NFL 2007 Preview: NFC South

While it didn’t happen “tomorrow” as I’d hoped, here is the penultimate divisional preview for the 2007 season. The major stories in the NFL over the past two years have come out of the NFC North, though it’s too bad the current one is an off-the-field issue. This division is full of potentially good teams, but they’re all just shaky enough to make the group exciting.

ATLANTA FALCONS (6-10)

OFFENSE: With Michael Vick off the depth charts, it’s amazing to see just how poor the Falcons look. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Joey Harrington, a laughing stock once again, could really use a receiver like Ashley Lelie on the squad. It’s not like he isn’t a total failure, but as Joe Horn is now the only receiver worth mentioning, it doesn’t seem like there’ll be a lot of targets for the former Duck. There are still Crumpler and Dunn, I guess, but they’re both aged and overrated. This may be the last chance for Harrington; I wish I could say he’d take advantage of it.

DEFENSE: Given the level of their offense, the Falcons should be happy that their defense is less tattered. In fact, despite some age and depth problems, they have one of the better defenses right now in the NFC. The inclusion of Lawyer Milloy will always help and DeAngelo Hall makes an intimidating secondary. Veteran linebacker Keith Brooking and up-and-coming defensive tackle Jonathon Babineaux make a tough front seven.

The only reason this joke of an offense will eke six wins out is because of their defense, but they aren’t good enough or deep enough to carry Harrington into anywhere near a winning season. Look for wholesale changes to the organization after this miserable year.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (10-6)

OFFENSE: There’s no denying that a team with the likes of Steve Smith is a constant scoring threat. Jake Delhomme has been a consistently underrated quarterback since coming into this starting position, but always seems to manage a successful team. DeShaun Foster should continue to do well in the backfield and, with Smith taking most of the good coverage, Keary Colbert should have the opportunity to contribute a lot of yards.

DEFENSE: One of this defense’s best attributes is their lack of notoriety. Julius Peppers is a star, and an excellent lineman, but that’s about it. They work as a team and, while they aren’t the premier defense in the league, they can make the stops when it counts and, like years passed, they will do enough to give the offense time to work.

Overall, I’d say the Panthers are the most underrated team of the last decade. Consistently shunned at the beginning of each season, the surprise that they do well by the end is getting a little old. I don’t think they’ll be barnburners this year, but Delhomme is going to lead them, once again, into a wildcard slot.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5)

OFFENSE: Drew Brees did more last year than anyone thought he had a right to, but he’s a lot better than anyone gave him credit for. Reggie Bush is a decent receiving back thus far, but has proved to be of little value from the backfield. It’s a good thing Deuce is still around. Between McAllister, Brees, and one of the best O-Lines in the game, they keep the team afloat. They need work at receiver for continued success, but they should build on what they started last year.

DEFENSE: The Saints defense appeared to overachieve last year, but I think they’ll build off their success as well. Sean Payton has proven himself to be a good defensive coach, and good young players like Scott Fujita will help this team recapture their NFC South title.

Though nobody cares about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina anymore, and the Saints can’t ride the wave of public support to the NFC championship game, they will still be able to do well with the tools they have. They are well coached and well led at quarterback, even though they also have one of the most overrated players in the game today.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANNEERS (5-11)

OFFENSE: So, we’re back at the top of the Jeff Garcia sine wave. The guy gets set up as a backup in a good program and, somehow, gets to play. He does very well and his team, realizing his age and relatively low superstar ability, trades him to a bad team who needs a QB. He starts, fails and everyone decries him as terrible. Then, he loses his job, is picked up on a good team, and the cycle continues anew. It’s like the seasons and this will be the winter of Garcia’s career. You can’t play on a team that has held Joey Galloway as the number one guy for multiple years and expect that they know what they’re doing.

DEFENSE: The once great Tampa 2 defense is now a far cry from where it was a few years ago. The only player left from the good ol’ days is Ronde Barber, who is getting up in years and down in skills. They were able to pick Cato June up from the Colts, but this won’t go all that far toward fixing the problems that have been festering since Gruden came along.

Indeed, I think they will be worse than the Falcons, and I think this will be Gruden’s last year. I never think it’s good to celebrate somebody losing his or her job but, in this case, it’s fantastic. I’ve never forgiven that organization for what they did with Tony Dungy to bring stupid John Gruden in. Good riddance.

Last, and possibly least, we have the NFC West. Will the Cardinals’ organization give Ken Whisenhunt, the 34th coach of this team, enough losses to get a program together, or will there be another Dennis Green-type debacle? Will the ‘Niners rise above the station the fates have given them to win more than eight games? Here’s to hoping not….