Disparity in the NFC South

[hepcat]

Since the divisional realignment in 2002, every NFC South team has been to the NFC Championship game, some twice.

2002 - Buccaneers (Superbowl Champion)

2003 - Panthers

2004 - Falcons

2005 - Panthers

2006 - Saints

2009 - Saints (Superbowl Champion)

Every NFC South team has had a top 4 draft pick at least once. Who did they choose with those picks?

2002: 1-15 - Carolina Panthers select Julius Peppers #2 overall. (tied for best draft pick in Panther history with Steve Smith) - next year 7-9.

2006: 3-13 - New Orleans Saints select Reggie Bush #2 overall (mediocre pick...talented but injury prone player). - next year 10-6.

2007: 4-12 - Tampa Bay Buccanneers select Gaines Adams #4 overall (before his untimely death, he was traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2nd round pick. The jury will never rule on this pick) - next year 9-7.

2008: 4-12 - Atlanta Falcons select Matt Ryan #3 overall (turned the franchise around after the Michael Vick disaster) - next year 11-5

2010: 3-13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Gerald McCoy #3 overall (as a rookie, he's shown a lot of promise) - currently 7-5.

2011 - Carolina Panthers select ????

So as you can see, every NFC South team has had a top 4 draft pick since 2002. Every single one had a noticable improvement over the previous season after having that pick. Chin up, Panther fans.

[Panthercougar68]

Yay for backed up optimism

[PhillyB]

i am in a state of despairity every sunday when i watch the panthers play

[SOJA]

good research hepcat.....I agree with your post!

[panthers55]

Just seems the division has lots of parity and teams don't stay on top or bottom for too long.

Seems to me that is good news for us given we are low man on the totem pole right now.

[SorthNarolina]

i always thought about the nfc south disrespect when we sent a team to the nfc championship almost every year, it's a tough division.

[rayzor]

how many times has the worst team in the NFCS finished first the following year? i think it's happened most years.

[Dpantherman]

it was every year until 2008 i think. or last year