After seeing the NFC South changed hands in 2016, look for an all-out brawl between four teams in the division this time around.
Of the eight divisions, only the NFC South has four fanbases that legitimately can feel confident about wearing the crown by season’s end.
While the Atlanta Falcons are the deserving favorites after representing both the division and conference in the Super Bowl, there are questions about their ability to repeat. Atlanta lost offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, while also seeing middle linebacker Paul Worrilow leave via free agency for the Detroit Lions.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff was mostly quiet, only landing nose tackle Dontari Poe. Poe’s name might outweigh his production, though. Since having back surgery prior to the 2015 season, Poe has amassed one sack, with the film showing an average player who needs to be rotated.
This all leaves the door ajar for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers to sneak in and create havoc.
Of all the teams, Tampa Bay has the best shot of making a real move. After going 9-7 last year, third-year quarterback Jameis Winston is poised to take the next step. Winston got another weapon in DeSean Jackson, replacing the aging Vincent Jackson. Defensive end Chris Baker was also added, giving coordinator Mike Smith more ammunition in his young, athletic front seven.
Carolina is also a threat to get back into the postseason after a brutally disappointing 6-10 record last year. The Panthers have real holes along the offensive line and secondary, but they also have a quality core with Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olson on offense. Defensively, the front seven rivals any in the league. The Panthers had what appeared to be the quintessential Super Bowl hangover in 2016. Perhaps they’ve slept it off by now.
While the Saints are a sleeper pick, they aren’t all that under the radar. Drew Brees and Sean Payton will always represent a dangerous combination, even with the departure of Brandin Cooks. General manager Mickey Loomis is armed with two first-round picks and could turn one of them into Patriots corner Malcolm Butler in the next few weeks. If the Saints can beef up defensively and see Michael Thomas take the quantum leap on the outside, they could make a run at the South.
After years of being the weak sister in the NFC, the South could field multiple playoff teams. There’s a substantial argument to be made that it is now deeper and more talented than both the West and East, showcased by the chaos in Washington and the continuing incompetence of Les Snead in Los Angeles.
If nothing else, the South clearly has the best foursome of quarterbacks in the league. In this age of pigskins darkening the skies, that is enough for any of the teams to have hope.
Power rankings
Top 10 draft busts since 2010 (One pick per team only)
1. Dion Jordan, Miami Dolphins
2. Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Trent Ricahrdson, Cleveland Browns
4. Dee Milliner, New York Jets
5. Greg Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
6. Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
7. Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
9. Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings
10. Bjoern Werner, Indianapolis Colts
Quotable
"“I think Plaxico was kind of the last one similar to that size,’’ Manning said. “They can be open when they’re not really open. You don’t want to get into a habit, it’s not a jump-ball but you can throw him open. He’s been in lots of offenses and he gets open a lot of different ways, very disciplined in his route-running and understanding concepts. I think he’ll be good for that receiver room and in our locker room, having that veteran presence.’’"
– New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning on Brandon Marshall’s arrival
The Giants had an elite defense by season’s end last year, but the offense lacked punch. This shouldn’t be a problem in 2017, with the signing of Brandon Marshall. Odell Beckham Jr. finally has a running mate on the other side, giving New York a lethal combination of size and speed. If the Giants can protect and even run the ball an inch, the NFC East is wide open.
While the Cowboys remain the favorite, and the Eagles and Redskins lag behind, New York could pose a real threat. Remember, it was the Giants who swept the season series between Dallas and Big Blue in 2016.
Random stat
From 2002-16, the Patriots started two quarterbacks (Tom Brady, Matt Cassel). In that same span, the Bills started 16.
Info learned this week
1. Richard Sherman pursuit will be hot and heavy
With continuing rumors that Sherman and the Seahawks are willing to part ways, look for the bidding to get white-hot before the draft on April 27. While the potential cost of a first-round pick could be prohibitive, the Seahawks’ All-Pro corner is an attractive option at $13.6 million and $13.2 million over the next two seasons.
At 29 years old, a first-rounder might be too much, but a second round choice and a sweetner could be the right price. The Falcons and Raiders would both be great fits. Each is a contender and has a former Seattle assistant lording over the defense, playing that Cover 3 made famous by the Legion of Boom.
There had also been talk about the Patriots getting involved, something that makes sense should Malcolm Butler be dealt to the Saints. However, New England has reportedly backed out of the mix. Another intriguing possibility would be the Los Angeles Chargers, who have Gus Bradley as their defensive coordinator. Bradley was Sherman’s coordinator until 2012, when he left to coach the Jaguars.
2. Bengals could be moving on from Lewis
The Bengals have had Marvin Lewis as their head coach since 2003. While Lewis will certainly be at the helm in 2017, that might be the end of the line depending on results. Lewis told ESPN that he and general manager/owner Mike Brown have not talked about an extension on his current deal, which only has a year remaining.
Frankly, the ousting of Lewis has been long overdue. Give him credit for getting Cincinnati out of the doldrums of the 90s, but this team has been stuck in neutral all decade long. The Bengals need a new voice in a stale locker room. Otherwise, look for the same disappointing results to keep coming.
3. Texans, Broncos move on from Tony Romo
With Romo retiring early last week for a job at CBS, both Houston and Denver can now officially move on from that notion. The Texans are in the lurch, left with Tom Savage as the incumbent. Savage showed little in the three games he played last December, leading all to believe Houston will draft a quarterback in the first round.
The Broncos are less impacted by the decision, but it still hurts. If Romo had gone to Denver, it would have been an immediate contender in both the AFC West and conference overall. Now, the Broncos are a team with slim playoff hopes, riding with mediocre quarterback play and a brand new coaching staff.
4. Ben Roethlisberger returning for 14th season
In a move that shocked nobody, Big Ben is coming back for another year with the Steelers. After some talk about being unsure whether he would play again in 2017, the future Hall of Fame quarterback he will indeed be back in black and gold.
Roethlisberger has to be thinking about one more ring with his current supporting cast. The Steelers have the best offensive personnel in the league with a dominant front, surrounded by Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. If Pittsburgh can figure out how to dethrone the Patriots, it could be a championship ride into the sunset for Roethlisberger.
5. 49ers brass faces first big test with Tramaine Brock
On Friday, reports surfaced that 49ers corner Tramaine Brock was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence. While some would say the legal system needs to play out — and it does — San Francisco and its new general manager, John Lynch, need to act swiftly.
The 49ers have had issues in the recent past with domestic violence, most notably featuring Ray McDonald. The old regime took too long to act. If Brock is innocent, he deserves to retain his job. If he’s guilty in any way, Lynch and the organization have to cut ties immediately.
History lesson
The Bears own the most NFL victories in history with 744, while the Packers are a close second with 730. On the flip side, the Cardinals own the most defeats by a longshot with 732. The Lions come in second with “only” 641.
Parting shot
Baltimore has endured a strange offseason to say the least. General manager Ozzie Newsome made a nice move by acquiring free-agent safety Tony Jefferson, pairing him with the ever-present Eric Weddle.
However, the corners are still dicey. Jimmy Smith has never lived up to his first-round billing, while Brandon Carr’s signing was uninspiring to say the least. Carr was a huge bust with the Cowboys, and while he does avoid injuries, he doesn’t avoid the big play. In a division that features the most high-octane offense in the NFL, the Ravens will struggle to slow down teams with quality passing attacks.
Offensively, the team did little to offset the loss of Steve Smith Sr. Newsome is likely banking on a breakout season from third-year man Breshad Perriman, but that’s a large gamble. Mike Wallace is a nice deep threat and pairs well with the strong-armed Joe Flacco, but he’s not a top target.
Once you factor in the losses of Ricky Wagner in free agency, Jeremy Zuttah in a trade and Kenneth Dixon to a four-game suspension, it looks like a unit long on hope but short on ammunition.
Baltimore will always be tough with John Harbaugh roaming the sidelines, but this could be a long year in Charm City.