2011 NFL Preview: NFC South
The NFC West may have been the worse division in football last year, but the NFC South had the NFL's worst team, the Carolina Panthers. However, with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and the up and coming Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFC South is slowly turning into one of the best divisions in football.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 13-3 (in 2010)
Fans in Atlanta are thinking Super Bowl or bust for the Falcons in 2011 and for good reason. Atlanta was one of the best teams in the NFL last year by going 13-3 and winning the NFC South. With every major contributor returning, the Falcons should be poised for a Super Bowl run in 2011.
QB Matt Ryan has his best year as a pro throwing for 3,705 Yds, 28 TD, and 9 INT. His favorite target, WR Roddy White, had a Pro Bowl year as well with, 115 Rec, 1,389 Yds, and 10 TD. RB Michael Turner was solid on the ground with 1,371 Yds and 12 TD and TE Tony Gonzalez had 6 TD of his own. If that wasn't enough firepower, the Falcons added more weapons in April's draft.
Atlanta traded up from late in the first round to get WR Julio Jones (Alabama) number six overall to help limit double teams of Roddy White. Jones has great hands, is an above average blocker and most importantly, is someone the defense has to account for, which opens up room for Roddy White. RB Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), a very good college player, was also drafted to backup Michael Turner after the departure of Jerious Norwood. Atlanta ranked 15th in the league passing the ball and was 12th in rushing last season, so with the addition of Jones and Rodgers, look for those numbers to improve.
The offense in Atlanta may get all the press, but the defense is a very solid unit as well. Led by leading tackler LB Curtis Loften and DE John Abraham, who led the Falcons with 13.0 sacks, the defense is one of the most underrated in the league. They were ranked 10th against the run last year, but being 22nd against the pass needs to improve if the Falcons are to take the next step.
Atlanta plays in a tough division with New Orleans and a very good Tampa Bay team, so winning the division again will not be easy. Their schedule also includes games against Chicago, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Detroit, Indianapolis and Houston. So, the Falcons will be tested, but their is no doubt they have the talent to match last year's success, if not more.
Carolina Panthers: 2-14
Worst team in football last year, the Carolina Panthers. Carolina was flat out awful in 2010, and many changes were made to make sure that doesn't happen again in 2011.
Head coach John Fox is gone and former San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, takes over the head coaching reins. QB Matt Moore left for Miami, so former Cardinals QB Derek Anderson and number one overall draft pick QB Cam Newton (Auburn) will battle Jimmy Clausen for the starting job.
Newton had a sensational year at Auburn last year, winning the BCS National Championship and took home the Heisman Trophy as the best college player in the country. Will his game translate to the NFL, can he read NFL defenses and his maturity, are all the big question marks surrounding Newton in his rookie season.
Carolina was dead last in passing the ball last season and even though Newton is a rookie, that number should improve. The Panthers did run the ball effectively last year with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, but look for defenses to load the box to stop the run and force the rookie Newton to make some throws.
Newton will have targets to throw to compared to what Clausen and Moore had last year. Chargers WR Legedu Naanee was signed as a free agent, the Panthers traded for Bears TE Greg Olsen and WR Kealoha Pilares (Hawaii) was drafted to make up for departure of WR Steve Smith, who cleaned out his locker and is demanding a trade.
Things are looking better in Carolina, but with a rookie head coach, rookie quarterback, playing in the NFC South, the Panthers will have another top ten pick in next year's draft.
New Orleans Saints: 11-5
Who-Dat Nation is excited for another season of Saints football and I really like New Orleans' chances of going back to the Super Bowl. Even with the lockout, the Saints had well publicized and well organized team workouts. QB Drew Brees led and organized team practices and workouts while the NFL was locked out and the Saints might be the most prepared team this preseason.
New Orleans was stunned by 7-9 Seattle in the first round of the playoffs last season after winning the Super Bowl a year prior. So, the Saints added some key components this off-season to try and win a second Lombardi Trophy in three years.
The Saints were 28th in rushing, which led to the trading of RB Reggie Bush to Miami, the signing of free agent RB Darren Sproles. Sproles should be able to pick up the slack with his great hands and good return skills along with the addition of former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram (Alabama), the Saints ability to run the football will improve.
As good as the Saints are on offense, their chances of going back to the Super Bowl rely heavily on the play of their defense. Last year the defense forced 25 turnovers, recorded 33 sacks and were ranked 4th against the run and 16th against the pass. In 2009 when the Saints won the Super Bowl, their defense forced 39 turnovers, which was best in the league despite being at the bottom half of the league in rush and pass defense.
So, if defensive coordinator Greg Williams can get the Saints defense to force turnovers like they did in 2009, the offense will put up enough points for them to make another serious run at the Super Bowl. But tough games on the schedule including Atlanta twice, Tampa Bay twice, Green Bay, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York Giants, Detroit and St. Louis will not make it an easy journey.
Tampa Bay: 10-6
The Buccaneers are a young and rising team in the NFL and after flying under the radar last year, they will have everyone's attention in 2011.
In his first season as head coach, Raheem Morris believed his team was good enough to make the playoffs, which everyone thought was ridiculous. Well, the Bucs surprised everyone by going 10-6 in the tough NFC South and they will be looking to take the next step in 2011.
QB Josh Freeman emerged as a rising star in the NFL by having his best season as a pro. Freeman threw for 3,451 yards, 25 TD, 6 INT and he ran for 364 yards. There were doubts about his ability to be an NFL quarterback, but Freeman answered the critics and is the main reason for the Buccaneers success. RB LeGarrette Blount was also a nice surprise in the running game rushing for 1,007 yards along with 6 TD. Both Freeman and Blount need to have even better seasons in 2011, if Tampa Bay is to make the playoffs.
The Buccaneers offense was a very solid unit last year, but the defense needs to get better at stopping the run this season. Tampa Bay ranked 28th in the league in rushing yards allowed and this off-season the Buccaneers lost LB Barrett Ruud and his 118 total tackles. Ruud was arguably their best defender and he will be missed, but the Buccaneers did add pieces to help stop the run. DE Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) and DE DaQuan Bowers (Clemson) were taken in April's draft and both should make an impact on defense right away in their rookie seasons.
If the defense can stop the run and QB Josh Freeman and the offense build on what they accomplished last year, fans could see Tampa Bay in the playoffs, but I doubt it. The secondary has an aging Ronde Barber and CB Aqib Talib could be facing a suspension after having a run in with the law during the off-season. The Buccaneers are still a young team and playing in the same division with New Orleans and Atlanta, plus games against Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay and Dallas may be too much for them to make the playoffs.
Predicted Standings
I was really torn between who was going to win the NFC South, because I have both Atlanta and New Orleans going 12-4. The Falcons and Saints are two of the best teams in football and they both could easily win 12 games or more this season. As for who wins the division and who gets in via the wild card, I have no idea, but both will have a chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy in 2011.
Predicted 2011 NFC South Standings:
Atlanta: 12-4
New Orleans: 12-4
Tampa Bay: 9-7
Carolina: 3-13
Up next: NFC North
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 13-3 (in 2010)
Fans in Atlanta are thinking Super Bowl or bust for the Falcons in 2011 and for good reason. Atlanta was one of the best teams in the NFL last year by going 13-3 and winning the NFC South. With every major contributor returning, the Falcons should be poised for a Super Bowl run in 2011.
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| Matt Ryan and Roddy White had a lot to smile about last season. (Kevin C. Cox/Gettty Images) |
Atlanta traded up from late in the first round to get WR Julio Jones (Alabama) number six overall to help limit double teams of Roddy White. Jones has great hands, is an above average blocker and most importantly, is someone the defense has to account for, which opens up room for Roddy White. RB Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon St.), a very good college player, was also drafted to backup Michael Turner after the departure of Jerious Norwood. Atlanta ranked 15th in the league passing the ball and was 12th in rushing last season, so with the addition of Jones and Rodgers, look for those numbers to improve.
The offense in Atlanta may get all the press, but the defense is a very solid unit as well. Led by leading tackler LB Curtis Loften and DE John Abraham, who led the Falcons with 13.0 sacks, the defense is one of the most underrated in the league. They were ranked 10th against the run last year, but being 22nd against the pass needs to improve if the Falcons are to take the next step.
Atlanta plays in a tough division with New Orleans and a very good Tampa Bay team, so winning the division again will not be easy. Their schedule also includes games against Chicago, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Detroit, Indianapolis and Houston. So, the Falcons will be tested, but their is no doubt they have the talent to match last year's success, if not more.
Carolina Panthers: 2-14
Worst team in football last year, the Carolina Panthers. Carolina was flat out awful in 2010, and many changes were made to make sure that doesn't happen again in 2011.
Head coach John Fox is gone and former San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, takes over the head coaching reins. QB Matt Moore left for Miami, so former Cardinals QB Derek Anderson and number one overall draft pick QB Cam Newton (Auburn) will battle Jimmy Clausen for the starting job.
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| Carolina will be hoping Cam Newton can turn the franchise around after a dismal 2-14 season. (AP Photo) |
Carolina was dead last in passing the ball last season and even though Newton is a rookie, that number should improve. The Panthers did run the ball effectively last year with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, but look for defenses to load the box to stop the run and force the rookie Newton to make some throws.
Newton will have targets to throw to compared to what Clausen and Moore had last year. Chargers WR Legedu Naanee was signed as a free agent, the Panthers traded for Bears TE Greg Olsen and WR Kealoha Pilares (Hawaii) was drafted to make up for departure of WR Steve Smith, who cleaned out his locker and is demanding a trade.
Things are looking better in Carolina, but with a rookie head coach, rookie quarterback, playing in the NFC South, the Panthers will have another top ten pick in next year's draft.
New Orleans Saints: 11-5
Who-Dat Nation is excited for another season of Saints football and I really like New Orleans' chances of going back to the Super Bowl. Even with the lockout, the Saints had well publicized and well organized team workouts. QB Drew Brees led and organized team practices and workouts while the NFL was locked out and the Saints might be the most prepared team this preseason.
 |
| Drew Brees will have the Saints ready for another Super Bowl run in 2011. (Brett Duke/The Times-Picayune) |
The Saints were 28th in rushing, which led to the trading of RB Reggie Bush to Miami, the signing of free agent RB Darren Sproles. Sproles should be able to pick up the slack with his great hands and good return skills along with the addition of former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram (Alabama), the Saints ability to run the football will improve.
As good as the Saints are on offense, their chances of going back to the Super Bowl rely heavily on the play of their defense. Last year the defense forced 25 turnovers, recorded 33 sacks and were ranked 4th against the run and 16th against the pass. In 2009 when the Saints won the Super Bowl, their defense forced 39 turnovers, which was best in the league despite being at the bottom half of the league in rush and pass defense.
So, if defensive coordinator Greg Williams can get the Saints defense to force turnovers like they did in 2009, the offense will put up enough points for them to make another serious run at the Super Bowl. But tough games on the schedule including Atlanta twice, Tampa Bay twice, Green Bay, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York Giants, Detroit and St. Louis will not make it an easy journey.
Tampa Bay: 10-6
The Buccaneers are a young and rising team in the NFL and after flying under the radar last year, they will have everyone's attention in 2011.
In his first season as head coach, Raheem Morris believed his team was good enough to make the playoffs, which everyone thought was ridiculous. Well, the Bucs surprised everyone by going 10-6 in the tough NFC South and they will be looking to take the next step in 2011.
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| Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman is quickly becoming of the NFL's best quarterbacks. (Harry How/Getty Images) |
The Buccaneers offense was a very solid unit last year, but the defense needs to get better at stopping the run this season. Tampa Bay ranked 28th in the league in rushing yards allowed and this off-season the Buccaneers lost LB Barrett Ruud and his 118 total tackles. Ruud was arguably their best defender and he will be missed, but the Buccaneers did add pieces to help stop the run. DE Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) and DE DaQuan Bowers (Clemson) were taken in April's draft and both should make an impact on defense right away in their rookie seasons.
If the defense can stop the run and QB Josh Freeman and the offense build on what they accomplished last year, fans could see Tampa Bay in the playoffs, but I doubt it. The secondary has an aging Ronde Barber and CB Aqib Talib could be facing a suspension after having a run in with the law during the off-season. The Buccaneers are still a young team and playing in the same division with New Orleans and Atlanta, plus games against Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay and Dallas may be too much for them to make the playoffs.
Predicted Standings
I was really torn between who was going to win the NFC South, because I have both Atlanta and New Orleans going 12-4. The Falcons and Saints are two of the best teams in football and they both could easily win 12 games or more this season. As for who wins the division and who gets in via the wild card, I have no idea, but both will have a chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy in 2011.
Predicted 2011 NFC South Standings:
Atlanta: 12-4
New Orleans: 12-4
Tampa Bay: 9-7
Carolina: 3-13
Up next: NFC North
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