The NFC South had two of the top teams last year, the Saints were once again an offensive juggernaut and the Panthers had the top defense in the league. This team would have been even better if the Atlanta Falcons had played to expectations. The Falcons who went far in the playoffs two years ago were thought to be one of the top teams in the division, but with injuries to key guys like Steven Jackson and Julio Jones the team struggled. The Buccaneers…..well what didn’t go wrong for them? They fell out with ex franchise quarterback Josh Freeman and their star running back Doug Martin went down with a shoulder injury. Not to mention the MRSA outbreak that made the entire league shake their heads.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Acquisitions
Alterraun Verner, Cornerback
Anthony Collins, Offensive Tackle
Evan Dietrich-Smith, Center
Michael Johnson, Defensive End
Key Losses
Darrelle Revis, Cornerback
Donald Penn, Offensive Tackle
Tiquan Underwood, Receiver
Even though the Buccaneers definitely had the worst time this season but they were also definitely the most active in free agency. The team made a splash signing top corner Alterraun Verner to a four year deal after his pro bowl season. They also went out and got Collins and Johnson from the Bengals strengthening their offensive and defensive lines.
One of the best signings however is is one of the less glamorous signings but as a football move this was a great one. The team went out and got Josh McCown from the Chicago Bears, this was a great pick up. McCown has been a great back up in Chicago and last year in five starts he went 3-2 when Jay Cutler went down with an injury. He can be a great back up and mentor to a young quarterback like Mike Glennon. He’s also skilled enough to push Glennon in practice, he won’t start over Glennon but the competition will be great for him and his growth as a starting quarterback.
Their top losses would have to be the loss of Darrelle Revis their top corner and Tiquan Underwood who was a very productive receiver last season. Verner should fill the hole left by Revis and I’m in regards to Underwood I have been a fan of Skye Dawson. Dawson is a playmaker and he could be a good slot/special teams guy which is basically the role Underwood played. This receiving core can be pretty dangerous with a Vincent Jackson and a healthy Mike Williams on the outside and the speedster Dawson in the slot.
New Orleans Saints
Key Acquisitions
Jairus Byrd, Saftey
Key Losses
Malcolm Jenkins, Saftey
Roman Harper, Saftey
Will Herring, Linebacker
Darren Sproles, Runningback
The Saints were one of the top teams in the league this year and they also had the second best offense in the league. Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham had career seasons last year and they're looking to stay as one of the top teams in the league.
It may be hard for the team to do so because they are absolutely in desperate need for cap space and they’ve lost a lot of key guys. They were fortunate enough to pick up Jairus Byrd who most believed to be the best free agent available to soften the blow of losing Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins. The team also traded away one of the best receiving running backs in the league in Darren Sproles to the Eagles.
Sproles was a key part of the offense and it will be hard to bring in a guy to replace him in the Saints system. The Saints defense hasn’t been good enough in the past for the offense to take a step back and the team still being a top contender. The team may need to make another pick up and have a good draft to turn this step back into a step forward.
Atlanta Falcons
Key Acquisitions
Paul Soliai, Defensive Tackle
Tyson Jackson, Defensive End
Devin Hester, Reciever
Jon Asamoah, Guard
Key Losses
N/A
The Falcons had a down season with a couple guys like Stephen Jackson, Julio Jones, and Roddy White went out with injury. The team still has loads of talent especially on offense so they don’t really need to make many moves this offseason.
The only issue they may have is finding a replacement for the future H.O.F. Tony Gonzalez. Even if they can’t find another star tight end the team already has two star receivers and a beast of a running back around franchise quarterback Matt Ryan.
In my opinion the phase that has improved the most on the team so far would have to be the special teams and they’ve picked up two solid special teams guys in Devin Hester and Javier Arenas. Hester and Arenas are also guys that can contribute on offense and defense like they’ve done in the past on their previous teams. The team also added some solid veterans to their defensive line. Jackson and Soliai will bring experience and good production to the Atlanta front seven.
The best thing about the Atlanta offseason so far has to be that they haven’t lost any players to free agency so far. Bringing back the old squad with small improvements would be a good move by the administration.
Carolina Panthers
Key Acquisitions
Jerricho Cotchery, Reciever
Roman Harper, Saftey
Tiquan Underwood, Reciever
Antoine Cason, Cornerback
Key Losses
Mike Mitchell, Saftey
Steve Smith, Reciever
Ted Ginn Jr, Reciever
Brandon LaFell, Receiver
Captain Munnerlyn, Cornerback
The Panthers were a surprise last year after the team started off 1-3 they went on an eight game winning streak and became one of the league's top defensive unit. After a one and done 2013 playoffs they're looking to get back to the top of the division in 2014.
The team ended up losing basically all of their key receivers which will definitely hurt one way or the other. LaFell and Ginn excepted deals elsewhere and the team ended up releasing Smith the long time face of the franchise. So the team will have to look to rebuild their receiving unit through free agency and the draft. So far they’ve brought in Underwood and Cotchery but they still don’t have that number one guy so reciever should be one of their top concerns in the draft.
They also lost a couple defensive backs that played key roles for them last season. Munnerlyn and Mitchell were two of their top defensive backs and those holes will need to be filled before the season. The team went and got Roman Harper who has been a solid starter for the Saints and will be a great mentor for a young player should the team decide to take a safety. They also went and got Cason a solid veteran that should help cushion the loss of Munnerlyn.