NFL Pro Football 2007 NFC South Preview

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Fearless Rick's NFL Preview - NFC SOUTH

Rick Gagliano | 8/03/2007

NFC SOUTH - Predicted order of finish and (predicted record)

New Orleans Saints (11-5) - Drew Brees, Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush are back for another run and fun season in the NFC South. Considering the problems on the other teams in this division, the Saints could cruise to a playoff berth.

The offense led the league in a slew of categories, including yards per game, at 391.5, while the defense wasn't that bad, finishing 4th in the conference in yards allowed and 3rd in points allowed at 20.1. The Saints have weapons all over the field and hardly any competition for the division.

Carolina Panthers (10-6) - The Panthers barely missed the playoffs last season, but coach John Fox, QB Jake Delhomme and WR Steve Smith are determined to do better than their 8-8 record in 2006. If the Panthers can sign #1 pick Jon Beason (OLB, Miami), they'll be loaded, but if he decides to sit, Na'il Diggs has the experience for the position.

The Panthers were able to sign their #2 pick, Dwayne Jarrett, who will be a nice addition to an offense that finished in the bottom third of the league in 2006. Look for the Panthers to return to the playoffs with an improved offense and a healthy duo of running backs, DeShawn Foster and DeAngelo Williams.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) - Chucky (Jon Gruden) will likely be scowling on the sidelines a lot more in 2007 following a disastrous 4-12 2006 campaign. Jeff Garcia and Chris Simms will battle for the starting QB job, though neither seems capable of taking the team to the next level. They have capable targets in Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton and a sound running back with Carnell Williams.

Whoever gets the starting nod, they're almost certain to improve on the 13.2 ppg the Bucs put up in 2006. And the more they have the ball, the less pressure that will put on the defense, which finished in the middle of the league last year, mostly due to being on the field more than nearly any other team in the league. The Bucs could be greatly improved if they get off to a good start, though much of that depends on the play of their QB and getting through their first five games which goes like this: at Seattle, New Orleans, St. Louis, at Carolina, at Indianapolis, Tennessee. If they're not 1-5, they may have a shot at an 8-8 season.

Atlanta Falcons (4-10) - With all the problems surrounding Michael Vick, the 2007 season in Atlanta may be just a matter of getting through it. Vick will probably never see the field this season and his career may be over. Joey Harrington will take over the quarterbacking duties, but he's never proven to be much in 5 NFL seasons.

Vick's problems have torpedoed this team's hopes, which weren't all that great to begin with (7-9 in 2006). Atlanta's games may be difficult to watch.

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