NFL Team Reports: NFC South

SportingNews Nov 24, 12:16 pm EST

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Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News’ 32 NFL correspondents. Check back each day for the latest news on your team.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints brought back veteran Mike McKenzie(notes) to help address their injury onslaught at cornerback. McKenzie, released by the team in March, is coming back from his second major knee injury in two years. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready to play Monday night against New England.

Last week, the Saints signed another veteran cornerback coming off of a knee injury—former Raven Chris McAlister(notes)—and they kept him inactive Sunday because they didn’t think he was in game shape. The Saints are extremely thin at cornerback, which is terrible timing with Tom Brady(notes), Randy Moss(notes) and Wes Welker(notes) coming to town. The only corner they know for sure will be in the lineup is rookie Malcolm Jenkins(notes), who made his first career start last Sunday.

Starter Jabari Greer(notes) (groin) is questionable, starter Tracy Porter(notes) won’t be back from a sprained MCL, and nickel back Randall Gay(notes) (hamstring) is questionable. Former No. 4 CB Leigh Torrence(notes) was placed on I.R. Monday with a shoulder injury. The team would love to get Greer back for this showdown. When he was with Buffalo, he had a history of playing well against Moss.
— Mike Triplett

Atlanta Falcons

As the team’s cornerbacks continue to struggle, it’s about time for rookie Christopher Owens(notes) to get some snaps. Eli Manning(notes) abused the top three cornerbacks while throwing for a career-high 384 yards Sunday. CBs Brent Grimes(notes), Chris Houston(notes) and Chevis Jackson(notes) were all victimized for big plays.

Manning hit a 29-yard play in overtime against Grimes that set up the game-winning field goal. He also threw completed throws against Houston on a 51-yard play and Jackson on a 33-yard play.

Owens, a third-round pick, has not played from scrimmage since the preseason. He is a physical corner who runs extremely well. He has had to adjust to how the Falcons’ footwork techniques. Owens is not afraid to hit, but he will need to show more instincts than his veteran teammates have so far this season. If he can make a play on the ball, he might not ever come off the field.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter

Carolina Panthers

FS Charles Godfrey(notes), who has missed four games with a high ankle sprain, said he’s close to returning. While Godfrey has been out, rookie Sherrod Martin(notes) has staked a serious claim to the job and may not give it back. Martin has three interceptions in four weeks, which is two more than Godfrey’s output in 22 career starts.

Godfrey was drafted as a conversion project, a college corner who was projected to cover a lot of ground as a safety. The team planned to move Martin, a college safety, to cornerback, but he was beaten out for the third corner job by seventh-round pick Captain Munnerlyn(notes). The team could consider moving Godfrey to the nickel corner role. He would take away some of the mismatch issues that occur with Munnerlyn (5-8, 186), but Godfrey is not as sure a tackler.

The Panthers will have to shuffle the linebacker lineup again. WLB Landon Johnson(notes) (MCL sprain) isn’t expected to play Sunday and likely will be replaced by James Anderson(notes). SLB Na’il Diggs(notes) (ribs) also might be out, which would put Dan Connor(notes) in the lineup.
— Darin Gantt

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

FB Chris Pressley(notes) will be a player to watch over the final weeks. Pressley (5-11, 260) is a very strong blocker who could allow RB Earnest Graham(notes) to return to what he does best, which is run the ball.

Pressley is still new to the Bucs’ scheme, so it may be the end of the year before he’s comfortable in every package, but he’s precisely the kind of player the Bucs need at fullback now that they’ve gone to a power attack.

The Bucs had visions of rotating Graham, Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward(notes) at running back, but those plans had to be changed when FB B.J. Askew(notes) went down. Pressley has the physical makeup the team is looking for, but he has to be better in blitz pickup than Graham. If he can do that he could earn himself regular snaps and the Bucs could start to make a go of it with their running game.
— Roy Cummings


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93 Comments

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  1. jessica
    93. Posted by jessica Wed Nov 25 4:13pm EST

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    the saints have had thousands and thousands of fans since the beginning. The superdome is nothing but season ticket holders and it has been that way for years. Sure there might be some bandwagon fans but they have way more loyal fans then any other team. I mean they have only had like 8 winning seasons in their entire exsistence and the fans will never quite loving them...who dat!!!
  2. fred h
    92. Posted by fred h Wed Nov 25 12:32pm EST

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    #89 Seth Every team has a certain number of bandwagon fans but living in Louisiana I know that there are a lot of diehard fans that have stayed loyal through the lean years which were plentiful. People don't tend to comment in columns like this unless they have something to brag about, that is why you haven't seen too many Saints fans chime in until now. This year how many fans have you seen chime in from Cleveland, Seattle, Detroit, Washington and several other teams. They don't have anything positive so they keep quit. This is human nature. This year Saints fans can afford to share comments. 369 points scored over ten games I'll take any time. 10-0 isn't hard to look at either.
  3. buddman
    91. Posted by buddman Tue Nov 24 1:55pm EST

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    Saints fans are among the most loyal and devout in the NFL. Been a fan for 30 years now and have never strayed. This type of season has been a long time coming, but finally....this is the year of the Saints. We Believe!
  4. gator
    90. Posted by gator Sun Nov 22 6:28pm EST

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    There will always be fans that pop up when a team starts winning, that can be in any state, and the SAints are NOT overrated, they are finally running on all cylinders and working together as a team. Saints all the way baby!
  5. SethF
    89. Posted by SethF Fri Nov 20 4:54pm EST

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    The saints are overrated...no way in heck there were this many saints fans before they started winning....can you say bandwagon?
  6. fred h
    88. Posted by fred h Fri Nov 20 4:51pm EST

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    I hope they don't have to use Gay too much longer. It is only a matter of time before he gets us beat the same way Jason David has. He gave up two touchdowns last Sunday and he will continue to do just that. He is the spitting image of Jason David. I'll bet nobody picked him up yet when the Saints finally cut him loose. They should ahve done that at least a year ago.
  7. <i>petebelongs</i>
    87. Posted by petebelongs Tue Nov 17 10:01am EST

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    I agree with DisC, in that we should give the additional playing time to Mal Jenkins and continue to use Gay in the nickel package. Jenkins has had an impact on special teams, has shown very good football savy and instincts. Get him the experience as a starting CB and let him show that he can play up to his draft pick potential! Playing along side Sharper, Harper and Greer will expidite his maturation.
    Courtney Roby should get some time practicing in a D back spot. His special teams play shows that he is willing to hit and his speed could help him potentially be a good cover back. Since he can't really break through the depth of our receiving core, besides being a return man, he could help our defense if injuries continue to mount.

    Geaux Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  8. DisC
    86. Posted by DisC Mon Nov 16 12:59pm EST

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    Play Jenkins if Porter is out, he has much more upside. Experience gained over the next games will
    payoff in the playoff. The guy was outstanding in college.
  9. palmetter
    85. Posted by palmetter Mon Nov 16 12:02pm EST

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    Randall Gay can handle himself against good receivers? How many big plays did he give up yeasterday? He rminds me of Jason David the last two years. He may have been good at one point but I think he is not very effective after the performance I saw Sunday. The Saints gave me a scare but pulled it out.
  10. More
    84. Posted by More Thu Nov 12 5:06pm EST

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    Saints should rest the injured players. While they shouldn't take Rams lightly, they should be o.k. resting a few of the banged up guys.
  11. Obi-Wan
    83. Posted by Obi-Wan Mon Nov 9 12:32pm EST

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    how bout dem 8-0 saints baby! the only knock against them has been the ability to protect the ball the past few weeks....other than that, you cannot argue they are not one of the, if not THE most balanced team in the league offensively and defensively.
  12. Obi-Wan
    82. Posted by Obi-Wan Mon Nov 9 12:32pm EST

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    how bout dem 8-0 saints baby! the only knock against them has been the ability to protect the ball the past few weeks....other than that, you cannot argue they are not one of the, if not THE most balanced team in the league offensively and defensively.
  13. central scrutinizer
    81. Posted by central scrutinizer Thu Nov 5 9:08am EST

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    If you don't account for Reggie Bush on every play, he will make you look foolish like he did to the Falcon's on his 1 yard TD run. He is not only a great decoy, but he will produce if a team decides not to take the bait. I also believe that he is being saved for later on in the season.

    I don't think the Panthers are going to have the second ranked pass defense after they play the Saints twice.

    I think the 13 1/2 spread this week against Carolina is a little rich considering the Panthers physical run game and the Saints injuries on the D line.

    Saints-31 Panthers-24
  14. Gerrit
    80. Posted by Gerrit Wed Nov 4 10:19am EST

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    Post 68 by:a k Should we really be worried of your 2nd ranked pass def. thats got you with a 3 & 4 record ? Every week i gotta hear a theroy bout how a team that sucks is gonna beat us because bla bla bla. So from the WHO DAT NATION i say again this week COME GETCHA SUM !
  15. Gerrit
    79. Posted by Gerrit Wed Nov 4 10:12am EST

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    Post 68 by:a k Should we really be worried of your 2nd ranked pass def. thats got you with a 3 & 4 record ? Every week i gotta hear a theroy bout how a team that sucks is gonna beat us because bla bla bla. So from the WHO DAT NATION i say again this week COME GETCHA SUM !
  16. Brian
    78. Posted by Brian Tue Nov 3 1:07pm EST

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    Saints are looking like a very complete and balanced team this year - for sure, but I wouldn't count the Panthers out of anything yet. They're getting things together (finally our OC isn't trying to pass 30+ times a game...freaking moron) and should make a late season push. Yes, the second half of the season is full of difficult teams. But that's why you actually PLAY the game on sunday - because, anyone can come out of that a winner.

    Falcons are looking good this year too - despite what happened last night on MNF. They're a hard team to beat when they're firing on all cylinders. If they had a respectable WR2 - woo, they'd be even nastier. The Bucs...*sighs* poor guys - maybe letting Josh Freeman mature this year will make next year a lot better for ya'll!
  17. RobertV
    77. Posted by RobertV Mon Nov 2 6:38pm EST

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    People picking the Bus to win 5 or 4 games just look at the schedule:

    Green Bay
    Miami
    Saints
    Atlanta
    Carolina
    Jets
    Seahawks
    Saints
    Falcons

    2 games on that schedule might be winnable: Seahawks and Carolina, but they ain't going to be favored to win either of those.

    I think 0 or 1 win for the bucs is a much more reasonable outlook.
  18. DYNAMITE
    76. Posted by DYNAMITE Mon Nov 2 6:29pm EST

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    Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-ooooooooo
    Finally!
    Man, have we got a team or what!
    Saint-ly Miami
    Who Dat
    Saints are plucking dirty birds tonight!
    Yea, buddy.............later
  19. DrTarheel
    75. Posted by DrTarheel Mon Nov 2 4:40pm EST

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    Saints 12-4
    Falcs 9-7
    Panthers 8-8
    Bucs 2-14

    The Saints are good this year; really good, but they're going to stumble a few times as the year goes on. I think the Falcons are about what they were last year, except way more injuries. It'll be tough for them to win the division, but they'll be in the mix for a wild card. The Panthers are going to really look back at those early season games with all the Jakeovers, and wonder what might have been. The Bucs might not even get those 2 wins. It depends on whether they get a team which comes in totally flat against them or not. Gruden should not have been fired. It was dumb, way dumb!

    IMHO,
    DrTarheel
  20. The Skirt
    74. Posted by The Skirt Mon Oct 26 4:29pm EDT

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    The bucs will win 3 games this year. It has been spoken.
  21. barry g
    72. Posted by barry g Mon Oct 26 12:59pm EDT

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    Basically, the Saints D stepped up to stop and shut down the Phins until the Offense was ready to pull itself together and burst loose, which it did. The Defense gave the Offense time to get itself together and even got some Offense of its own. Thats what great teams do. You know, Super Bowl Contenders, Super Bowl Winners. Whoooooooooooooo
    Datttttttttttttttttt!!!
  22. <i>petebelongs</i>
    71. Posted by petebelongs Mon Oct 26 11:59am EDT

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    Mudbug, if you are a Saints fan, how can you say that half of the defense starters are new?? The only new starters are Sharper and Greer! The only other additions to the defense would be Hargrove and Jenkins. All of the rest were there last year. Perhaps you just haven't recognized them in Williams new defensive schemes. Grant, Smith and Ellis are all revitalized under Williams, and it's great to have Porter healthy and in the line-up. I don't believe anyone misses that no cover, no tackling, free agent flop Jason David!

    Geaux Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One heck of a comeback yesterday! Let's pluck the feathers out of the Falcons next Monday!
  23. Dave B
    70. Posted by Dave B Mon Oct 26 9:12am EDT

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    NFL South is made up of a potential Super Bowl team, a competive team and two sorry teams. Carolina has QB problems and the Bucs are in total disarray. The Saints, Colts, Vikings and Denver seem to be the final four. Nine of the thirty-two are pitiful leaving nine who could beat any of the big four on a given day.
    That leaves ten teams that are mediocre. Unfortunately the Bucs only have one lousey team left (Carolina) and it is an away game. Looks like another 0-16 team in 2009.
  24. Mudbug
    69. Posted by Mudbug Tue Oct 20 5:05pm EDT

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    The Saints Defense is basically new. Half the Defensive starters are new, and they are getting better every game, why would anyone think they will get worse. Reggie, .........do you throw away things after you pay for them? He is a defensive distraction anytime he is standing on the field and the opposing defense has to adjust, it helps with any offensive play. He should stay. Cold weather and the Saints will fall apart??? Well, remember the previous post, "they always lose after a bye". If you aren't a Saints' fan then I can understand why all the "hate". If you are a Saints' fan, then you know we will be taking two trips to Miami this year.
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