The NFC South is bad. Paul Blart: Mall Cop bad. Michelob Ultra bad. Black Eyed Peas Super Bowl Halftime Show bad. It's so bad that the 4-7 Saints and Falcons currently share first place, and either could win the division with a losing record.
First time in #NFL history that division leader has been 3 games under .500. Congratulations, #Falcons #RiseUp
— Paul Newberry (@pnewberry1963) November 25, 2014
Last week, as I lied awake pondering this historically mediocre group, I wondered what an all-NFC South lineup would look like. Who would make the cut? How would it compare to some of the league's better teams?
Let's take a look.
Offense
QB: Drew Brees
RB: Mark Ingram
WR: Julio Jones
WR: Mike Evans
WR: Kelvin Benjamin
TE: Jimmy Graham
LT: Terron Armstead
LG: Justin Blalock
C: Ryan Kalil
RG: Trai Turner
RT: Zach Strief
Defense
DE: Junior Galette
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Kawann Short
DE: Cameron Jordan
OLB: Thomas Davis
MLB: Luke Kuechly
OLB: Lavonte David
CB: Desmond Trufant
SS: William Moore
FS: Major Wright
CB: Alterraun Verner
Special Teams
K: Matt Bryant
P: Matt Bosher
LS: Josh Harris
KR/PR: Devin Hester
Some scattered thoughts:
- There isn't a Pro Bowl-caliber running back in the division. Sure, Ingram can be productive, but he's on pace for less than 1,000 rushing yards this season. Remember when the NFC South was loaded at RB?
- There is no shortage of receivers. The quartet of Julio Jones, Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans and Jimmy Graham, along with Drew Brees, would create a league-best offense.
- The defense isn't quite as impressive. It isn't bad, it's just...it's just not that good, all things considered. For one, that unit would probably struggle in pass coverage. Alterraun Verner is closer to average than great; Major Wright's PFF grades are only a little better than Thomas DeCoud's; William Moore wasn't playing particularly well before his injury.
- Atlanta's special teams coverage leaves a lot to be desired, but you can't ask for much more in terms of kicking, punting and returning. Bryant, Bosher and Hester are all studs.
- I know nothing about long snappers who don't play for Atlanta. So I picked Josh Harris.