2008 NFC South Predictions

2008 NFC South preview from MadduxSports.com. After studying the NFL teams get signed up for our NFL Sports Picks for the top handicappers on the internet.

2008 NFC South Division Preview
By Adam Barone

1. New Orleans Saints (10-6): The addition of Jeremy Shockey will open things up on the outside for Marquis Colston and the Saints’ other young receivers. Deuce McAllister’s return from injury along with the emergence of Pierre Thomas should allow the team to get Reggie Bush the ball in space on the outside more. Add on some key additions to the defense and subtract Indianapolis from week one of last season’s schedule and this is the Saints’ division to win.

2. Carolina Panthers (9-7): Jake Del-homey returns from Tommy John surgery, which will no doubt have Steve Smith jumping for joy. DeShaun Foster is gone, but apparently Jonathan Stewart is perfect for Carolina’s running attack. A number of changes were made to their defense, a unit that needs to live up to its potential.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8): The Bucs have a stable of quarterbacks to go along with their trio of running backs. Jeff Garcia is the starter under center for now, but that could change. This will probably be Cadillac’s last chance to prove his worth, just as it will be Earnest Graham’s chance to steal the job for good. The defense is still talented, so the unsettled issues on offense shouldn’t sink them much.

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-10): Don’t expect any quick fix for the Falcons, but moving on from Michael Vick could turn out to be more of a positive than a negative. Vick was never able to understand NFL defenses, but Matt Ryan is everything Vick was not. If he catches on quickly, he and Michael Turner could jump start Atlanta’s rebuilding effort.

We have broken down each NFC South team in-depth. Read the individual NFL previews of the Saints, Panthers, Falcons, and Buccaneers from Maddux Sports.