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Who Will Win The NFC SOUTH For 2014 Season?


Mike75
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Who Will Win The NFC SOUTH For 2014 Season?  

2 members have voted

  1. 1. ATLANTA FALCONS Head coach: Mike Smith General manager: Thomas Dimitroff Owner: Arthur Blank Home field: Georgia Dome Record: 4–12 Division place: 3rd NFC

    • New Orleans
    • Tampa Bay
      0
    • Carolina
      0
    • Atlanta
      0


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ATLANTA FALCONS

 

Head coach: Mike Smith

General manager: Thomas Dimitroff

Owner: Arthur Blank

Home field: Georgia Dome

Record: 4–12

Division place: 3rd NFC South

Playoff finish: did not qualify

Offense Rank-PTS22.1(20th);YDS343.1(14th);PASS YDS265.2(7th);RUSH YDS77.9(32nd)

Defense Rank-PTS27.7(27th);YDS379.4(28th);PASS YDS243.6(21st);RUSH YDS135.8(31st).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Chase Coffman, TE
  • Sean Locklear, OT
  • Jeremy Trueblood, OT
  • Omar Gaither, LB
  • Dominique Franks, CB

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Devin Hester, WR/KR (formerly with Chicago) – kick / punt return specialist
  • Gabe Carimi, OT (released by Tampa Bay) – roster depth
  • Jon Asamoah, G (formerly with Kansas City) – should start
  • Tyson Jackson, DE (formerly with Kansas City) – should start
  • Paul Soliai, NT (formerly with Miami) – should start
  • Javier Arenas, CB (formerly with Arizona) – roster depth
  • Josh Wilson, CB (formerly with Washington) – roster depth
  • Dwight Lowery, DB (formerly with Jacksonville) - should start, but not a lock.

 

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Kevin Cone, WR (signed with Miami)
  • Thomas DeCoud, S (signed with Carolina)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Jason Snelling, RB (retired)
  • Bradie Ewing, FB
  • Tony Gonzalez, TE (retired)
  • Adam Nissley, TE
  • Garrett Reynolds, G
  • Stephen Nicholas, OLB
  • Asante Samuel, CB
  • Saeed Lee, CB

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Jake Matthews Offensive tackle Texas A&M

2nd Round:Ra'Shede Hageman Defensive tackle Minnesota

3rd Round: Dezmen Southward Free safety Wisconsin

4th Round: Devonta Freeman Running Back Florida State

4th Round:Prince Shembo Linebacker Notre Dame

5th Round:Ricardo Allen Cornerback Purdue

5th Round:Marquis Spruill Linebacker Syracuse

7th Round:Yawin Smallwood Linebacker Connecticut

7th Round:Tyler Starr Linebacker South Dakota

 

 

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Atlanta Falcons Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Matt Ryan

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Tyson Jackson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Steven Jackson

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Paul Soliai

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Julio Jones

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Jonathan Babineaux / Ra'Shede Hageman

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

Roddy White

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Osi Umenyiora

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR3

[/TD]

[TD]

Harry Douglas

[/TD]

[TD]

LB

[/TD]

[TD]

Paul Worrilow

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE

[/TD]

[TD]

Levine Toilolo

[/TD]

[TD]

LB

[/TD]

[TD]

Joplo Bartu

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Sam Baker

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Desmond Trufant

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Justin Blalock

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Robert Alford

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Joe Hawley

[/TD]

[TD]

CB3

[/TD]

[TD]

Robert McClain / Josh Wilson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Jon Asamoah

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

William Moore

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Jake Matthews

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Dwight Lowery / Dezmen Southward

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

 

Sept. 7 New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Sept. 18 Tampa Bay, 8:25 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Minnesota, 4:25 p.m.

Oct. 5 at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12 Chicago, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 Detroit (London), 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 2 BYE

Nov. 9 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Nov. 16 at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Nov. 23 Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Nov. 30 Arizona, 4:05 p.m.

Dec. 8 at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 14 Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Dec. 21 at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Dec. 28 Carolina, 1 p.m.

 

General manager Thomas Dimitroff used this offseason to grow bigger and meaner along both lines. It starts on offense, where first-round draft pick Jake Matthews will immediately displace Lamar Holmes at right tackle and might ultimately wind up beating out Sam Baker at the bookend slot. The son of Hall of Fame guard Bruce Matthews finally gives Atlanta a plug-and-play tackle who brings pro-ready traits. They brought in free-agent guard Jon Asamoah as a strong pass-protector and Peter Konz will fill in on the inside as needed.

 

Steven Jackson remains the starter, but we expect rookie back Devonta Freeman to see increased snaps as the season creeps along. NFL Media's Mike Mayock called the former FSU runner an "incredibly physical" specimen; his one-cut ability and soft hands will earn him touches in a rotation with Jacquizz Rodgers.

 

The Falcons are primed to shift between three- and four-man fronts on defense, with free-agent addition Paul Soliai set to play the nose in both alignments. He immediately improves Atlanta's run defense, while the newly added Tyson Jackson and rookie Ra'Shede Hageman bring depth at end.

 

Vegas released NFL season win totals for Atlanta at 8 and the first couple games will be a big test to see if they've improved as they face New Orleans in the opener and then travel to Cincinnati.Both games will be against good offenses as Cincinnati was sixth in the league offensively and New Orleans and Drew Brees was tenth. Atlanta finished nearly last in the league at twenty seventh on defense.

 

After the first two games the rest of the schedule should be favorable for Atlanta to improve as they face only three teams who made the postseason last year. Since starting at Atlanta in 2008 coach Mike Smith had accomplished winning seasons every year except last when they fell drastically going from a 13-3 record to 4-12. Was last year just a blip or does Atlanta have deeper problems?

 

With a good franchise QB in Matt Ryan and a head coach who has done nothing but win you got to assume last year will be something they work hard on correcting and making this a winning team again........

 

 

 

CAROLINA PANTHERS

 

Head coach Ron Rivera

General manager Dave Gettleman

Owner Jerry Richardson

Home field Bank of America Stadium

Record 12–4

Division place 1st NFC South

Playoff finish Lost Divisional Playoffs (49ers) 23–10

Offense Rank-PTS22.9(18th);YDS316.8(26th);PASS YDS190.2(29th);RUSH YDS126.6(11th)

Defense Rank-PTS15.1(2nd);YDS301.2(2nd);PASS YDS214.3(6th);RUSH YDS86.9(2nd).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Jimmy Clausen, QB
  • Ben Hartsock, TE
  • Bruce Campbell, OT
  • Travelle Wharton, G
  • Dan Connor, LB
  • Drayton Florence, CB
  • Quintin Mikell, S

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Joe Webb, QB/WR (formerly with Minnesota) – roster depth
  • Jerricho Cotchery, WR (formerly with Pittsburgh) – will compete for starting spot
  • Jason Avant, WR (released by Philadelphia) – will compete for starting spot
  • Tiquan Underwood, WR (formerly with Tampa Bay) – should start
  • Ed Dickson, TE (formerly with Baltimore) – will start in two tight end sets
  • Mike McNeill, TE (formerly with St. Louis) – roster depth
  • Antoine Cason, CB (formerly with Arizona) – should start
  • Thomas DeCoud, S (formerly with Atlanta) – roster depth
  • Roman Harper, S (released by New Orleans) – should start

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Brandon LaFell, WR (signed with New England)
  • Domenik Hixon, WR (signed with Chicago)
  • Ted Ginn, WR (signed with Arizona)
  • Jordan Senn, LB (signed with Chicago)
  • Captain Munnerlyn, CB (signed with Minnesota)
  • Mike Mitchell, S (signed with Pittsburgh)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Steve Smith, WR (signed with Baltimore)
  • R.J. Webb, WR
  • Jordan Gross, OT (retired)
  • Geoff Hangartner, G (retired)
  • Jeff Byers, C/G (retired)
  • Anderson Russell, DB

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Kelvin Benjamin, Wide receiver, Florida State

2nd Round:Kony Ealy, Defensive end, Missouri

3rd Round:Trai Turner, Offensive guard, LSU

4th Round:Tre Boston, Safety, North Carolina

5th Round: Bene Benwikere, Cornerback, San Jose State

6th Round:Tyler Gaffney, Running back, Stanford

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Carolina Panthers Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Cam Newton

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Charles Johnson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

DeAngelo Williams / Jonathan Stewart

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Star Lotulelei

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

FB

[/TD]

[TD]

Mike Tolbert

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Kawann Short

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Jerricho Cotchery

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Greg Hardy

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

Kelvin Benjamin

[/TD]

[TD]

MLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Luke Kuechly

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE

[/TD]

[TD]

Greg Olsen

[/TD]

[TD]

WLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Thomas Davis

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Byron Bell

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Melvin White

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Amini Silatolu

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Antoine Cason

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Kalil

[/TD]

[TD]

CB3

[/TD]

[TD]

Charles Godfrey

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Trai Turner

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

Roman Harper

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Garry Williams

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Thomas DeCoud

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

Sept. 7 at Tampa Bay, 4:25 p.m.

Sept. 14 Detroit, 1 p.m.

Sept. 21 Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Oct. 5 Chicago, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 Seattle, 1 p.m.

Oct. 30 New Orleans, 8:25 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 16 Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Nov. 23 BYE

Nov. 30 at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Dec. 21 Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Dec. 28 at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

 

 

After bottoming out at the receiver position, Carolina found a placeholder No. 1 in Jerricho Cotchery before adding Kelvin Benjamin with the 28th overall draft pick. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound pass-catcher out of Florida State arrives as a jump-ball master with an 83-inch wingspan. Newcomers Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood round out an underwhelming cast of targets.I think they are really going to miss Steve Smith,Brandon Lafell and Ted Ginn.

 

The O-line remains a mess, with Byron Bell looming as this year's bookend and Garry Williams penciled in to move from guard to right tackle. The newcomer here is LSU's Trai Turner, chosen No. 92 overall and a strong bet to open the year inside at right guard alongside rock-solid center Ryan Kalil.

 

With cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and safeties Mike Mitchell and Quintin Mikell out the door, the Panthers have recycled their secondary. Carolina's refurbished safety duo features former Saint Roman Harper and ex-Falcon Thomas DeCoud. Holdover Melvin White will start at corner alongside free-agent addition Antoine Cason for a defense primed to play plenty of nickel with Charles Godfrey in the slot.

 

The nasty front seven remains intact with one intriguing addition in the form of second-round pick Kony Ealy, who will see snaps at end behind the disruptive duo of Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson. Carolina's brightest hope to return to the playoffs is another dominant campaign from the first wave of Ron Rivera's edgy D.

 

My main concern is they have lost a lot of good players and veteran leadership. Not sure if the players coming in will be able to replace those leaving without some drop off in talent. Add to this a really tough schedule and there is a good chance they may struggle to get over .500 this year.

 

They start out on the road against a Tampa team that will be much better under Lovie Smith. The very next game the revamped secondary faces a major test against the offensive firepower Detroit brings with Megatron,Reggie Bush,Golden Tate and new tight end Eric Ebron. Afterwards they must face Pittsburgh,Baltimore,Chicago,Cincinnati,Green Bay,Seattle,New Orleans,Philly and Atlanta before finally getting a bye week so that first part of the schedule will be brutal.After the bye three out of the last five are on the road against Minnesota,New Orleans and Atlanta. Vegas released NFL season win totals for Carolina at 8.5 and honestly it won't be easy at all.....

 

 

 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

 

Head coach Sean Payton

General manager Mickey Loomis

Owner Tom Benson

Home field Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Record 11–5

Division place 2nd NFC South

Playoff finish Won Wild Card Playoffs (Eagles) 26–24

Lost Divisional Playoffs (Seahawks) 15–23

Offense Rank-PTS 25.9(10th);YDS 399.4(4th);PASS YDS 307.4(2nd);RUSH YDS 92.1(25th)

Defense Rank-PTS 19.0(4th);YDS 305.7(4th);PASS YDS 194.1(2nd);RUSH YDS 111.6(19th).

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Will Herring, LB
  • Jonathan Vilma, LB

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Erik Lorig, FB (formerly with Tampa Bay) – should start
  • Champ Bailey, CB (released by Denver) – should start
  • Jairus Byrd, S (formerly with Buffalo) – should start

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Jed Collins, FB (signed with Detroit)
  • Charles Brown, OT (signed with New York Giants)
  • Brian De La Puente, C (signed with Chicago)
  • Tom Johnson, DL (signed with Minnesota)
  • Malcolm Jenkins, S (signed with Philadelphia)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Lance Moore, WR (signed with Pittsburgh)
  • Kenyon Coleman, DE (retired)
  • Will Smith, DE (signed with New England)
  • Jabari Greer, CB
  • Roman Harper, S (signed with Carolina)

 

 

Traded Away:

  • Darren Sproles, RB (to Philadelphia for a fifth-round draft pick)

 

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Brandin Cooks Wide receiver Oregon State

2nd Round:Stanley Jean-Baptiste Cornerback Nebraska

4th Round:Khairi Fortt Inside linebacker California

5th Round:Vinnie Sunseri Safety Alabama

5th Round:Ronald Powell Outside linebacker Florida

6th Round:Tavon Rooks Offensive tackle Kansas State

 

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

New Orleans Saints Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Drew Brees

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Cameron Jordan

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Mark Ingram / Pierre Thomas

[/TD]

[TD]

NT

[/TD]

[TD]

Brodrick Bunkley

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Marques Colston

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Akiem Hicks

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

Kenny Stills

[/TD]

[TD]

OLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Junior Galette

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR3

[/TD]

[TD]

Brandin Cooks

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

Curtis Lofton

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE

[/TD]

[TD]

Jimmy Graham

[/TD]

[TD]

ILB

[/TD]

[TD]

David Hawthorne

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Terron Armstead

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Keenan Lewis

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Ben Grubbs

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Champ Bailey

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Tim Lelito

[/TD]

[TD]

CB3

[/TD]

[TD]

Stanley Jean-Baptiste

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Jahri Evans

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

Kenny Vaccaro

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Zach Strief

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Jairus Byrd

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

 

Sept. 7 at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Sept. 21 Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12 BYE

Oct. 19 at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26 Green Bay-x, 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Carolina, 8:25 p.m.

Nov. 9 San Francisco, 1 p.m.

Nov. 16 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Nov. 24 Baltimore, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 30 at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 Carolina, 1 p.m.

Dec. 15 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 21 Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Dec. 28 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

 

 

The Saints traded up to No. 20 overall in last week's draft to grab Oregon State's Brandin Cooks, the fastest wide receiver in this year's class. Cooks gives the Saints a dangerous weapon in space and looms as a potential Pro Bowl performer in the slot alongside Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Kenny Stills. Coach Sean Payton will find a way to use them all in a scheme that figures to lean heavily on a flood of three-wideout sets.

 

You won't find a better safety tandem east of Seattle. The combination of free-agent addition Jairus Byrd and last season's dynamic rookie Kenny Vaccaro will allow defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to attack opponents with an array of exotic looks. With the newly added Champ Bailey along for the ride at cornerback, look for New Orleans to operate generously out of the nickel. Whether that means three corners or a trio of safeties, the Saints promise to be fascinating All-22 fare from beginning to end.

 

The loss of Darren Sproles won't be easy to fill. Cooks looms as an X-factor through the air, but it will fall to a committee of Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and young Khiry Robinson to churn out yardage on the ground. Ingram was dominant in a 14-carry, 145-yard romp over the Cowboys in Week 10 and showed well in the playoffs, but it was Robinson who carried the ball 12 times in the regular-season finale with another 21 totes in the postseason.

 

Fantasy owners will be driven insane. Our dark horse? Payton has repeatedly mentioned Travaris Cadet as a candidate to replace Sproles as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.Vegas released NFL season win totals for New Orleans at 9.5 i think they can do it although after the bye is tough with Green Bay,San Francisco,Cincinnati,Baltimore,Pittsburgh,Chicago,Carolina and Atlanta........

 

 

 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

 

Head coach Lovie Smith

General manager Jason Licht

Owner The Glazer family

Home field Raymond James Stadium

Record 4–12

Division place 4th Place NFC South

Playoff finish did not qualify

Offense Rank-PTS18.0(30th);YDS277.0(32nd);PASS YDS176.2(32nd);RUSH YDS100.8(22nd)

Defense Rank-PTS24.3(21st);YDS348.0(17th);PASS YDS237.9(17th);RUSH YDS110.1(15th).

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Free Agents (does not include players who have already re-signed or have been franchise-tagged by their team):

  • Spencer Larsen, RB
  • Brian Leonard, RB
  • Kyle Adams, TE
  • Nate Byham, TE (Restricted)
  • Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, DE
  • Gary Gibson, DT
  • Jacob Cutrera, LB
  • Michael Adams, CB
  • Danny Gorrer, CB
  • Rian Lindell, K

 

 

Free Agency Additions:

  • Josh McCown, QB (formerly with Chicago) – probably starter over QB Mike Glennon
  • Louis Murphy, WR (formerly with New York Giants) – roster depth
  • Lavelle Hawkins, WR (formerly with San Diego) – roster depth
  • Brandon Myers, TE (formerly with New York Giants)
  • Anthony Collins, OT (formerly with Cincinnati) – should start
  • Oniel Cousins, G (formerly with Cleveland) – roster depth
  • Evan Dietrich-Smith, C (formerly with Green Bay) – should start
  • Michael Johnson, DE (formerly with Cincinnati) – should start
  • Clinton McDonald, DT (formerly with Seattle) – roster depth
  • Dane Fletcher, LB (formerly with New England) – roster depth
  • Alterraun Verner, CB (formerly with Tennessee) – should start
  • Mike Jenkins, CB (formerly with Oakland) – roster depth
  • Major Wright, S (formerly with Chicago) – roster depth

 

 

Free Agency Losses:

  • Dan Orlovsky, QB (signed with Detroit)
  • Erik Lorig, FB (signed with New Orleans)
  • Tiquan Underwood, WR (signed with Carolina)
  • Ted Larsen, C (signed with Arizona)
  • Dekoda Watson, LB (signed with Jacksonville)
  • Adam Hayward, LB (signed with Washington)

 

 

Released by Team:

  • Michael Hill, RB (signed with Green Bay)
  • Tom Crabtree, TE
  • Gabe Carimi, OT (signed with Atlanta)
  • Donald Penn, LT (signed with Oakland)
  • Davin Joseph, G (signed with St. Louis)
  • Derek Landri, DT
  • Darrelle Revis, CB (signed with New England)
  • Marc Anthony, CB (signed with Tennessee)
  • Patrick Scales, LS
  • Lawrence Tynes, K

 

 

Traded Away:

  • Mike Williams, WR (to Buffalo for a sixth-round pick)
  • Jeremy Zuttah, C (to Baltimore for a fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft)

 

 

Coaching Changes:

  • Fired – Greg Schiano, Head Coach
  • Hired – Lovie Smith, Head Coach (formerly head coach with the Chicago Bears – fired at the end of the 2012 season)
  • Fired – Mike Sullivan, Offensive Coordinator
  • Hired – Jeff Tedford, Offensive Coordinator (formerly head coach at the University of California, Berkeley)
  • Fired – Bill Sheridan, Defensive Coordinator
  • Hired – Leslie Frazier, Defensive Coordinator (formerly head coach of the Minnesota Vikings)

 

 

 

 

Draft Picks:

 

1st Round:Mike Evans Wide receiver Texas A&M

2nd Round:Austin Seferian-Jenkins Tight end Washington

3rd Round:Charles Sims Running back West Virginia

5th Round:Kadeem Edwards Offensive guard Tennessee State

5th Round:Kevin Pamphile Offensive tackle Purdue

6th Round:Robert Herron Wide receiver Wyoming

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_cms_table_standard_table]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_major_header]

[TD=colspan: 4]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Projected 2014 Starters

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

Offense

Defense

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

QB

[/TD]

[TD]

Josh McCown

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

Michael Johnson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RB

[/TD]

[TD]

Doug Martin

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Gerald McCoy

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

WR1

[/TD]

[TD]

Vincent Jackson

[/TD]

[TD]

DT

[/TD]

[TD]

Akeem Spence / Clinton McDonald

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

WR2

[/TD]

[TD]

Mike Evans

[/TD]

[TD]

DE

[/TD]

[TD]

William Gholston

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

TE1

[/TD]

[TD]

Brandon Myers

[/TD]

[TD]

MLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Mason Foster

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

TE2

[/TD]

[TD]

Austin Seferian-Jenkins

[/TD]

[TD]

WLB

[/TD]

[TD]

Lavonte David

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

LT

[/TD]

[TD]

Anthony Collins

[/TD]

[TD]

CB1

[/TD]

[TD]

Alterraun Verner

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

LG

[/TD]

[TD]

Carl Nicks / Oniel Cousins

[/TD]

[TD]

CB2

[/TD]

[TD]

Johnthan Banks

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

C

[/TD]

[TD]

Evan Dietrich-Smith

[/TD]

[TD]

SS

[/TD]

[TD]

Mark Barron

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_ltblueback]

[TD]

RG

[/TD]

[TD]

Jamon Meredith / Patrick Omameh

[/TD]

[TD]

FS

[/TD]

[TD]

Dashon Goldson

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: cms_table_cms_table_whiteback]

[TD]

RT

[/TD]

[TD]

Demar Dotson

[/TD]

[TD]

S

[/TD]

[TD]

Major Wright

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE:

 

Sept. 7 Carolina, 4:25 p.m.

Sept. 14 St. Louis, 4:05 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Atlanta, 8:25 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Oct. 5 at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12 Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19 BYE

Oct. 26 Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Nov. 9 Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Nov. 16 at Washington, 1 p.m.

Nov. 23 at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Nov. 30 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Dec. 7 at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Dec. 21 Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Dec. 28 New Orleans, 1 p.m.

 

 

It all starts at quarterback, where Tampa's new regime is opting for veteran journeyman Josh McCown over second-year man Mike Glennon. Coach Lovie Smith doused Glennon with pretty words during the draft, but only after the Bucs chose not to take a young signal-caller in the first round. Had they done so, we're convinced Glennon would have been dealt. Barring an epic collapse, McCown will get his chance to prove that last year was no fluke.

 

Tampa's receiving corps could give the Knicks a run for their money. After drafting 6-foot-5 wideout Mike Evans at No. 7 overall, the team used its second-round pick on the equally tall Austin Seferian-Jenkins at tight end. "I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a comfort zone in that," admitted McCown, who enjoyed a career year throwing to Chicago's long targets in 2013. With 6-foot-5 Vincent Jackson leading the way, new offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford's aerial assault should be fun to watch come September.

 

Out with Darrelle Revis; in with the glorious Alterraun Verner. At roughly half the price, Verner looms as a strong fit for Lovie's Cover 2-themed scheme. It's another example of new general manager Jason Licht filling holes and adding talent to a defense that appears ready to rock in the NFC South.

 

After Lovie's strong offseason, Tampa has emerged as a sexy pick to make the playoffs. That still feels weird to say about a team led by one of the McCown boys.Vegas released NFL season win totals for Tampa Bay at 7.

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Saints are absolutely elite. Had .8 yards per play differential, good for 3rd in the NFL last year. (5.9 YPP on off, 5.1 YPP on def. Also did that playing a top 10 strength of schedule. Loved their draft and offseason. With the Falcons still struggling on the lines and the Panthers primed to regress, Saints could sweep up home field, and are my choice for NFC champs.

 

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