Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons finished last season with a 9 - 7 record which left them in 2nd place in the NFC South. This record though did see them missing out on the playoffs. They struggled quite a lot with injuries last year, and will hope for more luck this time round. So what do they need to do to get back to the playoffs, and challenge the Superbowl winning Saints?
Can Matt Ryan take the next step?
The Falcons go into the 2010 season expecting that their young QB will be able to take his game to the next level. Ryan (pictured) has been in the league for 2 seasons now, and in his time here he has played very well. Last year Ryan threw for 14 TD's in 14 games, to follow up his impressive rookie numbers - 16 TD's in 16 games. Whats also very impressive about Ryan is that his INT numbers are quite low - 25 in his 2 seasons (not bad hey Jake Delhomme). Atlanta have a solid run game with Michael Turner, but if they are to step up and compete with the Saints, they will need more from the young QB. Is he up to the challenge?
Will the secondary be improved?
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During 2009, a major problem the Falcons had was in the secondary. They finished 10th against the run last year, compared to 28th against the pass
. This is obviously a big problem for a team that has Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in its division. During the draft the Falcons did not select a CB until the 5th round - Dominique Franks. They did also though trade for Texans CB Dunta Robinson (pictured). Dunta needs to step in and make a difference in a poor area for the team if they are to take this division.
What impact will rookie Sean Weatherspoon have?
As well as struggling in the secondary last year, the Falcons also had trouble getting pressure on the QB. Their only real threat to do this was John Abraham, who ended up with 5.5. There selection of highly rated LB Sean Weatherspoon in the first round of the draft led many people to believe that he may be plugged into the defence on 3rd down, to go get the QB. Although this may be correct, I believe that Weatherspoon will be in on 3rd down, but for his covering ability. At the draft Weatherspoon was probably the most impressive LB. He was fast and explosive, and I believe he is the perfect man to cover TE's, and maybe even slot WR's in time.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers finished 2009 with a 8 - 8 record, that saw them finish in 3rd place in the NFC South and missed the playoffs. There has been a lot of turnover of players as coach John Fox tries to get it right, has he?
How unstable is the QB position?
Following an impressive end to the 2009 season, and following the release of Jake 'interception machine' Delhomme, Matt Moore has been named the starting QB for the 2010 season. Moore came in for Delhomme last year and played the final 5 games, the Panthers going 4 - 1 in that time. Moore's numbers were also impressive, throwing for 8 TD's and just 2 INT's. These numbers obviously give coach Fox the confidence to start Moore from the get go this year. But here is where is gets tricky. The Panthers did not have a 1st round draft pick, but their first pick of the draft was used on QB Jimmy Clausen. Veteran WR Muhsin Muhammad has retired and Steve Smith is currently injured, so who does Moore throw to? If Moore and the Panthers struggle early on, how long before people start shouting for Clausen? This is a very similar situation to Denver.
Will change and youth hurt this team?
The Panthers felt like it was time to move on this year. Muhammed retired, Peepers was traded, Delhomme along with many others left as the Panthers looked to freshen things up. Helping this thought, was the fact that the Panthers had a huge number of picks in the draft - 10 in total, and if you were to believe rumours coming out of training camp, they may all make the final 53 man roster. This is a huge number of young new players. They will have a minimum of 6 new starters on the team come opening weekend. Can a team that's been overhauled this much be good? On thing that the Panthers have got going for them is the amazing double headed monster at RB - DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will be able to keep the Panthers close in many games, will Moore and the youngsters be able to take them over the finishing line though?
What will happen with coach John Fox?
John Fox has had a great history with the Carolina Panthers. He joined them for the 2002 season, following a shambolic 2001 season for the Panthers organisation - going 1 - 15. In Fox's first year they wen 7 - 9, a huge improvement, but it was in his second year he would create his legacy. The Panthers went to the Superbowl in 2003, losing to the Patriots on a last minute field goal. He also took the Panthers to a NFC title game in '05. Even with all this success, Fox does not have a contract with the Panthers past this season. The problem is, how can he win one? With this very young team he may well struggle this year, and if that happens, I think his contract would not be renewed. This would be a sad end to an amazing career.
New Orleans Saints
I think we all know how the 2009 season finished up for the Saints! Following a 13 - 3 regular season the Saints, the Saints demolished the Cardinals in the divisional round. They then beat the Vikings in the NFC championship game before that INT return for a TD in the Superbowl against the Colts. So can the Saints repeat?
Can the Saints repeat?
The biggest question that the Saints have to answer this year is of a mental aspect. The winners of the Superbowl historically find it extremely difficult to get back to the big game and repeat. There are many thoughts to why this is. The main reason, and the one that I think is correct, is that every team in the league is now up for the fight, and wants to take down the Superbowl champs. Even though the Saints had a great record last year, most teams would have still thought of them as the 'same old' Saints, incapable of winning it all. Now they are seen as the best - how will they handle the pressure.
Will the defence be as effective?
A big reason for the Saints vast improvement last year was the improvements made by their defence. The Saints offence has been very effective for a few years now, scoring points for fun. Last year was no exception as they came out 1st in points scored, 1st in yards gained, 4th in passing yards and 6th in rushing yards. The reason for their sudden Superbowl winning run though - Darren Sharper (pictured) and the defence. They were not spectacular defensively, but if they needed a turnover, they managed to get it. One of the main reasons for this was the fact that they score so many points, puts huge pressure on the opposing team to score often. To deal with this the other team throws more, leaving lots of opportunities for Sharper, and others in the secondary, to make INT's. Sharper is not the youngest player, and some wonder if he will be as good this year. But if he gets anywhere near the 9 INT's he had last year, they should be in good shape.
How will the loss of Mike Bell effect them?
The Saints managed to find time and carries for all of their RB last year - Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas (pictured) and Mike Bell. All 3 of these players played their part. Mike Bell has left this off season and joined the Eagles. Will this have a big impact on their running game? There is no doubt that Reggie Bush is the number 1 RB, he will start. Pierre Thomas will come in as a spell back now and then and will this year have to deal with all the short yardage plays. This was where Bell most most effective last year. Bell actually had over 650 yards and 5 TD's this will be hard to replace. Also the Saints will have to hope that the injury bug doesn't bite, as it did with Thomas last year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers finished 2009 with a poor 3 - 13 record that left them at the foot of the NFC South.
This obviously was hugely disappointing for the Bucs, but they did have one day that we all remember the 2009
NFL London game against the New England Patriots. Sadly though the Bucs had another poor day, losing the game 35 - 7.
How will the new DT's fit in?
The Buccs were the worst team in the league against the run in 2009. They were conceding almost 160 yards per game rushing. The Bucs understood that this had to stop if they were to progress as a team, and drafted 2 DT's with their first 2 picks in the draft. Gerald McCoy (pictured) was their first round pick, and Brian Price was their 2nd. Both of these 2 rookies are expected to start this year. It is vital that these 2 perform well in camp, and fully understand the system before the season starts. If these players perform well this year, maybe the Buccs can improve, if they don't, they won't.
Will Josh Freeman improve?
Josh Freeman was selected by the Buccaneers in last years draft. They wanted to give him a red shirt year last season, but they struggled so badly in the first 6 games, that he was bought in against the Patriots in the
NFL London game, and then started all games after the bye week. Freeman had an average year, throwing for over 1,800 yards, 10 TD's and 18 INT's. This is obviously not bad for a rookie thrown into a bad team. He was also the starting QB for each of the 3 Tampa Bay wins last year. The Bucs will be hoping that following a full training camp, and with last years experience behind him, Freeman can push on and become a franchise QB.
Will the rookie WR's step up?
The Buccaneers struggled in the pass game last year. Some of this was down to the rookie QB, but most of it was down to a lack of talent. TE Kellen Winslow had most catches (77) followed by Antonio Bryant (39). Bryant though has been traded to the Bengals, so a lot of pressure is now on Winslow. The Buccs though have also identified this as a major problem and following the selection of the 2 DT's, they then took Arrelious Benn (pictured) in the 2nd round, and Mike Williams in the 4th. These 2 are also expected to start in this very young team. It will be interesting to see how quickly they can pick up the system, and build an understanding with QB Freeman. This improvement though is vital if they want to move forward.
Check back tomorrow for the final division - the NFC West.
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