NFC South: The Pre-Preseason 2008 NFL Preview
by Bodog Sportsbook | Jul 31 2008
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
BEST MOVE: Trading DeAngelo Hall. After showing some promise as a rookie, Hall has been extremely overrated. To get a second-rounder and a fifth-rounder for “locker room poison” is always a great deal.
WORST MOVE: Drafting Sam Baker in the first round. It was a huge reach and one of the only miscues made by the new regime in Hot-lanta.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: Top three pick, anyone?
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Curtis Lofton. This rookie linebacker was high on everyone’s draft boards. He’s a thumper who should be able to stand out in a mediocre defensive squad.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Mike Smith. This first-time head coach is going to be under a microscope all season. Every decision will be ripped apart by fans, so he and Matt Ryan better be prepared to weather a stormy year one.
Carolina Panthers
BEST MOVE: Drafting Dan Connor in the third round was a steal. Most draftniks had him at the bottom of round one or the top of round two.
WORST MOVE: Re-signing Muhsin Muhammad. Nostalgic teams don’t win Super Bowls. Muhammad is well past his prime and with Steve Smith on the roster it’s not like they need some veteran leadership.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: If Jake Delhomme can stay healthy, this team can make a real run at the playoffs, but if he goes down again… brutal. Unless Smith figures out how to throw the ball to himself.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Jonathan Stewart. This rookie should get people out of their seats and keep them there. This was a great draft pick for the Panthers.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Jake Delhomme. He needs to move this offensive down the field. He has all of the weapons now; all he has to do is execute. The issue is that he hasn’t played in all 16 games since 2005.
New Orleans Saints
BEST MOVE: Trading for TE Jeremy Shockey. Before he even gets off the plane he’s already being double-teamed and making the Saints’ offense better.
WORST MOVE: Signing free agent Dan Morgan. It was clear that Morgan was done to everyone except the Saints. It was even clear to Morgan, who ended up retiring a week later.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: If this team can get any production out of Reggie Bush, it can go to the NFC Championship. If not, it’s probably safe to say that Tony Mandarich and Ryan Leaf will have some company at the top of the mountain of NFL draft history infamy.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Jeremy Shockey. New Orleans is going to love what this emotional player can do for their beloved Saints.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Reggie Bush. He has the speed, and the elusiveness… but he isn’t strong between the tackles. Or maybe it’s between the ears. The No. 2 overall pick for a third-down back/punt returner? Horse shit. No one makes that pick. Bush has all the tools, but something is stopping him from succeeding. Maybe he just doesn’t care.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
BEST MOVE: Drafting Aqib Talib. This ball-hawking corner is going to have a pick six in his first season. He always seems to be where the ball is and Ronde Barber is already impressed with the rookie’s ability.
WORST MOVE: Not releasing Chris Simms. Don’t trade him. Don’t sit him. He’s obviously not in the Bucs’ plans going forward, and he can start on any team in the NFL. Most people would assume that sacrificing a spleen for your team should qualify as a "get out of jail free" card, but apparently not if the organization decides to be cheap about it. Classless.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: Look for a wild-card spot as the farthest this team will be able to go, and until they develop a younger QB, that’s probably the limit for Bucs fans.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Earnest Graham. He was the hero last year when Cadillac Williams was lost for the season. With lots of doubt surrounding Williams’ ability to come back, Graham could once again save the day.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Jon Gruden. Whatever happens, it will fall on Jon Gruden. “Chucky” has backed up Jeff Garcia while not dismissing rumors that the team is looking at Brett Favre. If they don’t match their success from a year ago, he should have worked harder to get Favre or he shouldn’t have ruined the team chemistry by getting him.
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More NFC Pre-Preseason Previews: AFC Pre-Preseason Previews:
Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
