Booth Review: Revisiting the Week in the NFC South

You've heard the expression "calm before the storm" right?

What does it mean? Or better yet, where did it come from?

A quick Google search provided no really good answers, so I'm done trying to be heady. This past week was the NFL's version of the calm before the storm. It was relatively quiet this week (the calm) around the NFC South as every team geared up for the upcoming NFL draft next weekend (the storm).

Let's take a look back at some of the things that did create buzz around the division last week.

 

The NFL Released Its Schedule

In 2012, each team in the NFC South plays six games in-division, all the teams in the AFC West (four), all the teams in the NFC East (four), and has games against teams that were ranked similarly in the NFC West (one) and the NFC North (one).

What that means, exactly, is that after rotating around the NFL (the AFC West and NFC East games) and playing the six in-division games, there are only two games for each team that are actually based on strength of schedule. Just two!

For everyone asking why their favorite team that finished in last place in 2011 still has a tough schedule, this is why. The divisions rotate around each year so every team plays one another, eventually. Since you must play each team in your own division twice, and to fill the schedule and make it fair you must rotate each year to two new divisions, there are only two games left on the schedule to play with.

Confused? You shouldn't be.

Yeah, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished in last place in 2011. But they have to play the same AFC West and NFC East teams that New Orleans has to play. The only difference is that Tampa Bay gets to play Minnesota (NFC North No. 4) and St. Louis (NFC West No. 4) while New Orleans plays Green Bay (NFC North No. 1) and San Francisco (NFC West No. 1).

Still think the NFL schedule is truly based on strength of schedule?

 

Are the Saints Maneuvering Towards a Brees Deal?

The New Orleans Saints inked defensive back Jabari Greer to a three-year extension on Friday. The deal is worth $24 million and reportedly cap friendly.

The Saints also just restructured linebacker Jonathan Vilma's contract, making his deal more cap friendly as well.

I can see a lot of reasons why the Saints would want to free up money. But I only see one all-world quarterback that isn't at voluntary workouts right now because he wants a new contract.

The best thing that can happen to the Saints next week, and I'm including a grade of A+ on their draft, is getting the Drew Brees contract completed.

 

Carolina Wants Out?

No, I'm not talking about the Panthers leaving Charlotte or any other kind of strangeness like what's going on with the stadium deal in Minnesota. I'm talking about trading out of the top 10 in next week's draft.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said Thursday that if the right deal came along, he'd trade out of the the No. 9 spot and grab some extra draft picks.

“We’re not like where we were last year. We had the pick of the litter. Now we’ve got to react to what’s happening – who goes here, who goes there and then we’ll decide who fits us best and who’s going to help us immediately,” Rivera said.

“We’re not taking a guy early to have him develop. We’re taking a guy early to put him on the field and have him help us right away. That’s what the expectation is.”

Hurney and Rivera would not discuss specific players at their pre-draft news conference Thursday. But both acknowledged the most pressing needs are on a defense that finished 28th in the league last season.

 

Could the Falcons Trade Up Again?

If you're interested in watching Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff talk about his team prior to the upcoming draft, have at it. I think you should watch the video in its entirety.

However, if you just want to skip to the part where he talks about moving up if the right deal comes along, head to the 6:22 mark, or just read below:

There is no question about it. We have dialed in on certain players at a number of positions that we would consider moving up, if in fact it presented itself. I firmly believe that draft philosophies can change from draft to draft. Obviously, what we did last year was outside the realm of philosophical discussion as far as speaking about drafts. If there is someone there and we feel it’s necessary to move up and that means moving a pick later in the draft or a couple of picks. We are never averse to that. As long as we feel that player can come in, impact this team and in our minds hopefully impact the team as soon as possible. We would consider that.

I'm not sure the Falcons have enough cans in the cupboard to pull off another trade and get into the first round. But there are 22 picks in the second round before Atlanta picks at No. 55. That trade would be much cheaper.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1154284-booth-review-revisiting-the-week-in-the-nfc-south

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