NFC South: Most indispensable players

[Toronto_Dirty_Bird]

Link

My basic rule of thumb on this one was to close my eyes and try to picture each team without certain key players. From there, I tried to gauge the impact on the team if each of those players was lost to injury -- or anything else.

In some cases, the answer was blatantly obvious. In others, I went with a player who might not be the best on the team, but his role and the depth situation behind him might have vaulted him over another player. In another case, I went with a player I’m not convinced is anything special, but chose him just because of the importance of his position.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DONALD PENN

Penn’s the guy I’m not sure is all that great. But his importance was demonstrated right at the start of training camp when the Bucs broke down and gave Penn the huge contract he’d been seeking for months. The thought of putting quarterback Josh Freeman out there -- even on the practice field -- without a legitimate left tackle was just too frightening. For better or worse, Freeman is the franchise in Tampa Bay. At the very least, Penn's a decent left tackle. That means Freeman has a shot at staying upright and the Buccaneers have a shot at digging themselves out of a 3-13 hole. Besides, was there really another candidate for indispensable on Tampa Bay’s current roster?

ATLANTA FALCONS: CURTIS LOFTON

The easy answer here would be to go with running back Michael Turner, and I came very close to doing that. But you can make a case that the Falcons would be able to get by, somewhat like they did when Turner was banged up last season, with some combination of Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood and a little more emphasis on the passing game. Atlanta’s offense wouldn’t crumble totally without Turner. Without Lofton, the defense might. People are really just starting to realize how good the third-year linebacker is. This summer, he emphatically has taken over as the leader of this defense after staying quiet in deference to veterans Keith Brooking and Mike Peterson in his first two years. Lofton’s become an every-down linebacker and the most respected man on the defensive side of the locker room.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: JON BEASON

Choosing Beason over Steve Smith is sort of like choosing Lofton over Turner. It wasn’t easy, but I’m doing it. My logic is that, even with no other proven receivers, the Panthers at least still could move the ball on offense with the running of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. If something happens to Beason, the defense is done. Beason’s moving from middle linebacker to the weak side because Thomas Davis is injured. Beason will make at least as many plays in his new spot. Bottom line on this one came when someone with another team asked, “Who do you have to worry about blocking on Carolina’s defense besides Beason?’’ The question was asked rhetorically.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: JONATHAN VILMA

This was the easiest call of all. With apologies to Jahri Evans (you can get by without arguably the best guard in football if you’ve got quality on the rest of your line and the Saints do), it took about two seconds to settle on Vilma and it’s not just because of his obvious physical skills. When I was at New Orleans’ camp, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams went off on a tangent about how cerebral a player Vilma is. He also said something like, “Jon Vilma is the Drew Brees of this defense’’. That’s good enough for me.

For the most part, the player that was picked ended up playing on the defense. Interesting, seeing how the game has turned into more of a passing game rather than a running game.

[1989Fan]

wow, not even a mention of Matt Ryan?

when you have a franchise QB he is the most indespensable player...period.

although I think we make the playoffs in 09 w a healthy Turner. He was running as good or better than 08 when he got hurt. Even with him sucking the first 5 or so games he had a 4.9 YPC avg still!

it is nice to have 4 or 5 legit choices for who we cant loose.

As for Lofton his loss would hurt less than Roddy, Ryan, Turner, and Gonzo since we have Peterson to fill in. You have to look at your depth when considering these things.

[slamee101]

Lofton is a good choice. I might have gone Roddy though.

[Sun Tzu 7]

Yeah.... if the Saints lost Drew Brees.... that wouldn't be a big deal or anything.

If Vilma goes down then the Saints still have a shot... if they lose Brees it's all over.

Last year we lost Ryan and Turner and we were still able to win some games.

[AmazingA]

This line was left out of the original post:

"A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division. "

[ChessPlayer1]

wow, not even a mention of Matt Ryan?

when you have a franchise QB he is the most indespensable player...period.

although I think we make the playoffs in 09 w a healthy Turner. He was running as good or better than 08 when he got hurt. Even with him sucking the first 5 or so games he had a 4.9 YPC avg still!

it is nice to have 4 or 5 legit choices for who we cant loose.

As for Lofton his loss would hurt less than Roddy, Ryan, Turner, and Gonzo since we have Peterson to fill in. You have to look at your depth when considering these things.

I did an evaluation on(mike peterson) MP53 in the pats game. You can go through my post and find it. I said that to say this,MP53 is NOT a a decent backup to(curtis lofton) C-lo50.

We would certainly lose games if(god forbid) Ryan was out,but the article makes an interesting point abt C-lo50.

Lets not lose either and win the division.

[rugger8]

Lofton is a good choice. I might have gone Roddy though.

It's hard for any team to go with a WR for "indispensable."

[Grrrillapmpn Inc.®]

Top of the actual article said non-QB's

So don't panick

[Dakast Reborn]

wow, not even a mention of Matt Ryan?

when you have a franchise QB he is the most indespensable player...period.

although I think we make the playoffs in 09 w a healthy Turner. He was running as good or better than 08 when he got hurt. Even with him sucking the first 5 or so games he had a 4.9 YPC avg still!

it is nice to have 4 or 5 legit choices for who we cant loose.

As for Lofton his loss would hurt less than Roddy, Ryan, Turner, and Gonzo since we have Peterson to fill in. You have to look at your depth when considering these things.

I'm pretty sure the writer was trying to choose some players that weren't obvious choices. An article focusing on Matt Ryan and Drew Brees would have been boring.

[slamee101]

It's hard for any team to go with a WR for "indispensable."

Depends on the team and the WR. I think if Andre Johnson went down Houston would be in big trouble. I'd say the same for Moss in NE. GB has great receivers but they're deep at the position so losing one wouldn't be the end. Carolina losing Smith would be huge.

I just don't think we have anyone on the roster that can come close to doing what Roddy does if he had to miss time.

[ConnFalcon]

Lofton is our leader on defense, so it's a good choice. However I am going to agree with slamee on this one. If we didn't have Roddy, I think we would be in big trouble on offense.

[Evo]

Last year we lost Ryan and Turner and we were still able to win some games.

Actually we were 0-2 when Ryan was out. Lost a close game to Saints, and got beaten down by the Eagles.

But we did win some games without Turner tho. Just another reason why we need to protect Ryan.

[RDCLARKIII]

I just don't think we have anyone on the roster that can come close to doing what Roddy does if he had to miss time.

I don't think so either....without Roddy, this is one of the bottom 5 WR groups in the NFL.....

[slamee101]

Actually we were 0-2 when Ryan was out. Lost a close game to Saints, and got beaten down by the Eagles.

But we did win some games without Turner tho. Just another reason why we need to protect Ryan.

Yea, but he had 3 pass attempts in the Tampa game before he left. I think we can give Redman that W.

[Peyton]

Lofton is a good choice. I might have gone Roddy though.

Pat is on drugs. Roddy White is easily the most indispensable player on the team. If the defense loses Curtis, the defense goes from just above mediocre to just below mediocre. If the lose Roddy, the offense goes from good to bad.

[1989Fan]

didnt see the No QB thing...sorry.

I guess it is hard to pick one player. I couldnt imagine last season w/o Gonzo, Roddy or Babinueax tho.

[Falconcheff]

I think Pat was trying to go less than obvious, but really. WITH Brees the Saints could smash any team and cruise to a second Lombardi. WITHOUT Brees they are a 6-10 team.

EDIT. Also did not see the no qb thing.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Falconcheff

[FalconMama]

Depends on the team and the WR. I think if Andre Johnson went down Houston would be in big trouble. I'd say the same for Moss in NE. GB has great receivers but they're deep at the position so losing one wouldn't be the end. Carolina losing Smith would be huge.

I just don't think we have anyone on the roster that can come close to doing what Roddy does if he had to miss time.

Believe me if Roddy went down the Atlanta Falcons would be in big trouble

[I MUS WRITE]

Maybe he feels like Redman can step right in and get the job done. Really Dude??

Edited August 26, 2010 by I.MUS WRITE

[FalconMama]

Maybe he feels like Redman can step right in and get the job done. Really Dude??

The writer said Non Qb's..

[Dakast Reborn]

Maybe he feels like Redman can step right in and get the job done. Really Dude??

Wow, can't believe you used a clip from a Digable Planets video as your avatar....NICE.

[Toronto_Dirty_Bird]

My bad, I totally didn't see the first line about Non QB's

Still interesting though, I agree that Lofton is a huge part of our defense, but if Roddy did go down, that would hurt us really bad. Not to mention my fantasy team :ph34r:

[DirtyBirdSupabowl]

I think it would have to be Roddy or Turner, if Turner didnt get injured then we win the NYG and Car games and are in the playoffs. But I can agree Lofton is real important I remember that game last year he went down on a punt return and was grabbing his ankle and I was yelling why is he even on Special Teams but he came back in.