2012 NFC South Preview

You know the drill, so I'll skip the BS. Here's the 2012 NFC South preview.

Clark Kent? From Auburn? In Charlotte?

1. Carolina Panthers (11-5)
Head Coach: Ron Rivera (2nd season w/ Panthers; 2 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Cam Newton (21 TD, 17 INT, 4051 Yds, 60 Cmp%; 706 Rushing Yds; 14 Rushing TD)
Running Back: DeAngelo Williams (836 Yds, 7 TD); Jonathan Stewart (761 Yds, 4 TD; 47 Rec, 413 Yds, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver: Steve Smith (79 Rec, 1394 Yds, 7 TD); Brandon LaFell (36 Rec, 613 Yds, 3 TD)
Tight End: Greg Olsen (45 Rec, 540 Yds, 5 TD)
Defensive Player: Jon Beason (MLB; 89 TCK in 2010, leader of the defense)
Rookie to Watch: Luke Kuechly (OLB; Boston College) - If Beason can stay healthy, then this can be the beginning of an excellent LB combo.

Yes, you are reading this correctly: The Panthers will win the division, but not the Super Bowl. Cam Newton is a dual-threat, and should make the Week 9 matchup against RGIII and the Redskins must-see TV. Steve Smith, 33, is close to being done as a threat receiver. “Double Trouble” running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are argued as one of the best one-two punches in the NFL; however, neither should start for your fantasy team. Linebacker Luke Kuechly could be Defensive Rookie of the Year.

2. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
Head Coach: Mike Smith (5th season w/ Falcons; 5 year total exp.)
Quarterback: Matt “Matty Ice” Ryan (29 TD, 12 INT, 4177 Yds, 61.3 Cmp%)
Running Back: Michael “The Burner” Turner (1340 Yds, 11 TD)
Wide Receiver: Roddy White (100 Rec, 1296 Yds, 8 TD); Julio Jones (54 Rec, 959 Yds, 8 TD)
Tight End: Tony “PETA Man” Gonzalez (80 Rec, 875 Yds, 7 TD) (last season)
Defensive Player: John Abraham (DE; 9.5 SCK)
Rookie to Watch: Peter Konz (C/G; Wisconsin) - Currently, he’s projected to start at the right guard position. Wisconsin usually produces good lineman. This makes Matty Ice very happy.

The Falcons once again seem like a team that will give teams fits and then falter in the playoffs. They have enough talent to worry you, but not enough to get over the top yet again. Michael Turner is now 30 years old, which is the RIP for RBs. Roddy White is going for 1000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season. Expect Julio Jones to get 1000 receiving yards as well. Fearless prediction: Matt Ryan throws for 4500 yards, 35 TD, 15 INT, and 65 Cmp%. All 2012 regular season games are in an away/home pattern.

3. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Head Coach: Special multiple choice question below:
A. Sean Payton B. Drew Brees C. Aaron Kromer D. Joe Vitt E. All the above F. A & B G. C & D
Quarterback: Drew “Mardi Gras in Bristol” Brees (46 TD, 14 INT, 5476 Yds, 71.2 Cmp%)
Running Back: Darren Sproles (603 Yds, 2 TD; 86 Rec, 710 Yds, 7 TD); Pierre Thomas (562 Yds, 5 TD; 50 Rec, 425, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver: Marques Colston (80 Rec, 1143 Yds, 8 TD); Devery Henderson (32 Rec, 503 Yds, 2 TD); Lance Moore (52 Rec, 627 Yds, 8 TD)
Tight End: Jimmy “Man Child” Graham (99 Rec, 1310 Yds, 11 TD)
Defensive Player: Roman Harper (SS; 47 TCK, 4 INT)
Rookie to Watch: Nick Toon (WR; Wisconsin) - Don’t expect him to see the field at the beginning of the season, but his 6’2’’, 215 lbs frame won’t be ignored when starting receivers are suffering bumps and bruises.

If Sean Payton was coaching the Saints this season, I would have them better than 7-9. However, this team can only go so far until answers C & D above are out coached and the team realizes how motivated they were under former Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams (former StL coach Steve Spagnuolo is now the DC). However, Brees will continue to be awesome, Colston will have another 1000 yards, and just get out of Man Child’s way. The Saints will be marching into the endzone a lot, but due to a new defensive scheme, marching home for the postseason.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)
Head Coach: Greg Schiano (1st season w/ Bucs; 1 year total exp.) (Was Head Coach for Rutgers)
Quarterback: Josh Freeman (16 TD, 22 INT, 3592 YDS, 62.8 Cmp%)
Running Back: Doug Martin (R); LeGarrette “Run of the 2011?” Blount (781 Yds, 5 TD)
Wide Receiver: Vincent “5 is my lucky number” Jackson (60 Rec, 1106 YDS, 9 TD); Mike Williams (65 Rec, 771 YDS, 3 TD)
Tight End: Dallas “Why no gloves?” Clark (34 Rec, 352 YDS, 2 TD)
Defensive Player: Adrian Clayborn (DE; 42 TCK, 7.5 SCK)
Rookie to Watch: Mark Barron (SS; Alabama) - He was only part of the heart and soul of Alabama’s defense last season. This could be the potential leader of the defense when Rhonde Barber retires.

Hey, hey, Tampa Bay indeed!

Hey, hey, Tampa Bay! According to former head coach Raheem Morris, the 2010 squad was the best in the NFL. If that’s the case, what in the hell happened in 2011? They had one of the worst scoring offenses in 2011 (17.9 points/game) and the worst scoring defense (30.9 points/game). Josh Freeman experienced the sophomore slump, but his stats should improve with the addition of Vincent Jackson. This team should be able to bounce back with new coach Greg Schiano for the long term, but they need to stay away from this instigator.

Next up: AFC East. Will be published by Thursday, 9 pm. Now y'all come back now, ya hear?