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NFC South

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

ATLANTA FALCONS

Coordinator Greg Knapp's decision to give QB Michael Vick more freedom led to a big win at Denver. Vick needs to open games with short-range passes, and Knapp has wisely integrated those calls into recent game plans. The team used Vick more on the edge against Denver. He is harder to defend outside the pocket because teams don't know week came at a perfect time for several injured defensive starters, including DT Rod Coleman, who suffered torn knee cartilage in an October 16 car accident. Coleman's recovery is critical to the team's success the rest of the season. PROJECTION: The team is headed back to the playoffs for the second time in three years, mostly because of Vick--it's 9-3 since he returned from last year's broken ankle. The backbone of the defense remains coordinator Ed Donatell's strategy of living with high completion percentages in order to stuff the run. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: B-. Defense: B. Special teams: A. Coaching: A-. Overall: B+.--George Henry

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CAROLINA PANTHERS

KEY ISSUES: The team doesn't have anything close to a consistent running game. Without RBs Stephen Davis (knee) and DeShaun Foster (collarbone), QB Jake Delhomme is being asked to do too much. He has been put in a situation where he has to make big plays, and he's struggling. His decision-making has been poor, and the offensive line isn't giving him much protection. The run defense has been a major disappointment because the front seven entered the season considered one of the best in the league. The loss of DT Kris Jenkins (shoulder) was a major blow, and RE Mike Rucker and LE Julius Peppers must do a better job of holding their ground at the line of scrimmage. PROJECTION: The team has no shot of making the playoffs, so it must focus on getting ready for next year. It will look at some young players, and that will factor into its personnel decisions in the offseason. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: F. Defense: D. Special team: D+. Coaching: D. Overall: F.--Pat Yasinskas

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

KEY ISSUES: The defense must improve if the Saints hope to contend. The inability to stop the run has had a domino effect. It sets up the play-action passing game, where the Saints have been vulnerable to big plays, and keeps the defense off-balance. If the Saints slow down opposing running attacks, they should be able to control passing games. That's because CBs Mike McKenzie and Fakhir Drown are solid and the pass rush, led by LE Charles Grant, has been consistent. The offense has enough weapons to score in the mid-to-upper 20s each week if RB Deuce McAllister returns to his pre-injury form down the stretch, and the special teams are strong. PROJECTION: The Saints have enough ability to climb back into the playoff hunt. They're the most talented team in the NFC South, and five of their final six games are against division rivals. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: C. C. Defense: F. Special teams: B. Coaching: C. Overall: D.--Jeff Duncan

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

KEY ISSUES: The team will focus on fundamentals in an effort to improve its porous run defense. The linemen have been especially sloppy at plugging gaps and holding their ground. The team lacks size up front, so it's imperative the linemen use proper technique. The running game is starting to come around, but reserve RBs Jamel White and Earnest Graham must play at the top of their games to sustain the improvement. White (5-9, 222) needs to step up the most. He's not big enough or durable enough to be a feature back, but he has big-play ability and has yet to use it. PROJECTION: Despite the slow start, the Bucs could make a run at a playoff berth, though they likely will fall short. The schedule is favorable, with many opponents the defense is capable of shutting down. The key is the offense. QB Brian Griese has given that unit a spark, and it should only get better when WR Joey Galloway and FB Mike Alstott return. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: C-. Defense: B. Special teams: C. Coaching: D. Overall: D.--Roy Cummings

NFC South

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

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