Published: July 31, 2009 03:29 pm         

NFC South: Key players to watch

Here's a quick look at the NFC's South Division and some players who need to step up big for their teams.



Atlanta Falcons

With the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez the Falcon offense looks very solid. However one key position is yet to be solidified.

Can Sam Baker play left tackle?

Baker was a first round pick out of USC last year and started several games before injuries landed him on the sidelines. He showed flashes of ability, but also suffered some bad moments. That's not unusual for a rookie lineman, but it has to leave Falcon fans uneasy. No one wants to see defensive ends teeing off on quarterback Matt Ryan's blindside.

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The Falcons know they have to sort out one of their cornerback spots. Going into camp it looks like third-year-man Brent Grimes has a slight advantage over Chevis Jackson, Von Hutchins and rookie Chris Owens.

But how solid are they on the other side of the field.

Third year pro Chris Houston is the starter there, but has yet to become the “shut down” corner the Falcons hoped for when they drafted him in the second round. Houston’s emergence as a top flight defender needs to happen this season if the Birds are going to upgrade their defense into a Super Bowl quality group. They simply can't afford to have two weak spots at corner, particularly while trying to break in at least one new starter at safety.



New Orleans

Reggie Bush was the second player taken in his draft class and has contributed some dazzling moments to the Saints end-of-the-season highlight reel. What he has not done though is take a major role in the team's ground game. No one expects Bush to log 300 carries this season, but for the team's offense to be more effective in the post-Deuce McAllister era, he needs to make a greater impact on first and second down, not just as a third down receiver.

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The normal learning curve and a mid-season injury took the steam out of defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis's rookie year. The New Orleans defense does not have a lot of standout athletic talents and last year the defensive line was often mediocre. Ellis is talented and if he can provide a strong inside presence , it could help boost the play of the team's high priced defensive ends, Will Smith and Charles Grant.

A good pass rush will make the secondary look better and it needs the help.



Tampa Bay Bucs

Tampa Bay seems willing to get rookie quarterback Josh Freeman in the lineup early. That could hasten the learning process for Freeman, but will it please Bucs' fans?

On the plus side, the offense is built pretty well for a young signal caller. Tampa has done a good job of rebuilding its offensive line and that group is capable of knocking defenses off the ball for running backs Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham. New tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. should be a valuable target to an inexperienced signal caller.

Still, starting is a lot to ask of any young quarterback. Freeman may face some tough days this season.

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Ronde Barber is 34 and slowing down. How much does he have left? It's an important question for the Bucs, who will be breaking in a new starter (Aquib Talib) at the other corner and whose pass rush doesn't do a lot to help the secondary.

In the offseason Tampa Bay invested most of its resources in offensive players. That means a team's mix of veterans, draft picks and a few bargain free agents (linebacker Angelo Crowell) will face a major challenge.

No one has a bigger question mark by his name, or a better pedigree, than Barber.



Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are a real ground and pound offense. Even if they wanted to open things up more they would be limited by their personnel.

The offense sports two good running backs, one great wide receiver and a quarterback who needs to do better than a 15-12 TD to interception ratio.

The Panthers can count on star wideout Steve Smith, but does 14-year veteran Mushin Muhammad have enough left to give QB Jake Delhomme a second good target. He better, because the cast of backups at WR, including Ryne Robinson, Dewayne Jarrett and Kenny Moore, isn’t very promising.

Tight end is also a thin spot for Carolina. None of the contenders there are much of a receiving threat.

Muhammad, who was effective last season, needs to give the Panthers one more good season. Can he hold off Father Time for 16 games?

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The Panthers have a solid secondary, You could do a lot worse than Chris Harris, Chris Gamble, Richard Marshall and Charles Godfrey. But they also need a good nickel back, as well as someone who can step in and start if necessary.

Carolina drafted Sherrod Martin to be that someone. As with Godfrey last year, it's unclear whether Martin will eventually start at corner or safety, but it's clear that for now the Panthers hope he can help at both spots.



Jimmy Espy is a self-proclaimed football savant.

     

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