Content provided in partnership with

NFC south

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004

ATLANTA FALCONS

Dwayne Blakley had no NFL game experience but has stepped in as an adequate replacement for blocking TE Eric Beverly (shoulder). This role is critical because it frees TE Alge grumpier to run routes and gives QB Michael Vick a sizable target. Blakley is a good run blocker and is solid in pass protection; his lack of experience hurts.... RE Brady Smith has been unfairly labeled as decent against the run and average against the pass, but he's good at both. This is his fifth season in Atlanta and the first he hasn't played through a significant injury. His hips take a constant beating, but he doesn't compromise technique in ripping his arms as he rushes off the edge. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Coordinator Ed Donatell uses schemes that sacrifice lots of passing yards and high completion percentages to stuff the run, harass quarterbacks, create takeaways and prevent TDs. It has worked despite a rash of injuries because Donatell adjusts calls according to personnel on the field.--George Henry

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

CAROLINA PANTHERS

The loss of DT Kris Jenkins (shoulder) for the season is a huge problem. Jenkins was a tremendous force in the middle. Replacement Kindal Moorehead is undersized, and offenses will run directly at him. Jenkins also kept blockers off DEs Mike Rucker and Julius Peppers, so they will draw more double-teams. If the pass rush isn't effective, young CBs Chris Gamble and Ricky Manning will be under much pressure.... RB Joey Raids was elevated from the practice squad after DeShaun Foster (clavicle) went down. Harris isn't as fast as Foster or as powerful as Stephen Davis, but he'll get a fair amount of carries and increased time if he can hold on to the ball. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The team would like to blitz more, but it hasn't been able to because foes haven't been in enough obvious passing situations--a product of the team's inability to stop the run. The front four hasn't come close to producing the pressure it generated last year, a problem that figures to worsen without Jenkins.--Pat Yasinskas

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

After a slow start, C LeCharles Bentley is getting more comfortable each week and is becoming dominant up front. He's a big reason the Saints allowed only 10 sacks in the first six games.... DE Will Smith's greatest strength is his intensity. He has tremendous speed off the edge and plays with more power than his 6-2,275-pound size would indicate. Still, he can be overpowered and taken out of plays by larger tackles in the running game. Smith also needs to develop more pass-rushing moves. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The defense ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every category and has few playmakers in the back seven. The main point of emphasis was to improve the run defense, but the team is struggling. The coaches are asking the linemen to tie up opposing linemen and not penetrate as ninth. That leaves the linebackers and safeties to make plays in pursuit. So far, they haven't. The addition of CB Mike McKenzie and return of OLB Sedrick Hodge should help.--Jeff Duncan

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The addition of Marie Edwards to the nickel package has allowed RCB Rondo Barber to move into the slot. From that spot, Barber is effective at stopping running plays and forcing bad passes with blitzes. He doesn't get a lot of interceptions because he's not in coverage on many obvious passing downs, but he is a playmaker. ... NT Damian Gregory has been a pleasant surprise. He is playing about a quarter of the snaps and might be a better run stopper than starter Chartric Darby. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The team is struggling to stop the run, primarily because it lacks elite run stuffers on all three levels. DT Anthony McFarland is the only starting lineman who is strong against the run, but he struggles against plays directed right at him, and the middle of the line is where opponents are attacking. The linebackers are fast but lack the size and strength to make one-on-one stops, so the team must do a better job of gang tackling.--Roy Cummings

NFC south

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Business

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports