NFL Preseason 2010: Predicting the NFC South's All-Division Offense

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we come closer and closer to the start of the real games, it's time to take a look at some of the best stars of the NFC South.

What we're doing here at Bleacher Report is putting up our very own All-NFC South offense for this preseason. We'll analyze who made the first team and why, as well as highlight those who made honorable mention.

The NFC South is ripe with some of the NFL's top players, so without further ado, let's get right into our First Team All-NFC South Team.

If you'd like more information on this and other NFC South topics, please follow our radio show "The Dungeon," Sundays from 6-8 pm.

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QB: Drew Brees

2009 Stats: 4,388 yards passing, 34 TD, 11 INT

Any mention of great quarterbacking in the NFC South starts and ends with Drew Brees. The road to not only the division title, but the championship, goes through his rocket arm and never-say-die leadership.

He leads the most potent passing offense in the NFL and is the ideal leader in the huddle for this amazing talent within the division. It would be fun to see him doing his pre-game routine with some of the other guys on this list!

RB: Michael Turner

2009 Stats: 871 yards rushing, 10 TD

"The Burner" had an injury-filled second half of his 2009 season but is still the most important offensive weapon in the NFC South outside of Brees.

A healthy Turner makes a potent Atlanta team that much more dangerous and the Saints' biggest threat in the division.

If this past Friday's preseason opener was any indication, he is healthy and is going to be used even more in the passing game.

FB: Tony Fiammetta

What makes the second-year fullback get onto this list? It's not what he has done in his past, but what he will do for the Carolina Panthers this year.

While Matt Moore may be their QB, it will up to Fiammetta to be the guy who knocks any blitzing linebackers on their backs. He will be the one responsible for clearing holes for stud running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

WR1: Roddy White

2009 Stats: 1,153 yards receiving, 11 TD

Brees will need someone to get the ball to, and whom better than a receiver that has three consecutive season of 1,000 yards receiving?

"Hot Rod" has established himself after almost being a first-round bust to now a regular Pro Bowl participant. He can make the tough catches and has become Atlanta's big play threat.

WR2: Steve Smith

2009 Stats: 982 yards receiving, seven TD

Smith's stats may have dropped a bit last year, but that was more about the ineffectiveness at the QB position.

Despite a broken arm he suffered earlier this spring, Smith is one of the toughest guys to don a helmet in the league. This All-NFC South Team needs someone who can rough up cornerbacks and make the tough catch, and Smith fits that bill better than anyone.

TE: Tony Gonzalez

2009 Stats: 867 yards receiving, six TD

Brees is going to need a stud at tight end to make the fourth quarter catches that no one else can make. What better safety valve than someone who's seventh on the all-time receiving list?

Tony Gonzalez was Matt Ryan's favorite target in the red zone last year, and the soon-to-be Hall of Fame TE is always a threat, whether it's making catches or run blocking.

Offensive Line

We're going to group the All-NFC South offensive line together. After all, Brees needs some protection to make those awesome throws.

Center: Jeff Faine (Carolina)

LT: Sam Baker (Atlanta)

Guard: Jahri Evans (New Orleans)

Guard: Keydrick Vincent (Tampa Bay)

RT: Jon Stinchcomb (New Orleans)

Kicker: Garrett Hartley

This team will need someone who can make the big kick in the pressure situations, and what better than someone who made the kick to put his team into the Super Bowl?

Second Team All-NFC South

We know that this was an exclusive list to make, so we have to send some love to the guys who came close but didn't make the first team.

We'll just put a team of backups who in other divisions would probably make the first team.

QB: Matt Ryan

RB: DeAngelo Williams

FB: Ovie Mughelli

WR1: Robert Meachem

WR2: Marques Colston

TE: Kellen Winslow Jr.

Offensive Line: C Todd McClure, G Jeremy Zuttah, G Nick Leckey, T Tyson Clabo, T Jordan Gross

Kicker: John Kasay

Coach: Mike Smith

This team needs someone on the sidelines who represents toughness, and what better person than a coach who isn't afraid to mix it up with opposing players?

When Coach Smith punked DeAngelo Hall in a game against Washington last fall, he instantly won the respect of his locker room. Name me any other division that would have a coach deck another player Woody Hayes-style.

Look at him in the picture; even Turner is afraid to approach him.