Is the NFC South ours for the taking next year?

[jtnc]

Important Contributors Set to Hit the 2012 Free-Agent Market” is an ongoing series that will examine a single player from each team that has a contract expiring at the end of the 2011 campaign. We will document each player’s contributions to his team, the likelihood the team will retain him, and the existence/or lack thereof of potential replacements already on the roster.

Today’s first installment examines the NFC South. Give it a read, let us know what you think, and check back for further installments.

New Orleans Saints

-Top Player with an Expiring Contract: Quarterback Drew Brees

-Player’s Contributions: Without question, Brees is the greatest Saint in team history. All he has done, since joining the team as a free agent in 2006, is throw for 26,607 yards, completing north of 67% of his passes, and tossing 182 touchdowns. The Saints since Brees’ arrival have also won two division titles, claimed a wild-card playoff berth, won Super Bowl XLIV, and look like a lock for the division title this season. Oh, and he was also the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player, has been a two-time Offensive Player of the Year winner, has been named to four Pro Bowls as a Saint, and was selected first-team All-Pro in 2006. He owns every Saints’ passing record and is the perfect trigger man for head coach Sean Payton’s dynamic offense. Life without Brees in New Orleans is unthinkable.

-Chances of Remaining with the Team: He will be with the Saints next year and for likely the remainder of his career. There is no way that New Orleans will let Brees walk.

-Potential Replacements: There is no one that can replace Brees on the roster. We don’t even really know if Chase Daniel is a good backup, because Brees always plays.

-Other Notable Players with Expiring Contracts: Wide receiver Marques Colston, Wide receiver Robert Meachem, Left guard Carl Nicks, Cornerback Tracy Porter

Atlanta Falcons

-Top Player with an Expiring Contract: Defensive end John Abraham is the choice. Atlanta has several key contributors with expiring contracts, but many of them have ready replacements, or lack the same level of impact that Abraham exhibits on a game-to-game basis.

-Player’s Contributions: I know. John Abraham is older. He’s in the midst of his twelfth season in the league. He no longer possesses the burst that made him one of the most feared pass rushers in the game. But let me ask this, who else do they have that is close to the type of pass rusher that Abraham is? Lawrence Sidbury has performed well in a situational role this season, notching 4.0 sacks on the year, which is tied for the team lead with Abraham. Corey Peters is getting solid penetration from the interior. Will Witherspoon is good as an occassional blitzer. None of these players, though, can yet offer the consistent threat off the edge that no. 55 does. Atlanta needs to be careful not to underestimate Abraham’s value, because he still needs to be accounted for by offenses on every passing down.

-Chances of Remaining with the Team: It’s tough to say, because the Falcons have so many other important players that they need to hang onto this offseason. It won’t be easy, but it can get done if both sides really want it to. I’d put the odds at better than 50-50, due to the absence of an adequate replacement and Ray Edwards proving to be less than dynamic since coming over from Minnesota.

-Potential Replacements: Sidbury is the closest thing to a replacement on the roster, and would obviously be first in line to start if Abraham leaves in free agency.

-Other Notable Players with Expiring Contracts: Defensive end Kroy Biermann, Safety Thomas DeCoud, Wide receiver Harry Douglas, Tight end Tony Gonzalez, Cornerback Brent Grimes, Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, Center Todd McClure, Running back Jason Snelling

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

-Top Player with an Expiring Contract: Place kicker Connor Barth

-Player’s Contributions: Ronde Barber is an icon in Tampa Bay. Earnest Graham has been such a versatile player for so long and is a stand-up guy in the locker room. But the most important guy for the Bucs to keep is the one who scores consistent points for them. Connor Barth has improved his field goal percentage each season he’s been with Tampa Bay. He made a career-long field goal of 55 yards this season. He is set to surpass his career high of 23 field goals made in a season by a wide berth. Barth may only be a kicker, but he’s a valuable piece of the puzzle for a young Buccaneers squad.

-Chances of Remaining with the Team: With the season that he’s had and the presence of Michael Koenen on kickoffs, Barth will be with Tampa Bay next year either with a long-term deal or the franchise tag.

-Potential Replacements: There is no other placekicker on the roster, so the Bucs would have to delve into the free-agent market or draft a replacement for Barth.

-Other Notable Players with Expiring Contracts: Cornerback Ronder Barber, Linebacker Geno Hayes, Safety Sean Jones, Running back/Fullback Earnest Graham

Carolina Panthers

-Top Player with an Expiring Contract: Linebacker Dan Connor

-Player’s Contributions: Connor, a third-round pick in 2008 out of Penn State, has been a valuable backup, special teamer, and spot starter during his time in Carolina. He has never been a flashy player or a guy that creates game-changing plays, but he offers a steady presence at middle linebacker when he’s been pressed into duty. He started eight games in 2010 for star middle linebacker Jon Beason, who flipped over to the weakside to fill in for the injured Thomas Davis, but his season was cut short due to a hip injury. So far, in 2011, he has played in ten games and started six, again subbing for Jon Beason who was lost for the season in week 1. Currently he ranks third, on one of the worst defenses in the NFL, in tackles. In 2009, Connor led the Panthers in special teams tackles with 14, but spent the season as a backup. His rookie year in ’08 lasted three games, because of a knee injury that forced him onto injured reserve.

-Chances of Remaining with the Team: His chances of remaining with the team are pretty slim. Carolina locked up many of their core players during this past offseason, so money should be tight. Plus Jon Beason will be back from injury to reclaim his middle linebacker spot. Connor may also get a chance to compete for a starting gig with another team.

-Potential Replacements: Connor’s replacement is likely not yet on the squad. Carolina’s linebacking corps has been ravaged by injuries this season and the roster is littered with last-minute free-agent additions and waiver-wire guys. Expect Carolina to draft a linebacker or two to rebuild depth.

-Other Notable Players with Expiring Contracts: Wide receiver Legedu Naanee, Tight end Jeremy Shockey

[url ] http://puntsandfumbles.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/important-contributors-set-to-hit-the-2012-free-agent-market-part-one-the-nfc-south/

[PhillyB]

i think rivera will get his first shot in free agency without a looming lockout and with a full look at what he needs to shape the team the way he wants it, knowing what he has and what he needs.

i think we will see some very surprising cuts and some big free agent acquisitions. i also think marty hurney will do a lot of restructuring and manage to squeeze everything into the cap, which is one of his unheralded abilities, and then will still take crap from huddle members because they don't agree with one of his draft selections.

playoffs.

[Kevin Greene]

We'll be better with another draft but money for key free agent acquisiitions will be slim so maybe 1 more year to rule the South.

[jtnc]

We'll be better with another draft but money for key free agent acquisiitions will be slim so maybe 1 more year to rule the South.

Look for Smitty to be resigned to a cheaper contract. That will then take off his cap space from his old contract. Hurney is at least good with manipulating numbers.

[Zithers]

as long as brees is in new orleans i will not be confident that we can win the division

[ed bell]

No changes on offense....trade down for extra picks....Shockey re-signs short-term......draft heavy on defense.....possible FA pickups and get healthy on D, contend.

[1989]

Look for Smitty to be resigned to a cheaper contract. That will then take off his cap space from his old contract. Hurney is at least good with manipulating numbers.

Really?? After the year he's having. No way. I could maybe see Beason/Johnson/Williams getting re-structured but not Smitty.

[CarolinaPanthers2K11]

i think rivera will get his first shot in free agency without a looming lockout and with a full look at what he needs to shape the team the way he wants it, knowing what he has and what he needs.

i think we will see some very surprising cuts and some big free agent acquisitions. i also think marty hurney will do a lot of restructuring and manage to squeeze everything into the cap, which is one of his unheralded abilities, and then will still take crap from huddle members because they don't agree with one of his draft selections.

playoffs.

Hurney is truly underrated and underappreciated by the fan base. Does so much behind the scene and low key moves that are great for the team and catches SO much flak... smh.

[panthers55]

Look for Smitty to be resigned to a cheaper contract. That will then take off his cap space from his old contract. Hurney is at least good with manipulating numbers.

If what you mean when you say signed to a cheaper contract, that we will extend his contract for 2 or 3 years more given his current contract expires after 2012, you might be right. But he will get big money and he will deserve it. He is right at the top of the league in yards and is a huge part of this offense. He wants to retire as a Panther and we will be beglad to work with him. He stuck with us after last year in this rebuilding process and we will stick with him.

[BlanksKarma]

[url ] http://puntsandfumbles.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/important-contributors-set-to-hit-the-2012-free-agent-market-part-one-the-nfc-south/

Falcons: are VERY tight on money and I don't see them keeping Harry Douglas or Grimes.

QUOTE]

Atlanta will slap the Franchise Tag on Grimes and Douglas has done nothing to warrant a large contract, both will be back with the Falcons next season.

[panthers55]

Falcons: are VERY tight on money and I don't see them keeping Harry Douglas or Grimes.

QUOTE]

Atlanta will slap the Franchise Tag on Grimes and Douglas has done nothing to warrant a large contract, both will be back with the Falcons next season.

SO a guy with 1 INT who just got his knee scoped and is on a 1 year contract for 2.35 million, will be tagged in 2012 for 10.6 million in 2012. I hope so, that would be the most ridiculous move for Atlanta since the draft.

As for Douglas, if the Falcons low ball him, someone else will be glad to jump on him. With Jones expected to get more action, Douglas will see his value elsewhere.

[ed bell]

Has Gonzales decided whether he's coming back for one more year?

[Keith Moons Liver]

I don't think we will even pass the Falcons next year, and the Saints will be the team to beat as long as Brees is in form.