Sir Psycho Sexy

While an NFC South team has won or advanced to the Super Bowl in three of the past eight seasons, success has been fleeting for the division's four clubs.
Since the league expanded to an eight-division format in 2002, every division but the NFC South has had at least one team finish on top in consecutive seasons. Every division but the NFC South and AFC North has had one team win its title for at least three seasons in a row during that span.
In the quick-to-shift NFC South, no one stays on top or at the bottom for long, and that revolving door may not stop spinning in 2010.
With the Buccaneers still in rebuilding mode and the Panthers weakened by the departure of DE Julius Peppers, it would appear the Falcons are the only legitimate threat to dethrone the Saints, although Carolina has surprised before and shouldn't be completely disregarded. Atlanta is clearly New Orleans' most likely challenger.
The final tally from voters in this year's PFW/Yahoo! Sports Preview 2010 magazine had the Falcons narrowly edging the Saints for an NFC South title, even though New Orleans has won seven of its last eight meetings with Atlanta.
It's not hard to imagine Atlanta winning it, and potentially going deep into the playoffs, but are we shortchanging the defending champions a bit? Are the musical chairs of the NFC South's past infecting our prognostications heading into the 2010 campaign?
Perhaps not.


rest of article

"May God have mercy on those who doubted his Saints."

saintsfan1976

Birds have arguably done the most to improve their team over the past two seasons. You could say that the injury bug derailed their train last year.

They'll be a good team this year, but no way they take our title.

NO WAY!

Pete

Perhaps not..are you kidding me.. Perhaps not.. Sounds like a infected falcon fan to me!

ScottF

I was one of the few that picked ATL to win the divison last year. They got better, and were pretty good to start. I don't think they have enough to top us in the division, but I see them as a solid wild card

nutria

That's ridiculous, but I predict a serious let down for the Saints this year. Lot's of intangibles, balls bouncing the right way etc. to get to the Superbowl last year. A dose of reality this year.

Rugby Saint II

Like he said the Falcons are a legitimate threat.

hitta

Yea I think the Falcon's will end up with a wildcard. I actually hope they have a decent season, mainly because I'm sick of hearing them whine. I hope we do better though .

saintfan

Yeah, The Falcons don't suck. And Ryan, while he's no Drew Brees, doesn't suck either. The Dirty Birds will be good this year if they can stay relatively healthy. Good enough to overcome a still-motivated Saints team that has arguably gotten better? Time will tell, but I don't see it.

Srgt. Hulka

I read the whole article and I don't think he's saying that the Falcons are going to dominate us.

"May is not the time for writing obituaries for any team. Saints fans have plenty to be optimistic about, and the franchise kept the core of a title-winning club in place."

I think he's saying of the NFC South, the Falcons have the best chance to take the NFC South title away from us. He's not saying anything in this article that anyone on this forum has not said in the past. If we don't get our run defense working better this year, It's going to make for a long and stressful year.

"The Saints' offense has the firepower to keep up with any team, but their run defense, which gave up nearly 140 yards per game in the final 11 regular-season contests and 5.2 yards per carry in the playoffs, is a glaring problem that hasn't been sufficiently addressed this offseason. The Saints will not win the division if that run defense is as porous as it was for most of last season."

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, ...

Pete

I can't wait.. Slow michael turner down another notch this year and watch their coach mike (fits) smith stay on the verge of a nervous breakdown when his face turns beat red and he's spitting mad! Lol it's entertaining