Well now that the first week of the NFL preseason has come and gone let's take a look at some players from each NFC South team who stood out amongst their teamates.

Atlanta Falcons : QB Matt Ryan looked good starting his first game in the NFL.  In his limited time behind center he passed for 113 yds and a touchdown while going 9-of-15 passing. Not bad for a rookie and a team without much hopes of making any noise at all this season.

His lone touchdown pass was a 25-yard strike to Roddy White with 10:55 remaining in the first half. White slipped behind the defense on the play and caught the pass as he worked his way into the endzone. 

The First team defense also played pretty well considering they started a rookie former LSU CB Chevis Jackson and three second year players Brent Grimes, Tony Taylor and Jamaal Anderson.

Carolina Panthers : DeAngelo williams stood out the most to me on the offensive side of the ball scoreing twice on the ground. He looked to be healthy and pretty quick when running the ball. He's a player the Panthers will rely upon this season to help take the load off QB Jake delhomme. He finished the night with 55 yards on nine carries for the night for an impressive 6.1-yard average.

Big props to the offensive line as well during these runs. The holes they created were huge enough that the worst RB in the league might have been able to look impressive going through.

The defensive line looked really impressive especially Juluis Peppers who forced a fumble and on another play his pressure caused an errant pass which turned into an interception. Peppers is looking to rebound after a mediocre 2007 season.

Tampa Bay : I wasn't all that impressed with the Buc's offense against a very weak Miami defense. Although they were without starting QB Jeff Garcia none of the other QB's showed me that if Garcia goes down they'd be able to carry this team to the playoffs. RB Michael Bennet had a very nice game. He  finished the game with 74 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries plus a game-high four receptions for 16 yards.

The defense on the other hand looked like the same Tampa defense we've come to know and expect. CB Ronde Barber had the Bucs' first sack, forced a fumble and tied for the team lead with three tackles.

The defense didn't allow a play longer than 21 yards, not bad for just a half days work. The Buccaneers' starters on defense made an impressive debut in the opening quarter. Miami's first drive was a quick three-and-out — two running plays that went nowhere and an incompletion that was momentarily ruled a fumble.

New Orleans : WR Robert Meachem was the best player for the Saints who opened their preseason on thurs. night in Arizona.  He had two highlight catches on the night. A short run brought up a third-and-10 and Brunell fired a 49-yard pass to a diving Meachem at the Cardinals’ 3 yard-line. However his TD catch and run was the most impressive. He caught a pass across the middle of the field and broke three tackles en route to a 60-yard TD that gave the Saints a 24-10 lead in the fourth quarter.

 QB Drew Brees went six-for-seven passing on the first drive for 35 yards, including a perfectly thrown pass on third-and-goal from the Cardinals’ 7 yard-line to WR David Patten for a score.

The defense didn't look all that good to me and even though they gave up no huge plays and kept everything in front of them, they still allowed Arizona to make those catches pretty much uncontested. The Saints still have plenty kinks to work out and hopefully look better in the next game when most of the starting defense will get a chance to play a few downs.

All the offseason talk about who will be the top teams in the NFC this season doesn't include any team from the South division. Most people want to already crown the Dallas Cowboys the conference champs. Seattle gets talked about as one team who should make as much noise as it's fans.  Greenbay is still for whatever reason a playoff team in most peoples minds even without the future HOF QB Brett Favre. Nobody is giving a team from the NFC South much respect.

Not last years division winner Tampa. Nope not the New Orleans Saints and it's High Powerd offense. Neither is Carolina whose QB is back in the saddle after off-season elbow Surgery and a new feature back rookie Jonathan Stewart, not to mention one of the best WR in the game Steve Smith. As for the Falcons it's obvious why nobody is giving them a snowballs chance in hell to be much of anything.

So this has got me to thinking why is this so? Is it because each team from the South division was subpar last season? Surely that can't be what it is. It's a new year and new players to fill in the holes that plagued each last season. Is it because of all four teams the Saints are the only to not make a Superbowl and only Tampa has won one?  Nobody can be naive enough to believe that'll happen for as long as the NFL exist.

So I'll break down the teams how I see it and try to come up with something that seems to have flown past me but most can see clearly.

   The Panthers have always been a tough team with the exception of last season. With Delhomme injured and a QB like David Carr running the show it wasn't surprising. This off-season though Jake will be back but his affectivness after having Tommy John sugery is questionable. Can he be affective enough to get the ball into the best player they have hands enough to be succesful? I think he can and with Muhsin Muhammad back that'll give him another option that the team lacked big last season.

The Panthers also added D.J. Hackett who can be a good third option as well. Also with a backfield consisting of DeAngelo Williams and rookie first round pick Jonathan Stewart handling the rushing attack it'll take some pressure off of Delhomme. The offense needs to make it happen and score as often as possible. Last season they only avg. 16.7 points a game. I can't see that happening all over again.

The defense is where they are sorely lacking in my opinion. Julius Peppers has to find himself and play with more intensity. He's the leader of that side of the ball, although I just don't think he has the fire anymore to produce like he once did. With Dan Morgan and Ruckers hanging up the pads, this defense is a shell of what it once was.

So I see them finishing third in the division. Until they can add some more peices to the defense I'll not change my opinion on this one.

Prediction: 8-8 and no playoffs for this group.

  Tampa is the defending division winner from last season. Now I do believe they were a product of a horrible division of which they were a little better than the rest. However this season they are better than last. Earnest Graham was  surprising to say the least and should be a good RB again this season. He has good speed to go along with power.

Jeff Garcia is and always has been a good QB who knows how to win games. His pocket presence is very good and knows how to get the ball into the ageless wonder and speedster Joey Galloways hands. WR Ike Hilliard had a very good season as well as the #2 man. They could however use more production from Michael Clayton who was virtualy a no show last year.

On the defensive side of the ball Tampa is still Tampa. They've always played with good intensity and seem to be in the right place at the right time. With Gains Adams coming along at DE, and LB Derrick Brooks still giving teams fits, I stll think this is the strength of this team. Ronde Barber is a very good vet. and with a draft pick like Aquib Talib the DB's who ranked 1st in the league in passing yards allowed should be just about as good.

They'll push for another division title but I see them falling short. Although if they do win it I'll not be surprised one bit.

Prediction: 9-7 possible wildcard, who knows depends on the rest of the conference records.

 New Orleans was probably the biggest disappointment of any team last season. I know it was for me atleast. For the first four games I thought I was watching the same Saints Jim Haslett coached his last season. They had spurts of looking like the 2006 Saints here and there but without Deuce McAlister on the field, I'm not sure the could have beaten the Raiders. Deuce is coming off his second knee Surgery in 3 seasons. Although it isn't the same knee as the first, can he really shake back and be the powerful runner he was in '06? That's a question that remains to be answerd.

Drew Brees in my opinion has been the best QB the past two seasons. He's done almost as much as Peyton Manning or Tom Brady with less talented wideouts. I fully expect him to continue producing in the passing game again this season. With the gem they found in Marquis Colston, who seems to catch everything thrown his way, why shouldn't I? Word is from the Saints personel that second year WR and last years first round pick Robert Meachem has taken big strides after sitting out all of last season with a nagging injury.

Throw in rookie Adrian Arrington who is also getting rave reviews from coaches, hell push Devery Henderson for the #3 reciever position. Bush ramains a mystery to me still. I'm not ready to say he can carry the load if Deuce isn't able to produce. Although I like Pierre Thomas and what he has shown so far.

The defense of the Saints was sicking and that's putting it lightly. Although they were 13th in the league against the run, teams were able to mix it up and make huge plays over the top in the passing game. That'll not happen again this season as and First round pick Sedrick Ellis will be a force to be reckon with. He'll apply pressure up the middle on QB's and not allowing them to sit back and burn the DB's. Also he is a monster at stuffing the run. Ellis has the speed to move lateral and long arms to reach out and tackle RB's trying to bounce outside. That'll force offenses to double up on him freeing up the Saints very good DE's.

Free agent pickup Jonathan Vilma was a huge acquisition for them. The former DROY will pay big dividends for the Saints this season. Mike McKenzies injury is a concern but 2nd year CB Usama Young has looked good and coach Payton is impressed with rookie Tracy Porter so far.

I think the Saints have the right players and attitude to win the division. With the only real competition comeing from Tampa.

Prediction:10-6 maybe better if Duece can bust loose once again. I do however see them getting to the second round of the playoffs atleast.

    The Atlanta Falcons have more issues than playboy magazine. Sure they have gotten a pretty good QB in Matt Ryan who someday may have their fans forgeting the whole Mike Vick thing. However this team has some character issues all over the place. I'm not to sure a first year coach with a rookie QB can change that in one season. As a tam they ranked almost dead last in well everything.

Former Saints WR  Joe Horn(we still love you here Joe) is looking for a window to fly out of after just one very unproductive season. After that the only recievers with a name is Michael Jenkins who is very incosistant and Brian Finneran who'll never be much of anything more than he already is.

Jerious Norwood showed he can run at times but it'll take more than just a descent run game to get these falcons flying. Although they did pickup a nice free-agent in Michael Turner but will he be able to do the same in Atlanta as he did filling in for L.T in San Diego? I highly doubt it, but one never truely knows.

On the otherside it get's no better a sfar as big names go. Sure there is John Abraham,Keith Brooking and Lawyer Milloy but both Milloy and Brookings are old vets and probably in the decline of their careers. Gone is CB DeAngelo Hall who although had attitude problems he was a top 3 CB in this league.

Now they'll rely heavily on young CB's and who knows rookie Chevis Jackson from LSU just might be the best one they have. It will be quite some years befor this team is ready to compete with the rest of the division much more the league itself. Sucks to be a Falcons fan right now because I'm pretty sure a Miami like '07 season is in store for this team.

Yeah as you guessed it they'll finish dead last in the division if not the whole conference or league. Whew! glad that's over with I was getting depressed just typing about them.

Prediction: 5-11 maybe worse depends on if the team implodes or not. This is giving them the benifit of the doubt.

So there it is ladies and gentleman my breakdown of the NFC South teams and possible likely finishes. Feel free to add your opinion or just tell me I took one to many blows to the head. I look forward to your comments.

 DeAngelo Hall CB for the Atlanta Falcons wants to move to a new home. Well Mr. Hall how does New Orleans sound to you? It's a short trip and the best part is you will have an opportunity twice a season to stick it to the team you feel stabbed you in the back.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to choose a CB with the 10th overall pick in this Aprils draft. All signs show that they are eyeing South Florida CB Mike Jenkins. With Asante Samuels looking for something around 10 mill. this season, it's said the the Patriots are also eyeing Jenkins as well. Other Mock Drafts have the Saints who are in desperate need o####ood cover corner also giving much thought on Troy's Leodis McKelvin.

My opinion though is at 24, DeAngelo Hall is one of the top 5 CB's in the league. Giving up a first round pick and possibly a pick in the latter rounds might be a wise decision. Atleast you know what you are getting from Hall. There is always the possibility that a draftee will be a bust and we all know the Saints have certainly had their share of those.

New Orleans needs defensive help in a bad way. Free agent pick up from last season Jason David just isn't getting it done. That's not the only help the Saints need though. They could really use a big time MLB and after persuing Zach Thomas who decided to play close to home in Dallas, this makes the draft and free agency even more interesting for the fans.

You see there is this LB from USC named Keith Rivers who is versatile and can play both MLB and outside. If New Orleans doesn't make a move for Hall then I think this might be a smarter draft pick than any CB that could be available to them. That is if he is still there for them to choose. Also this could allow the Saints to maybe pick a CB in the second round, someone like LSU's  Chevis Jackson. He has great size and strength for a CB and plays pretty smart.

Back to Asante Samuels if the Patriots do not resign him and let's say they pull of a trade for Hall, which would be good for them because he is as good if not better for less money. This would also allow the New Orleans Saints to persue Samuels whom they thought of just a year ago.

The next few weeks will be interesting to say the least. With the combine underway in Indy and the draft a little more than a month away. Lots of speculating will be going on. Things will start to clear up though as the weeks move on. I for one am anxious and ready for some football.

DeAngelo Hall seen above in a heated argument with coach Bobby Petrino is once again upset with the falcons coach and organization, after the team released defensive lineman Grady Jackson. The pro-bowl cornerback believes the team has already given up this season and looking towards next year. He has already been fined once by the team for a sideline confrontation with Petrino.

Hall was quoted as saying," I don't know what kind of message is being sent to let Grady go' Hall also said, "I am trying to go all out on every snap. But alot of guys feel like everyone from the top down are kind of turning it in." Petrino denied that is the case at all.

" It had nothing to do with anything but football" the coach said. "It's just the way we wanted to go." Players feel as though the coach has given way to the young guys in expense of the veterans on the team. Hall is not buying what the coach is selling to the fans and media at all.

"If that's the case... they can probably cut me to," Hall said. "They need to cut all 53 of us. Nobody is playing the way they should be right now, obviously. I mean we're 1-6. To sit there and single out Grady is assinine. It's ridiculous."

Other players were just as stunned as Hall. RB Warrick Dunn said "It's a shock, and we are all asking the question why?" As the loses piled up TE Alge Crumpler blasted the play calling of Petrino and said that the team was focusing on the younger players and leaving the vet's out in the cold.

Hall also said this about his contract with Atlanta. I didn't just sign a lucrative deal where I can sit around and watch this ship sink," Hall said. "I can't do that. I've got one more year on my deal. I feel as though I can go out and get a ton of money, whether it's here of somewhere else. I've got a lot of stuff to play for."

One things for certain and that's if coach Petrino doesn't right the ship the team is in jepordy of losing another good player from this team. Something Atlanta can ill afford with the shots it has taken to it's roster so far this season. You can bet on one thing, when Hall's contract is up there will be plenty of teams looking to use his services. Hey Hall we sure would welcome you in New Orleans when ever you are ready to come.

The season is far from over yet. I'm sure there will be plenty more grumblings going on in the Falcons locker room. It will be interesting to see if coach Bobby Petrino can get his veterans to go along with his plan. I doubt it, so look for more Drama from Atlanta soon.

       VS

This Sunday the Saints will host the Atlanta Falcons. We all know the thrashing New Orleans gave the Falcons in two games last year. Will Atlanta be looking for a little payback?

 The Falcons have named Byron Leftwich as the starter this week. Coach Bobby Petrino has flip flopped his QB's a few times since Leftwich has arrived. Atlanta is looking to add some kind of spark to a team that has struggled so far this season. The Falcons are 0-3 in the NFC  this season. The only team worse is the St. Louis Rams. Coach Petrino says he plans to leave Leftwich as the starter for the remainder of the season. 

 Also this will be WR Joe Horns first return back to New Orleans where he spent the better part of his career. Horn was the face of the New Orleans franchise until signing with Atlanta this off-season. Horn has had some great games and put up huge numbers in the Superdome while playing for the Saints. Look for him to try and do that against his ex-teamates. Should be an emotional return for Horn.

New orleans on the other hand will be looking to get just it's second win this season and first at home. The Saints are coming off of a win last week against the Seattle Seahawks. A win they most desperately needed. Reggie bush came up huge in the first half for the Saints and they'll be looking for him to have another solid performance against Atlanta. Bush had 97 yds on the ground and 141yds from scrimmage.

QB Drew Brees had a mistake free game last week. Something that has not been the case so far this season. In order for the Saints to win he will have to be just as good if not better in this game. Look for the Saints to try and use the run game to open up the passing game for Drew Brees.

The Saints have won the last two meetings with the Falcons but Atlanta leads the all-time series 43-32. New Orleans needs this win if they are to stay in the hunt for another NFC South division title. They currently stand at 0-2 giveing more importance to this meeting with the Falcons.