With the NFL division breakdown series in full swing, the next division in focus is the NFC South.
League-wide, the NFC South has become known for its prolific offenses over the past several years thanks to its big-name quarterbacks, but Carolina won the division crown in 2013 thanks in large part to its dominant defense and running game.
With that said, let’s take a look at the rest of the NFC South position by position.
NFC South Breakdown
Quarterback
The Best: NO
The Rest: ATL, CAR, TB
In a division featuring signal-callers Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, Drew Brees stands alone at the top. Under center for the Saints since 2006, Brees has anchored one of the league’s best passing attacks. During that span, the Saints have ranked in the top five offensively seven of those eight years (four in which they finished No. 1 overall). Brees holds several NFL records, including the most seasons surpassing the 5,000-yard barrier with four.
Matt Ryan has led the Atlanta Falcons to four playoff appearances with an NFC Championship berth in 2012; his 24 game-winning drives since 2008 are the most by any quarterback. In just three seasons, Cam Newton has established himself as one of football’s most electrifying players; his record-breaking rookie campaign of 2011 and his pair of Pro Bowl appearances have placed the Panthers back on the national radar. Josh McCown had a great 2013 season in Chicago, but the jury is out on whether he can lead the Buccaneers to the postseason as a full-time starter with a new offense.
Running Back
The Best: CAR The Rest: TB, NO, ATL
Carolina right now is by far the division’s best rushing team. While the other teams ranked well in the 20s, the Panthers finished 11th. DeAngelo Williams led the way with 843 yards on 201 carries. Pro Bowl fullback Mike Tolbert ran 101 times for 361 yards and five scores. The fact that Newton is mobile quarterback—2,032 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground since 2011—makes the Panthers running game more dangerous.
Doug Martin’s injury last year set the Buccaneers rushing attack backwards as they finished 22nd; returning to his healthy, Pro Bowl status of 2012 will do wonders for the Bucs offense. New Orleans has talented runners in their backfield by committee, but the main focus will always be their aerial assault. Offensive line issues hindered Atlanta’s ground game significantly; if Steven Jackson is a fourth of what he was in St. Louis, good things will definitely happen.
Wide Receiver
The Best: ATL The Rest: TB, NO, CAR
Since 2012, the Falcons have produced one of the NFL’s most explosive receiving duos in Roddy White and Julio Jones. Since the team shifted from a predominately running scheme to a more vertical approach, the two wide-outs have responded to the added responsibility. White has consistently been a premier target in the game posting six consecutive seasons with 80 or more receptions from 2007-2012. Jones had a breakout sophomore campaign tallying 79 catches on 129 targets, 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012; his 11-game injury absence played a great role in the Falcons’ demise in 2013. Often-overlooked Harry Douglas stepped in successfully for Jones by going for career highs in receptions (85), targets (133) and yards (1,067).
Tampa Bay drafted 6’5” rookie Mike Evans to go opposite of 6’5” Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson on the outside in order to create matchup nightmares for opposing cornerbacks. The Saints have veteran Marques Colston to go alongside Kenny Stills and Nick Toon, both of whom are expected to have stellar second seasons. With the departures of franchise great Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn, Carolina will have its work cut out for them on the perimeter.
Tight End
The Best: NO The Rest: CAR, TB, ATL
The Saints offense features the best tight end in pro football, Jimmy Graham. In 2011, Graham battled Rob Gronkowski wire-to-wire in the stat sheets racking up 99 catches for 1,310 yards and 11 scores. In four seasons, his totals stand at 301 receptions, 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns. His statistical output, versatility and durability—unlike Gronk—separate him from his contemporaries.
Panthers Greg Olsen silently has been one of the more productive tight ends in the game amassing 60 catches, 800 yards and five touchdowns the last two seasons. Rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins from Washington is another big-bodied weapon in the Tampa offense expected to produce big. Any Atlanta tight end succeeding future Hall-of-Famer Tony Gonzales will have enormous shoes to fill.
Offensive Line
The Best: NO The Rest: CAR, TB, ATL
Although not in peak form in 2013, the Saints frontline is the best of the division. Drew Brees gets the majority of credit for New Orleans’ offensive success, and with good reason, but the offensive line should receive equal amount of recognition. When the Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009, the offensive line included Pro Bowlers Jon Stinchcomb, Jahri Evans and Johnathan Goodwin. In their record-breaking 2011 campaign, Carl Nicks and Jermon Bushrod earned trips to the All-Star game. Last year, the Saints gave up 37 sacks. Despite lack of protection and even running game struggles, the offense finished top five overall yet again.
Carolina benefited mightily from strong O-line play, however the retirement of long-time veteran Jordan Gross will leave a huge void at left tackle. The Bucs have suffered losses to Pro Bowlers Davin Joseph and Donald Penn over the last few years. The departures of Todd McClure and Tyson Clabo were detrimental to the Falcons line; highly-drafted Jake Matthews will be forced to excel immediately.
Defensive Line
The Best: CAR The Rest: TB, NO, ATL
The Panthers No. 2 defense in 2013 started up front. Defensive end Greg Hardy exploded with 15 sacks surpassing the double-digit sack mark in back-to-back seasons; he now has 33 sacks and 200 tackles in his four-year career. On the other side, Charles Johnson continued to wreak havoc as he finished with 11 or more sacks for the third time in four years. First-year tackle Star Lotulelei finished with 42 tackles and three sacks. With most the attention based around the edge rushers, Lotulelei could have a standout year two.
Due to the free agent acquisition of D-end Michael Johnson and Gerald McCoy being one football’s top D-tackles, Tampa Bay’s line placed a close second. Their pass rushers, however, aren’t as productive as Carolina’s. Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan had 12.5 sacks for the Saints; team insiders and players insinuate that tackle Akiem Hicks will become a force inside this upcoming season. Just like the offensive line, Atlanta struggled heavily on the other side of the trenches. Offseason pickups Pat Soliai and Tyson Jackson should upgrade their front.
Linebacker
The Best: CAR The Best: NO, TB, ATL
Carolina’s linebacker corps is highlighted by the face of the defense, Luke Kuechly, who is arguably the best middle linebacker in the NFL. In 2013, Kuechly piled up 156 tackles, four picks and two sacks; he has a total of 320 tackles, six interceptions and three sacks in two years. Also in just two NFL seasons, Luke has won Defensive Rookie of the Year and AP Defensive Player of the Year respectively. When healthy, teammate Thomas Davis has proven to be equally disruptive. In a pivotal December matchup against the Saints, Davis and Kuechly combined for 38 tackles (Kuechly 24, Davis 14) to help pull out the close victory.
New Orleans has a handful of second-tier talents such as Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne and 12-sack outside backer Junior Galatte. The Buccaneers have young talent led by All-Pro Lavontae David. Lastly, the Falcons are filled with rookies who need playing time to prove themselves.
Cornerback
The Best: TB The Rest: NO, ATL, CAR
Cornerback is probably the NFC South’s weakest position, but Tampa’s tandem presents the greatest upside. The Bucs rewarded Pro Bowler Alterraun Verner with a four-year, $26.5 million contract in the offseason. In 2013, Verner accumulated 57 tackles and five interceptions for the Tennessee Titans. He isn’t known for his press coverage unlike most corners, but his skill set will fit perfectly into the “Cover 2” zone scheme Tampa Bay traditionally runs. Johnthan Banks was the recipient of the 2012 Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) while at Mississippi State; his 55 tackles and three picks as a rookie shows that his future is bright.
Albeit the Saints finished with the league’s second-ranked pass defense, their depth at this position remains shady. Atlanta’s Desmond Trufant is projected to be an elite corner in years to come. The secondary is the weakest part of the Panthers defense; losing their top guy Captain Munnerlyn in free agency will be tough to replace.
Safety
The Best: NO The Rest: TB, CAR, ATL
New Orleans drafted strong safety Kenny Vaccaro in the 2013 draft to help bolster their secondary; he proved to be a key piece in the defense’s drastic improvement. The Saints now have one of the league’s top free safeties in Jairus Byrd to pair up with Vaccaro. Since Buffalo drafted him in 2009, Byrd has 356 tackles, 22 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and three Pro Bowl appearances. His field range combined with Vaccaro’s tenacity will make them the best tandem behind Seattle’s Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
Tampa’s physical, hard-hitting combo of Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron puts them second in the division. Carolina lost its young and talent safety Mike Mitchell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they replaced him with former Saint Roman Harper and former Falcon Thomas DeCoud. The Falcons safeties struggled in 2013 after playing at Pro Bowl levels in 2012.
Special Teams
The Best: ATL The Rest: CAR, TB, NO
The Falcons unit is the overwhelming favorite among the four clubs. Kicker Matt Bryant made 89 percent of his field goals in 2013 and has continuously delivered in clutch situations throughout his career. Punter Matt Bosher had 26 punts fall inside the 20.
The Panthers Long Snapper J.J. Jansen was voted to the Pro Bowl, but the rest of the Special Teams was average; this same sentiment can be echoed for the Bucs. New Orleans was the poorest in the division last year due to the lack of blocking in the punt return game and lack of success kicking field goals (their 75 percent mark was 30th in the league).
2014 Prediction
The Best: NO The Rest: TB, CAR, ATL
The New Orleans Saints will win their first division title since 2011. With their talent of both sides of the ball, it would be difficult to see them finish outside the NFC’s top three. Despite their rankings on this list, the Buccaneers are much better collectively; their young and productive players will propel them to a Wild Card spot in January. The Panthers and Falcons are more like 3a and 3b. Carolina’s defense is elite, but the exits of key offensive pieces will cost them a trip to the postseason. Atlanta is the mystery team in the South. Yes Julio Jones will be back, but their unproven parts put their return the playoffs in question.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @WCotchery2. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For more on sports injuries, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
