My Steve Smith NFL Blog

The Carolina Panthers haven't started out their 09' season as well as they hoped for undoubtedly. Nothing has gone according to plan, Jake Delhomme isn't productive, the wide receivers haven't impressed much, the defense isn't what it was before, the whole team is in the dumps. As strong as the NFC South is now with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, they better start making things happen before they are looking at a 6-10 season.

The Panthers second half of the season schedule is brutal - at New England Patriots, at New York Giants, at New York Jets, and at New Orleans Saints. While the Carolina Panthers weren't the over whelming favorites to win the NFC South, no one expected them to play this badly and unorganized. When teams start out this dreadful, they will struggle the rest of the season to catch up to the leaders in the division.

Can the Panthers turn their season around? Yes they can because they do have the talent to do so. The Panthers need to create more turnovers on defense and give Jake Delhomme more chances to use WR Steve Smith, as of now, Steve Smith isn't even on the radar as one of the best wide receivers in the league. It was just a couple years ago when Steve Smith was a MVP candidate.

If the Panthers expect to compete in the division they must improve on defense or otherwise quarterbacks Drew Brees and Matt Ryan will destroy the Panthers defense.

The Panthers either have had great seasons or terrible seasons - looking back over the course of their history since 1995. Panthers fans hope the 09' season won't be disaster but a season of redemption. Jake Delhomme can not keep throwing interceptions and putting his team in a hole if they hope to win football games.

Talk more about this situation at the Carolina Panthers forum and play some fantasy football at RootZoo.

As training camp has emerged creating a vast set of emotions of both hope for rookies and redundant routines for veterans, it is never to early to began the rampant speculations surrounding the issue of how the teams will look in the standings come season end. Through my knowledge of the sport and teams, as well as careful analysis of recent off-season acquisitions and losses, I have come up with a forecast of how I expect each team to finish in its respective division. Continuing with the presence of challenging divisions as seen by the NFC East, the NFC South also provides a dilemma in terms of deciding the rankings.

When looking at the Carolina Panthers, the first idea that springs to me is the incredible year Jake Delhomme is going to have. I have always been a firm supporter of him and look for an incredible season stats wise which will put Delhomme in contention for the MVP title. With the addition of Keyshawn Johnson, who I deem as underrated, and possibly the best receiver in the game in Steve Smith, Delhomme is going to have all the necessary weapons to have a breakout season and surprise many doubters. However, while Delhomme will prove his elite status in terms of quarterbacks, I do have some doubts about the rest of the team. With a hard schedule facing the Panthers in the midst of the NFC South as well as no real running back, there are some questions whether the Panthers can continue to have another playoff season. Due to the lack of a serious running back, a lot of Delhomme's success will come through such an attribute but will also seriously wear him down during the duration of the season causing the Panthers to lose a few games. Nevertheless, I still expect a strong season from this team making a serious run at a wildcard spot.

Like I predicted the Washington Redskins to fall in my NFC East predictions article, I expect a similar type of season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While his father may tend to disagree with me, I am not a strong supporter of Chris Simms regardless of the few aberrations he may of have last season. I do like Carnell Williams but also expect him to go through a sophomore slump during the duration of the season unable to perform any miracles. Tampa's wide receivers are also mediocre as I believe Joey Galloway, who is injury prone to begin with, had a breakout season and will not match his production of last year. While the team has a decent defense, I cannot see it carrying the Buccaneers to a succession of victories with such a sub par offense. With a hard schedule also in hand, John Gruden may be facing unemployment at season's end when Tampa Bay is far out of the playoffs.

The team that may surprise football fans the most this season is the New Orleans Saints. Decimated last year due to Hurricane Katrina, the Saints, like the Eagles, will ride this season on the basis of emotions. While the team may not have the necessary tools to make it to the playoffs, the Saints will definitely be in the hunt all the way up to seasons end. With the addition of Reggie Bush and Drew Brees, two powerhouses, an already potent offense will get even stronger added to the likes of Mcallister, Horn, and Stallworth. I also like the change in coaching as it was time for Jim Haslet to leave beginning a new era for this club. While the defense is still mediocre at best, again this season is going to rely on the chemistry and emotions shared between players and fans; this will be a season that all of New Orleans will be proud about.

Like the Eagles, Rams, or Packers of last season, the Atlanta Falcons seemed to have faded by missing the playoffs with a team similar to the one that went to the NFC Championship game a year prior. While it can be argued that the team had a tough schedule, it seemed that there were a lot of intangibles that yielded such a disappointing season. With Michael Vick having problems with his offensive nature and even to have claimed to be not playing to the best of his abilities one game, such a situation can be argued to be grim news for Falcons. However, as Vick has come out and said he is going to improve this team next season, I firmly believe such a sentiment with increase the moral of his team and will look for a great season for the Falcons. I am a believer in Jim Mora, and with key additions such as John Abraham to an already bolstered defense, the Falcons should recoup like the Eagles, Packers, and Rams and make the playoffs.

Final NFC South Season Standings (*demonstrates making the playoffs):

1.*Atlanta: 11-5

2. Carolina: 10-6

3. New Orleans: 8-8

4. Tampa Bay: 4-12

Dennis Biray presents advice on all kinds of topics ranging from finance and investing to fitness to sports. For more information email him at dbiray@gmail.com, or to view other articles written by him visit http://www.biraynetworks.co.nr/.