Maybe they are on a Super Bowl hang over, or maybe this team is finally bouncing back to reality. Last year they completely over achieved and made special plays. This year they are seriously lacking in the special play department. I didn't think the injury to Reggie Bush would be as detrimental as it has been. They are missing his explosiveness in all three facets of his game. Teams don't have to scheme for Pierre Thomas with the same level of dread as they do for Reggie Bush. On the defensive side it's just not clicking this year; take-aways are nowhere near where they were last year. But all is not lost, remember this is a Super Bowl winning team, so they shouldn't be counted out, just a little less intimidating then last season.
Falcons- B
The ATL should be happy, but not ecstatic with these Falcons. Inconsistency has been their downfall thus far. When they are hot and things are clicking, no one in the NFC can stop them, when its not clicking...ehhh it doesn't look good. Great young nucleus, with Ryan at the helm, but the team just seems to lack that killer instinct that a great team has.
Panthers- D
Seems to be a team who, though talented offensively, is struggling to find an identity. Are they a rushing team? Are they a deep threat team? Are they both? What it seems to me is that they are neither. The merry-go-round QB situation they have going on is not helping the situation either. Matt Moore needs to be starting on the pure fact that Jimmy Clausen needs more time to get acclimated with the speed and defenses of the NFL. You have two running backs who compliment each other nicely, but when teams can stack 9 in the box, it's going to be tough to run the football no matter who's in the backfield. Defensively, their biggest blunder is letting Peppers go to Chicago during the off-season. How do you not resign this man? On top of that, what did you replace him with? However you slice it, the Panthers defense lacks an explosive pass rushing attack.
Buccaneers- B
Solid effort by this young team/staff. Freeman does seem to be refining his game on the fly, and with the addition of talented young receivers in Williams and Benn, up is the only direction this team can go. Defense has some workable parts but still needs some key position upgrades to maybe get that offense back on the field as quickly as possible. This is a fun team to watch because you never know when the big play is coming, and you just know it is. So far they have been a pleasant surprise and are right in it.
New Orleans Saints (5-3). Tough not to have a Super Bowl hangover, and at 5-3 the Saints have had a small one. However, at 5-3 they are still in excellent shape to make a run at the division or a wild card spot. There is no reason that they can't turn it on in the 2nd half and be right back where we all expect them to be. Losing RB Reggie Bush hurts, but they are still a talented group with the experience to get them through. Grade: B-
ReplyDeleteAtlanta Falcons (5-2). They've had their struggles, and the only time they actually looked bad this season was in Philadelphia a couple weeks ago. They've yet to really light up the scoreboard, but they're winning and that's all that matters. Grade: B
Carolina Panthers (1-6). Their defense has played pretty well, but the offense has been terrible. Unfortunately, that's not the formula for victories, and that's why Carolina only has 1 win. I disagree with Josh on the quarterback issue; however, and I would let Clausen play. During the past few years there have been plenty of rookie quarterbacks who have come in and played well, and teams are no longer afforded the luxury of waiting to play a guy for 3 or 4 years. Grade D.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2). The Bucs have been one of the season's biggest surprises and they will get a chance to prove to everyone how good they really are when they take on the Falcons on Sunday in Atlanta. Grade: A