2016 NFL Preview: NFC South
In the weeks leading up to the NFL season, I’m going to take a look at every division. Not a long look, just a look.
The NFL season is still a couple of months away. There’s no real news going on, so I’m going to look ahead to the future. I’ll be doing weekly previews for all 8 divisions. By the time I’m done we should be right in the middle of some sweet preseason action. So let’s get started.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2015 Record: 6–10, with a four game losing streak to close the season.
Quarterback: Jameis Winston
Head Coach: Dirk Koetter. Who? Well, they fired Lovie Smith (good move), and then replaced him with…Dirk Koetter?
Here’s some Dirk Koetter fun facts. His last name autocorrects to “letter”. When you put his name in Google, the first suggestion is “Dirk Koetter wife”.
Looking Ahead: I’m not totally down on the Buccaneers. They looked alright before their late season collapse. They were even “in the hunt” for a wildcard spot for a minute. For the Bucs to be good, Jameis Winston needs to take that infamous “next step”. That’s absolutely key. It would also help if they weren’t coached by a piece of toast.
New Orleans Saints
2015 Record: 7–9
Quarterback: Drew Brees
Head Coach: Sean Payton
Looking Ahead: Sean Payton and Drew Brees are back again, despite the perpetual off season rumors that one or both of them will be leaving. This alone already puts the Saints in a great position for next year, but there’s just one thing. They are a bad team, and they refuse to admit it.
The Saints have made some very puzzling off season moves. They spend money on big name free agents as if they’re only one player away from the Super Bowl. The Saints need to suck it up and just admit that they’re bad. I’m not saying they need to rebuild, they just have some holes that need to be filled. Replacing Rob Ryan as the Defensive Coordinator was a big step, they just need some real DB’s.
Atlanta Falcons
2015 Record: 8–8, after a 5–0(!!) Start.
Quarterback: Matt Ryan, the most talented of the league’s most forgettable quarterbacks.
Head Coach: Dan Quinn
Looking Ahead: I feel like Falcons fans are sick of hearing this, but they need a pass rush. Dan Quinn ran some great defenses in Seattle and that needs to carry over to Atlanta. The Falcons have a great offensive base, but that front four has to be better. If not, Dan Quinn is in danger of being another Gus Bradley.
Carolina Panthers
2015 Record: 15–1
Quarterback: Cam Newton. Here’s a fun game, go on Facebook or Twitter or whatever. All you need to do is say “Cam Newton is a good quarterback”. In fact don’t even say good just say that he’s a quarterback. Someone is bound to get angry at the mere mention of his name. Don’t talk to them ever again.
Head Coach: Ron Rivera.
Looking Ahead: The Super Bowl was a disaster. The Panthers are better off forgetting about it. Don’t even try to use it as motivation, just forget it. Getting Kelvin Benjamin back will be huge for the offense. Even though Ted Ginn wasn’t as bad as most expected last year, he’s definitely not a no. 1 receiver. Oh yeah, Josh Norman left. That’s not very good is it? Well, good luck with that.
