Carucci's take on the NFC South

A look ahead to the NFC South


By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com


(With NFL training camps due to open later this month, Vic Carucci has put together his annual eight-part series highlighting how each division shapes up in the aftermath of offseason personnel moves and offseason workouts).


Here's a look at the NFC South:

Atlanta

What's going to help: New quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave should help with Michael Vick's development into a more complete quarterback and allow offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to spend more time on improving the offense as a whole rather than focusing on one position. John Abraham (New York Jets) adds a high-impact, pass-rushing force with an exceptional combination of size, strength and athleticism. He should be an excellent complement to Patrick Kerney. With a solid first step in pass protection, Wayne Gandy (New Orleans) should be a solid starter at left tackle. Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech) showed during offseason workouts that he needs to work on his man-to-man coverage skills against NFL-level receivers, but he should be able to make an immediate impact as a nickelback in zone coverage and as a kick returner. Eventually, he will unseat Jason Webster as the starter at right cornerback. Chris Crocker (Cleveland) and Lawyer Milloy (Buffalo) bring experience to free safety and strong safety, respectively, and both are good leaders. However, it's hard to tell how much they will actually contribute physically.

What's going to hurt: Alge Crumpler missing time during the preseason, and possibly during camp, while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Should his absence run into the regular season, Vick would be without his best go-to target. The Falcons are also currently taking a risk by entrusting their placekicking job to either Tony Yelk or Zac Derr, neither of whom has ever kicked in the NFL.

Carolina

What's going to help: Keyshawn Johnson (Dallas) should provide a nice complement to Steve Smith at receiver. Johnson isn't quite the player he was in his prime, but his large frame and sure hands make him a good alternative when Smith draws two, and sometimes three, defenders. A healthy DeShaun Foster gives the Panthers one of the better running backs in the league. DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) will provide solid depth at running back and is capable of taking over for short, or even long stretches should anything happen to Foster. Meanwhile, he should make a strong contribution returning kickoffs. Justin Hartwig (Tennessee) should be a seamless replacement for Jeff Mitchell at center, if not an upgrade. Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Baltimore) is a strong addition to the inside of an already dominant defensive line. After being limited to five games in the past two years with knee and shoulder injuries, Kris Jenkins is ready to return to his defensive tackle spot, where, when healthy, he has been a major force. After saying goodbye to outside linebackers Will Witherspoon (St. Louis) and Brandon Short (New York Giants), the Panthers should find solid replacements for them from among converted safety Thomas Davis, Keith Adams (Philadelphia), Na'il Diggs (Green Bay) and James Anderson (Virginia Tech).

What's going to hurt: Shaun Williams (Giants) will need to stay healthy if he is going to be a viable replacement at strong safety for Marlon McCree, who bolted for San Diego. Williams has played only 10 games the past two years because of injuries.

New Orleans

What's going to help: New coach Sean Payton will establish a tone in camp that demands players are in top physical condition and keep mistakes to a minimum. Drew Brees (San Diego) could bring a dramatic improvement at quarterback, replacing Aaron Brooks (Oakland), if he is fully recovered from surgery on his throwing shoulder. Brees is smart and patient. Despite lacking great arm strength, he is capable of taking full advantage of the strong receiving duo of Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth. Reggie Bush (USC) has the talent to be a dominant performer who can make an immediate major impact as a runner, receiver and returner. He will be a nice speedy backfield complement to the larger and more powerful Deuce McAllister.

What's going to hurt: The offensive line lost one of the NFL's best centers, LeCharles Bentley, in free agency and a talented tackle when the Saints traded Gandy to division rival Atlanta. The overall unit is thin, and it's hard to see how veteran center Jeff Faine (Cleveland), and rookies Jahri Evans (Bloomsburg) and Zach Strief (Northwestern) are going to make it immediately better. Losing defensive end Darren Howard (Philadelphia) weakens the pass rush.

Tampa Bay

What's going to help: Cadillac Williams, a rookie sensation last year, has spent the offseason honing his game mentally and physically. He should do a better job of picking his holes, running with patience, and, by improving his strength, staying healthy. The offensive line got a significant boost with the additions of guards Toniu Fonoti (Minnesota) and Davin Joseph (Oklahoma), both of whom could end up starting at guard, and tackles Jeremy Trueblood (Boston College) and Torrin Tucker (Dallas) add depth. Jamie Winborn (Jacksonville) is a solid addition at linebacker for the NFL's top-ranked defense in 2005. Maurice Stovall (Notre Dame) is a big, strong, smart receiver who should join Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton in providing dependable targets that should help in the continued growth and development of Chris Simms as a starting quarterback.

What's going to hurt: Losing a solid, veteran backup quarterback in Brian Griese, who is now a solid, veteran backup for Chicago.

KEY POSITION BATTLES

Atlanta: Allen Rossum will have to fend off Jerious Norwood (Mississippi State) to retain his kickoff-return role. Rossum also will need to overcome the challenge of Adam Jennings (Fresno State) to retain his punt-return spot.

Carolina: Davis, Adams, Diggs and Anderson will fight it out for the outside linebacker spots. Davis, a former safety, could be used in blitzing situations if he doesn't nail down a starting spot. Anderson will need to pick up the defense quickly if he is going to be a serious factor in the competition.

New Orleans: Jamie Martin (St. Louis) will challenge Todd Bouman for the No. 2 quarterback spot, and could be a solid starter if Brees isn't ready to play at the start of the season.

Tampa Bay: John Wade is going to have to fight off Sean Mahan, who could lose his right guard spot to either Joseph or Jeb Terry, to keep his job as the starting center.

THE EARLY READ

The Panthers seem loaded enough on both sides of the ball to not only win arguably the league's best division, but also rank as a popular favorite to win the Super Bowl. They have gotten deeper and stronger at key positions, and have ample big-game experience.

The Falcons will go as far as Vick's quarterbacking progress takes them, and they appear to have taken important steps to help on that count. Trading for Abraham is another key move that should allow the Falcons to have a say in which team wins the NFC South.

With the optimism that they will get strong play from their two most vital offensive components, Williams and Simms, to go along with a dominant defense, the Buccaneers should be in the thick of the race of this highly competitive division.

The Saints don't look like they will be ready to make much noise this year, but if Brees' shoulder cooperates and Bush performs up to his off-the-charts expectations, they could be a surprise.

 

was that the hit from McCree?

 

Easy to write, just cut and paste from every year he has been the QB and change the coach's name-lol!

 

Every year it is the same old thing, "If Vick suddenly turns into a great QB then the Falcons will win the superbowl. If suddenly lives up to his hype they will just stop playing for the next ten years until age makes it possible than another team might get within fifty points of the Falcons."

 

just saw Moron Jr on ESPN talking about his improved D and how Abrams and Milloy are going to get the falcons to the next level . . . or something.
He also brought it up more than once that they were only going to concentrate on winning game one in Carolina. He stated "The Panthers are everybody's favorite to win the NFC title". I don't think I dig how just about every source possible has given the other 31 teams that much more bulletin board material.

BTW - What's the deal with his right eye? I never noticed it before but it looked like some sort of bump or knot under his eyebrow.
:glotzbart < a little like this type deal here when he blinked

 

He developed an eye sore from watching Eric Shelton on film.

 

Herpes..............:1peekdoor