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Discussion in 'Carolina Panthers' started by PantherPaul, Sep 1, 2009.

  1. Sep 1, 2009 at 9:12 AM #1
    PantherPaul

    PantherPaul Nap Enthusiasts

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    Still predicts the Panthers to win the South in upcoming issue:
    Projected order of finish



    1. Carolina Panthers (9-7)

    The running game (152.3 yards per) is still dangerous and even if history says Jake Delhomme will follow up his January disaster with a poor 2009, Julius Peppers' return should help the D (20.6 points allowed per game in 2008, good for No. 12 in the NFL) stay strong enough for another South title.



    2. New Orleans Saints (8-8)

    Drew Brees and the high-flying passing game are back. So is the porous defense (221.7 passing yards allowed per game). New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams brings a more aggressive blitzing style, but he can't suddenly turn the Saints' corners into Champ Bailey and Nnamdi Asomugha.

    3. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)

    On average, teams that improve by seven or more wins in one season decline by four wins the next. Then again, there's no precedent for a team trading for the greatest tight end ever (Tony Gonzalez) -- and the last rookie QB as good as Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger, won a Super Bowl as a sophomore.



    4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

    Most fans expect a crash. But the additions of playmaker Kellen Winslow and slasher Derrick Ward behind a new zone-rushing attack should improve the 19th-ranked offense, compensating for a patchwork defense that lacks heft inside and is full of holes in the secondary.
     
  2. Sep 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM #2
    Foxman

    Foxman Don't read th

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    I don't see Atlanta taking that big of a step back. Ryan may suffer some sophomore slump effects, but having a stud like Gonzales should make up for whatever deficiencies the Falcons had in their receiving corps.

    Personaly, without the benefit of looking at everyone's schedules, I think it goes like this:

    Falcons
    Saints/Panthers
    Bucks
     
  3. Sep 1, 2009 at 11:30 AM #3
    presidence99

    presidence99 This MARRIAGE?

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    The Falcons have other factors going against them they had very few injuries last year (that luck can't last) and ran turner to the point he could easily break down, their pass rush still revolves around one guy which as we learned with peppers can be pretty risky.
     
  4. Sep 1, 2009 at 12:25 PM #4
    chipshot

    chipshot Full Access Member

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    Looking around the NFC, I honestly see the Panthers as one of the bottom 5 or 6 teams this season. Alot of teams should improve. I hope I'm wrong.
     
  5. Sep 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM #5
    hasbeen99

    hasbeen99 Fighting the stereotype

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    Agreesome. We're a solid 3rd place.
     
  6. Sep 2, 2009 at 10:10 PM #6
    Laceration

    Laceration Full Access Member

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    Gloom, despair, and agony on me, whoa.
     

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