Sorts of Sports

2011 NFL Season Preview: NFC South

The NFC South has been one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL over the past decade. There was a time when finishing last place in the South meant you would win the division the following season. No one expects the Carolina Panthers to go from worst record in the NFL to NFC South division champs in one season, especially with a rookie head coach and rookie QB taking over the reigns. The Falcons and Saints will once again be battling for division supremacy while the Buccaneers are on the rise and could be the dark horse candidate to take the division.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons finished last season with the NFL's best record at 13-3 and acquired home field advantage throughout the playoffs. That ultimately did not matter as they were Green Bay's second victim on the Pack Attack's road to the Super Bowl. Matt Ryan has all the makings of being an elite QB but his playoff record stands at 0-2. This may be the year that Ryan takes the next step into the upper echelon of QB's, but he has to prove his worth in the playoffs.

Atlanta made great strides in improving the offense by adding Julio Jones to play opposite of Roddy White. Head coach Mike Smith may look to become more of a passing team, but Michael Turner still has the ability to be the workhorse of this offense. Once Atlanta gets inside the 10, looker for the Burner to get a bunch of goal line looks. The defense has also drastically improved and I fully expect the Falcons to push for a repeat division crown...

New Orleans Saints

...that is of course unless the Saints have something to say about it. Drew Brees and the rest of the team must surely have a bitter taste in their mouths after the embarrassing playoff loss to the Seahawks in Seattle. It will only serve as motivation for head coach Sean Payton and his staff. The team drafted running back Mark Ingram and that is a sign that the Saints want to get more physical and pound the rock.
New tight end Jimmy Graham is a former collegiate basketball player in the ilk of Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez. He is a physical specimen and Brees will be looking for him in the end zone once the team gets inside the 20. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will continue to bring the pass rush in order to create more turnovers for his defense.
If Brees can be his usual self and keep the interceptions to a minimum there is no reason the Saints will not make the playoffs again.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I absolutely love the Bucs this season. They are more surprise/dark horse...whatever you want to call it. QB Josh Freeman made huge strides in improving his game last season and 2011 will be another step in that directions. He's found chemistry with Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn. The emergence of LeGarrette Blount in the backfield as a bruising running back will only help Freeman and the passing game. Do not be surprised if the Bucs pull of a few shockers in 2011 or make another late playoff run as they did in 2010.

Head coach Raheem Morris is a NJ product and one of the youngest coaches in the NFL. He relates to his players probably better than the majority of head coaches in the NFL. His enthusiasm and love of the game will drive his team to wins this season. Keep an eye on Josh Freeman and the Bucs in 2011.

Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton was officially named the starting QB for 2011 a few days ago. Weather it is the right decision for the Carolina Panthers is a debate that will be resolved at the end of the 2011 season. Instead of signing a veteran to start the season and let Newton learn, he is being thrown right into the fire. There is no doubting Newton's talents and abilities, but we do not know if it will translate in the pro game. We've seen this story many times before in the NFL. Just take a look at Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell.

There are many supporters of Newton that have come out and said he is different from all of the busts and that he will succeed in the NFL. One thing is for sure...he will struggle. Talent can only get you so far in football. Sometimes it's the supporting cast. That's why Ben Roethlisberger was so successful. He had an amazing offensive line and a great supporting cast around him, until his abilities were good enough to get the job done on his own. Newton's offensive line is not the best, but he does have two great running backs behind him that will carry the load. The defense will likely not keep the team in games, so Newton is in for a long 16 weeks.

Predicted Order of Finish:

New Orleans Saints (12-4)

Atlanta Falcons (11-5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

Carolina Panthers (2-14)