Inside The Nfc West

Sporting News, The, Jan 1, 2001

2000 HIGHS AND LOWS

BEST SURPRISE Jeff Garcia, QB, 49ers. At the start of the year, he was regarded as nothing more than a stopgap at the position. By the end of the year, he was voted to the Pro Bowl and considered a franchise cornerstone.

BIGGEST BUST (tie): Kevin Carter, DE, Todd Lyght, CB, Rams. Unhappy over contract issues, they seemed unprepared for the season. Both were slow and sluggish and shells of what they were as Pro Bowl players in 1999.

BEST BAND-AID: Aaron Brooks, QB, Saints. After Jeff Blake was hurt, Brooks sustained the Saints' march to the NFC West title. He may not let go of the job.

MOST PAINFUL INJURY: Patrick Jeffers, WR, Panthers. His season-ending knee injury in an exhibition game took the steam out of Carolina's big-play passing game.

PLAY TO REMEMBER: With a 10-6, fourth-quarter lead over Carolina in Week 7, the Saints pulled a fake punt on a fourth-and-1 from their 35. Up back Fred McAfee took the snap and raced 40 yards, setting up a game-icing TD. That typified the Saints' aggressive, unpredictable style.

PLAY TO FORGET: In a microcosm of the Rams' awful defensive season, Carter could not get Bucs RB Warrick Dunn to the ground in the Monday game in Week 16. Dunn lateraled to Shaun King, who set up the winning TD.

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER: The 49ers loaded up on defense in the draft and had five rookies starting on that unit by the end of the year. The lucre of the D--and team--is bright.

CHANGE FOR THE WORSE: Atlanta let a couple of offensive line starters leave, and a mediocre line became worse. Chris Chandler was pummeled, and the season fell apart

FREE-AGENT FLOP: Chuck Smith, DE, Panthers. The Panthers blew it by signing an older guy with a chronic knee problem. He was supposed to be the pass-rushing cornerstone but played in only two games.

ABOUT TO CASH IN: Mike Minter, SS, Panthers. As Carolina's best defensive player, he will be hotly pursued in free agency. He's a big hitter and playmaker.

ONE THING WERE WRONG ABOUT: That the Saints would fail to make the playoffs after Williams and Blake went out. But did anyone know Brooks would be so poised?

YEAH, BUT WE SURE NAILED THIS ONE: We said the Rams would win last Sunday because Bud Carson's defensive strategy would contain Brooks, it did. --Carl Moritz

Atlanta

4-12: 5th

Constant shuffling on O-tine was at root of team's decline

DETERMINING FACTOR: Is it fair to lay the primary blame for the team's decline at the feet of the offensive line? Absolutely. The only position at which a player held his starting job was left tackle, where Bob Whitfield's admirable effort and determination to play through injuries were overshadowed by the inconsistent play of the rest of the unit. Free-agent signee Anthony Redmon disappeared to the inactive list after four starts at left guard. The constant shuffling of starters made it appear that the coaches operated without a plan or any respect for continuity.

RATING THE ROOKIES: Travis Claridge showed promise after moving from tackle to guard, but he appeared shell-shocked at times. He was the only offensive lineman to start every game and appears to have the right disposition. Michael Thompson and Wes Shivers likely will be given longer looks on the line next season, and Thompson might start at right tackle. The biggest splash was made by CB Derrick Vaughn, who had a team-record three kickoff returns for touchdowns. But Vaughn does not appear ready to start at cornerback if Ray Buchanan is not re-signed. LB Mark Simoneau (6-0) showed good speed and a motor that made his lack of height a non-factor. He had a big impact in nickel packages and might start in base defenses next season if strongside starter Henri Crockett leaves in free agency.

OFFSEASON GAME PLAN: The priorities are re-signing free agents Whitfield, Buchanan and Crockett, in that order. Whitfield is the only link to stability on the offensive line. Losing Buchanan would hurt because Elijah Williams, Terry Cousin or Vaughn might not be ready to start. Depth at linebacker, assuming Jessie Tuggle and Keith Brooking return, makes Crockett a less urgent priority. The team must bring in a productive pass rusher, probably at end. Neither Patrick Kerney nor Brady Smith took a lead role. Other needs: a speedy complement to RB Jamal Anderson, more speed at receiver and a decision on the quarterback. Three weeks ago, it appeared QB Chris Chandler had been cast aside. Now it seems like he must be kept, or another veteran must be signed. Coach Dan Reeves must make changes on his staff, especially among his offensive aides. He needs to hire a true offensive coordinator, and he might have to make a decision on offensive line coach Art Shell. The weekly complaint from Reeves was that one breakdown on the line, play after play, kept the offense from producing. --Charles Odum

FINAL GRADES

Regular Season

OFFENSE F

The team opened the season with 36 points against the 49ers, then things fell apart.

DEFENSE D

Despite losing key players to injuries, it could have been good with a better pass rush.