NFL - First half overachievers and underachievers in the South

NFC South

TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 24: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head coch Greg Schiano gets a very well needed hug from Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera following a game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2013 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Atlanta Falcons

Keep it up: Harry Douglas, WR – It’s not been a good year to be a WR in Atlanta. Roddy White has been bothered by injury all year and is yet to make any real impact. Julio Jones was great, but is now on the injured reserve for the year. Since Jones went down, however, Harry Douglas has really stepped up with 19 catches for 170 yards over the last 2 games. He can’t be expected to keep that kind of pace up, but he needs to be a legitimate no.1 option until White can find his feet.

Pick it up: Jacquiz Rodgers, Steven Jackson, Jason Snelling, RB – With all the issue at wide receiver, what QB Matt Ryan really needs is a solid run game to take away the pressure. Sadly for him, the above collection has only managed 3.35 yards per carry and 3 TDs so far. A pretty disappointing return.

Carolina Panthers

Keep it up: Ted Ginn jr., WR – Few in the league can top the 17.8 yards per catch achieved by the former highly drafted Miami Dolphins bust, who is currently his teams primary kick and punt returner, and is just 3 receiving yards shy of the team lead. The Panthers have had several other great performances so far from the likes of Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly and Star Lotulelei, all of whom were drafted in the first half of the first round in the last few years.

Pick it up: Josh Thomas, CB – He’s not been bad, exactly, as a starting corner, but 0 interceptions and 0 passes deflected is the definition of a lack of impact at the position. The defense around him is good and opposing QBs are usually under pressure. Thomas needs to take advantage and make more positive plays.

New Orleans Saints

Keep it up: Cameron Jordan, DE – Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and the saints offense are putting up big points. But that’s to be expected at the point. The real question mark for the Saints was could their D slow other teams down enough. The Saints are 4th in the league with only 17.1 points given up per game. Cameron Jordan has been a huge part of that. His strength, as with most 3-4 Des is against the run, but he’s already made his mark this year in the pass game with 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Pick it up: Marques Colston, WR- Jimmy Graham has been unstoppable so far, but the Saints have needed him to be, as no other pass catchers have really stood out. Colston is on pace for 62 catches for 782 yards, both of which would be his lowest since 2008, when he only made 11 appearances and 6 starts after struggling with injuries. He still caught 5 TDs that year, but has just 1 through 7 games this year. Comfortably a career low.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Keep it up: Lavonte David – Not much has gone right for the winless Bucs on any phase of the game, but David has been a bright spot. The linebacker is 3rd in the league in tackles for a loss, behind only the Rams’ breakout DE Robert Quinn and superhuman JJ Watt.

Pick it up: Greg Schiano, HC – Who to chose from a team like this? Someone from the 31st ranked offense? Someone from the talented but underperforming D? Whoever is responsible for the MRSA outbreak? I’ll cop out and go for the Head Coach, despised by players and fans alike.