Atlanta Falcons

Key Additions: Marty Booker (WR), Tony Gonazlez (TE), Jamie Winborn (LB), Mike Peterson (LB), Brett Romberg (C), Troy Bergeron (WR)

Key Losses: Michael Vick (QB), Wayne Gandy (OT), Lawyer Milloy (S), Dominique Foxworth (CB), Keith Brooking (LB), Michael Boley (LB), Grady Jackson (DT), Jeremy Newberry (C), Rod Coleman (DT)

Draft Picks: Peria Jerry (DT-Mississippi), William Moore (S-Missouri), Christopher Owens (CB-San Jose St.), Lawrence Sibury (DE-Richmond), William Middleton (CB-Furman), Garrett Reynolds (T-North Carolina), Spencer Adkins (LB-Miami), Vance Walker (DT-Georgia Tech)

Rookie QBs in the NFL tend to go through growing pains more often than not, but Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons was an exception to that rule. In his first season in the league, he took Atlanta to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. The Falcons didn't make it out of the Wild Card round, as they were knocked off by eventual NFC champions, the Arizona Cardinals. Just the same, the season proved much more successful than most were expecting for Atlanta after a miserable 4-12 campaign in 2007.

I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I really like what the Falcons have done in rebuilding this team the past 2 years after the entire Michael Vick debacle went down. They seem to be doing things the right way and have become a fairly young, certainly exciting team to watch. The expectations have certainly been raised after last year's effort, but a difficult NFC South division will force them to battle hard if they hope to return to the playoffs. The Falcons made one big step in the right direction during the offseason as they acquired Hall of Fame bound TE Tony Gonzalez from the Chiefs. He may be 33 years old, but he's still one of the most prolific players at his position, hauling in 96 receptions for 1,058 yards and 10 TDs in KC last season. Gonzalez will give Matt Ryan a great option on intermediate routes to accompany the dynamic young WRs he has in Michael Jenkins and Roddy White.

White stepped up his game and proved himself to be amongst the NFC's best receivers as he made 88 grabs for 1,382 yards and 7 TDs last season, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl in the process. Joining him in Hawaii was RB Michael Turner, who signed with the team heading into 2008. He proved to be another extremely valuable pick up as he gained 1,699 yards on the ground and scored 17 times, good enough for 2nd in the NFL in both categories. The offense is certainly not an issue in Atlanta, as they were in the Top 10 in scoring last year. The defense on the other hand, can be a bit spotty.

The Falcons gave up a lot of yards last season and were near the bottom of the pack in the league. They did however manage to keep teams out of the end zone for the most part, which would go a long way in explaining their excellent record. John Abraham was a beast at DE last season with 16.5 sacks on the year, but nobody else on the defense could really be considered a playmaker. Only 4 teams had fewer interceptions than the Falcons did and they ended up a -3 in the turnover department for the season. On top of that, they lost some key components from their defense, as 4 of their top 9 tacklers from last season are gone now, including team leader Keith Brooking.

The Falcons focused on defense in the draft and will hope that those players develop quickly and that free agent acquisitions, veteran linebackers Jamie Winborn and Mike Peterson can fill the shoes of Brooking and Michael Boley. If the defense can be even decent again this year, the offense will carry this team a long ways. I expect them to be competing for the division title again this season and they should make the playoffs as well.

Last Season: 11-5

2009 Prediction: 10-6

Carolina Panthers

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: Geoff Hangartner (C), D.J. Hackett (WR), Nick Goings (FB), Frank Omiyale (OT), Adam Seward (LB), Mark Jones (WR), Donte' Curry (LB)

Draft Picks: Everette Brown (DE-Florida St.), Sherrod Martin (CB-Troy), Corvey Irvin (DT-Georgia), Mike Goodson (RB-Texas A&M), Tony Fiammetta (FB-Syracuse), Duke Robinson (G-Oklahoma), Captain Munnerlyn (CB-South Carolina)

Seemingly lost amongst all that happened in the 2008 season is the fact that the Carolina Panthers were 12-4. I imagine it was forgotten somewhere around the time the Arizona Cardinals were destroying the Panthers, in Charlotte, in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Carolina was humiliated in that game, losing 33-13, while Jake Delhomme managed to throw 5 interceptions and fumble the ball away as well. The team would surely like to erase that game from their mind as they head into 2009.

The Panthers struck gold with their running back combination last year as DeAngelo Williams had 1,515 yards and 18 rushing TDs, while Jonathan Stewart tacked on an additional 836 yards and 10 TDs. With a running game like that, being able to throw the ball was just icing on the cake. Delhomme was solid for the most part and Steve Smith was his favorite WR as usual. Despite missing the first 2 games of the year due to a suspension, Smith still managed 78 catches, 1,421 yards, and 6 TDs on the season. Despite his small stature, Smith is clearly one of the top receivers in the NFL right now.

Defensively, the Panthers are lead by LB Jon Beason who is entering his 3rd season in the league, and who is coming off a team leading 138 tackle season. Beason also managed 3 interceptions, tying him with Chris Gamble for the team lead. Julius Peppers was a pass rushing force at DE as usual, racking up 14.5 sacks for the year. The Panthers were middle of the pack in terms of yards given up last year, but were in the upper portion of the league when it comes to points against, which is truly the stat that matters defensively. Carolina drafted LB/DE hybrid Everette Brown out of Florida St. in the second round, hoping to compliment Peppers pass rushing efforts in the coming year. Brown, though a bit undersized, will likely line up at DE for the Panthers.

Interestingly, Carolina steered clear of the free agent market this offseason, electing to not sign a single veteran player. The organization seems to be pleased with its current roster and must think that their playoff destruction last year was an anomaly rather than something to be concerned with. The usually tough Panthers' Defense is going to need to be able to shut down some explosive offenses as they face Atlanta and New Orleans twice each, as well as a rematch with Arizona in Week 8, in Glendale. The Panthers will likely be dueling with Atlanta for the NFC South crown, but I'd expect both to make it to the playoffs once again this year.

Last Season: 12-4

2009 Prediction: 10-6

New Orleans Saints

Key Additions: Darren Sharper (S), Jabari Greer (CB), Pierson Prioleau (S), Paul Spicer (DL), Roderick Coleman (DT), Anthony Waters (LB), Dan Campbell (TE), Darnell Dinkins (TE), Heath Evans (FB)

Key Losses: Deuce McAllister (RB), David Patten (WR), Mike McKenzie (CB), Dan Morgan (LB), Josh Bullocks (S), Darian Barnes (FB), Mike Karney (FB), Eric Johnson (TE), Hollis Thomas (DT), Antwan Lake (DT), Brian Young (DT)

Draft Picks: Malcom Jenkins (CB-Ohio St.), Chip Vaughn (S-Wake Forest), Stanley Arnoux (LB-Wake Forest), Thomas Morstead (P-Southern Methodist)

The New Orleans Saints had a very back and forth season in 2008 on their way to an 8-8 record. The team never won or lost more than 2 games in a row all season long and battled the injury bug throughout. The Saints have a solid passing game intact, but questions galore with their ground game. Defensively, they've got some definite issues and were in the bottom third of the league in points surrendered last season.

The high point of the 2008 season for the Saints was clearly the play of QB Drew Brees. Brees was on the verge of breaking Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards, but came up just short with 5,069, which he complimented quite nicely with 34 TDs. 7 different players had 30+ receptions for the team, but WR Lance Moore lead the way with 79 grabs, 928 yards, and 10 TDs. Devery Henderson established himself as a deep threat, averaging 24.8 yards per catch. Offensively, the Saints' struggles all stemmed from their ability, or lack thereof, to consistently run the ball.

Injuries made for something of a revolving door at the RB position for New Orleans, as no back had more than 129 carries. Pierre Thomas was the man to hit that mark, and he managed 625 yards and 9 TDs in the process. Relatively unknown coming into the year, he made the most of the opportunity he was given and will look to further those numbers as he takes over as the starter in 2009. Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister both missed significant time due to injuries, and for McAllister, it ultimately cost him his job with the Saints, as he was released in the offseason. Bush had huge expectations leveled on him coming out of USC a few years back, but so far hasn't been able to be counted on to shoulder the load as a traditional RB. The Saints have realized this and have sought to make him more effective by getting him the ball in space, using him more frequently in pass catching roles.

Jonathan Vilma made the most of his first season in New Orleans, leading the team in tackles with 132, and earning himself a contract worth $34 million over 5 years in the process. The Saints had a very young defense in 2008 and at times, it showed. They look to add some veteran leadership by bringing in guys like Paul Spicer, Pierson Prioleau, and Darren Sharper, all of which will be in at least their 10th year in the league. Sharper is not the same player he once was with Green Bay and Minnesota, as his stats have continued to dwindle over the last few years, but he should be key in the leadership department.

The Saints are capable of putting a lot of points on the board with their potent passing game, but last year they proved just as capable of giving up a lot of points. Teams head into this year knowing what to expect from Brees and company, and will probably key on stopping the passing game. Pierre Thomas seems to hold the fate of the Saints in his hands a bit in 2009, as his ability to build on a strong late season performance last year will be the key to the Saints maintaining balance on offense. I see a letdown in the making and expect New Orleans to struggle a bit more this season.

Last Season: 8-8

2009 Prediction: 6-10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Additions: Byron Leftwich (QB), Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE), Angelo Crowell (LB), Derrick Ward (RB), Dirk Johnson (P)

Key Losses: Jeff Garcia (QB), Brian Griese (QB), Warrick Dunn (RB), Joey Galloway (WR), Ike Hilliard (WR), Alex Smith (TE), Luke Petigout (OT), Kevin Carter (DE), Cato June (LB), Derrick Brooks (LB), Phillip Buchanon (CB), Jovan Haye (DT)

Draft Picks: Josh Freeman (QB-Kansas St.), Roy Miller (DT-Texas), Kyle Moore (DE-USC), Xavier Fulton (OL-Illinois), E.J. Biggers (CB-Western Michigan), Sammie Stroughter (WR-Oregon St.)

Perhaps no team will look as different in 2009 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After finishing the 2008 season at 9-7, the team has been blown up on a large scale. Raheem Morris takes over the head coaching duties at just 32 years old, and a new general manager is also in place. Virtually every long time, recognizable Buccaneer's face was shown the door as well, including names like Warrick Dunn and Derrick Brooks. Josh Freeman was drafted as the QB of the future for the team, but he's not without plenty of competition at the position.

Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese both saw significant time as the starting QB last year for Tampa, and both have left town since. Byron Leftwich was brought in from Pittsburgh to compete for the starting job alongside Luke McCown and as of the writing of this article, the winner has still not been settled. Leftwich appeared to slightly be in the lead heading into the 2nd preseason game, but he did not perform too well and McCown stepped up his game. Raheem Morris had stated that he expected to name a starter following this 2nd preseason game, but his decision appears to have been made even more difficult. Each bring a slightly different skill set to the table, so it's an interesting debate.

Antonio Bryant will likely be the primary target of whichever QB wins the battle, as the WR lead the team last season with 83 receptions, 1248 yards, and 7 TDs. Nobody else was really even close, and Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway are also no longer on the team. The receiving corps of the Bucs is thin at best, and both QBs seem like a downgrade from Jeff Garcia to me. Additionally, the running game in Tampa is questionable as well. Last year's statistical leader Warrick Dunn is currently unemployed and the two incumbents each spent a good deal of last year injured. Cadillac Williams didn't play until week 12 last year, when he took over for then injured Earnest Graham. Neither were remarkable, but Graham was probably more reliable. Derrick Ward comes over from the NY Giants, where he broke 1,000 yards on less than 200 carries last season. He looks to be the front runner as the starter heading into the season, but only time will tell how he handles the spotlight.

As usual, Tampa was one of the better defenses in the league last season, and with Morris being a defensive minded coach, I'm sure his emphasis will remain there. However, veteran linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June were amongst the casualties of all the offseason changes, and they are not easily replaced. Angelo Crowell comes over from Buffalo where he had shown signs of being a talented, up and coming OLB before an injury requiring knee surgery cost him the 2008 season in its entirety. Last night in the team's preseason game against Jacksonville, Crowell injured his arm and may be out again for this season. With the exception of a few players, notably S Ronde Barber and DT Chris Hovan, the Bucs have an extremely young defense. Morris will have to hope his young talent overachieves to have a chance at being close to last year's level of play.

In the NFL, it's very hard to completely change the look of an organization and have success right away. Tampa will be no exception in my opinion. I see them taking a hard fall this year as they search for an identity. Morris will have his hands full as a young first time head coach staring at a team full of question marks. I fully expect them to be bringing up the rear of the NFC South this season.

Last Season: 9-7

2009 Prediction: 5-11