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NFC
SOUTH |
| Jim's
Outlook |
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Cyd's
Outlook |
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TAMPA
BAY BUCCANEERS
Outlook:
Bucs receiver Keyshawn Johnson dazzled rookies at an NFL symposium
with his fully customized $105,000 black Cadillac Escalade,
according to the New York Times. Johnson owns a customizing shop
in L.A. and gave the rookies his business card; we trust he’ll do
banner business. Johnson
is the best offensive player on a team with a hot new coach (Jon
Gruden) hired to score points. Tampa is a lot of people’s pick for
the Super Bowl, but I just don’t see it. Brad Johnson is a
slightly above-average quarterback, the running game is just OK
and the line is nothing special. The defense is still strong but
no longer dominant.
Forecast:
Tampa does its traditional early playoff exit, giving Keyshawn
plenty of time to work on his wheels. |
1 |
ATLANTA
FALCONS
Outlook: About
18 months ago, I thought Michael Vick would be a bust.
I now think I thought wrong.
He’s in a great spot, now surrounded with speed and
talent (Warrick Dunn, TJ Duckett and Willie Jackson were huge
acquisitions) - and, as the saying goes, "there is no
substitution for speed."
He
is also with a coach (Dan Reeves) who learned a lot about
rushing a quarterback too early (John Elway) – now, with a
year under his belt, look for Vick to shine.
Forecast: 11-5. Dan Marino went
to the Super Bowl his second year with even less of a supporting
cast than Vick has . . . |
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ATLANTA
FALCONS
Outlook:
The Falcons have discovered the key to success: smoke. Offensive
tackle Bob Whitfield told the new ownership that he wanted the
team to be introduced at home games by running through smoke from
one of those machines. As they say about chicken soup, it couldn’t
hurt. The Falcs are a team on the rise, especially if second-year
quarterback Michael Vick steps up. He has amazing talent and some
new weapons to work with. The defense will be passable.
Forecast:
Atlanta sneaks in as a wild card. |
2 |
TAMPA
BAY BUCCANEERS
Outlook: Why does everyone think Jon Gruden will take
this team directly to the Super Bowl?
He never took a talented Raiders team there, despite
having home field advantage in the AFC Championship in 2000.
The Bucs’ biggest weakness is still at quarterback –
and, the one guy who has given the Bucs a playoff win (Shaun
King) will be sitting on the bench watching two guys who can’t
lead a team trying to revive this offense.
Look for loss #3 to the Eagles in the playoffs.
Forecast: 10-6. A non-fumble in
the snow at Philadelphia and Gruden is thinking he's cursed. |
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NEW
ORLEANS SAINTS
Outlook:
The Saints have the “worst camp in the league,’’ guard Kyle Turley
told the Los Angeles Times about summers in
Thibodaux. Giant
beetles, swamp rats and alligators are just a few of the hazards
the players contend with. There could be worst places, like the
Saints’ lockerroom after losing their final three 2001 games by a
combined 126-31. The Saints look like a team in disarray. The
defense is weak on the line and especially in the backfield. On
offense, QB Aaron Brooks is a head case, who looks marvelous one
minute and clueless the next.
Forecast:
The Saints go marching to a sub-.500 mark. |
3 |
NEW
ORLEANS SAINTS
Outlook: This
could be a terrible year for the Saints.
They lost a LOT of talent on both sides of the ball in
the offseason and did were not able to make up for those losses
in acquisitions. Plus,
without someone pushing Aaron Brooks (Jeff Blake) and with the
quarterbacks new impending contract, he has less incentive to
perform. That
miracle 2000 season is beginning to look like just that:
a miracle.
Forecast: 7-9. Huge overhaul
after this season, starting with the coach. |
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CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Outlook:
The grayest team in football. As in boring. As in non-descript.
The Panthers were 1-15 last year, though their talent isn’t nearly
that bad and new coach John Fox will inject some life into them.
One scout described quarterback Chris Weinke as “serviceable,’’ an
adjective that sums up the whole team.
Forecast:
The Panthers will have Carolina fans asking when Duke starts its
basketball season. |
4 |
CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Outlook: One thing is for sure: the Panthers won’t be as bad as they were last year.
First year coach John Fox has his work cut out for him;
but, consider this: after
winning their first game, and before giving up after Christmas,
the Panthers lost by: 8,
21, 10, 2, 3, 1, 17, 34, 3, 3, 4, 1, 6.
That’s eight losses by less than a touchdown.
The problem is that that’s been the Panthers’
problems the last three years; hopefully a new coach will bring
a new attitude.
Forecast: 4-12. Their passing
game will be good, but their running game possibly the worst in
football. |
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