NFC South Division Analysed: Part I
Continuing with our series to analyse the teams in the National Football Conference (NFC) we now take a look at one of the most exciting divisions in the National Football League (NFL).
The run for the NFC South division title is going to be put up some cracking storylines and encounters that will capture the imagination of all fans of the league.
With teams such as the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all of whom have improved their rosters considerably this offseason, the division is shaping up to be one of the closest yet.
So who has the best chance of lifting the NFC South division title?
Let’s take an in-depth look at the teams and their prospects for the season ahead.
New Orleans Saints
No discussion of the NFC South can start without first mentioning the New Orleans Saints.
Since 2006 the franchise has transformed its fortunes and has become one of the strongest teams in the entire league.
The arrival of head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees has seen the franchise win its first Super Bowl title in history and in recent years become a fixture in the postseason playoffs.
This year though the Saints faced an offseason from h**l.
Starting with the startling revelation from the NFL that Saints defensive players were involved in an illegal bounty programme run under the aegis of former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and with the full knowledge of both Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis.
Major names in defence were suspended with linebacker Jonathan Vilma suspended for the entire season while defensive end Will Smith was suspended for four games.
In addition Payton, Loomis and assistant coach Joe Vitt also faced suspensions of a year, eight games and six games respectively.
All this was more than enough to put any team’s preparation for the new season out of balance but this was not all as quarterback Drew Brees and the franchise had a falling out over a new long-term deal.
Brees is the player the whole Saints roster and the fans look up to and a collective sigh of relief followed when on deadline day the franchise and Brees agreed on a massive new deal.
Even with such problems plaguing the team, the Saints remain one of the favourites to on and win the NFC South division.
The team’s roster is filled with experienced professionals and they will help the new arrivals handle the pressure.
Their defence although never as strong as the offence is still capable and the team looks in good shape to deliver another big regular season.
Joe Vitt who has taken over duties as head coach in Payton’s absence does have experience in the head coaching role and the Saints won’t miss-a-beat even in the absence of their regular head coach.
Rivals will underestimate the Saints at their own peril this year as the franchise prepares for the 2012-13 season.
(The views expressed in this article do not reflect the editorial policy of Bettor.com)
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