Mattie T’s 2009 Season Preview: NFC South
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on September 7, 2009
Can the Carolina Panthers repeat as division champs for the 1st time in franchise history?
1. Carolina Panthers (12-4 last season, lost to Arizona in Divisional Playoffs)
Head Coach: John Fox (8th year with team)
Mattie T’s Analysis: 2009 could quite possibly be Julius Peppers’ last season in Carolina. If so, he’ll hope to go out with a bang.
Peppers will make $16.6 million this season after totaling a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2008.
The defense is also led by outstanding 3rd year linebacker Jon Beason, who finished 3rd in the NFL last season with 138 total tackles.
DeAngelo Williams is hoping to build off a monster 2008 season in which he rushed for 1,515 yards & scored 18 touchdowns, which are both career-highs.
Steve Smith is Mr. Everything in Carolina’s receiving attack, as he surpassed the 1,000 yard receiving mark in 2008 for the 4th straight season.
The Panthers return every member on their 1st string defense for 2009, as they ranked 20th against the run & 16th against the pass.
Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 7-9
2. Atlanta Falcons (11-5 last season, lost to Arizona in Wild Card round)
Head Coach: Mike Smith (2nd year with team)
Mattie T’s Analysis: Matt Ryan wowed his peers by winning Rookie of the Year while leading his team to a playoff berth. Now he’ll have a future Hall of Fame tight end to throw to.
The Falcons dealt for Tony Gonzalez on April 23rd, which now gives Atlanta a more potent offense to work with for the 2009 season.
Gonzalez has been one of the league’s best tight ends over the past 2 seasons, as he caught at least 95 or more receptions for 1,000 receiving yards or more.
Michael Turner exploded in his first full season as a starter, as he led the entire NFL with 376 carries while rushing for 1,699 yards (2nd in NFL) & scored 17 touchdowns (2nd in NFL).
Roddy White also enjoyed a career 2008 season, in which he registered personal bests in receptions (88), receiving yards (1,382) & receiving touchdowns (7).
On defense, Mike Peterson will be the new starter at weakside linebacker after spending the previous 6 seasons with Jacksonville.
Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 11-5
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7 last season, missed playoffs)
Head Coach: Raheem Morris (1st year with team)
Mattie T’s Analysis: It’s been a long, hard road back for Cadillac Williams.
After appearing in just 10 games over the past 2 injury plagued seasons, Williams will be the starter at running back for the season-opener on September 13th against Dallas.
He’ll also have a new quarterback handing off to him, as Byron Leftwich will get his first chance since 2005 to start full-time.
Kellen Winslow should be Leftwich’s primary target in the pass game, as the tight end comes over after spending the previous 4 seasons with Cleveland.
The Buccaneers have one of the league’s youngest starting linebacking corps, as Barrett Ruud’s 4 years of experience ranks highest among the group.
Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 3-13
4. New Orleans Saints (8-8, missed playoffs)
Head Coach: Sean Payton (4th year with team)
Mattie T’s Analysis: 16 yards.
That’s all that stood between Drew Brees & the new single-season passing record, which continues to be held by Dan Marino (5,084 in 1984).
There is no reason to think that Brees won’t have another outstanding season at quarterback, as he will have several of his offensive weapons back from 2008.
Pierre Thomas might not be ready for the season opener on September 13th against Detroit, but could be in line for a huge year after rushing for 625 yards & scoring 9 touchdowns (both career-highs) despite splitting carries with Reggie Bush, who only appeared in 10 games due to a left knee injury.
Lance Moore is hoping to break out as one of the league’s best wide receivers after catching 79 receptions for 928 yards & scored 10 touchdowns, which are all career-highs.
Marques Colston will look to regain his form after a disappointing 2008 season in which he had to deal with a torn thumb ligament, which resulted in a career-low 47 receptions for 760 yards & 5 receiving touchdowns.
Jeremy Shockey will get every opportunity to bounceback from a dismal 2008 season following the season-ending injury of Billy Miller, who tore his Achillies’ tendon during the preseason.
For the first time in his 7 year career, Shockey failed to catch a single touchdown passes among his 50 receptions, which is his 2nd lowest total since entering the NFL in 2002 with the New York Giants.
New Orleans will have a different look in the secondary, as cornerback Jabari Greer & free safety Darren Sharper will start after spending the previous season with the Buffalo Bills & Minnesota Vikings respectively.
Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 13-3
2009 © BMS Radio Chicago All Rights Reserved. The written content is property of this site. All team and league information, sports logos, photos, and names contained within this site are property of their respective organizations.
