CheramieIII

Since when did this guy become a fortune teller and if past experiences are correct and we always do the opposite of what everyone says I guess we are going to the superbowl for sure. I posted the section on the NFC South only, but let me know if you want the whole thing and I will post the link:

NFC SOUTH: Is the return of Michael Vick enough to challenge the Panthers?
Cris' Prediction

1. Carolina
2. Tampa Bay
3. Atlanta
4. New Orleans

It's easy to duplicate success in the NFL when you run the football and play good defense. The Carolina Panthers have that formula. But Carolina won't sneak up on any teams this year after their run to the Super Bowl last season.

I see the Panthers maintaining the same position atop the NFC South. But the division might not look the same because their competition is much improved. The Buccaneers have rid themselves of off-the-field problems and the Falcons have a healthy Michael Vick.

The Panthers did a good job in the offseason adding veterans who are used to winning like Jessie Armstead from the Redskins and Terrance Shaw from the Oakland Raiders. Shaw brings more experience to a young backfield along with another body. You can never have too many cornerbacks.

Another key addition for the Panthers will be Chris Gamble, the cornerback they drafted with the 28th pick from Ohio State. I wouldn't be surprised if he worked himself into the starting secondary by the end of the season.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should challenge the Panthers. Their addition of Joey Galloway will round out the West Coast offense. He is the deep threat that Jon Gruden has been looking for to stretch out the field. As a quarterback, you need a receiver who can make the big play. Tampa Bay didn't have that player last season.

Brad Johnson is still their man at quarterback, though you would never know it by how Gruden acts. He just doesn't fall in love with quarterbacks.

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Anytime a team loses its starting quarterback, especially a star, it will struggle. The Atlanta Falcons really felt the loss of Michael Vick last season. But it's a new year and Vick could have the Falcons challenging the Panthers and Buccaneers. The first three teams in the South could flip flop.

An addition that people won't talk about but will have an influence is backup quarterback Ty Detmer. Detmer has been around since 1993 and will be a good influence on Vick. He will continue to teach Vick about what it takes to play quarterback.

New arrivals at cornerback – Jason Webster and Aaron Beasley – will help solidify a defense that has really struggled defending the pass. Also, the league should get ready for rookie corner DeAngelo Hall from Virginia Tech. He claims to be a mix between Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders. It will be exciting for the people in Atlanta to have another Deion out there in coverage.

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The New Orleans Saints are in a tough spot. They haven't improved and each team in the division is better. New Orleans is tough to figure out. Jim Haslett is a very good coach but defensively, the Saints can't stop anyone.

Regardless of how good their offense is – with Aaron Brooks throwing the ball to receivers Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth and Deuce McAllister racking up the yards on the ground – the Saints won't be successful if they continue to let teams run the ball against them week-in and week-out.

CheramieIII

Hey Gatorman, glad to see you are consistent about one thing. Are you sure you\'re a Saint\'s FAN?

Moderator note :

Questioning a fans loyalty is a real NO NO , especially a Pro Bowler like Gator . Question the subject matter , but not the posters loyalty .....

[Edited on 15/8/2004 by saintz08]

CheramieIII

I respect that, but let\'s not read too much into the first preseason game. We all want the Saint\'s to do well and I certainly understand our frustration\'s.

I love the debates though, that\'s why this board is my home!

saintfan

Post the link. ALWAYS post the link.

CheramieIII

Here ya go:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

Chuck

That reminds me, does anybody have a link to that play were I think it was F. Thomas who strips the ball from C. Carter at like the 1 yard line. It was a long pass to Carter and Carter was doing it show boating all the way to the end zone and then suddenly Freddy comes out of no where and strips it. It was the last year Cris played for the Vikings. That is one of my all time favorite plays.