NFC SOUTH

1. Carolina Panthers - ( 11 - 5 ) Carolina looks to rebound after a 7-9 season. Quarterback Jake Delholmme is back after having surgery on his throwing arm. All reports say he looks better than he has in years. Steve Smith is still the main target. D.J. Hackett and Mushin Muhammed were added in the off season to add depth to the passing game. The Panthers drafted Jonathon Stewart a tough power back out of the University of Oregon. He will be a great change of pace for counter part DeAngelo Williams. Williams is lightning fast and can not take the abuse of a single back system. The Panthers also added Jeff Otah in the first round. He will play right tackle and should make this young, up and coming line even stronger. Second year player Ryan Kalil will take over at center. If the O-Line can mess this will be a very strong unit.
The Defense is good but not great. Julius Peppers had a down year in 07'. He needs to rebound and have more than 2.5 sacks. The D-Line will need Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis to fill in for the departed Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins. Jon Beason had a fantastic rookie season at Linebacker. He was third in the NFL in Tackles(140). Thomas Davis is turning into the player Carolina hoped he would be. Na'ill Diggs and Landon Johnson are competing for the weak side position. Strong safety Chris Harris leads the secondary. He was second on the team in tackles and had 8 forced fumbles. Free safety is wide open. Terrence Holt is the front running to take the position. Charles Godfrey a third round pick out of Iowa will also compete for the spot. Richard Marshall lead the team in interceptions at corner. The other spot will be either Ken Lucus or Chris Gamble. If the defense can put it together and the offensive line gels. The Panthers will have a great season. They play the Saints December 28th in what could be a factor for both teams in a playoff run.

2. New Orleans Saints - ( 10 - 6 ) The Saints love to air it out. Drew Brees led the league in passing attempts. The addition of tight end Jeremy Shockey could be a big boost for the offense. It will give Brees an added weapon. Marques Colston had an even better second season at wide receiver. Look for Robert Meachem to be more of a factor this year. David Patton is back, he had a good year catching the ball. Reggie Bush is also a factor in the passing game out of the backfield. He needs to become more of a runner. The oft injured Deuce McAllister needs to stay healthy. He is a strong runner when he is on the field. The offensive line should be good. Center Jeff Faine will be be replaced by Jonathon Goodwin who the teams really likes. Jamaal Brown was a pro bowler two years ago and hopes to return to that form this season. Jon Stincolmb and Jamar Nesbit are quality veterans and smart players.
The defense is not as good as the offense. The defensive line is the stronger unit on the defense. Will Smith and Charles Grant are the book ends. They both had down years in 07' but should play at a higher level this year. Jonathon Vilma is back from injury. Vilma is one of the better linebackers in the game when healthy. Scott Fujita is a reliable and tough veteran. The Saints added Dan Morgan. But Morgan's Career is in jeopardy if he gets any more concussions. Randell Gay was also added in free agency. Gay is a smart player but a nickle back at best. Veteran Aaron Glenn and rookie Tracy Porter were also added to the roster. The secondary was a major flaw on the team last year.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - ( 9 - 7 ) Jeff Garcia is still playing at a high level even though he is 38. Another aging vet Joey Galloway is coming off a strong year at wide receiver. He doesn't have much help though. Ike Hilliard is the number two guy and he took some pressure off Galloway. But not enough to keep double teams away. Ernest Graham filled in nicely at running back. Warrick Dunn returns to Tampa, he has always been a productive back. The offensive line looks good. Jeff Faine got a big contract to come over from New Orleans. Aaron Sears and Davin Joseph will play next to Faine and form a strong front.
The Defense is excellent. Linebacker is the major strength. Perrennial Derrick Brooks still Romes the field making tackles. Barrett Ruud led the team in tackles last year and Cato June played great in his first season in Tampa. Gaines Adams had six sacks last season. He should improve those numbers in his second year in the league. Chris Hovan is still a monster at nose. The secondary got deeper in the draft with the addition of Aqib Talib. Ronde Barber is still playing at a pro bowl level despite his age. Look for Sabby Pisceitelli to step into a safety roll this season. Tampa has a good of a chance of any team in this division to win.

4. Atlanta Falcons - ( 2 - 14 ) There is a major over haul going on in Atlanta. Rookie Matt Ryan the third overall pick in the 2008 draft will get his chance to start early. He has some weapons to throw to which is something he didn't have at Boston College. Roddy White had an excellent season last year with zero talent at quarterback. Michael Turner was brought in to power the running game. Jerious Norwood is a great change of pace, third down type back. Michael Jenkins also stepped up at wide receiver last year. The offensive line is a major question mark. Giving up 47 sacks in 2007. Atlanta added Tackle Sam Baker, there second pick in the first round to help out the line.
The defensive line is as weak as the offensive line. If not weaker. Last years first round pick Jamaal Anderson did not get a sack from his defensive end position. The Falcons released both starting tackles from last season. Rashad Moore and Kendall Moorhead were brought in to replaced them but have never been significant players with other teams. Linebacker is a much stronger unit. Curtis Lofton, another rookie was added and can play middle and strong side. Kieth Brooking is back in the middle and Michael Boley has developed into an excellent player on the strong side. Second year player Stephan Nichols will start on the weak side. The secondary is in transition. Lawyer Milloy is back at safety. Eric Coleman will play the other safey position. He is a free agent pick up from the Jets. Chris Houston is in his second season and will start at corner. Rookie Chevous Jackson out of LSU could win the other corner spot. The Falcons are a few years from being relevant again. 2008 will be tough, but they are headed in the right direction.