NFL_Football_2006_NFC_South_Preview.1

NFL Soccer: 2006 NFC Southern Preview
In Part Three of his 2006 NFL Review, Bullseye-Athletics.com�s Dwayne Bryant provides his thoughts and estimations for that NFC To the south. Teams are indexed in their forecasted get of finish off.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Offense: WR Steve Smith delivered from the 2004 trauma and lit up within the league last season, tallying 103 grabs, 1,563 back yards and 12 TDs. With newly-purchased Keyshawn Johnson on the reverse side, Smith should experience a lot less double and triple-squads. His outstanding manage-obstructing capacity may help wide open jogging lanes for RB DeShaun Foster, despite the fact that keyshawn will never only assist the offense because component. Foster is affected by personal injuries throughout his career, so don�t be very impressed to discover initially-round draft choose DeAngelo Williams get his discuss of holds at the same time. Head instructor John Fox prefers a run-very first attack, but with Smith and Johnson at WR and QB Jake Delhomme under centre, Fox can be better dished up using a much more well balanced offense. This offense was jogging on all cylinders past due very last time of year and so i seek out a lot of identical in 2006.
Safeguard: This really is one hard safeguard that can do all of it. All of it starts up front with move-rushing phenoms Julius Mike and Peppers Rucker. They mixed for 18 sacks and three fumble recoveries � in an off-year. Carolina added DT Maake Kemoeatu to staff with Kris Jenkins in the middle. In addition they additional Damione Lewis from St. Louis to provide much-essential level for the line. Dan Morgan sales opportunities the LB staff, but has a medical history of damage troubles. CBs Ken Lucas and Chris Risk provide strong coverage and ideal playmaking ability in the secondary. In 2005, Carolina�s defense graded third in gardens allowed per game and fifth in things made it possible for. Additionally, they tallied 45 sacks and 42 takeaways. Look for this protection to continue being one of the league�s best.
Particular Crews: There�s always the potential of a give back TD when Steve Smith is handling the punt-come back responsibilities. Kicker John Kasay hooked up on 26 of 34 FG attempts with 5 of the 8 misses originating from beyond 50 yards.
Forecast: They are able to manage. They are able to move. They may protect the manage and successfully pass. There�s absolutely nothing this team can�t do. Look for Carolina to acquire the hard NFC Southern and quite possibly snag an initial-circular bye within the playoffs.
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Offense: Because the Cadillac will go, so will go this offense. Head coach Jon Gruden likes a conservative technique, which implies lots of touches for Williams. He�ll turn to stay healthy and put together a period even more amazing than previous season�s newbie promotion where he totaled 1,178 gardens and 6 TDs despite an leg injuries. Joey Galloway was Chris Simms� primary focus on in 2005. Even so, with Michael Clayton wholesome once again, I assume Clayton to get a tight schedule-to person inside the transferring video game this year. The offensive range almost got Simms murdered previous time of year. The Bucs approved several OL with the write and totally free firm to enhance this device. Cohesiveness will take time, nevertheless. So, i check this out line like a operate-in-improvement.
Protection: The Bucs defense was #1 in gardens permitted last year. DE Simeon Rice registered 14 sacks � good for third-the best in the league. Tampa Bay has a sound LB corps with Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece. They could hurry, manage and deal with the passer. The supplementary capabilities playmakers at CB in Ronde Barber (5 INTs in 2005) and Brian Kelly. Security Dexter Jackson�s departure to Cincinnati may keep this model weak on the midsection. It becomes an ageing class, but enough talent continues to be with this shield to be really formidable once again in 2006.
Particular Teams: The kickoff profit group was virtually hidden in 2005. Label Jones performed find a way to average 9.6 gardens on punt returns. Kicker Matt Bryant created 21 of 25 FG attempts, including 18 of 19 from 30-49 yards.
Prediction: The Bucs will contend for any Wildcard place and must acquire one offered Cadillac Williams can remain wholesome. In the event the offensive collection gels sooner instead of later on, nevertheless i look at it being in the future, tampa Bay could obstacle for that department label.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Offense: Atlanta has brought the league in hurrying all the previous two seasons because of RBs Warrick T and Dunn.J. Duckett and QB Michael Vick. Dunn may be the quick, challenging again. Duckett is the big, bruising rear used effectively round the aim range. This offense demonstrates flashes of splendour, as does Vick. But this offense will continue to have a problem occasionally until Vick can make improvements to his reliability and determination-creating. Metro atlanta used their very last two initially-rounded draft chooses on WRs (Michael Jenkins in Roddy and 2004 White-colored in 2005), but TE Alge Crumpler continues to be Vick�s favored focus on. Crumpler is large, receives separation, helps make catches in visitors and rarely ever declines a successfully pass. This offense will go as Vick will go. If he challenges, the offense sputters. Seek out a lot more inconsistent perform this season.
Shield: This model ranked 22nd from the NFL last season. A number of that can be led to injuries (LB Ed DE and Hartwell Brady Smith overlooked many of the time of year) and several to insufficient a pass rush through the front a number of. That remaining them out from place in stopping the manage, even though coordinator Ed Donatell was compelled to blitz his LBs to obtain stress. Their 128.9 rushing yards made it possible for per activity ranked 26th inside the NFL previous period. CB DeAngelo Hallway (6 INTs in 2005) is developing into among the league�s finest cover edges, but he didn�t have much aid in the secondary in 2006. Atlanta has additional protection Lawyer Milloy and rookie CB Jimmy Williams to give this model a sudden update. However the largest addition needs to be DE John Abraham. , Rod Coleman (10 ½ sacks in 2005) and Patrick Kerney give Metro atlanta a solid top several.Abraham and Smith Traumas not withstanding, this unit should make improvements to final season�s efficiency.
Special Crews: Allen Rossum�s kickoff and punt come back numbers decreased big-time over his 2004 amounts. DeAngelo Hallway could see some punt come back obligation if Rossum is ineffective. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn�t reconciled despite only absent two FG attempts final year. It remains to be to be noticed who�ll take control the kicking duties.
Prediction: This group could compete to get a Wildcard place if Vick takes a step forward like a passer. Atlanta could be looking at another 8-8 promotion if he remains to be irregular.
4. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Offense: If QB Drew Brees� shoulder joint is good, this offense might be dangerous. New brain instructor Sean Payton will only require Brees to become online game manager. The Saints are loaded at RB. Should anticipate to bring the burden, though incumbent basic Deuce McAllister is coming off a leg injury. If not, next-all round draft decide on Reggie Bush will work perfectly. With McAllister wholesome, Payton will still discover techniques for getting the ball in to the hands and wrists of your ever-dangerous Bush. Bush will probably be part of still another-down rear, by two-back units with McAllister, as being a slot receiver and maybe being a give back person. The Saints also additional Michael Bennett to produce for the serious secure of backs. Brees also provides WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, in addition to 6-feet-8 TE Zach Hilton.
Protection: The Saints struggled on the protective aspect of the soccer ball previous time of year. They ranked 27th in rushing yards made it possible for and 28th in points enabled. In addition they monitored a small 19 takeaways for the entire period. The team did small in the offseason to improve this bunch. DEs Will Charles and Smith Offer are strong. The Pounds can be a worry. They can�t cover, they can�t end the run plus they can�t dash the passer when called after, like a class. The additional carries a few noteworthy people, Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas. But there�s tiny support behind them. They�ve additional Pounds Scott Fujita, Anthony Simmons and Eddie Moore, as well as FS Brian Scott, S Omar Stoutmire and DT Hollis Thomas. That�s way too many new faces. Before any substantial improvement will be seen, a major modification time period is situated ahead of time.
Unique Teams: Getting Michael Lewis rear from injuries should kindle the return activity. 41-season-older kicker John Carney profits following a solid 2005 strategy.
Prediction: Regardless of whether Brees is good, the protection has a way to go before group will be contesting to get a playoff spot. I assume a gradual start off, but an excellent second 50 % of the year for your Saints. I wouldn�t expect a lot more than 6-10.
Ultimate THOUGHTS: Carolina is reliable in all of the factors and is amongst the leading options to succeed the NFC Championship. Tampa Bay should territory a Wildcard spot as long as the offensive collection will keep Simms upright. Atlanta will simply go with regards to Vick takes them, which may be between thirdly in the department for the third seed from the playoffs. I�d say they�re 2 years away from contesting for the playoff spot, although the Saints are steering in the proper course.