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The Honolulu Advertiser
NFC South Outlook | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Sunday, August 24, 2003

NFC South Outlook

Atlanta Falcons
  • Sept. 7 at Dallas, 10:15 a.m. HST
  • Sept. 14 Washington, 7 a.m.
  • Sept. 21 Tampa Bay, 7 a.m.
  • Sept. 28 at Carolina, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 5 Minnesota, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 13 at St. Louis, 3 p.m.
  • Oct. 19 New Orleans, 7 a.m.
  • Nov. 2 Philadelphia, 11:15 a.m.
  • Nov. 9 at New York Giants, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 16 at New Orleans, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 23 Tennessee, 11:15 a.m.
  • Nov. 30 at Houston, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 7 Carolina, 3:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 14 at Indianapolis, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 20 at Tampa Bay, 8:30 a.m.
  • Dec. 28 Jacksonville, 8 a.m.

Carolina Panthers

  • Sept. 7 Jacksonville, 7 a.m. HST
  • Sept. 14 at Tampa Bay, 10:05 a.m.
  • Sept. 28 Atlanta, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 5 New Orleans, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 12 at Indianapolis, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 19 Tennessee, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 26 at New Orleans, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 2 at Houston, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 9 Tampa Bay, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 16 Washington, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 23 at Dallas, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 30 Philadelphia, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 7 at Atlanta, 3:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 14 at Arizona, 11:15 a.m.
  • Dec. 21 Detroit, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 28 at N.Y. Giants, 11:05 a.m.

New Orleans Saints

  • Sept. 7 at Seattle, 10:15 a.m. HST
  • Sept. 14 Houston, 7 a.m.
  • Sept. 21 at Tennessee, 7 a.m.
  • Sept. 28 Indianapolis, 3:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 5 at Carolina, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 12 Chicago, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 19 at Atlanta, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 26 Carolina, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 2 at Tampa Bay, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 16 Atlanta, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 23 at Philadelphia, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 30 at Washington, 11:05 a.m.
  • Dec. 7 Tampa Bay, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 14 New York Giants, 3:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 21 at Jacksonville, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 28 Dallas, 8 a.m.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Sept. 8 at Philadelphia, 3 p.m. HST
  • Sept. 14 Carolina, 10:05 a.m.
  • Sept. 21 at Atlanta, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 6 Indianapolis, 3 p.m.
  • Oct. 12 at Washington, 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 19 at San Francisco, 10:15 a.m.
  • Oct. 26 Dallas, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 2 New Orleans, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 9 at Carolina, 8 a.m.
  • Nov. 16 Green Bay, 11:15 a.m.
  • Nov. 24 New York Giants, 4 p.m.
  • Nov. 30 at Jacksonville, 3:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 7 at New Orleans, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 14 Houston, 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 20 Atlanta, 8:30 a.m.
  • Dec. 28 at Tennessee, 8 a.m.

Outlook

BUCCANEERS

  • LAST YEAR: Won Super Bowl in first season under Jon Gruden, above, after steadily improving from NFL's worst franchise to contender under GM Rich McKay and coach Tony Dungy.
  • STRENGTHS: NFL's stingiest defense; Gruden's offensive mind.
  • WEAKNESSES: OL, RB
  • Top additions: OL Jason Whittle, C John Wade, LB Dwayne Rudd, QB Jim Miller, WR Jacquez Green, WR Charles Lee, RB Terry Kirby, RB Thomas Jones.
  • Rookies to watch: DE Dewayne White.
  • Key losses: QB Rob Johnson, C Jeff Christy, S Dexter Jackson, LB Al Singleton, TE Marco Battaglia, WR Marquise Walker.
  • Goals: Finding out if ex-Bear Miller is healthy enough to back up Brad Johnson. Replacing RB Michael Pittman if legal problems sideline him.

FALCONS

  • LAST SEASON: Squeaked into playoffs despite losing three of last four, then became the first visitor to win postseason game at Green Bay.
  • STRENGTHS: QB Michael Vick, when he returns from broken right fibula (out for at least four regular-season games). He set three NFL rushing records for a QB last season. Secondary should be stronger with additions of CB Tyrone Williams and SS Cory Hall.
  • WEAKNESSES: The backfield, where coach Dan Reeves must find a way to split time between RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett. Also must find a replacement for FB Bob Christian, who retired.
  • Top additions: WR Peerless Price, CB Tyrone Williams, S Cory Hall, WR MarTay Jenkins, CB Tod McBride, LB Keith Newman, G Kevin Dogins.
  • Rookie to watch: S Bryan Scott.
  • Key losses: CB Ashley Ambrose, WR Shawn Jefferson, DT Shane Dronett, LB Mark Simoneau, TE Reggie Kelly, FB Bob Christian, OT Michael Thompson, CB Fred Weary.
  • goals: Staying competitive while waiting for Vick's return.

SAINTS

  • LAST YEAR: After 6-1 start, stumbled late for second straight year. Coach Jim Haslett blames heat of training camp and hopes training in new indoor facility will keep team fresh longer.
  • STRENGTHS: QB Aaron Brooks is expected to be ready after offseason shoulder surgery. Offense should be strong.
  • WEAKNESSES: Seven new starters on defense must come together quickly.
  • Top additions: CB Ashley Ambrose, LT Wayne Gandy, LB Orlando Ruff, P Mitch Berger, QB Todd Bouman, TE Ernie Conwell, S Tebucky Jones, TE Walter Rasby, LB Derrick Rodgers.
  • Rookies to watch: DT Johnathan Sullivan, OT Jon Stinchcomb, LB Cie Grant.
  • Key losses: OT Kyle Turley, LB Charlie Clemons, TE Lamont Hall, DT Norman Hand, S Sammy Knight, QB Jake Delhomme, P Toby Gowin, CB Ken Irvin.
  • Goals: Haslett needs to figure out a way to prevent December-January collapses. Five newcomers could start.

PANTHERS

  • LAST YEAR: Under new coach John Fox, the defense improved to No. 2 overall in the NFL. Struggled on offense.
  • STRENGTHS: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Julius Peppers anchors one of the best DLs in league with Brentson Buckner and Mike Rucker.
  • WEAKNESSES: Aging Rodney Peete heads into training camp as the starting QB.
  • Top additions: QB Jake Delhomme, WR Ricky Proehl, RB Stephen Davis, G Doug Brzezinski, WR Kevin Dyson, LB Greg Favors, DE Kavika Pittman.
  • Rookies to watch: OT Jordan Gross, C Bruce Nelson.
  • Key losses: TE Wesley Walls, DT Sean Gilbert, LB Hannibal Navies, G Jamar Nesbit.
  • Goals: Untested newcomer Delhomme will get a chance to start ahead of aging Peete. Achilles injury to Dyson hurts. Davis comes to team that appreciates his talent.

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