Evaluating the NFC South: 2009-10 Season

Last season, fans of the NFC South were caught off guard when the team a lot of prognosticators expected to finish last finished near the top: the Atlanta Falcons.

The departure of embattled quarterback Michael Vick, the loss of tight end Alge Crumpler, and the release of running back Warrick Dunn all seemed to point to another disappointing season in Atlanta.

But new energy was injected when the team drafted quarterback Matt Ryan and signed free agent running back Michael Turner. These key additions propelled the Falcons from 4-12 one season to 11-5 the next.

Which team will catch lighting in a bottle next season in the NFC South?

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have only strengthened their team in the offseason by adding tight end Tony Gonzalez. The continued maturation of wide receiver Roddy White paired with Gonzalez will add depth and length to the team’s potent passing attack.

As long as Michael Turner remains healthy, the Falcons are poised to take the crown in 2009.

Not much has changed from last season’s team, but the Falcons must remain consistent. That is easier said than done in the NFL, but the Falcons are only playing a few of last season’s playoff teams and have a great chance of making it back to the playoffs again next season.

Carolina Panthers

The only reason I chose the Panthers to finish second is age and well, Jake Delhomme. His inconsistency is scary, and he turns into Brett Farve’s strange cousin at times.

If he can maintain his composure and stay in his lane, the Panthers may be OK.

The team also has a very frightening running attack in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who both averaged more than five yards per carry.

However, in each of the team’s four losses their running attack was essentially halted.

If the Panthers can sustain a consistent running game and defense that ranks better than 20th against the run, they may have a shot at snatching the No. 1 spot again. But we all know the history of this division: last goes to first almost every season.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have underachieved the past two seasons after coming one game short of the Super Bowl in Reggie Bush’s rookie season. Now the once promising franchise is teetering with mediocrity.

The Saints have arguably the best quarterback in the league in Drew Brees, but pair him with an oft-inured receiving corps and a shaky defense, and that will most certainly equal a last place finish.

In the four major defensive categories, the Saints rank no higher than 17th.

So Drew can throw for 5,000 yards again, but if the team allows 25 points a game again, the Saints may be looking for a new coach in 2010.

Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush will shoulder the running load for the Saints, which doesn’t seem to bode well for a team that has no viable No. 1 in the backfield.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs finished next to last in the division last season with a record of 9-7. The regime of “Chucky” is over, as the team deposed Jon Gruden and promoted secondary coach Raheem Morris to head coach.

Also gone is quarterback Jeff Garcia and defensive coordinator Monty Kiffin.

But the adage, “out with the old and in with the new” isn’t a bad thing for the pirates off the Bay.

The team drafted quarterback Josh Freeman, signed free agent quarterback Byron Leftwich, and re-signed former first round pick Michael Clayton.

With all of that being said, the team still has a lot of needs that have to be addressed. One of the reasons Gruden was let go was because of his revolving door of quarterbacks, and it seems as if Morris is following his lead.

McCown, Freeman, and Leftwich will all vie for the No. 1 spot at quarterback.

At running back Cadillac Williams is looking for a second chance, Warrick Dunn is still a serviceable back, and Earnest Graham remains the team's main option in the backfield.

But how will the defense fair without the tutelage of the elder Kiffin? What about Raheem’s offensive strategy, and how will Josh Freeman fair?

While I have low expectations for the Bucs, it wouldn’t surprise me if the team finished first or second in the division.

The talent and the leadership on this team is fairly strong, and there are only a few pieces missing.

But if and when will the pieces be put together?

The NFC South will be a competitive division again next season that will include plenty of surprises as always. But what intrigues me the most is the question mark of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

-JH