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Bucs should be favored in NFC South

Posted Jul 15, 2008 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Jul 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM

The Saints appear to be the trendy pick to win the NFC South this fall, but there are real concerns in New Orleans about whether Sean Payton’s club can recapture its magical 2006 form.

An 0-4 start doomed New Orleans to a 7-9 finish last year and the defense was awful, yielding at least 31 points six times. The defense wasn’t very good in 2006 either, but the NFL’s No. 1 offense routinely bailed out the Saints as they reached the NFC title game at Soldier Field.

The Saints have made some significant defensive pickups, signing free agent LB Jonathan Vilma and drafting DT Sedrick Ellis, but the secondary is still lousy. DE Charles Grant, who underperformed last year, is facing legal woes and the retirement of free agent LB Dan Morgan doesn’t help.

Compounding the problem in New Orleans is the uncertainty surrounding RB Deuce McAllister, who was the offensive hammer in ‘06. While flashy Reggie Bush was more exciting, it was McAllister who provided the tough inside yards that opened things up for Bush and WR Marques Colston. McAllister is still recovering from a devastating knee injury that ripped the guts from Payton’s playbook in 2007.

Bush has already proven he is not a stellar No. 1 back, so if McAllister struggles, the burden will be heavy once again for Drew Brees, who led the league with 652 pass attempts. The defection of C Jeff Faine to Tampa hurts up front, where the Saints do an outstanding job protecting Brees.

Payton’s a sharp coach, but the Saints have some huge question marks, particularly on defense.

The Bucs boast the best defense in the division, by far, and Tampa Bay has done a nice job of retooling on the fly. The only returning defensive starters from 2006 are DT Chris Hovan, OLB Derrick Brooks, CB Ronde Barber and S Jermaine Phillips. That’s quite an overhaul in a short period of time for Monte Kiffin’s proud unit.

While the Falcons rebuild under a new coach and GM, Carolina faces a season of desperation.

Coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney survived a second straight disappointing season and the Panthers gambled in the draft by trading a future No. 1 pick to move up for T Jeff Otah. The Panthers have been a conservative organization, so the draft-day deal illustrates a new sense of urgency in Charlotte.

If QB Jake Delhomme returns fully from elbow surgery, the passing game should improve markedly, but the Panthers still don’t run effectively and a once-feared pass rush has withered away. DE Julius Peppers went AWOL, frustrating owner Jerry Richardson, who had hoped Peppers would embrace a more visible leadership role.

Add it all up and the Bucs have fewer issues than their division peers as they seek to become the first NFC South champion to repeat.

—Ira Kaufman

Reader Comments

Por (CaliSaint) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

The Saints D was arguably the worst in the league last year and if our coach didnt make the worst call of the year then we could have taken that game. No question the D will be there for the Bics but if Garcia cant get through the season, which we all know he wont (he still thinks he’s 29 and can scramble) then you’d better hope a castoff from your own team (Greise) or McCown can get it done think again. If I recall McCown torched us last year on 3rd and long at leat 4 times. But if you think that a front four of Will Smith, Sed Ellis, Charles Grant and Bobby McCray wont cuase Havoc then pass the Zanex!