though you still fear for their passing game. I expect to see an improvement this year from the Falcons - to what ends i am not sure but they will close the division up.
Offensive Rating : 6/10
Defensive Rating : 5/10
My Prediction : Better, but still not back to the glory days for the Falcons.
NFC SOUTH OVERALL
You wont find the SB winner - probably even the NFC representative at the SB coming from this division, but i expect it to be a close run league. The Saints should prove too strong for their 3 rivals, whilst the Falcons could clamber above the Panthers if injuries to the key men of Carolina take their toll. The Buccs will be competative, but their limitations will hamper their chances of success.
1. Saints
2. Buccaneers
3. Falcons
4. Panthers
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