So I am browsing the CBS Sportsline board....

[saintswhodi]

And I know, I know, that's a mistake in itself. bit I came across an NFC South thread and saw some opinions from other fans. Not that I agree with any of them, but I thought i'd share:

NFC South Standings
Posted by brassjaw
Aug 2, 4:54 pm
11-5 Carolina Panthers: They are healthy and have a few good draft picks this year. Jake Delhomme is becoming a star. Their running attack will be as good as ever, as will their defense. Good coaching.

9-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brian Greise also has star potential in this system. The defense will be very good, but not great. Their winning record will be the beginning of something very special in the next couple years, but this time it will be the offense that will be the key.

9-7 Atlanta Falcons: Vick will slowly become a better passer this year, but his WR situation will hold him back.

7-9 New Orleans Saints: This will be Jim Haslett's last year as they fail to put a decent defense on the field once again.

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by steelers1105
Aug 2, 6:46 pm
yea sure that looks like a great division theyre all gonna go to the playoffs

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by potts2006
Aug 3, 3:08 am
Like cats and dogs, normally we Steeler Fans and Bengals Fans don't tend to agree with each other on much of anything (mostly just because we like giving each other **** just to screw with each other), but I agree. After looking at these predictions, and realizing that they could be accurate, this division is really terrible. It'll be one of those situations where the wild card is the heavy favorite in the first week of the playoffs.

I'm tired of the Bengals 14 year drought. I do think that this is their best chance to end it this year. But God, WHY can't the Bengals just be in a division like this one, so that the playoffs would be a lock?! It's not fair that Cincy actually has to play in a HARD division.

PS Those terrible Saints went 1-1 against all three teams in the division. So, again, if they're so bad, you guys aren't so great yourselves.

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by lokeh
Aug 3, 7:13 am
saints are 'blah' because they have a QB who doesn't the weirdest things and sometimes he descides to showup and actually play. Their Defense basically the same.

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by dirty-birdy
Aug 3, 8:29 am
#1 Atlanta
#2 Carolina
#3 Saints
#4 Bucs

Atlanta got better in defense this off-season. Vick will be improved in the passing game this year. Not only will they win the south, but the whole thing this year. Atlanta #1 in rushing last year. Still have everyone in the running game. I don't really like to call people names on here. But come on what the hell are you thinking?

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by jezter13
Aug 3, 8:39 am
carolina has beefed up the offense and defense too, along with getting their own players back. tampa bay the same. the saints after deuce and horn have no one. but atlanta is going to win it all.? Homer! vick still hasn't shown that he can throw with accuracy, stop getting sacked etc. that defense played better than expected as did the whole team. mora JR's first year there reminded me of parcell's first year in cowboy land. played above there heads only to come to reality the following year.

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by bucsfan2186
Aug 3, 10:28 am
Posted by dirty-birdy
Aug 3, 9:29 am
#1 Atlanta
#2 Carolina
#3 Saints
#4 Bucs

Atlanta got better in defense this off-season. Vick will be improved in the passing game this year. Not only will they win the south, but the whole thing this year. Atlanta #1 in rushing last year. Still have everyone in the running game. I don't really like to call people names on here. But come on what the hell are you thinking?

Carolina: 12-4/11-5
Atlanta: 10-6
Tampa Bay: 8-8/7-9
Saints: 6-10

Carolina will win because of two things carolina's "D" can slow down Mike Vick and they'll have thier team back from injuries. it will be close but the falcons cant beat tampa bay in tampa they can play him well but carolina can beat the bucs in tampa. and watch it come down to one game.

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by ehinote
Aug 3, 11:14 am
You've to remember the Bucs defense is still a top 5 defense, which will keep them in games. As long as they kick field goals better and Pittman doesn't fumble at the end of games, they will be fine. Remember, they are in the NFC, not the AFC, so everyone behind the Eagles has a shot.

2nd of all, Atlanta still can't figure out the Bucs. Vick hates playing against them, because they keep him bottled up and make him read the defense (which we know is his weakness). Carolina will still give them problems and they will probably split with the Saints. Predictions:

Carolina 10-6
Buccaneers 9-7
Falcons 8-8
Saints 6-10

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by rblueii
Aug 3, 11:28 am
You are crazy! I see the Falcons winning 12 games this season. The bucs may have a good defense, but their offense cant compare to the falcons revamped defense. Think again! My Predictions


Falcons 12-4
Panthers 9-7
Saints 10-6
Bucs 6-10

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by ehinote
Aug 3, 11:45 am
Keep dreaming about your Falcons. I'll give it to them, they had a good year last year, but they have a pretty tough schedule to start out with this year. I hope that Vick just makes it through the season. If he goes down, your looking at 4-12.

Re: NFC South Standings
Posted by kaa-zaa
Aug 3, 2:29 am
not bad with your analysis.......my only dispute is ccarolina at 11-5....losing muhhamed is going to prove to be a big problem for the panthers.....there defense is still very good, but slightly lopsided....their front four is one of the best...but i question thier linebackers and one of thier safeties........im still not convinced with atlanta.mike vick is a hell of an athlete, but a mediocre passer. he's in th wrong offense. i don't think anyone in the south this year will have more than 10 wins. if the bucs offense can click, they will run away with the division. Oh yeah...the saints will always SUCK

Damn, with this much rampant disrespect, this has to be our year, right?

[Euphoria]

I don't see where our D will be the same.

[papz]

I love being the underdogs...

[BlackandBlue]

Wow, judging by all the grammar mistakes, I'm going to guess that none of these guys will be up for the Pulitzer anytime soon.

[WhoDat]

6-10. Wow. Shows you how little respect there is for this team elsewhere. Until they prove themselves, I don't see why things would change.

I'm hoping that it all finally comes together this year.

[TheGambler]

Originally Posted by WhoDat

6-10. Wow. Shows you how little respect there is for this team elsewhere. Until they prove themselves, I don't see why things would change.

I'm hoping that it all finally comes together this year.

I have yet to see a prediction (magazine or online) that has the Saints higher than 8-8. None of them are predicting a wild card either.

I think alot of people are going to be surprised this year. Maybe even 1999 St. Louis Rams surprised, if you get my drift.

[yasoon]

You know the fact of the matter is we're better off with low expectations. These guys are mental midgets.

The Falcon's revamped D? They got a good LB...that's it. Their secondary is worse than ours...period. They have us at LB and DT.

Tampa run away with the division? Griese a superstar? That's not even worth commenting on.

The Saints will always suck? Well, we haven't "sucked" for 5 years. We've been the most consistently average team in the league. Sure, that's not great, but .500 ball is not sucking. Underachieving? Absolutely.

I personally think the Panthers and Saints will be the best 2 teams in the division. Just my gut. Sure the Falcons have reasons for optimism, but I think they wil run into some trouble this year and maybe bounce back next year. (Especially after Vick breaks his clavicle.)

Boys, we're 60-1 to win the superbowl/ 9-2 to win the division and I wouldn't have it any other way. The preseason predictions are dead wrong across the board on 2-4 teams every year. Here's to us being one of em.

Last year the Cowboys, Redskins, Panthers, Chiefs, and Titans were all gonna be good according to all the experts....but they weren't. There will be those teams again this year and the Saints need to step up and take a spot. I say 7-9 at worst 10-6 at best.

[yasoon]

One other thing.....

Chuck Smith (former Falcon) is on the radio here in Atl. He keeps saying that there is a team nobody is paying attention to in the Saints. I've heard him say watch out for NO 3-4 times.
He's the only person who I've heard say anything positive.
He says alot of stupid stuff though

[Tobias-Reiper]

Originally Posted by TheGambler

I think alot of people are going to be surprised this year. Maybe even 1999 St. Louis Rams surprised, if you get my drift.

..you mean with a new offensive coordinator and a arena league QB staring his first season?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[saintswhodi]

Originally Posted by Tobias-Reiper

Originally Posted by TheGambler

I think alot of people are going to be surprised this year. Maybe even 1999 St. Louis Rams surprised, if you get my drift.

..you mean with a new offensive coordinator and a arena league QB staring his first season?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice.