Looking at the rest of the NFC South

CHA_CHING · 03-28-2019, 03:45 PM

Who gives you the most concern for 2019 with the division?

FALCONS - They were 7-9 this past year and they reminded me a lot of our 7-9 campaigns. There were times where they appeared to be a legit playoff contender but kept shooting themselves in the foot (remember all those close losses in our 7-9 years?) and by the time they got back on track, they just imploded. Despite all this, Matt Ryan had a productive year in the numbers and Ridley could be a cause of concern with their offense for years to come.

BUCCANEERS - New coach Bruce Arians may be able to turn them around, but I'm not a big believer in his 'drop back and throw bombs' offense, especially not with the modern Jeff George at QB. Winston is an INT machine and I expect him to continue to throw picks everywhere in this new offense. For years, the Bucs have been the pick for "turnaround team". Every year, we hear a new tall tale how they are going to finally turn it around. We heard it last year when Fitzpatrick had those strong first two games. This could finally be the year they turn it around, but I'm doubtful.

PANTHERS - A classic implosion last year. I thought for sure we'd be battling them for the division until they imploded. It all went down hill when Cam Newton had his injury, reminiscent of 2002 Aaron Brooks and how our season went down hill after that. Their record was 6-2 before his injury, they finished 7-9. Along that 6-2 record, I thought they had some flukey wins over the Giants and Eagles. Yet still despite how average this team looks, they are so unpredictable. Carolina will look like a bad team one year, then some how make the playoffs the next.

For now, I am thinking the Falcons may be our biggest competitor, if they stay healthy. Their season last year brought back a lot of memories to our 7-9 years and how it went for them was similar to our 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. I don't believe in Tampa Bay at all and Carolina hasn't seemed like the same team they were from 4 years ago when they made a SB run.

dam1953 · 03-28-2019, 04:17 PM

I agree with your conclusion but for a different reason.

Atlanta - like Carolina, they run hot and cold....sometimes in the same game. See Super Bowl XLIV...

Bucs - no brain or leadership at quarterback, and winning seasons start there. All QB's make dumb decisions and Winston makes more than an average starting QB....both on and off the field.

Panthers - this one is tough. They are losing a ton of D starters and that was always their strength. Kuechley is a superstar but he can't be everywhere on every play. He's also taken a beating the last few years and it's going to start catching up to him. Speaking of beatings, if Cam continues playing his game, they may win till he's hurt again. If they keep him in the pocket to protect his shoulder, his passing numbers and their O will struggle. Add in the fact that he is only a leader when they are winning and you don't have a case for them making the playoffs.

WillSaints81 · 03-28-2019, 10:48 PM

Winston is going to be putting up 19 pounds of muscle.

And TB has a schedule outside the division where it's hard to imagine them winning more than five games. But they could win the division if they dominate the division games. TB is due to sweep Atlanta too. Also, there's a difference between past new regimes and this one. Arians is not like those other coaches. So, it's hard to say, but if TB wins a majority of their division games they could be a problem.

Thirty3 · 03-28-2019, 11:45 PM

8 and 0 division this year

SaintFanInATLHELL · 03-29-2019, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Thirty3

8 and 0 division this year

That'll be impressive. 6-0 in regular season division games followed by both a divisional and an NFC championship game wins against NFC South opponents? Definitely a bold prediction.

SFIAH

CHA_CHING · 03-29-2019, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by dam1953

I agree with your conclusion but for a different reason.

Atlanta - like Carolina, they run hot and cold....sometimes in the same game. See Super Bowl XLIV...

Bucs - no brain or leadership at quarterback, and winning seasons start there. All QB's make dumb decisions and Winston makes more than an average starting QB....both on and off the field.

Panthers - this one is tough. They are losing a ton of D starters and that was always their strength. Kuechley is a superstar but he can't be everywhere on every play. He's also taken a beating the last few years and it's going to start catching up to him. Speaking of beatings, if Cam continues playing his game, they may win till he's hurt again. If they keep him in the pocket to protect his shoulder, his passing numbers and their O will struggle. Add in the fact that he is only a leader when they are winning and you don't have a case for them making the playoffs.

Thanks for this reply. We may disagree, but I respect your opinion and I see some great things here that I didn't quite think about before.

The Falcons are indeed hot and cold. There were moments last year where I truly believed they would give us problems by the time we had our rematch. They would look excellent one week, then a dumpster fire the next. The hot/cold stuff effected them in the same games last year too like the Bengals game where they ended up losing in the end, yet looked like they were on their way to a blowout win early on.

(Off topic blabber - Cincy was the strangest team last year. They started the year 4-1 and finished 6-10. Of that 4-1 record, they started out with some amazing comeback wins before becoming a train wreck and then in week 17, they should've beat Pittsburgh).

I've always respected Kuechley as an opponent cause he is an amazing player and I do wonder how much time he has left with all the concussions and injuries. Carolina's defense is not the same when he's missing out there. He calls audibles and does reads. I've seen them look completely clueless when he's not out there.

Rugby Saint II · 03-31-2019, 02:10 PM

Tampa's QB buckles under pressure.
Carolina's QB buckles under pressure.
Atlanta's QB buckles under pressure. 3-28.....nuff' said!

dam1953 · 03-31-2019, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by CHA_CHING

Thanks for this reply. We may disagree, but I respect your opinion and I see some great things here that I didn't quite think about before.

The Falcons are indeed hot and cold. There were moments last year where I truly believed they would give us problems by the time we had our rematch. They would look excellent one week, then a dumpster fire the next. The hot/cold stuff effected them in the same games last year too like the Bengals game where they ended up losing in the end, yet looked like they were on their way to a blowout win early on.

(Off topic blabber - Cincy was the strangest team last year. They started the year 4-1 and finished 6-10. Of that 4-1 record, they started out with some amazing comeback wins before becoming a train wreck and then in week 17, they should've beat Pittsburgh).

I've always respected Kuechley as an opponent cause he is an amazing player and I do wonder how much time he has left with all the concussions and injuries. Carolina's defense is not the same when he's missing out there. He calls audibles and does reads. I've seen them look completely clueless when he's not out there.

I've lived in Cinci for 27 years. This give me insights into two of your comments.

1- Mike Brown is the son of a football genius, proving that football knowledge isn't inherited. He micromanages player acquisition and any coach worth a damn won't coach for him. He totally neutered Marvin Lewis. I had a change to meet and talk to him once....in the taxi wait line at JFK airport. Any time you're worth hundreds of millions and wait in line for a taxi with people like me...something is wrong.

2- Living in Cinci, I had the pleasure to watch Kuechley play high school football at St. X. The kid was amazing in in high school.

Crusader · 04-01-2019, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by CHA_CHING

I've always respected Kuechley as an opponent cause he is an amazing player and I do wonder how much time he has left with all the concussions and injuries. Carolina's defense is not the same when he's missing out there. He calls audibles and does reads. I've seen them look completely clueless when he's not out there.

If there ever was division opponent I wanted on our team that would be him. They are kinda gutting the D around him now and Peppers retired, should be a weaker unit than in years past.

jeanpierre · 04-01-2019, 08:43 AM

Falcons have got a lot of money tied up in Ryan and Julio down by the schoolyard and are going to have to start paying folks soon; but they've got most of their draft picks...

Don't underestimate Bruce Arians, unless he's arrogant enough to foolishly think crab legs is a worthwhile reclamation project; and he will get that scouting department in order and trust the draft process...

Kuechly is still hamstrung with Mr. Abstinence as his quarterback. And I'm not impressed with their last three drafts; only move they got right in Free Agency in recent years was Norwell...

03-28-2019, 03:45 PM	#1
CHA_CHING 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 1,159	Looking at the rest of the NFC South Who gives you the most concern for 2019 with the division? FALCONS - They were 7-9 this past year and they reminded me a lot of our 7-9 campaigns. There were times where they appeared to be a legit playoff contender but kept shooting themselves in the foot (remember all those close losses in our 7-9 years?) and by the time they got back on track, they just imploded. Despite all this, Matt Ryan had a productive year in the numbers and Ridley could be a cause of concern with their offense for years to come. BUCCANEERS - New coach Bruce Arians may be able to turn them around, but I'm not a big believer in his 'drop back and throw bombs' offense, especially not with the modern Jeff George at QB. Winston is an INT machine and I expect him to continue to throw picks everywhere in this new offense. For years, the Bucs have been the pick for "turnaround team". Every year, we hear a new tall tale how they are going to finally turn it around. We heard it last year when Fitzpatrick had those strong first two games. This could finally be the year they turn it around, but I'm doubtful. PANTHERS - A classic implosion last year. I thought for sure we'd be battling them for the division until they imploded. It all went down hill when Cam Newton had his injury, reminiscent of 2002 Aaron Brooks and how our season went down hill after that. Their record was 6-2 before his injury, they finished 7-9. Along that 6-2 record, I thought they had some flukey wins over the Giants and Eagles. Yet still despite how average this team looks, they are so unpredictable. Carolina will look like a bad team one year, then some how make the playoffs the next. For now, I am thinking the Falcons may be our biggest competitor, if they stay healthy. Their season last year brought back a lot of memories to our 7-9 years and how it went for them was similar to our 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. I don't believe in Tampa Bay at all and Carolina hasn't seemed like the same team they were from 4 years ago when they made a SB run.

03-28-2019, 04:17 PM	#2
dam1953 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 4,645	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South I agree with your conclusion but for a different reason. Atlanta - like Carolina, they run hot and cold....sometimes in the same game. See Super Bowl XLIV... Bucs - no brain or leadership at quarterback, and winning seasons start there. All QB's make dumb decisions and Winston makes more than an average starting QB....both on and off the field. Panthers - this one is tough. They are losing a ton of D starters and that was always their strength. Kuechley is a superstar but he can't be everywhere on every play. He's also taken a beating the last few years and it's going to start catching up to him. Speaking of beatings, if Cam continues playing his game, they may win till he's hurt again. If they keep him in the pocket to protect his shoulder, his passing numbers and their O will struggle. Add in the fact that he is only a leader when they are winning and you don't have a case for them making the playoffs. SmashMouth and CHA_CHING like this.
	”It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin

03-28-2019, 10:48 PM	#3
WillSaints81 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4,267	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Winston is going to be putting up 19 pounds of muscle. And TB has a schedule outside the division where it's hard to imagine them winning more than five games. But they could win the division if they dominate the division games. TB is due to sweep Atlanta too. Also, there's a difference between past new regimes and this one. Arians is not like those other coaches. So, it's hard to say, but if TB wins a majority of their division games they could be a problem.

03-28-2019, 11:45 PM	#4
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South 8 and 0 division this year
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255

03-29-2019, 09:55 AM	#5
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,773	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Originally Posted by Thirty3 8 and 0 division this year That'll be impressive. 6-0 in regular season division games followed by both a divisional and an NFC championship game wins against NFC South opponents? Definitely a bold prediction. SFIAH

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03-29-2019, 02:31 PM	#6
CHA_CHING 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 1,159	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Originally Posted by dam1953 I agree with your conclusion but for a different reason. Atlanta - like Carolina, they run hot and cold....sometimes in the same game. See Super Bowl XLIV... Bucs - no brain or leadership at quarterback, and winning seasons start there. All QB's make dumb decisions and Winston makes more than an average starting QB....both on and off the field. Panthers - this one is tough. They are losing a ton of D starters and that was always their strength. Kuechley is a superstar but he can't be everywhere on every play. He's also taken a beating the last few years and it's going to start catching up to him. Speaking of beatings, if Cam continues playing his game, they may win till he's hurt again. If they keep him in the pocket to protect his shoulder, his passing numbers and their O will struggle. Add in the fact that he is only a leader when they are winning and you don't have a case for them making the playoffs. Thanks for this reply. We may disagree, but I respect your opinion and I see some great things here that I didn't quite think about before. The Falcons are indeed hot and cold. There were moments last year where I truly believed they would give us problems by the time we had our rematch. They would look excellent one week, then a dumpster fire the next. The hot/cold stuff effected them in the same games last year too like the Bengals game where they ended up losing in the end, yet looked like they were on their way to a blowout win early on. (Off topic blabber - Cincy was the strangest team last year. They started the year 4-1 and finished 6-10. Of that 4-1 record, they started out with some amazing comeback wins before becoming a train wreck and then in week 17, they should've beat Pittsburgh). I've always respected Kuechley as an opponent cause he is an amazing player and I do wonder how much time he has left with all the concussions and injuries. Carolina's defense is not the same when he's missing out there. He calls audibles and does reads. I've seen them look completely clueless when he's not out there.

03-31-2019, 02:10 PM	#7
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Tampa's QB buckles under pressure. Carolina's QB buckles under pressure. Atlanta's QB buckles under pressure. 3-28.....nuff' said! jnormand and SmashMouth like this.

03-31-2019, 06:17 PM	#8
dam1953 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 4,645	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Originally Posted by CHA_CHING Thanks for this reply. We may disagree, but I respect your opinion and I see some great things here that I didn't quite think about before. The Falcons are indeed hot and cold. There were moments last year where I truly believed they would give us problems by the time we had our rematch. They would look excellent one week, then a dumpster fire the next. The hot/cold stuff effected them in the same games last year too like the Bengals game where they ended up losing in the end, yet looked like they were on their way to a blowout win early on. (Off topic blabber - Cincy was the strangest team last year. They started the year 4-1 and finished 6-10. Of that 4-1 record, they started out with some amazing comeback wins before becoming a train wreck and then in week 17, they should've beat Pittsburgh). I've always respected Kuechley as an opponent cause he is an amazing player and I do wonder how much time he has left with all the concussions and injuries. Carolina's defense is not the same when he's missing out there. He calls audibles and does reads. I've seen them look completely clueless when he's not out there. I've lived in Cinci for 27 years. This give me insights into two of your comments. 1- Mike Brown is the son of a football genius, proving that football knowledge isn't inherited. He micromanages player acquisition and any coach worth a damn won't coach for him. He totally neutered Marvin Lewis. I had a change to meet and talk to him once....in the taxi wait line at JFK airport. Any time you're worth hundreds of millions and wait in line for a taxi with people like me...something is wrong. 2- Living in Cinci, I had the pleasure to watch Kuechley play high school football at St. X. The kid was amazing in in high school. CHA_CHING likes this.
	”It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin

04-01-2019, 06:39 AM	#9
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,025	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Originally Posted by CHA_CHING I've always respected Kuechley as an opponent cause he is an amazing player and I do wonder how much time he has left with all the concussions and injuries. Carolina's defense is not the same when he's missing out there. He calls audibles and does reads. I've seen them look completely clueless when he's not out there. If there ever was division opponent I wanted on our team that would be him. They are kinda gutting the D around him now and Peppers retired, should be a weaker unit than in years past.

04-01-2019, 08:43 AM	#10
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Looking at the rest of the NFC South Falcons have got a lot of money tied up in Ryan and Julio down by the schoolyard and are going to have to start paying folks soon; but they've got most of their draft picks... Don't underestimate Bruce Arians, unless he's arrogant enough to foolishly think crab legs is a worthwhile reclamation project; and he will get that scouting department in order and trust the draft process... Kuechly is still hamstrung with Mr. Abstinence as his quarterback. And I'm not impressed with their last three drafts; only move they got right in Free Agency in recent years was Norwell...
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...