2009 NFC South Preview

The NFC South will be one of the most crowded divisions come 2009. There are 3 teams which all seem to be pretty even.

Mike Smith is hoping for the continued success of his young Falcons team.

Sean Payton is hoping for his revamped defense to hold up in this tough division.

John Fox is hoping to ride his running game once again into the playoffs.

Raheem Morris is hoping for Josh Freeman to step up and lead this young team.

Who will come out on top? It will be a race until the last game of the season. I feel I have an idea on who has the edge and why.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

Tampa Bay is a young team being lead by a young coach. They have a rookie attempting to lead their offense and their defense has suffered major setbacks.

Offense - I am one of the many that believes that rookie QB Josh Freeman will be a long-term project and should not be forced into the starting lineup just yet. They should not have payed Byron Leftwich over 7 million dollars to wear a headset.

Derrick Ward and Kellen Winslow are two players that should make up for the loss of Joey Galloway and Warrick Dunn. The Bucs just need to pray that Winslow does not go to war.

Defense - The Bucs biggest strength and biggest weakness is their defense. Their pass defense is one the best, but their run defense is one of the worst. They released Derrick Brooks, Cato June and Jovan Haye who were key to their success defending the run last year.

Aqib Talib is ready to jump into the starting lineup. He is learning from the best, Ronde Barber, and is soon to be the no. 1 corner as Barber is getting up there in age.

Gaines Adams is key to their success. He needs to provide some significant pressure coming off the edge.

QB Josh Freeman - 2,100 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
RB Derrick Ward - 950 yards, 7 touchdowns, 300 rec. yards
RB Earnest Graham - 700 yards, 6 touchdowns, 100 rec. yards
WR Antonio Bryant - 1,050 yards, 6 touchdowns
TE Kellen Winslow - 600 yards, 5 touchdowns

3. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

The Falcons big pick-up of the offseason was Tony Gonzalez. He will provide another target to improve an already stellar Falcons offense.

Offense - The Falcons have a great quarterback, running back and receiver. They are all young and will have great careers, but just as the Saints failed to repeat after a surprising year in 2007, the Falcons will in 2009.

The Falcon's running game is their big strength. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood form a great duo and with an improving offensive line, they could possibly have a big year. But the offense is still young and with youth comes inconsistency. That could be the Falcon's big problem.

Defense - The Falcon's defense was in the bottom half of the league in 2008 and it didn't improve for '09. While they drafted Peria Jerry, he has suffered a minor knee injury but even minor knee injuries can develop into a problem.

The Falcons lost two great linebackers in Michael Boley and Keith Brooking. All they did to replace these two backers was to sign Mike Peterson.

Other starting players that were lost include CB Dominique Foxworth and DT Grady Jackson.

QB Matt Ryan - 2,700 yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
RB Michael Turner - 1,300 yards, 14 touchdowns, 250 rec. yards
RB Jerious Norwood - 600 yards, 7 touchdowns, 350 rec. yards
WR Roddy White - 1,300 yards, 8 touchdowns
TE Tony Gonzalez - 650 yards, 6 touchdowns

2. New Orleans Saints (10-6)

The Saints are relying on free agents and rookies to boost their team into the playoffs. That is not a good sign as they have struggled in the past when the pressure is on the new-guys.

Offense - They are obviously not going to lose a step here. It will be tough for Brees to repeat last year's performance, but he should have an outstanding year as long as Marques Colston stays healthy.

RB Pierre Thomas is looking forward to a quality year in '09. There is not a tremendous amount of pressure on Thomas, but there is loads of pressure on Reggie Bush. He has not lived up to the expectations of a no.2 pick.

Defense - Will Smith and Charles Grant are both suspended to start the 2009 season. The Saints can't fall behind early on because they have a tough schedule towards the end of the year.

Malcolm Jenkins, Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer arrive with the pressure on them to sure up the Saints secondary. I do not see Greer as much of an upgrade over Mike McKenzie though so this secondary is only slightly improved.

QB Drew Brees - 4,400 yards, 34 touchdowns, 15 interceptions
RB Pierre Thomas - 750 yards, 8 touchdowns, 300 rec. yards
RB Reggie Bush - 600 yards, 12 touchdowns, 550 rec. yards
WR Marques Colston - 900 yards, 5 touchdowns
WR Lance Moore - 850 yards, 9 touchdowns

1. Carolina Panthers (10-6)

For having no free-agent pickups and 21 of 22 returning starters, the Panthers have had a relatively loud offseason. Most of it was filled with Julius Peppers drama.

Offense - Jake Delhomme has had a great attitude this offseason. Especially for a QB who turned the ball over 6 times in the divisional round of the playoffs. This offense will live and die on Jake's performance.

With Jake's play in question, the Panthers will use their powerful running game to make a playoff push. Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both had surprising years in 2008 and with all starters around them returning, it will be tough to key on the Panther's "Double Trouble".

Defense - The Panthers have added much needed depth to their defensive line and secondary. With only one lost starter, Ken Lucas, the Panthers defense can only improve in 2009.

Among the biggest additions was DE Everette Brown. Look for Tyler Brayton to spend more time at DT as Everette Brown and Charles Johnson rotate at DE.

The Julius Peppers saga has finally ended. Peppers is now looking for a long-term deal. It seems everybody is now happy in the Panthers organization.

QB Jake Delhomme - 2,900 yards, 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
RB Deangelo Williams - 1,450 yards, 16 touchdowns, 150 rec. yards
RB Jonathan Stewart - 900 yards, 10 touchdowns, 100 rec. yards
WR Steve Smith - 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns
WR Muhsin Muhammad - 850 yards, 5 touchdowns