Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel has taken notice of the teams in the NFC South stockpiling offensive weapons over the offseason.
“When you look at it the division has gotten better,” said Manuel. “It’s going to take one week at a time and playing to our standard. The way the NFL is set up, we don’t play them until late, which is cool, but at that same time we have to understand their ability and that now, we’re in a battle.
“You’re not just going to walk-in and show up. They are going to be prepared.”
Tampa Bay added wide receiver DeSean Jackson in free agency and drafted Alabama tight end O.J. Howard in the first round.
New Orleans signed seven-time Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, drafted running back Alvin Kamara and signed wide receiver Ted Ginn, a deep threat.
Carolina added running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the draft.
“Getting DeSean in Tampa is the first thing that you’ve got to think about,” Manuel said. “Adrian Peterson, how does he fit in their offense and go along with the weapons that they picked up in the draft? How does that change their offense? What is Sean (Payton) going to change here and there to now make that offense run. How is Jameis (Winston) going into his third year?”
Howard, who set career highs in 2016 with 45 catches and three touchdowns as he earned second-team All-SEC honors with the Crimson Tide, could be a major factor for Tampa Bay.
“I think what (Tampa Bay coach) Dirk (Koetter) will try to do what he did when he was here with (Tony) Gonzalez,” Manuel said. “You understand that he’s getting the piece of the puzzle that make him a great offensive coach.”
The Falcons are counting on the continued development from their second- and third- year players while waiting for first-round pick Takkarist McKinley, a defensive end, to recover from shoulder surgery.
“We got better, too,” Manuel said. “We got (McKinley) and now we have our first and second year guys coming back. Now, they have experience for the first time.”
Suggested video:
About the Author
