2009 NFL Previews - NFC South

Worst to first has been the story for most of the NFC South's history. Does that mean the New Orleans Saints will take the division crown? Not if the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their say.

1. Carolina Panthers

2008 Record: 12-4, NFC South champs
Coach: John Fox (8th year Carolina, 68-52 career)
Schedule: http://www.docsports.com/schedules/nfl/Carolina.html
Key Additions: C Justin Geisinger
Key Losses: CB Ken Lucas

2009 Outlook: The 2008 regular season couldn't have gone any better for the Panthers. They finished 12-4, earned a first round playoff bye, and won the NFC South. However, any good feelings their fans had quickly dissipated in the NFC Divisional Round, when the Panthers suffered an embarrassing home loss against the Arizona Cardinals. One major effect of the game was that QB Jake Delhomme became a question mark not just to Panthers fans, but to NFL fans everywhere who witnessed his disastrous performance against the Cardinals. Rather than try to find a new QB, the Panthers instead decided to give Delhomme, 34 years old, a contract extension. However, with the two-headed monster that the Panthers have at running back they may not need a great quarterback. RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 28 TDs and over 2,300 yards rushing last season. The Panthers also have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Steve Smith. Smith was suspended last year to open the season after punching former teammate Ken Lucas in the face, but that didn't stop him from putting up big numbers. WR Mushin Muhammed returned to Carolina last season and proved to be a very effective number 2 option. The Panthers only have one real star on the defensive end, DE Julius Peppers, but still played very well for most of the year. They did collapse a bit as the season wore on, and will need to be at their best if Delhomme still makes his usual mistakes. Peppers is the highest paid player in the game and unless something changes significantly this will be his last year in Carolina. The NFC South draws the NFC East and AFC East this year, meaning their schedules will be one of the most difficult in the league. 10 wins should be good enough to win the NFC South and that is exactly what the Panthers will do.

Prediction: 10-6

2. New Orleans Saints

2008 record: 8-8, last place in NFC South
Coach: Sean Payton (4th year New Orleans, 26-24 career)
Schedule: http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Game%20Day/Seasons/2009%20Schedule.aspx
Key Additions: DB Malcom Jenkins, FB Heath Evans, S Darren Sharper, S Pierson Prioleau, DE Paul Spicer
Key Losses: RB Deuce McAllister, LB Dan Morgan, CB Mike McKenzie, FB Mike Karney, DT Hollis Thomas

2009 Outlook: If the Saints defense could have been at least mediocre than New Orleans would have made the playoffs. QB Drew Brees was just one completion away from setting the record for most yard passing in a season, as seemingly whoever lined up at wide receiver for the Saints became an All-Pro. Despite having a prolific passing game, the running game wasn't really up to par, which led to the Saints not being able to control the clock. Because of this their defense was on the field often and wasn't up to the task of getting stops. The offense remains mostly the same this year, with only a new fullback in Heath Evans, and the ascension of RB Pierre Thomas to the number one spot. WR Lance Moore had a huge season for the Saints but the Saints are really hoping that WR Marques Colston can stay health for an entire season. Also, TE Jeremy Shockey completely disappeared last season, not even scoring a touchdown. If he can even return to half the level of his Pro Bowl days it would be a huge boost for an already loaded Saints offense. The defense made wholesale changes, first hiring Gregg Williams and bringing in free agents Darren Sharper and Paul Spicer, and drafting Malcom Jenkins. Williams has a history of producing top notch defenses, but saw his Jacksonville defense struggle mightily last year. The Saints also will be without starting defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant for the first four games of the season, a huge loss. I still see the Saints as the same team they were last year, one half good, one half bad, all leading to a mediocre finish.

2009 Prediction: 8-8

3. Atlanta Falcons

2008 record: 11-5, 2nd in NFC South
Coach: Mike Smith (2nd year Atlanta, 11-6 career)
Schedule: http://www.atlantafalcons.com/Schedule/Schedule.aspx
Key Additions: TE Tony Gonzalez, C Jeremy Newberry, LB Mike Peterson, DT Peria Jerry
Key Losses: LB Keith Brooking, DT Grady Jackson, CB Dominique Foxworth

2009 Outlook: The Atlanta Falcons were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2008. Teams with a rookie coach and a rookie quarterback are supposed to be awful, instead the Falcons won 11 games and a playoff berth. QB Matt Ryan was fantastic, and looked like he could be a future Peyton Manning. RB Michael Turner was a free agent pickup that paid off fabulously, as he was one of the league leaders in rushing. WR Roddy White also had a breakout season, earning himself a huge new contract in the off season. The Falcons figure to be even better on offense this year, as they have added perennial Pro Bowler, TE Tony Gonzalez to the fold. Things won't be as smooth on the defensive end as the Falcons saw quite a few changes. Longtime Falcon LB Keith Brooking is now in Dallas, and Grady Jackson and Dominique Foxworth have also gone elsewhere. The Falcons drafted DT Peria Jerry to hopefully take the place of Jackson. Ryan will still be a question mark despite his brilliant rookie year. People still think that Ryan may have been more lucky than good last year, and what he showed last season was his best. History is also working against the Falcons, as they have never had back-to-back winning seasons. I think the Falcons are still a good team, but the schedule is unforgiving this year, and will be their downfall.

Prediction: 7-9

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2008 record: 9-7, 3rd place in NFC South
Coach: Raheem Morris (1st season Tampa Bay, 0-0 career)
Schedule: http://www.buccaneers.com/team/schedule.aspx
Key Additions: QB Josh Freeman, QB Byron Leftwich, RB Derrick Ward, TE Kellen Winslow
Key Losses: LB Derrick Brooks, CB Phillip Buchanon, RB Warrick Dunn, WR Joey Galloway, QB Jeff Garcia, LB Cato June, WR Ike Hilliard, TE Alex Smith

2009 Outlook: The Buccaneers suffered an epic collapse to end the 2008 season. Once 9-3, the Bucs look primed for a playoff run. Instead they lost their final four games of the season, including getting beat by the sorry Raiders in their home finale. The Bucs missed the playoffs and then saw longtime head coach and Super Bowl winner Jon Gruden get fired. The young Raheem Morris was hired and the Bucs tore apart their team piece by piece. Longtime players such as Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, and Alex Smith were shown the door. 2 year starting quarterback Jeff Garcia was also allowed to leave via free agency. The Bucs did have a couple nice pickups, bringing in former Giants RB Derrick Ward, trading for former Browns TE Kellen Winslow, and signing former Steelers backup QB Byron Leftwich. Leftwich is currently competing with First Round draft pick Josh Freeman, and Luke McCown for the starting job. That is the Bucs biggest problem, when you can't differentiate between your first and third quarterback, you're in trouble. The Bucs do add Ward to an already loaded backfield of Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams. However, the addition of Ward was necessary as Graham and Williams haven't been able to stay healthy the last few years. Winslow should add a nice complementary weapon for whoever starts at QB to go with WR Antonio Bryant. Bryant has always had the talent but has never seemed to have his mind right. He had it right last season and had a breakout year. The defense will be a huge question mark due to all of the turnover. In addition to all the player turnover, longtime Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin left to join his son Lane in college at Tennessee. CB Ronde Barber is the only real hold over from the glory days, but the Bucs do have the talented DE Gaines Adams, and 2nd-year CB Aqib Talib. The Bucs do have some talent, and Morris seems like he will be a fresh voice and a good motivator, but its the amount of changes to the team that should have Bucs fans concerned. A lot of parts will have to learn how to play with each other, and with such a tough schedule it will prove to be a disaster.

Prediction: 3-13