Around the NFL: NFC South

2004 Standings:

Falcons 11-5
Saints 8-8
Panthers 7-9
Bucs 5-11

My predictions for 2005:

Panthers 11-5: The Panthers finished strong last year after a horrible start in which they were decimated by injuries. A healthy Panther team should challenge for the division title.

Falcons 10-6: Vick may be overrated, but the bottom line is the Falcons win with him in the lineup. They also have a very underrated running game with Dunn and Duckett, and FB Griffith. The Falcons should challenge for the division and will take a wild card spot at least.

Saints 8-8: The Saints are a frustrating team, talented but they always seem to find a way to lose their share of games.

Bucs 7-9: Gruden continues to rebuild after their long fall after winning the Super Bowl just a few years ago.

Panthers 11-5: Jake Delhomme showed a lot last year, he carried the team down the stretch while the running game was non-existent. Steve Smith is back, he's one of the best.

Falcons 10-6: I'm with Matty on these first two teams so far. Vick definitely has struggled, but I don't think he's overrated. The Falcons win because he is the threat that he is. When you're a defensive coordinator you have to account for his speed, and that limits the ways you can dictate to the offense. Vick's presence opens up numerous opportunities for his teammates, especially Dunn and Duckett. This defense is also strong.

Bucs 7-9: I think Cadillac will infuse a lot into the offense, and they are starting to get some quality receiving. Gruden is also one of the best coaches around, but I'm not sold on the defense. The QB situation is likely to squander a win or two in my opinion; I'm not a Brian Griese fan.

Saints 6-10: Their talent is so much better than this, I think the reason they underachieve consistently all comes back to Jim Haslett. I think he's easily the worst coach in the NFL. This team has no discipline. They plan to run Deuce into the ground this year, which is smart. But I think Brooks will squander too many chances by turning the ball over.

Falcons (10-6): Precisely what makes Vick such a mediocre quarterback is what makes him the most dangerous football player in the league. He doesn't set his feet well. While that makes him wildly inaccurate (and has probably ruined the career of Peerless Price), it lets him move around so much that defensive coordinators can't have solid B.M.'s the week before playing him. The story in Atlanta is the defense, which is still great, but won't surprise anyone.

Carolina (9-7): Last year, Jake Delhomme lost Steve Smith and about a dzen running backs to injury. This year, the same RBs are returning without being tested yet, and though Smith will be back, his counterpart has left. The offense of this team will be one the shoulders of the running game. Who will be healthy enough to bear that weight?

Bucs (6-10): What coach has lost more luster than Jon Gruden? The boy genius basically led two teams to the Super Bowl in the same year, then went into perpetual rebuilding mode. The quarterback position is unsettled (unless you think two-time bust Griese is a long-term answer), a rookie is expected to get the bulk of the carries, and their defense just isn't scary anymore.

Saints (5-11): It amazes me that anyone could have faith in Haslett or Brooks to lead this team anywhere. Deuce McAllister will never become the runningback he could be on a team that will be forced to throw as much as this one will.

The Falcons win this division, no questions asked. They have all the elements except for proven receivers, and Jenkins might step up. (For the record, I hate the Falcons.)

The key, though, is their coach, Jim Mora (II). Whent he Falcons hired him, their fans and the two columnists in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution slammed the pick because he was too young, he was the son of the whining one, etc. What the Falcons got was a young, hungry coach who the team can grow and win with. Unlike the Redskins, they won't be searching for a new coach and in two or three years.

1. Falcons (11-5): Vick. 'Nuff said.
2. Panthers (10-6): Not sold on Delhome. But this is a so-so division.
3. Saints (8-8): Hey...It's the Saints.
4. Bucs (6-10): Love Gruden. Hate Greise. Simms will be starting after week 6.

The Falcons win this division, no questions asked. They have all the elements except for proven receivers, and Jenkins might step up. (For the record, I hate the Falcons.)

The key, though, is their coach, Jim Mora (II). Whent he Falcons hired him, their fans and the two columnists in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution slammed the pick because he was too young, he was the son of the whining one, etc. What the Falcons got was a young, hungry coach who the team can grow and win with. Unlike the Redskins, they won't be searching for a new coach and in two or three years.
Tony -
I agree that Gibbs may not be here in three years, but that's what the Williams hire was all about. There will be continuity here, because there isn't a team out there (except perhaps the Cowboys), that would be financially able to pull Williams from here, and his eventual ascension to head coach. And if Dallas could do it, we don't want him anyway.

1. Falcons - Vick will surprise some with improved passing accuracy this year and the addition of Ed Hartwell will improve an already very good defense. I like them at 11-5

2. Saints - 10-6....For no other reason than I'm not sold on either the Bucs or Carolina

3. Panthers -9-7....Davis and Co. can't get healthy and the absence of Muhammad will hurt. Gardner will have 71 rec./1200 yds! You heard it here first:)

4. Bucs - Simple - No QB threat....and I think perhaps Gruden is overated.

Sorry.....I like the Bucs at 8-8 though

Carolina - 16-0. Rod Gardner is their missing piece to get back to the SuperBowl. Just Kidding. But I do like Carolina. Carolina will challenge Atlanta for first. Saints and Bucs aren't going to do squat.

Brud,

Very good point about Williams, who will be a hell of a head coach again. I'm definitely hopeful he'll replace Gibbs when he leaves (hopefully after getting that fourth Super Bowl ring).