In this episode of the Sportable Spot we take a look at the NFC South.  We analyze some key additions to the division as well as discuss some of the rebuilding processes we see going on within the division.  Though certainly not the strongest division, there is a lot of intrigue in the NFC South.

Hosts: Kevin, Rich, Ryan, Sonny

 

 NFC South [26:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Arguably one of the more shocking twists to the beginning of the season was the Saints starting the season 0-4. This was the same Saints team that played the Bears in the NFC championship game last season. The Saints are currently riding a three game winning streak and have climbed back to 3-4 and just one game back of Carolina in the NFC South.

After this week’s game versus Jacksonville, the Saints march on a streak of six games that are against opponents of lesser caliber. St Louis, Houston, and Carolina all have major quarterback and injury issues. Tampa Bay can’t win games when Jeff Garcia completes 18 straight passes. Atlanta and Arizona…well, they aren’t scaring many either.

I’m not fully ready to crown this team as a playoff bound team just yet. There are still plenty of issues at wide receiver and on the defensive side of the ball. With the schedule situation that this team has been blessed with, however, it’s not far fetched to see this team back in the playoff hunt in a few weeks.

Dear Mr. Payton,

Hello. First of all, I’d like to commend you on your performance last season. You helped resurrect a franchise (and city) that was in despair, guiding them to the NFC Championship. But here’s a news flash. It’s not 2006 anymore. It’s now 2007. Congratulations! You had a good first year! Now unless you and your 0-3 team want to look like a flash in the pan to the rest of the league, you might want to start pulling your head out of your ass. Luckily, I’m here to give you a couple points on how to address the situation.

Get Back to Basics. I understand Deuce McAllister is now out for the season with a torn ACL. Send Deuce my regards. As he begins a brutal rehab, your team is limping (pun intended) into the bye week at 0-3. Let me ask you Sean. What’s your identity? Your staff’s playcalling is similar to how I play Madden. Rather than running the ball between the tackles, you seem hellbent on getting Reggie Bush in space. It’s not working. He’s supposed to compliment your offense, not have everything go through him. Reggie Bush isn’t at the versatile level of a Tomlinson or Westbrook so stop pretending he is.

More Basics! Last night, you called all sorts of marijuana-induced plays that had no chance of success. Whether it was having Reginald run in circles in the backfield or calling toss flea-flickers and reverses, it wasn’t working. Stop playing cute! Throw the ball downfield to those tall receivers and stop throwing to Eric Johnson in the flats. I’ll admit, you’re not the only team with an identity crisis. But that team has Norv Turner. What’s your excuse?

Take That Secondary Out to Pasture: Now, Sean. I’m not Sports Illustrated. I didn’t put your team in the Super Bowl because I watched enough of your games last year to know your defense was mediocre. This year, they’ve shed the mediocre label. They’re officially awful. I can see getting beat by Peyton Manning. Hell, I’ll even give you the road loss in Tampa. But returning to the Super Dome should have been inspired your defense to kick ass, ala last year’s home opener.

Last night was a blast in the past. The Saints, ESPN’s proclaimed America’s Team, were getting booed by their home fans. Are you still the Saints, Sean? Or should I drop the “S” for old time’s sake?

Go ahead and throw out any pre-season doubts that you may have had with this Indianapolis Colts team. Last night’s 41-10 blasting of the New Orleans Saints showed why the Colts are the World Champions and why they are still a heavy favorite in the AFC despite losing 25% of the Super Bowl roster.

Peyton Manning is freakish. Watching him surgically pick apart the Saints defense, specifically Jason David who got absolutely abused, reminded us of just how great Manning is. There isn’t a quarterback in the league who is anything like Manning in terms of overall ability and talent. We saw several instances in the game last night, namely the touchdown throws to Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, where the receiver only needed one step on the cornerback for Manning to deliver a picture perfect pass. And how about Joseph Addai? Addai got cranked on the first play from scrimmage in what was a “hold your breath” kind of moment but returned to the game moments later and rumbled for 118 yards and a touchdown. Addai doesn’t need Dominic Rhodes to spell him in the backfield. While he has never taken on a full-time running back job, he’ll be just fine handling it this season.

What happened to the Saints? One of the league’s most high octane offenses managed just three offensive points, scoring their touchdown on a Jason David fumble recovery. Drew Brees looked lost. Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister couldn’t break the front seven of the Colts defense. Marques Colston disappeared for about three quarters. It didn’t seem like Brees was comfortable last night particularly because of the Colts pass rush. Dwight Freeney, Raheem Brock, and Robert Mathis were causing trouble all night.

I fully expect New Orleans to bounce back from the beating they took last night. They have to. A favorite in the NFC can’t come out and get trounced like they did last night. As for the Colts, it appears as if they haven’t skipped a beat. I suppose that’s why they’re World Champs.

For the entire month of August, the Sportable Staff will look at one National Football League team a day. We?ll look at their offense, defense and in the end, assess their playoff chances. Previews will be done by division, starting with the NFC East. Each new division will also feature a new podcast devoted entirely to that division.

Can the Saints finally march to a Super Bowl?
Since 2002, at least one team from the NFC South has participated in the NFC Championship game. However, not since 2003 has a team gone to the Super Bowl. The Saints will try and continue the streak for the NFC South this season as they hope take one step closer and reach the Super Bowl. I have no doubts in the Saints offense, as I feel they can move the chains quite comfortably. The defense, on the other hand, will have to pick it up a notch if they want to play in February.

Offense
When I look back at the New Orleans Saints offense from a year ago, I’m amazed at how they meshed so quickly. Aside from dealing with the troubles of Hurricane Katrina, the Saints had a bunch of players on offense who had never played with each other until last year. Quarterback Drew Brees was new in town and rookies Reggie Bush and Marques Colston had never played a down in the NFL. How did this team flow and what made it work? I believe the Saints were balanced on every play. Either Bush or McAllister would have fresh legs and Drew Brees had a number of targets to throw at.

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Hosts: Sonny, Ryan, Kevin and Rich. In this episode, the entire Sportable staff discusses the NFC South. With Michael Vick out of the mix in Atlanta, how are the Falcons going to do under coach Bobby Petrino and Joey “Heisman” Harrington. We also assess the rare possibility of the Panthers not underachieving behind quarterback turnover machine Jake Delhomme. Also, will Drew Brees lead the Saints back to the playoffs?

You can find Episode 30 here. (Download mp3)