2009 NFC South Draft Review

Atlanta Falcons




The Falcon defense was the focal point of the draft with seven of
the eight picks selected to add a few starters and upgrade the
depth in the secondary. General Manager Tom Dimitroff and Head
Coach Mike Smith accomplished many things and overcame
adversity like many teams have never seen. Now the pair can do
what no GM and coach combination have done in Atlanta history
– produce back-to-back winning seasons and earn a place in the
playoffs two years in a row. Tony Gonzalez will be a major player
in accomplishing those goals. Linebackers Mike Peterson and
Spencer Adkins fit into the 4-3 scheme. Three defensive backs
headed by William Moore were another priority that was filled in
the second, third, and fifth rounds. The Falcons’ top choice,
Peria Jerry, is disruptive in his play and was a major need to
upgrade the defensive front as was lesser known Vance Walker.
Peria Jerry is a one gap explosive player that is intense and
plays with good leverage. He upgrades Grady Jackson who is
now in Detroit. He controls the line of scrimmage with good hand
use and lateral quickness. William Moore was drafted to replace
Lawyer Milloy who was not re-signed. He has all the skills and
range to be successful on Sunday. Moore is big, fast, and athletic
and can play the run in the box or play deep coverage. Chris
Owens will compete for the right cornerback position. A physical
player, he has good athletic ability. Despite his size he is a good
tackler in run support. He may start out as a nickel corner and
make his mark on special teams’ coverage. Lawrence Sidbury
has a chance to get on the field early in his career because of the
underachieving pass rush ability of Jamaal Anderson. He has
excellent first step quickness and some interesting tools, but is
raw in his overall game. Corner William Middleton is a sleeper
selection that was not invited to the Combine, but showed up
strong in pre-draft workouts. He is athletic with good straight
line speed (4.46/40). He’s a developmental prospect with kickoff
return ability. Garrett Reynolds is an angular developmental
tackle that is long and loses functional playing strength when he
plays high. He needs to add bulk and strength to have a future in
the league. Spencer Adkins is a developmental workout warrior
that started five games at Miami. He has questionable instincts
and struggles to shed blockers. He is likely a practice squad
candidate. Vance Walker adds depth to the defensive line. A
sleeper pick, he has good upper and lower body strength. He
should work into the front rotation with his functional strength
and the ability to fight double teams. GRADE: AVERAGE.


FREE AGENCY: The biggest off-season acquisition for the
Falcons was the trade of a 2010 second round pick for All-Pro
tight end Tony Gonzalez. Mike Peterson played for Mike Smith at
Jacksonville and will start at strongside linebacker. Brett Romberg
will back up Todd McClure at center.





Carolina Panthers




The Carolina Panthers are talented and have the fire power to
make another Super Bowl run. However, they are in a very
competitive division with New Orleans and Atlanta. Tampa Bay
appears to be in a rebuilding mode. Long time Indianapolis
defensive coordinator, Ron Meeks, will tweak the defense. The
running game will remain strong with Jordan Gross up front and
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart hammering the ball
between the tackles. Steve Smith remains as a premier feature
receiver and Jake Delhomme’s first passing option. The Panthers
addressed its two top draft priorities in the defensive line by
drafting pass rusher Everette Brown and tabbing defensive tackle
Corvey Irvin. Secondary help was also added with utility corner/
safety Sherrod Martin. Everette Brown was drafted in the second
round, but Carolina gave up a 2010 first round pick to select him.
He slipped to the second round because of his fringe height, not
because of his ability. Some ball clubs were unsure if he was an
outside 3-4 linebacker or a four-man front end. It was undeniable
that he was blessed with excellent initial quickness and an
outstanding first step. The Panthers knew that his athletic ability,
productivity, and burst were too good to ignore, especially with
an uncertain Peppers’ situation. Sherrod Martin is a versatile
and athletic defensive back that can play press corner or safety.
He’s active and physical in run support and on special teams.
Corvey Irvin adds depth to the defensive line. He is strong enough
to get inside pressure. A knee bender that can push the pocket,
Irvin is a physical player with long arms. Mike Goodson is a
complementary back that can change up from the power running
of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. He is elusive with
good hands and flashes a burst to turn the corner. If he stays
healthy and competitive, his natural speed and talent will get him
on the field. Fullback Tony Fiammetta will be battling veteran
Brad Hoover for playing time. He is very similar to Hoover as a
hard-nosed lead blocker that has reliable and consistent hands
to catch the ball as needed. He will contribute on special teams.
Duke Robinson was a steal in the fifth round if he works and
plays to his ability. He is a good fit for the power running attack
with his long arms and big hands to engulf and maul a defender.
He has the talent to start as a rookie if he stays focused and will
compete. Captain Munnerlyn is a fringe athlete that has some
hip stiffness in his turns. A tough and aggressive corner, he will
add depth and contribute on special teams as a returner and
coverage player. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.


FREE AGENCY: The Panthers put the franchise tag on Julius
Peppers, but Peppers has not signed the tender at press time.
Jordan Gross did get his deal done with $54 million over six years.
He is Carolina’s best offensive lineman and the leader up front.
The losses were depth on both sides of the ball that were filled
with draft choices.



New Orleans Saints




The New Orleans Saints filled two holes in the secondary with
draft selections Malcolm Jenkins and Chip Vaughn. Fourth round
pick, Stanley Arnoux’s pro career was put on hold after an injury
in rookie mini camp. Sean Payton set the bar unrealistically high
for the Saints’ faithful by making a run to the NFL Championship
in his rookie season as a head coach in 2006. The natives are
restless after two consecutive disappointing seasons and ache
to be a part of the Super Bowl experience. Payton’s offense is led
by Drew Brees, one of the leagues’ most competitive and
productive players. The running attack needs to be elevated to
more than an after thought. The defense has taken a big hit the
past two years and now aggressive minded Gregg Williams gets
his chance to stop the bleeding and help New Orleans win the
NFC South Division. Malcolm Jenkins was the best combination
corner/safety in the draft and he played right into the Saints’
wheelhouse. The big athletic corner will get a shot to start at
corner, mainly to match up with the big wide receivers in the
division. Tracy Porter played well before he was injured and lost
for the season. Jabari Greer played solid for Buffalo and will
compete with Jenkins. Chip Vaughn is another rookie defensive
back that will have the opportunity to compete for a starting
position at safety. He is big, athletic, can run, and is physical in
the run game. A tough and aggressive impact hitter, he is
disciplined in his play which will endear him to Williams, the
Saints’ defensive coordinator. Stanley Arnoux ran into some hard
luck in his first rookie mini camp practice by rupturing his left
Achilles tendon. He is expected to miss the 2009 season. Arnoux
had the athletic skills to play in the middle or on the weak side in
the Saints’ 4-3 scheme. A three down linebacker, he is instinctive
and aware in both the running game and in coverage. A playmaker,
he has quick feet and good lateral quickness. Thomas Morstead
will compete with Glenn Pakulak for the Saints’ punting job. He
has good leg strength, averaging over 44 yards as a junior. He
will also contribute as the backup place-kicker. Morstead was
coached at SMU by former NFL special teams’ coach Frank Gansz.
GRADE: AVERAGE.


FREE AGENCY: Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma signed a fiveyear
$34-million dollar deal with seventeen million guaranteed.
Vilma is a smart three down linebacker that is key to Williams’s
defensive scheme. Darren Sharper was signed to give a veteran
presence and groom young ascending safeties. Heath Evans will
start at fullback. The remainder of free agency signings were
veterans to add depth; Dan Campbell (TE), Rod Coleman (DT),
Darnell Dinkins (TE), Jabari Greer (DC), Nick Leckey (OC), Paul
Spicer (DE), and Anthony Waters (OB).



Tampa Bay Buccaneers




Tampa Bay is in a head coaching, offensive and defensive scheme
transition. There will be some growing pains for Raheem Morris,
the Bucs’ new head coach. Compounding the numerous
organization changes, Tampa Bay plays in the tough NFC South
where the teams always compete like dogs in a meat house. There
was not much money spent in free agency, but Derrick Ward is a
solid NFL running back. Josh Freeman, the first pick for the new
regime, maybe the face of the franchise if he lives up to his midfirst
round selection. He was a reach as the 17th pick in the draft
mainly because of his decision making and his accuracy combined
with anticipation. Fundamentally, his footwork needs more balance
with crossover and rhythm steps. Also his playing instincts are
questionable. He has undeniable tools to play on Sunday, but is
years away in a complex offense. Roy Miller is a high effort, blue
collar athlete that works to finish plays. He will have a chance to
work into a front rotation with aging Ryan Sims and Chris Hovan.
Miller is intense and competitive. A good technique player, he is
always around the ball. Kyle Moore can play end, but is light in
the britches to play and anchor at defensive tackle. He has an
angular build with long arms and big hands and needs more
upper and lower body strength. A developmental project, he has
decent measurables. Xavier Fulton is the sleeper of the Bucs’
draft if he can overcome past shoulder problems. He possesses
outstanding athletic ability with long arms and big hands. He
has experience at both right and left tackle. He has left tackle foot
quickness. Fulton shows good use of hands to punch and control
defenders. He should eventually be the swing tackle. E.J. Biggers
is a speedy corner that runs in the 4.40 forty range. Competitive
and focused, he has good leaping ability when matched up
against big receivers. He has good upper body strength, putting
225 pounds up nineteen times. He will compete for a nickel corner
position and special teams coverage spot. Sammie Stroughter
is an undersized receiver with fringe speed. Quicker than fast, he
has been productive over his career. He has average athletic
ability, but plays better than he tests. Durability will always be a
question mark as he was injured most of his career. GRADE:
BELOW AVERAGE.


FREE AGENCY: The Bucs were not major players in the veteran
signing wars, but they feel Derrick Ward will team with Earnest
Graham and often injured Carnell Williams to help establish a ball
control running game. Ward signed a four year contract worth
$17 million dollars. Six million is guaranteed. Antonio Bryant
established himself as a number one receiver and received the
franchise tag for one year at $9.884 million dollars. Linebacker
Angelo Crowell, quarterback Byron Leftwich, and kicker Mike
Nugent will all compete for starting jobs. Major losses were aging
veterans Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, and Joey Galloway.