NFC South Preview: Dig deep, Panthers, these Saints are real deal

NFC South Preview

Question of the summer: Are the Saints for real? Uh, yes, they are. As a matter of fact, they might be better than they were a year ago.

And a year ago they were one win away from their first Super Bowl.

Drew Brees hasn't gone away. Neither has Deuce McAllister. Or Reggie Bush. Or Coach of the Year Sean Payton.

All the pieces are in place for another run at the top -- if, that is, Carolina and the rest of the division are accommodating. A year ago they were, with the Saints winning four of their first five NFC South contests before coasting in the season finale against Carolina.

The Panthers should be better. Having linebacker Dan Morgan back makes a difference, provided he avoids another concussion. Having a healthy offensive line will help, too. And if quarterback Jake Delhomme struggles, they have the position covered with David Carr.

I just don't know that they have the weapons to catch New Orleans.

The same goes for Tampa Bay. And Atlanta? Don't ask. The Falcons are playing for next year's draft.

New Orleans Saints

Significant additions: WR Robert Meachem, CB Jason David, LB Troy Evans, TE Eric Johnson, S Kevin Kaesviharn, K Olindo Mare, WR David Patten.

Significant subtractions: WR Joe Horn, S Omar Stoutmire, S Bryan Scott, G Maurice Holland, RB Fred McAfee, LB Terrence Melton, K John Carney, TE Ernie Conwell, CB Curtis Deloatch.

Biggest offseason move: Signing David away from Indianapolis. The Saints' 11 interceptions tied for third fewest in the league.

Rookie to watch: If Meachem can ever shake injuries and inconsistent play he becomes an attractive target for Brees. Meachem produced a touchdown catch in his second preseason game.

Will go to the playoffs if ... Quarterback Drew Brees plays as he did this summer. The guy has missed only four of his past 39 passes, for crying out loud. Now, tell me again: What was wrong with him, Miami?

Overview: There's no reason to believe these guys can't win the division again. The Saints are loaded on offense, where Bush will not continue to average 3.6 yards a carry, and they helped the league's 11th-ranked defense with the additions of David and Kaesviharn.

Carolina Panthers

Jake Delhomme won't have much margin for error in Carolina. (AP)

Significant additions: LB Jon Beason, QB David Carr, S Deke Cooper, CB Curtis Deloatch, WR Chris Horn, LB Terrence Melton.

Significant subtractions: WR Keyshawn Johnson, DE Al Wallace, QB Chris Weinke, LB Chris Draft, TE Mike Seidman.

Biggest offseason move: The firing of offensive coordinator Dan Henning. He ran the offense for years but was made a scapegoat for a unit that floundered after its line was ravaged early by injuries.

Will go to the playoffs if ... it can protect a fourth-quarter lead. The Panthers last year blew a raft of games where they led in the last period. That can't happen again. If it does, coach John Fox might be looking at another address.

Rookie to watch: I love the addition of wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett. He's Keyshawn Johnson, only younger. The Panthers need someone to take the heat off Steve Smith. This might be the guy. But give him time; a hamstring injury early in camp set him back.

Overview: Fox hasn't had two straight losing seasons in his five years with the Panthers, and lucky for him. If he starts now it could cost him his job. The Panthers are poised to make a run at New Orleans, but they are shaky at safety, and they need something more from their running backs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Significant additions: DE Gaines Adams, QB Jeff Garcia, T Luke Petitgout, FB B.J. Askew, DL Kevin Carter, LB Patrick Chukwurah, LB Cato June, G Matt Lehr, DT Ryan Sims, TE Jerramy Stevens.

Significant subtractions: DE Simeon Rice, G Sean Mahan, QB Tim Rattay, DE Dwayne White, LB Shelton Quarles, T Kenyatta Walker, CB Juran Bolden.

Biggest offseason move: Acquiring Garcia. Coach Jon Gruden must win now, and Garcia gives him that chance. He fits the system. He has a history of success. And he was 5-1 as a starter a year ago.

Will go to the playoffs if ... Garcia stabilizes the quarterback position. The Bucs have run through nine quarterbacks since winning Super Bowl XXXVII, including three last year. Now they hope the former 49ers star can do for them what he did for Philadelphia.

Rookie to watch: The Bucs thought so much of defensive end Gaines Adams they passed on running back Adrian Peterson and let Simeon Rice walk. Adams is regarded as an elite pass rusher, and his development is critical to the future of Gruden and the franchise.

Overview: I'm sorry, but I don't get some of the Bucs' moves. They seem to pick up everyone else's leftovers and stray from a comprehensive plan. The plan now is to save Gruden's job, and winning will do that. One problem: They play in the same division as New Orleans. I can't see these guys any higher than third.

Atlanta Falcons

Bobby Petrino walked into a mess in Atlanta. (AP)

Significant additions: DE Jamaal Anderson, QB Joey Harrington, QB Chris Redman, WR Joe Horn, OL Leander Jordan, FB Ovie Mughelli, CB Lewis Sanders, LB Marcus Wilkins, PK Billy Cundiff.

Significant subtractions: QB Michael Vick, DE Patrick Kerney, QB Matt Schaub, FB Justin Griffith, WR Ashley Lelie, K Morten Anderson, TE Eric Beverly, LB Ed Hartwell, G Matt Lehr, S Kevin Mathis, FB Fred McCrary, LB Ike Reese, S Lance Schulters, CB Jason Webster.

Biggest offseason move: The losses of Michael Vick and Matt Schaub. Let's see how many people Joey Harrington puts in the Georgia Dome.

Rookie to watch: Defensive end Jamaal Anderson became a necessity after Patrick Kerney took the money and ran to Seattle. Atlanta must pressure the pocket; their pass defense ranked 29th a year ago.

Will go to the playoffs if ... New Orleans and Carolina have meltdowns, and Harrington becomes something he isn't -- namely, a franchise quarterback. This is a franchise playing for first-round position. Brian Brohm, are you listening?

Overview: The Vick episode buried this club. It reminds me of what happened when Ricky Williams left Miami in 2004. One week before training camp, the Dolphins were cooked. Well, the season's over here, too, with Vick the ugly distraction that will not go away.