Heading South

Why do birds fly south for the winter? Quite possibly because that's where football belongs and that's where we're going. Let's break down the AFC and NFC South.

AFC SOUTH
The AFC features the Colts, Jags, Titans and Texans. Don't be surprised if the Texans improve but be shocked if they get second in the division. Is there any question as to who has the best QB here? Yeah, he's been on a few commercials. Colts take this in a landslide.

Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew head up that two headed running game for the Jags. Just as you think Taylor is getting old, he plays yet another year and plays well. Jones-Drew has been a favorite in many fantasy drafts and that's not changing any time soon.

Dominic Rhodes has returned to the Colts, the team he won a Super Bowl with but will be taking the second spot to Joseph Addai. Addai has been making noise and the addition of Rhodes can't hurt.

This gives the Jags competition in this category so they won't be able to easily run away with Who else is there to give the two competition? The Titans are stacked with young guys like Lendale White and Chris Henry. They've shown potential but don't quite have what it takes. As for the Texans, they've got Ahman Green, who as well all know is reaching the peak of his career and Chris Brown who has potential, but, no, not happening. I give the running game category to the Jags, but the Colts come in a close second.

Receiving squad. Who's got the best? Once again, between the Jags and Colts. Texans have Andre Johnson, and he's extremely talented but that's all they've got. Titans Wideout Derrik Mason needs to hang it up as well. Neither Johnson nor Mason are anywhere near guys like Marvin Harrison and Matt Jones. Oh who am I kidding. Colts take this in a landslide. Not even close.

The Colts have a great secondary thanks to Bob Sanders but Dwight Freeny must stay healthy in order for the team to be productive. That's a BIG IF. Albert Hayneswoth and the Titans can't agree on a deal but he's all they'd have. The Texans D has stepped up tremendously. Who ever thought Mario Williams would have that type of year? The best Defense in the AFC South goes to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This division has some great head coaches. Jeff Fishcher has been with his team since before they were the Titans. Tony Dungy built a Bucs team that won the Super Bowl and later won his own with the Colts. Gary Kubiak helped the Broncos win back in the Elway-era and Jack Del Rio has a brilliant defensive mind. Best coach of the division goes to Dungy.
The order will be:
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Texans
4. Titans

The NFC South
Remember that old washed up quarterback that should have retired a long time ago? Yeah, he's still playing. He's with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that is literally stacked at the quarterback position. Some how, with all those QB's, they can't seem to settle with one and whoever they go with won't win the best QB in the division.

It's most likely going to be Garcia in Tampa. Delhome is still in Carolina but let's hope he stays healthy so they don't go to that other really, really old quarterback that happens not to be on the Bucs roster. Vinny Testeverde was sitting on his couch watching old game film when he got a call from the Panthers. Let's just hope it doesn't come down to that again.

Matt Ryan from Boston College will be under center for the Falcons. Hopefully Atlanta fans don't expect a running back who takes it from center because Ryan is a pocket passer. So when it comes to picking the best at the position in this division, oh yeah, obviously Drew Brees is in New Orleans. It goes to him.

There are some good running backs in the south. Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister are marching for the Saints. Cadillac Williams is in Tampa along with former Heisman winner Michael Bennett and Warrick Dunn who returns to the team that drafted him. Deshaun Foster jumped ship for San Fransisco and leaves the reigns to DeAngelo Williams.

The Chargers running back from last year recently signed with Atlanta, and if he plays like he did in the past, there's no contest, Atlanta wins, but there's only one problem. It's not LT. It's his back-up. Michael Turner is a talented young RB who can get the job done and will help the team significantly, but they don't have the best running game in the division. That goes to the Saints.

Joe Horn and Michael Jenkins lead the Falcon receiving squad. Two former Cowboy receivers lead the way for Tampa. Joey Galloway and Antonio Bryant will play right along side Michael Clayton and Ike Hilliard. Alright, Antonio Bryant isn't leading the way for anything.

The Saints have added TE Jeremy Shockey. Last time we saw him he was up in the booth with some friends at the Super Bowl instead of on the side line with his team. Oh well. The overrated tight end will join Sean Payton, his former offensive coordinator from New York. Shockey and Marques Colston are the leaders in the Saints receiving squad.

Don't forget the Panthers. They've got a guy named Steve Smith. Smith hasn't been getting along with teammates, but whoever is behind center will be sure to look his way. Because of how quick Smith is, the Panthers win this category for the division.

Guys like Will Smith (no, not that one), Julius Peppers, Derrick Brooks, John Abraham help lead the defense for their teams. That being said, without going into much detail, Bucs win the defensive battle. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, at least for now.

Best head coach? Sean Payton. He'll turn things around after a disappointing year last year. Fox and Gruden are good too, but Payton takes it.

The division order at the end of the season will be:
1. Saints
2. Panthers
3. Buccaneers
4. Falcons