In Part A few of his 2006 NFL Preview, Bullseye-Sporting activities.com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his views and predictions with the NFC South. Groups are listed within their predicted order of end.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Offense: WR Steve Smith returned from a 2004 damage and lit up the league previous year, tallying 103 catches, 1,563 yards and twelve TDs. With recently-acquired Keyshawn Johnson on one other aspect, Smith should encounter fewer double and triple-groups. Keyshawn will likely not only enable the offense in that component, but his superb run-blocking ability should help open up managing lanes for RB DeShaun Foster. Foster has actually been stricken by accidents during his occupation, so don’t be amazed to find out initially-round draft select DeAngelo Williams get his share of carries too. Head mentor John Fox prefers a run-initial assault, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme below center, Fox can be better served employing a far more well balanced offense. This offense was managing on all cylinders late previous period And that i glimpse for more of exactly the same in 2006.
Defense: That is a person difficult protection which will do everything. All of it begins up entrance with move-dashing phenoms Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. They merged for eighteen sacks and a few fumble recoveries – within an off-12 months. Carolina extra DT Maake Kemoeatu to crew with Kris Jenkins in the middle. In addition they included Damione Lewis from St. Louis to incorporate Considerably-desired depth to the road. Dan Morgan sales opportunities the LB crew, but features a background of injury troubles. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble deliver strong coverage and excellent playmaking means while in the secondary. In 2005, Carolina’s protection rated third in yards authorized for each video game and fifth in details authorized. In addition they tallied forty five sacks and 42 takeaways. Try to look for this protection to carry on for being One of the league’s best.
Unique Teams: There’s always the potential of a return TD when Steve Smith is dealing with the punt-return obligations. Kicker John Kasay connected on 26 of 34 FG attempts with 5 of the 8 misses coming from over and above 50 yards.
Prediction: They are able to operate. They will pass. They can defend the operate and move. There’s absolutely nothing this team can’t do. Hunt for Carolina to gain the difficult NFC South and fairly quite possibly snag a first-round bye inside the playoffs.
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Since the Cadillac goes, so goes this offense. Head coach Jon Gruden prefers a conservative approach, which implies numerous touches for Williams. He’ll appear to stay balanced and place together a period more remarkable than final year’s rookie campaign by which he totaled 1,178 yards and six TDs Even with an ankle damage. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms’ principal focus on in 2005. However, with Michael Clayton healthy once again, I count on Clayton to become the go-to male inside the passing sport this time. The offensive line Just about got Simms killed past time. The Bucs signed a number of OL in the draft and no cost company to boost this unit. Even so, cohesiveness will get time. So I see this line as a piece-in-progress.
Defense: The Bucs protection was #one in yards authorized previous season. DE Simeon Rice registered fourteen sacks – superior for 3rd-best from the league. Tampa Bay has a stable LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They are able to operate, cover and rush the passer. The secondary features playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (five INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Basic safety Dexter Jackson’s departure to Cincinnati may depart this unit susceptible more than the middle. This is an getting older team, but enough expertise remains for this defense being extremely formidable Again in 2006.
Specific Groups: The kickoff return workforce was virtually invisible in 2005. Mark Jones did handle to normal 9.six yards on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant made 21 of 25 FG attempts, like eighteen of 19 from thirty-forty nine yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for any Wildcard place and should get a single delivered Cadillac Williams can stay balanced. Tampa Bay could problem for your division title if the offensive line gels quicker rather then afterwards, but I see it becoming later on.
three. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has led the league in rushing each of the final two seasons because of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn may be the speedy, elusive again. Duckett is the large, bruising back utilized proficiently throughout the objective line. This offense shows flashes of brilliance, as does Vick. But this offense will keep on to struggle sometimes till Vick can enhance on his precision and decision-producing. Atlanta utilized their past two initially-round draft picks on WRs (Michael Jenkins in 2004 and Roddy White in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler stays Vick’s favorite concentrate on. Crumpler is significant, will get separation, helps make catches in targeted traffic and seldom ever drops a move. This offense goes as Vick goes. If he struggles, the offense sputters. Glimpse for more inconsistent Engage in this period.
Protection: This device ranked twenty second inside the NFL final season. Some of which can be contributed to injuries (LB Ed Hartwell and https://conservativechoicecampaign.com/ DE Brady Smith skipped many of the time) plus some to not enough a move hurry from the entrance four. Coordinator Ed Donatell was pressured to blitz his LBs to receive strain, but that still left them outside of place in halting the operate. Their 128.nine rushing yards allowed per video game ranked twenty sixth within the NFL last year. CB DeAngelo Hall (6 INTs in 2005) is creating into one of many league’s greatest address corners, but he didn’t have much assist in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has additional protection Attorney Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to offer this device a right away update. But the greatest addition should be DE John Abraham. Abraham, Smith, Rod Coleman (10 ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Atlanta a sound entrance 4. Injuries not withstanding, this unit ought to boost on previous year’s effectiveness.
Distinctive Groups: Allen Rossum’s punt and kickoff return numbers dropped massive-time above his 2004 numbers. DeAngelo Corridor could see some punt return duty if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t resigned Irrespective of only missing two FG tries very last season. It remains being seen who’ll get more than the kicking responsibilities.
Prediction: If Vick will take a phase forward as being a passer, this staff could contend for any Wildcard location. If he stays inconsistent, Atlanta could be investigating another eight-8 campaign.
four. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees’ shoulder is healthier, this offense may very well be perilous. New head coach Sean Payton will only want Brees to become a sport supervisor. The Saints are loaded at RB. Incumbent starter Deuce McAllister is coming off a knee harm, but need to be wanting to have the load. Otherwise, second-overall draft decide Reggie Bush will do just fine. With McAllister wholesome, Payton will still uncover strategies to obtain the ball into your hands on the ever-dangerous Bush. Bush will most certainly be made use of as a third-down back again, in two-again sets with McAllister, as being a slot receiver and possibly like a return dude. The Saints also added Michael Bennett to make for a deep stable of backs. Brees also has WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, and also six-foot-eight TE Zach Hilton.
Defense: The Saints struggled to the defensive side of the ball last season. They ranked twenty seventh in hurrying yards allowed and 28th in details permitted. They also managed a meager 19 takeaways for the entire time. The team did small from the offseason to further improve this bunch. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are reliable. The LBs are a concern. As a gaggle, they're able to’t address, they will’t stop the operate and they can’t rush the passer when termed upon. The secondary has a couple noteworthy customers, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there’s very little aid driving them. They’ve added LBs Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, as well as FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That’s a lot of new faces. An important adjustment time period lies in advance ahead of any significant enhancement will be witnessed.
Special Teams: Getting Michael Lewis back from personal injury really should spark the return sport. forty one-calendar year-outdated kicker John Carney returns after a strong 2005 campaign.
Prediction: Even if Brees is nutritious, the protection has a method to go prior to this staff might be competing to get a playoff location. I anticipate a gradual start, but a solid next half in the period to the Saints. I wouldn’t count on a lot more than 6-ten.
Closing THOUGHTS: Carolina is good in all elements and is amongst the best decisions to acquire the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay should really land a Wildcard spot providing the offensive line retains Simms upright. Atlanta will only go in terms of Vick can take them, which could be anywhere from 3rd during the division for the third seed within the playoffs. The Saints are heading in the right direction, but I’d say they’re two decades clear of competing for your playoff spot.