Category Archives: NFC South
Just how important is Drew Brees to the Saints?
There is no doubt the New Orleans Saints are dependent on quarterback Drew Brees but just how much are they? Are the Saints like the Colts? Are they basically a one-man team? I realize that in even considering this, it’s tremendously insulting to the many other professionals within the Saints’ organization to speculate that their efforts are potentially marginally impactful and, instead, the fate of the team rests mostly on the performance of one elite player. It’s disconcerting to say the least.
Cam Newton resurrected the career of Steve Smith
When the Carolina Panthers drafted quarterback Cam Newton in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft wide receiver Steve Smith must have been at least a tad bit worried. Smith, a Panther since he was drafted in the third round, has seen 11 different quarterbacks since his rookie year in 2001.
In his 11 NFL seasons he has had his ups and downs with the organization, but coming off his worst year statistically in 2010 and the uncertainty of what he was going to get with Cam Newton, there were not many that thought Smith would accomplish the season he did.
In 2011 Steve Smith did the following;
Cam Newton: Player profile
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton still has his number of haters and those that doubt him, but his play during his rookie season left many of those naysayers with their mouth closed.
The former first round pick of the 2011 NFL Draft broke a number of records including the record for most passing yards in a debut and most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
The Panthers knew since week 16 of the 2010 NFL season that they would be able to select Cam Newton with the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, but no one thought we would see the type of performance he put up in the 2011 season.
Newton finished the season passing for 4,051 yards, 21 touchdowns through the air and 14 on the ground.
2012 NFL Draft: Grading the first round
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – QB, Stanford
Buffalo is still trying to replace Jim Kelly, Miami is still trying to replace Dan Marino, Cleveland has needed a Quarterback forever, yet somehow the Colts get fortunate enough to go from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck without the down time that teams usually go through after losing a Hall of Fame Quarterback. Grade: A+
2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III – QB, Baylor
The Redskins traded their second-round pick and three first-round picks (2012, 2013 and 2014) to move up four spots. Many may think that maybe too much but it’s not when your in a quarterback driven league. The Redskins will be a playoff contender thanks to this move and will surprise people this season because of it, the Quarterback carousel in Washington is over and now the challenge becomes, can Griffin survive the NFC East? Grade: A+
9 unlikely candidates for Saints’ interim coaching vacancy
With the news that New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton will indeed serve a one year suspension for his role in the bounty scandal the question has to be asked why would Bill Parcells even consider the Saints job? Here are three reasons Parcells would consider the Saints position and nine other unlikely candidates who could fill the New Orleans coaching vacancy.
4 interim coaches the Saints should pursue: Gruden possible?
On Monday NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the season long suspension of New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton for his role in bounty gate. Other than the fact that he was the head coach at the time no details have arisen stating to what extent Payton knew of or was involved with the bounty program ran by his former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. According to NFL.com with the decision to uphold his previous ruling the Saints are officially looking for an interim head coach for the 2012 season. Here are five possible candidates.
NFL rewind: Eugene Robinson’s Super Bowl blunder
The year was 1999. The Atlanta Falcons had outlasted arguably the most prolific offense in NFL history in the NFC Championship game to advance to Super Bowl 33 for the franchise’s first opportunity at the coveted Lombardi trophy. Atlanta’s opponent would be the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos led by none other than future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway and the explosive running of Terrell Davis.
Will Jonathan Stewart be traded to the Browns?
The Carolina Panthers puzzled everyone on Monday by signing the bruiser Mike Tolbert to a four-year 8.4 million dollar contract. Adding a versatile running back to an already crowded backfield with Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. I wondered why they would add another back when the Panthers for the last couple of years already had a speed back and bruiser. It makes you think, what do the Panthers actually need as draft day approaches?
Hurricane Bounty: A storm of truth for New Orleans
The New Orléans Saints are one of the best comeback stories not only in the NFL, but in the history of sports. It took the Saints 41 years to finally win a Super Bowl and it was not easy. After being hit by Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic storms the United States has ever seen, behind the arm of Drew Brees, this team fought through adversity for their city and was able to bring back what every city covets; the Vince Lombardi Trophy and hope.
Maybe Greg Schiano had a good reason to bolt Rutgers for Tampa
At first glance, the decision made by current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Greg Schiano to leave the same post at the University of Rutgers the day before national signing day seemed scandalous, but upon further review it seems to be making more and more sense.
Vincent Jackson to the Buccaneers is a match made in hell
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed prized free agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson to a five-year $55 million dollar contract. But why? After the way last season ended the Bucs have other positions that need to be addressed making the union of Jackson and Tampa, a match made in hell.
Saints agree to terms with Marques Colston
The New Orleans Saints have managed to keep their top wide receiver as just before 2012 NFL Free Agency started they agreed to a five-year contract that will keep Marques Colston in New Orleans through 2016.
