NFC South

Do the Dirty Bird

By Adam Barone

A trio of shiny objects in the form of high profile rookies will grab the focus of easily distracted fans, but it’s business as usual in the NFC South.
Cam Newton, Julio Jones and Mark Ingram figure to spice up the on-field jambalaya, but not much will change on the division’s landscape.   

Atlanta Falcons (12-4): The Falcons think they added the final piece to their puzzle when they traded up in the draft to acquire former Alabama receiver Julio Jones. Star pass snagger Roddy White was targeted a ridiculous 179 times in 2010, so Jones figures to both draw attention away from him and open things up for quarterback Matt Ryan. Jones is supremely talented and should make an immediate impact.
Atlanta will continue to dominate in ‘11. Its 58 penalties were a league low last season, while stud running back Michael Turner lost just two fumbles and quarterback Matt Ryan threw just nine interceptions.
The Falcons were fifth in scoring both offensively and defensively, while their offensive efficiency on third down was an impressive 46.7%--third best in the NFL.
The only significant offseason losses were receiver Michael Jenkins and running back Jerious Norwood, though the team drafted former Oregon State star Jacquizz Rodgers, a Norwood clone.
Atlanta is as much a title contender as anyone in football.

New Orleans Saints (11-5): The Saints’ backfield was a disaster in ’10, with Chris Ivory (137), Pierre Thomas (83) and Julius Jones (48) earning carries. They totaled seven scores as New Orleans turned in the 28th ranked rushing attack with only 94.9 yards per game.
Head coach Sean Payton was displeased with those results, so wholesale changes were made. Multiple draft picks were dealt for an extra first round selection in April’s draft, which became former Alabama running back Mark Ingram. He figures to become the primary ball carrier. Also, Reggie Bush was shipped to the Dolphins and replaced by free agent Darren Sproles.
Quarterback Drew Brees threw a career-high 22 interceptions in ’10, possibly a result of a running game that lacked credibility. The Saints ranked third in passing but just 11th in scoring.
Former California defensive end Cameron Jordan was chosen in the first round and will add to a pass rush that surrendered just 193.9 yards per game through the air, fourth in the NFL.
Not much has changed other than the addition of Ingram, and his ability to draw respect from defenses could be the deciding factor for New Orleans in ’11.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Quarterback Josh Freeman broke out in ’10, completing 61.4% of his passes for 3,451 yards and 25 scores. He also threw just six interceptions. That ratio ranks ninth best in league history.
Freeman immediately developed chemistry with rookie receiver Mike Williams, who caught 65 balls for 964 yards and 11 scores. Fellow rookie Arrelious Benn, considered a better physical talent, caught just 25 balls in 15 games and had offseason knee surgery. He seemed on the cusp of breaking out at the conclusion of ’10.
The running game was rejuvenated by undrafted free agent rookie LeGarrette Blount last season as well. Blount angrily pounded his way over and through defenders for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns on just 201 carries after not taking over the starting role until week seven.
The defense played the pass well, allowing just 201 yards per game, but was terrible against the run. It also struggled to get off the field, allowing the second-highest 3rd down efficiency percentage. Defensive ends Adrian Clayborn from Iowa and Da’Quan Bowers from Clemson, each 6-foot-3, 280 lbs, were drafted in rounds one and two to strengthen the front line. Long-time Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud, however, was lost to Tennessee via free agency.
The Bucs are on the rise, but have a lower ceiling than New Orleans and Atlanta.

Carolina Panthers (2-14): After bungling their way to the top pick in the draft this past season, the Panthers were lucky enough to be handed one of the league’s most difficult schedules.
Cover your eyes.
Rookie quarterback and likely starter Cam Newton and rookie head coach Ron Rivera will try to improve the Panthers’ 32nd ranked scoring offense (12.2 points per game—hurl), but he’ll fight an uphill battle.
The running backs, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson, combined to score a pathetic six total rushing touchdowns last year. They fumbled a league-high 17 times and lost 10 of them.
A pair of former Miami tight ends—Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey—should help ease Newton’s transition to the NFL.
Yes, Steve Smith still plays for them. No, it doesn’t matter.