1. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008:
1. DEFENSE MUST PLAY BETTER: The Saints will never reach the Super Bowl as long as their defense continues
to play at a mediocre level. The addition of CB Jason David was supposed to solidify the secondary, it didn’t. The linebackers
were supposed to be better because of their experience in the defense, they weren’t! Enter former Jet Jonathan Vilma.
An ideal fit in the 4-3 because of his range, he should improve this defense and along with rookie Sedrick Ellis should solidify
one of the league’s weakest front seven’s Once again it will come down to the secondary and if they don’t
play well again, this team will be on the outside, looking in.
2. RUN GAME MUST PRODUCE:
I know Sean Payton loves to chuck the rock, but they are going to have to run the ball better and achieve more balance for
this offense to be more efficient. With McAllister’s health a question mark and Reggie Bush proving he’s not an
every down back, the impedes will be on Aaron Stecker, that’s right Aaron Stecker to effectively run the ball.
3. CONTROL DIVISION PLAY: The Saints are the most talented team in the division but they need to win all six
match-ups within the division to solidify themselves as an NFC contender. Atlanta is down, Carolina is good but inconsistent
and Tampa should be the only real challenge in the division and both games should be battles.
IN THE END: The Saints clearly underachieved last season and they have the talent to rebound but
in order for that to happen, they must play better defensively. The addition of TE Jeremy Shockey gives this team one of the
most complete skill sets in the league but if the additions on D don’t pan out, it could be a disappointing year once
again. Anywhere from 11-5 to 8-8 is the where this team should fall.
2. TAMPA BAY BUCS
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008
1. GRUDEN
NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE TO GARCIA: To his quarterbacks! After not landing Brett Favre, Gruden needs to do some damage control regarding
Jeff Garcia so that he can focus and this team can move forward. It’s bad enough Garcia didn’t get his million
dollar bonus this off-season and now that Gruden showed a lack of faith in him, he must mend fences for this team moves on.
2. DEVELOP A SECOND RECEIVER: Joey Galloway has established himself as the number one option
in Tampa but someone needs to step up and take that second receiver spot. The candidates include Michael Clayton who has been
a disappointment thus far after a stellar rookie season, free agent Antonio Bryant has talent but is a headcase and Maurice
Stovall is a big target but is slow. Gruden must also get more out of the tight end position thus the addition of free agent
John Gilmore.
3. DEFENSE MUST MAINTAIN: If the D plays as well as they did last season,
the Bucs will makes the playoffs. They finished second in the league in total D and could be better this season with the addition
of rookie CB Aqib Talib to what is already a good secondary. If Gaines Adams takes the next step and the front seven continues
to play well, this could be a solid unit.
IN THE END: The Bucs are good enough to win nine
to ten games and make the playoffs. The key will be moving on from the Favre flirtation and find a way to improve what is
a middle of the pack team. If those things can be overcome, then this team will have a shot to host the Super Bowl.
3. CAROLINA PANTHERS
3 KEYS
ENTERING 2008:
1. COME TOGETHER: Between the John Fox pressure rumors and Steve Smith knocking
out teammates, this team is a mess. The Panthers must come together to turn this thing around and salvage Fox’s job.
This team is good enough to make the playoffs but there too many questions both on the field and in the locker room.
2. DELHOMME’S HEALTH: The right arm of Jake Delhomme is the key to this team’s chances of being
successful. Coming back from Tommy John surgery (which is rear in football) is a struggle especially for a guy who depends
so much on his arm strength. He must come back and return to the form he displayed from 2003 to 2005. If he doesn’t,
this team is in trouble.
3. GET PEPPERS ON TRACK: If the Panther defense is to re-emerge,
it will depend on the performance of Julius Peppers. A move to the weak side should help his sack totals and going into a
free agency year should also motive him. If he plays at the level he’s capable, he will help a secondary that struggled
last season and a front seven that struggled against the run.
IN
THE END: The Panthers are an intriguing team from the standpoint that they are talented. However, they have too many question
marks to be considered a shoe in to make the playoffs. Although the Steve Smith suspension was necessary, it will hurt this
team and put more pressure on the younger players such as rookie RB Jonathan Stewart to make more plays. In the end, this
a make or break year for Fox and as it looks, this team will break.
4. ATLANTA FALCONS
3 KEYS ENTERING 2008:
1.
START RYAN: The Falcons aren’t going anywhere so start Matt Ryan, take your licks and let him learn. Your paying the
guy over seventy million, so play him!
2. TURNER MUST BURN: Michael Turner must have a big
year if the Falcons are to be competitive. He was their prime off-season acquisition and he has to prove what we’ve
heard for the last few years, that this guy is a starting caliber tailback in this league.
3. DEFENSE MUST HANG ON: The Falcons will not be very good on defense but if veterans such as Keith Brooking, John Abraham
and Lawyer Milloy step and motivate this young group, the Falcons will be competitive on this side of the ball. However, when
its all said and done, this team is too young at key spots on this side of the ball to be consistently effective.
IN THE END: The Falcons are going to be bad. We know that going in. With that said,
the post Michael Vick era must start with a thud before you hear the bang. Is Mike Smith the right guy for the job? Maybe
but we won’t know this year. So, start Ryan, get the crap kicked out of you and continue rebuilding until its done right.
