This week I look at the AFC/NFC South.
The AFC South is pretty top heavy. Powerful Indianapolis and Jacksonville are very good, while lowly Tennessee and Houston, are, in a word, not. The Colts ran out to a NFL-best 14-2 record (including 13 straight wins) only to be upset at home by the Steelers in the playoffs. In addition to getting over that disappointment, Indy must replace Edgerrin James, who went to Arizona. I think the Colts will miss Edge more than most seem to. I like Dominic Rhodes and rookie Joseph Addai but it's hard to replace a dual threat like James (1,500 rush yards, 13 scores, plus 44 catches.) Jacksonville should be good again. Byron Leftwich is developing and the defense is as good as there is in the league. But who will run the ball for the Jags? Also, their receiving corps need to develop, Reggie Williams has been a bust and Matt Jones is still learning the position. Rook TE Marcedes Lewis should also help. Tennessee begins life without Steve McNair, who would've been the perfect mentor for the extemely-raw Vince Young. Billy Volek is solid, though. And I like LenDale White alot, provided he keeps himself in check mentally and at the dinner table. This is a team to watch in a few years. Houston is a bad football team. Gary Kubiak inherits a team rife with issues. They made a huge mistake passing on Reggie Bush. David Carr, who has all the talent in the world, gets sacked more than Paris Hilton. Rookie Mario Williams has a world of pressure on his shoulders to validate the pick. Andre Johnson and Dominick Davis are both underrated, so it's not ALL bad. But the Texans should watch plenty of college football this season to work on that top-3 pick (again.)
Predicted order of finish and record: Indianapolis, 12-4. Jacksonville, 10-6. Tennesee, 6-10. Houston, 4-12.
The NFC South should be very competitive this year. Atlanta was a disappointment last year. Mike Vick is still in a holding pattern to true super-stardom. The rushing attack is great and Vick makes things happen but he really needs to take his game to the next level. His excuses (new offense, injuries, etc) are running out. The Falcons defense is good and Jim Mora is a defensive guy. Carolina will be great this year, building on last years' success. Jake Delhomme is a top-tier QB, Steve Smith is as good as it gets at receiver (and throw in Keyshawn Johnson), a multi-headed rushing attack is headed by Deshawn Foster, and the D is stellar, led by Julius Peppers among others. I see very little that keeps the Panthers from big things. New Orleans is a team in transition in every sense of the word. Civic rebuilding, a new coach, a new QB in Drew Brees (is he 100%?), a new marquee player in Reggie Bush. They have talent on both sides of the ball but they should struggle somewhat with all the issues they face. Tampa Bay looks to continue their winning ways of last season. Cadillac Williams looks like a star and Chris Simms is becoming a pretty good player also. The defense is aging (Derrick Brooks, Sim Rice, etc.) but can still bring some pain. The rushing game needs to improve and the WR group (David Boston, Mark Clayton) needs to establish itself. The Bucs should once again challenge for the playoffs in a good division.
Predicted order of finish and record: Carolina, 12-4. Atlanta, 10-6. Tampa Bay, 10-6. New Orleans, 6-10.
Quote of the Week:
"One has not only a legal but a moral responsiblility to obey just laws, but conversely, one has a responsibility to disobey unjust laws."-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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