New Orleans Saints (Last Year: 10-6).
Season Summary:
It's really amazing what Sean Payton, Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and company did for the city of New Orleans last year. Anyone with a heart was pulling for the Saints to go the distance.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
FB Fred McAfee, TE Billy Miller, OT Jon Stinchcomb, G Montrae Holland, DE Charles Grant, DT Hollis Thomas, DT Antwan Lake, OLB James Allen, OLB Tommy Polley, MLB Danny Clark, CB Dejuan Groce, S Bryan Scott, S Omar Stoutmire, S Jay Bellamy, K Billy Cundiff.
Restricted Free Agents:
WR Terrance Copper, DT Rodney Leisle, OLB Terrence Melton, CB Curtis Deloatch.
Potential Cap Casualties:
CB Fred Thomas.
Cap Status (as of 2/15): $21.9 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Two Cornerbacks: Fred Thomas is old, slow and untalented. He couldn't cover anyone in the playoffs, and his days as a starter have come to an end. It also wouldn't hurt to add some depth. I currently have New Orleans taking Chris Houston in the second round. Signed Jason David; drafted Usama Young and David Jones.
- Middle Linebacker: It's a joke that Mark Simoneau is a starting linebacker in this league. If Patrick Willis is around in the latter stages of the first round, the Saints should target him. Signed Brian Simmons; drafted Marvin Mitchell.
- Outside Linebacker: And if not, it would pay dividends to choose someone like Paul Posluszny to take Scott Fujita's spot on the outside. Signed Troy Evans.
- Defensive Tackle: Even if the Saints re-sign Hollis Thomas, they need someone younger to start at defensive tackle. Re-signed Thomas.
- Defensive End: New Orleans will need a defensive end if it can't re-sign Charles Grant. Re-signed Grant.
- Offensive Tackle: The Saints limited opponents to just 23 sacks, so they have to keep the entire front five together. Right tackle Jon Stinchcomb is a free agent, so if he's not re-signed, New Orleans must look for a replacement. Re-signed Stinchcomb; drafted Jermon Bushrod.
- Tight End: I'd like to see the Saints improve this position; the trio of Ernie Conwell, Mark Campbell and Billy Miller isn't exactly Pro Bowl-caliber material. Signed Eric Johnson.
- Safety: It wouldn't hurt to have an upgrade at the safety position. Signed Kevin Kaesviharn; re-signed Jay Bellamy.
- Wide Receiver: With Joe Horn gone, the Saints will need depth at receiver. Drafted Robert Meachem; signed David Patten.
Analysis: With tons of cap room avilable, the Saints can only get better. That's a pretty scary thought for the other three teams in the NFC South.
Carolina Panthers (Last Year: 8-8).
Season Summary:
From their quarterbacking play to their defense, everything quickly deteriorated for the Panthers in the latter stages of 2006.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
TE Mike Seidman, OT Todd Fordham, OT Dave Kadela, G Scott Peters, DT Kindal Moorehead, OLB Na'il Diggs, MLB Chris Draft, MLB Vinny Ciurciu, S Shaun Williams, S Colin Branch.
Restricted Free Agents:
TE Michael Gaines, DT Jordan Carstens.
Potential Cap Casualties:
RB DeShaun Foster, WR Keyshawn Johnson, WR Keary Colbert, DE Mike Rucker, MLB Dan Morgan, CB Ken Lucas, S Mike Minter.
Cap Status (as of 2/15): $1.8 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Safety: It's a good thing Shaun Williams is headed for the free-agent market; otherwise, the Panthers would be forced to cut him. I currently have them taking Reggie Nelson with their No. 1 choice.
- Outside Linebacker: Na'il Diggs, a free agent, wasn't getting the job done. Neither was Chris Draft. Carolina should draft an outside linebacker with one of its first two picks. Drafted Jon Beason and Tim Shaw.
- Middle Linebacker: Dan Morgan's second home is the injured-reserve list. Don't be surprised if he gets cut this offseason. A cheap, temporary solution could be Kawika Mitchell. That is, of course, unless the Panthers plan on drafting Patrick Willis with their first-round selection.
- Tight End: I don't understand why the Panthers haven't upgraded this position. They've needed better play from their tight ends ever since Wesley Walls retired. I have them drafting Zach Miller in the third round.
- Wide Receiver: Even if Keyshawn Johnson is back next year, Carolina has nothing behind him and Steve Smith. A solid No. 3 option would be nice. Drafted Dwayne Jarrett.
- Offensive Tackle: Acquiring a talented left tackle would allow Travelle Wharton to move inside. John Fox should go after Luke Petitgout, assuming he has recovered from his injury.
- Defensive End: If you're playing across from Julius Peppers, you better generate more than five sacks. Mike Rucker, who just turned 32, probably won't be back with the team next year. Drafted Charles Johnson.
- Quarterback: Jake Delhomme's good enough to hold down the fort for a year or two, but it's time for the Panthers to bring in a young quarterback to groom. Signed David Carr.
- Kick Returner: Carolina's return game is horrendous. Drafted Ryne Robinson.
Analysis: It looks like Carolina's reign as one of the premier teams in the NFC is coming to an end. In addition to the numerous needs it has, it just doesn't have the cap space to survive what should be a brutal offseason.
Atlanta Falcons (Last Year: 7-9).
Season Summary:
Here's four guys you should never have a football team: One who quits on a weekly basis. Another who allegedly smuggles marijuana on a plane despite being a public figure. A third who flips his fans the bird. And a fourth who just doesn't understand the offense despite being the starting quarterback. Atlanta doesn't need that specific quartette; they have the all-in-one Michael Vick.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
RB Jamal Robertson, FB Justin Griffith, FB Fred McCrary, WR Ashley Lelie, DE Patrick Kerney, CB Chris Cash, S Lance Schulters.
Restricted Free Agents:
QB Matt Schaub, TE Dwayne Blakley, C Austin King, OLB Demorrio Williams.
Potential Cap Casualties:
QB Michael Vick, WR Michael Jenkins, WR Roddy White, WR Ashley Lelie, MLB Edgerton Hartwell, S Lawyer Milloy.
Cap Status (as of 2/15): $3.8 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Trade Michael Vick: Matt Schaub needs to be the starter. Michael Vick can neither throw the ball nor lead the team effectively. He will never be a winner in the NFL.
- Cornerback: Word is that Bobby Petrino plans to move Jimmy Williams to safety, creating a need for a top-notch cornerback. Drafted Chris Houston, David Irons and Daren Stone; signed Lewis Sanders.
- Re-Sign Patrick Kerney: If the Falcons don't re-sign Patrick Kerney, they'll need to acquire someone like Dwight Freeney or Charles Grant. Drafted Jamaal Anderson.
- Wide Receiver: It's tough to tell if the receivers just suck, or if it's Vick's fault neither Roddy White, Ashley Lelie nor Michael Jenkins have been that productive. Signed Joe Horn; drafted Laurent Robinson.
- Offensive Tackle: I'm not sure how the Falcons surrendered 47 sacks with one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the NFL.
- Guard: See above. Eric Steinbach would be a nice addition. Drafted Justin Blalock.
- Running Back: Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood are both great backs, but the Falcons need a big guy to pick up short-yardage situations. Either Michael Bush or Brian Leonard would be a great fit.
- Fullback: Part of the reason why Atlanta's running game is so successful is because of fullback Justin Griffith. The team has to retain him. Signed Ovie Mughelli; drafted Jason Snelling.
Analysis: Let me just copy-paste what I said in this spot last year: "The Falcons won't be in the playoffs in the near future. They have cap issues, a sagging defense and a quarterback who is confused with his offensive scheme."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Year: 4-12).
Season Summary:
The Buccaneers made the mistake of holding on to their key players way too long. They should have started rebuilding in 2004. Chris Simms' injury didn't help matters.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
QB Tim Rattay, FB Mike Alstott, FB Jerald Sowell, TE Doug Jolley, OT Cornell Brown, G Sean Mahan, DE Dewayne White, OLB Wesly Mallard, CB Phillip Buchanon, CB Torrie Cox.
Restricted Free Agents:
G Jeb Terry, S Blue Adams.
Potential Cap Casualties:
OT Kenyatta Walker, DE Simeon Rice, DE Greg Spires, DT Ellis Wyms, OLB Derrick Brooks, OLB Shelton Quarles, CB Ronde Barber, CB Brian Kelly.
Cap Status (as of 2/15): $15 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Wide Receiver: What happened to Michael Clayton? After a sterling rookie campaign, he struggled the past two seasons. I have Tampa Bay choosing Calvin Johnson with its first-round selection. The team undoubtedly needs a playmaker on offense.
- Offensive Tackle: Anthony Davis leaves much to be desired at left tackle. If Jon Gruden wants to get his offense to its full potential, he'll fix the offensive line this offseason. He should look into how free-agent Luke Petitgout is recovering from his injury. Signed Luke Petitgout; drafted Chris Denman.
- Guard: Speaking of injuries, left guard Dan Buenning isn't faring too well with his. Gruden should go after Eric Steinbach. Drafted Aaron Sears.
- Center: Why not just address every position on the left side of the front? The Buccaneers should use one of their second-round picks on a center.
- Two Defensive Ends: Make this one defensive end if Tampa Bay re-signs Dewayne White. However, both Simeon Rice and Greg Spires are likely gone. Drafted Gaines Adams and Greg Peterson; signed Kevin Carter and Patrick Chukwurah.
- Quarterback: I know Chris Simms was hurt all of last year, but he struggled even before his spleen exploded. I'd say the Buccaneers would need a veteran signal caller, but I'm more in favor of them blowing up the entire team and starting over. However, if they are looking for a veteran, Jeff Garcia would fit in perfectly. Signed Jeff Garcia.
- Defensive Tackle: Anthony McFarland was missed when the Buccaneers traded him in the middle of the season. They should make amends by acquiring a new defensive tackle. Traded for Ryan Sims.
- Kicker: Despite his shocking 62-yarder to beat the Eagles, Matt Bryant was just 6-of-11 from beyond 40 yards. Tampa Bay's opponents were 9-of-11.
- Outside Linebacker: The Buccaneers could use an upgrade over Ryan Nece. Signed Cato June; drafted Quincy Black and Adam Hayward.
- Middle Linebacker: The Buccaneers cut Shelton Quarles, so they'll need a backup for Barrett Ruud, the guy who's stepping in for him.
- Cornerback: Someone's going to have to eventually replace Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly, right? Drafted Marcus Hamilton.
- Fullback: Mike Alstott will go down as one of the great Buccaneers ever, but his time is up. Tampa Bay needs someone to take his place. Re-signed Alstott; signed B.J. Askew.
Analysis: The Buccaneers aren't going to make the playoffs next year, so they should just blow up the whole team and start from scratch.
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