All-Time NFC South Offensive Team

Chris Ory by Correspondent Written on March 15, 2009

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 26:  Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers jumps into the endzone for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during their game  on October 26, 2008 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Streeter
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

This is just the offense so far I'm working on the defense. This list compiles of who I personally think is the best in the NFC South.

I used stats to justify except with lineman. Many people might think this might be a little biased with the Saints players in here, but they have had a top-ranked offense since Sean Payton has been there.

My favorite part of doing this was going through the team's rosters and realizing that all teams in the NFC South seem to be weak in a lot of the same areas.

I hope this is as much fun for people to read as it was for me to write.

Starting QB: Drew Brees

LONDON - OCTOBER 26: Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball during the Bridgestone International Series NFL match between San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium on October 26, 2008 in London, England.  (Photo by Nick La

Really who else would you put at this spot? No one, since the NFC South wasn't formed put up his type of numbers

Stats since Joining the NFC South
1.209 comp, 1.841 at 65 percent
13,910 yards thrown
88 touchdowns 46 int 93.4 QB rating

Backup QB: Jake Delhomme

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 10:  Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers signals to a teammate while lined up against the Arizona Cardinals defense during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlot

Former NFL Europe backup QB for Saints turned Super Bowl starter for panthers. He was the only quarterback to be in the NFC South since it was formed (backup in New Orleans in 2002).

Stats since 2002
1,410 comp 2,358 att 60% comp 83.6 QB rating
17'356 Yards 112 touchdowns 71 int

Starting HB: Deuce McAllister

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 16:  Deuce McAlister #26 of the  New Orleans Saints runs for yardage against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 16, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

Yeah, I know it looks like I'm being partial, but he's put up the best stats since he joined the Saints. Plus there really aren't that many Saints listed in here.

Rushing yards 6,005
Rushing att 1,413
Yards per carry 4.24
Rushing touchdowns 48

Backup HB: Warrick Dunn

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 17: Running back Warrick Dunn #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes upfield against the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium on August 17, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.   (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

This man has been one of the more elusive small running backs in the league and has been a thorn in my back because hes always been in the NFC South.

Rushing Yards 6,767
Rushing Attempts 1,599
Yards per rush 4.23
Rushing Touchdowns 32

FB: Mike Alstott

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11:  Fullback Mike Alstott #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 11, 2005 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Bucs defeated the Panthers 20-10.  (Photo By Stree

Alstott is one of the greatest fullbacks ever to play the game. Even though his carries dropped starting in 2002, when the NFC South was formed, he still was converting a ton of touchdowns. He is one of my favorite players to watch.

Rush yards since 2002: 1,106
Attempts: 334
3.31 yards per rush
18 rushing touchdowns

OT: Jamal Brown

New Orleans Saints rookie tackle Jamal Brown checks play  during  a pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens  August 26, 2005 in New Orleans.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Brown has been one of the best pass blocking tackles in the NFC South. He has allowed Drew Brees to throw for over 4,000 yards a season.

OG: Jamar Nesbit

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 12:  Jamar Nesbit #67 of the New Orleans Saints looks on the field during the game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 12, 2005 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo By Streeter Lecka)

Another great O-lineman that has helped the Saints become the No. 1 offense in the league.

If you noticed when Pierre Thomas started running for the Saints towards the end of the 2008 season, he ran right on Nesbit and Brown's hip.

C: Jeff Faine

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Center Jeff Faine #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blocks against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

By far, this man is the best center in the NFC South, if not the league. He is the leader of the offensive line in Tampa. He alone, helped improve Tampa's pass blocking and run blocking last season.

I see him making many Pro Bowls in his career.

OG: Arron Sears

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Guard Arron Sears #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Last Year when he returned from being injured he became a very strong guard for the Tampa Bay Bucs. He was a star when he played for Tenn.

Give this guard a few more seasons and I believe we will see him the pro-bowl

OT: Jeff Otah

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 14:  Jeff Otah #79 of the Carolina Panthers blocks against Adewale Ogunleye #93 of the Chicago Bears during the game at Bank of America Stadium on September 14, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Imag

He has been the anchor of Carolina's line since he joined them. No one in the south can defend the pass rush quite like this guy.

Starting WO: Steve Smith

HONOLULU, HI - FEBRUARY 08: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the NFC All-Stars Carolina Panthers gains yardage after catching a pass against the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defea

Steve Smith has been one of the best wide receiver's in the league let alone the NFC South. This man could be better if he played with a better offense. He could possibly gain 2,000 yards in a season if he played with one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.

Stats since 2002:

6,322 yards

43 touchdowns

499 receptions

15.2 avg yards

WO number 2: Joe Horn

IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 12:  Wide receiver Joe Horn #87 of the New Orleans Saints watches the game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 12, 2004 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.  The Saints defeated the Cowboys 27-13.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Im

His career was restarted when he joined the saints and played with Jeff Blake and Brooks.

Yards receiving 5,260 yards

Touchdowns 34

Receptions 373

14.5 yards a catch

WO number 3: Marques Colston

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28:  Wide receiver Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints catches a 15-yard touchdown pass over defensive back Shawntae Spencer #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during a game at Monster Park October 28, 2007 in San Francisco,

I would have put Mushin Muhammed here but he had been with Chicago for a few years and the stats since 2002 with an NFC south team Marques Colston out weighs him.

He is a clutch receiver who can easily go down the field and catch a one handed catch, or can catch a 10 yard route.

This player has the potential to become one of the all time great wide outs.

Yards 3,000

Avg 14.0 yards

24 touchdowns

215 receptions.

TE: Alge Crumpler

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 18:  Tight end Alge Crumpler #87 of the Atlanta Falcons practices catching before facing the Carolina Panthers on December 18, 2004 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 34-31 in overtime.  (Photo by

When I first made this article I totally had forgotten about Alge Crumpler. I have no Idea why either, as being, hes playing with my favorite AFC team now, the Titans. He was one of the better tight ends that the Falcons or the south has had. So I had to make a change and take Kellen Winslow off and add Crumpler.

A fellow b/r writer pointed this out to me. Thanks

Stats

3,882 yards

32 touchdowns

291 receptions

13.1 avg yards

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written on March 15, 2009 Opinion

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