Best D in the NFC South?
 

I recently saw analysts on NFL Network say that the NFC South has the best D-Lines in all of the NFL. This makes me pose the question about which team in the NFC South you guys think has the best D overall? It sounds to me like it will be the Falcons with the addition of Abraham and Milloy, but maybe they won't produce as well as anticipated?

We added Hollis Thomas, Fujita, Simmons, and Stoutamire which are great additions as well. Our weak links are DT and MLB. Hopefully Sullivan will play well under Payton. I don't know what the heck we're doing at MLB. The Panthers lost some of their D power so maybe we will be second behind Atlanta?

RE: Best D in the NFC South?
 

IF Kris Jenkins is back healthy, hands down the Panthers will have the best defense in the South. Falcons come in a close second followed by the Bucs and we're last. That doesn't mean we won't be good on defense... it's the fact that all the other teams are better. The Falcons have all the name players on D, but lets see how they mesh.

RE: Best D in the NFC South?
 

Remember, the Falcons get Ed Hartwell back at LB.

I wish we had him.

Didn't the Panthers lose Gamble, Witherspoon, and Buckner? That should affect their production some I think. I agree on Jenkins, he's an animal.

Panthers lost Witherspoon, but still have Gamble. And, they lost Buckner but I guess they like his replacement Carsters (buckner is 34)

Panthers have the best D. Line is stout, LBs are solid and fast as all get out and DBs are heat-seekers. Plus they have great depth.

Falcons do have a good D as well, but one CB and one Safety spot is suspect.

We are coming up, but have a bit to go yet.

the falcons are small in the middle and gave up 4.7 yds a carry last yr., 31st in the league. Abraham only weakens that aspect. all he knows how to do is pin his ears back and pass rush.

bucs are getting a little long in tooth but still have a solid front four.

the panthers adding run stopper extraordinaire Kemoeatu makes them have one of the best line in the entire league, not just our division.

a grant comeback is a must for us to be adequate. 25 total team sacks again will make for anothe top 5 draft pick. young may be okay as an undersized #2 DT but somebody else has to be acquired or step up to think about being a better D line than the others.

You're right 67, we do need someone to step up. I totally forgot about Kemoeatu as well, good call.

Sully may be that guy, but I'm not sure we should look to that one for coming through....unless there is a breakthrough we don't know about. He could be inspired by that new Texas double whopper or something...who knows! maybe leslie gets through this year

Who else is out there for us to get though?

Buckner as many miles as he has on him could still be good for a few plays a game I would think. he seems to be a great clubhouse guy too.

The Jags are one of the few teams with 2 top notch DTs and they suddenly have a WR hole. They could have Stallworth and any DT on our roster for one of their studs. Heck, I might even throw in a 4th rd draft pick. A high impact player at that position would do wonders IMO. Having a DT weakness and MLB hole looks like the same run at will scenario we ahve been watching for the past few years.

If Hollis has some gas left we might improve. Boykin has ability that could surprise but is another undersized type.

Either one of those big beasts would be awesome. Just the impact on Grant and Smith's game alone would be worth the money!

Hollis is a great guy and I think he will be great for the young players we have in camp. There is a lot of possibility inthat bunch.

Something tells me not to be surprised to see Young get cut though...great guy and plays his heart out, but he is undersized and that could limit him. 'specially if we make a move for a DT.

67, that pic is inspiring by the way. May our season look that good!

i can't believe everyone is talking about the falcons...

exactly. and they didn't do a damn thing about it in the draft, either.... :wink:

it suprises me the buccs haven't come up. booger and rice instantly give you cred, spires is starting to show his age, but if hovan can continue to progress back to his old form, this could be a dangerous line, and they also have good depth at the ends.

Poppa, ya gotta Go Gold! Go Bush! Go Saintsations!

I'd hate to see us let Brian Young go.

I have a good story on what kind of player he is.

I was bartending on Bourbon before Katrina. It was either a Friday or Saturday right before the hurricane. Him and a few other guys that I didn't recognize came in. They got some drinks and Young asked to use the bathroom. We had closed it at the time just cause we didn't feel like dealing with letting people in. I knew who he was, he seemed like a good guy (and he tipped well :) ) so I figured I'd let him in. This was after he had hurt his knee and was supposed to not play in the next pre-season game. I asked him how the knee was. He said there was something (can't remember) torn in there. I asked how many games he was going to miss. He looked at me like I was crazy, and said none. I said, "Dude, rest it. We don't need you to miss any games in the regular season." He said he couldn't. That he loves to play and just can't sit out. I said he ought to think about his career, and not jeopardize it in a pre-season game. He said he doesn't play for the money.

As many guys that are just out there to cash their checks, he's not one of them. He's going to give you everything he's got.

WE have the best D-line damn it!!!!!!! :cursing:

I don't care what anybody says.....or how wrong my comment may be!!!!

:saintsfan:

Ed Hartwell? Lawyer Malloy? Hartwell and his tree trunk legs will plug up many holes for the Falcons, and Malloy is a hitter at safety who has always played the run well. Add to that they got Jimmy Williams at conrer who is another good tckler, and I think they have the players to hide being smallish in the middle. That's why I think they were brought up.

I know I should look it up, but didn't the Panthers let a CB go to Chicago who is now going to jail? Looks like they are going to have the best D-Line. Is Grady Jackson still available? Also, does Fields still play? I need to do some Panthers homework, but I'm in a rush. I think we'll keep Young to back up Hollis. We could use another veteran DT for a 1 or 2 year contract until we cna FA or draft some younger talent. Ted Washington helped out a lot in New England.

Panthers hand down. Followed by Atlanta, Tampa then us.
Panther's DL can make up for any short comings the LB and secondary may have. They have to lead the NFL in pressuring the QB to throw. It is a tough line to run against too. they do not get pushed around.

Saints will have the best Safeties in the NFL this year I bet.

they're all gonna need a good D when they step in the dome this year!! Reggie Bush is gonna break some D's ankles this year with his moves. Cant wait to watch him make someone look stupid

Probably should have mentioned I was talking DLine, since that came up earlier.

Even if you were, having Hartwell and Malloy will help them lower that 4.7 YPC, helping their D-line.

is it ok if i just break down the d-lines? is that ok? is it? :P

i'm not trying to take anything away from their team, they are loaded with talent, just found it strange the buccs didn't come up. maybe i overrate simeon rice.

I think in terms of overall defenses, it's gotta be the Falcons. They are just nasty. They have so many Pro Bowlers: DeAngelo Hall, Lawyer Milloy, John Abraham, Patrick Kerney, Rod Coleman, and Keith Brooking. Then along with those guys you've got Ed Hartwell, Demorrio Williams, Jimmy Williams, and Chad Lavalais, that's a pretty solid all around D. Pretty intimidating, and I'm pissed we have to play them twice a year.

I'm pissed we passed on Chad Lavalais for Rodney Leisle.

Yes, and we'll be regretting passing on Wroten and Kyle Williams, too.

Amen.

Didnt we pass on Shawn Merriman last year as well.

The Saints question marks are all over regarding their defense. Who stops the run at DT? Who plays MLB? Does Simmons have anything left in the tank? Does Thomas? Who lines up at corner opposite McKenzie? Which safeties does Payton choose to play when it counts? Carolina has the best Defense in our division...They replace Buckner with Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis...they replace Witherspoon with Thomas Davis. They lost their nickle corner...so what...I hate our division.

We never had a shot at Merrimen. We passed on Derrick Johnson.

I'm going to close my eyes, and continue to block that out.

On the plus side, we did use that pick to draft a very good player in Brown.

My bad, thank you.