Vikings Territory: The Wobby Series: NFC South Preview

Press release from Vikings Territory:

Mike Wobschall Mike Wobschall

2021-09-06

It’s easy to quickly land on Tampa Bay as the projected winner of this division based mostly on the memory of them winning the Super Bowl last season. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it’s wrong. The Bucs brought the band back together, and it’s a damn good band. 

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Additionally, let’s leave some room for an offensive boost at the hands of Sean Payton, who surely has some interesting twists in store as it relates to the inclusion of Taysom Hill. And finally, this Saints defense is nothing to spit at. They had the fourth most takeaways last season and they also ranked fourth in total defense and fifth in scoring defense. So, actually, they’re more than just not something to spit at. They’re damn good. 

The Bucs roster from last season is back, with some minor tweaks such as the addition of Giovanni Bernard as a change of pace / pass-catching option. Whenever a team brings the same roster back from the previous season, the question becomes: Does the maturation and addition of young talent outweigh any decline in ability from veteran producers? From this standpoint, the discussion centers on QB Tom Brady, WR Antonio Brown, TE Rob Gronkowski, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, and DT Ndamukong Suh. What is the level of decline based on age? Then take a peek at guys like CBs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Antoine Winfield, Jr., LB Devin White, and RT Tristen Wirfs, among others. What is the level of ascension/maturation for them? To me, the ascension of young talent outweighs any decline we may see from the veterans. 

Atlanta and Carolina will be hard-pressed to keep pace with Tampa Bay and New Orleans in 2021. There’s a lot to like about what Matt Rhule is doing early in his tenure with the Panthers, but the jury is definitely still out on Sam Darnold, whom they just acquired this offseason. Atlanta has a new head coach – Arthur Smith – and front office and there’s a reason for optimism there, but they are a year away from being a significant factor when compared to rivals New Orleans and Tampa Bay.  

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory .The views expressed here are the author’s own.