NFC South

New Orleans Saints
Was 2006 a fluke?
Probably not. But you have to be careful when a team suddenly turns it around after a poor season. It can fall backward just as easily. But don’t expect it. The Saints have plenty of talent. They may not be a 13-3 again, but this team will vie for a playoff spot.

Is Sean Payton as good as he seems?
Sure seems like it. The guy probably deserves the coach of the decade award for what he pulled off last season. Not only did the Saints come out of nowhere to make it to the NFC championship game but, of course, they had to overcome all of the distractions of coming back from Hurricane Katrina. But Payton came in, made no excuses and turned the program around. You have to believe in this man.

What about Marques Colston?
It’s pretty difficult to overlook the rookie season he had. The seventh-round pick came out of nowhere to register 70 catches for 1,038 yards. Plus, he scored eight touchdowns. If it weren’t for Vince Young’s big finish and name recognition, the Hofstra product would have been NFL offensive rookie of the year. He is a big target who is perfect for Payton’s system. Quarterback Drew Brees will keep going to Colston so yes, expect another big year.

Can Reggie Bush take the next step?

Charles W Luzier / Reuters file Reggie Bush

Bush may never be a premier ball carrier. But that’s not his game. So if taking it to the next level means a 1,500-yard rushing season, then no. But the kid is going to get better and he is going to continue to make big plays as a receiver, returner and yes, as a runner. That’s the beauty of Bush. He’s all-purpose. 

Carolina Panthers
Can this team find a consistency?
This has been one of the NFL's most talented teams for three years. However, they haven't turned the corner because they seem to lose when it matters most. It’s strange because John Fox is a good coach, but he can’t get his team to be consistent.

Is this the end for Jake Delhomme?

Chris Keane / Reuters Jake Delhomme

If Delhomme continues to struggle — and be a major reason why the Panthers are inconsistent — then yes, this may be the end of the road. It's not a bad thing though, becuase the Panthers need to find their quarterback of the future. Delhomme is a scrapper and a tough guy, but he is not an elite quarterback. But he's not the answer for much longer.

Is DeAngelo Williams ready to be the man?
He has to be. The Panthers are counting on him to be their feature back. The 2006 first-round pick was solid as a rookie, gaining 501 yards and averaging 4.1 yards a carry. Carolina still has DeShaun Foster, but he has been injury prone. The Panthers will be best served if both Williams and Foster get 200-250 carries a season.

Can this team be a Super Bowl contender?
It can be, but it comes down to three things. It has to win those winnable games, Delhomme has to be more consistent and Williams has to be come a real threat. The defense is solid and the coaching is strong. On paper, this team is as good as any in the NFC. But that has been an old story. The Panthers have to show it.

Atlanta Falcons
Can this team survive the Michael Vick case?
The team may, yes. But will the franchise and the city? The team has done a nice job of isolating itself from the Vick fiasco. It has simply gone to training camp and been very quiet about the ordeal. But the franchise is in trouble because losing Vick on the field hurts and losing him in the community does too. Atlanta fans will likely make the Falcons suffer as a franchise.

Can Joey Harrington be a starting QB?
Not a good one. The kid just doesn't have it. He flamed out in Detroit and proved to be an ineffective starter in Miami. He’s a decent backup … until he has to play. Now, he has to play. That’s not good for the Falcons.

Is Bobby Petrino prepared for all of this?

Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images Bobby Petrino

Poor guy. You really have to feel for Petrino. He left a wonderful situation at Louisville because all he heard was that he’s a perfect NFL coach. After considering jobs for the past few years, he jumped at the Falcons’ gig partly because of Vick. Now he is in the middle of this mess and it will affect his NFL experience greatly. Petrino deserves a pass for the next three years.

Will owner Arthur Blank cut bait?
There have been rumors that Blank has been terribly affected by the Vick case and it may have caused him to lose his enthusiasm. This certainly is a big blow to Blank, who has been a classy owner and a bright light for the NFL. This incident shines very poorly on him and his team and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Vick case causes Blank to move on from the league.

Tampa Bay Bucs
Who’ll be the quarterback?
Jeff Garcia at the start. Garcia was brought in to be the guy, even though the Buccaneers traded for the retired Jake Plummer and even courted Daunte Culpepper this summer. Chris Simms is too banged up and second-year quarterback Bruce Gradkowksi is too green, although he may be decent down the line. For now, this is Garcia’s team and he is the best fit.

Is this the end for Jon Gruden?
Yep, that Super Bowl magic is more than four years old and Gruden is out of get-out-jail free cards. If the Buccaneers don't make the playoffs, Gruden is toast. That’s a very real possibly. He knows it, that’s why he’s gone after every quarterback this side of Steve DeBerg.

Can Cadillac Williams rebound?

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Cadillac Williams

The back was disappointing last year. He had a dynamite rookie season and was expected to be a superstar. Didn’t happen. Williams’ carries were down from 290 to 225 and he gained just 708 yards, compared to 1,178 as a rookie. His per carry average was down from, 4.1 to 3.5  He has to pick it up. If not, this guy was nothing more than a one-year wonder.

Can Gaines Adams be a double-digit sack man?
Yes, the rookie is that talented. The Buccaneers desperately tried to trade up to No. 2 to get receiver Calvin Johnson, but when that failed, they happily took Adams at No. 4. The guy has great pass rushing skills and should vie for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and remind us of the great Tampa Bay defenders of the past decade.

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