Throughout the month of August, leading up to the start of the NFL season, Mark Eckel will preview each division. Today he looks at the NFC South.

Not long after Vernon Davis’ touchdown catch sent New Orleans to an early exit from the playoffs, things just kept getting worse for the Saints.

From the bounty sanctions that have left head coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and linebacker Jon Vilma suspended for a year to accusations that Loomis had the opposing coaches locker room office wiretapped to a long contract impasse with quarterback Drew Brees, it hasn't been a great offseason for the Saints.

Brees got his deal done and that above all else was most important.

The quarterback is happy and is also playing with a little bit of vindictiveness, which isn’t a bad thing.

With defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, along with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. expected to run things when the season starts, the Saints are in decent hands. Neither is as good as Payton, but they may be better than any other combination in the NFC South.

And so is the talent level of the Saints. So why most are writing last year’s division champs off, don’t be surprised to see this team rise, as it’s done in the past, and hold off an overrated Falcons team for the division title.

Here’s a look at the way things break down this year in the NFC South.

NEW ORLEANS

Last Year: 13-3

Head Coach: Sean Payton (suspended)

Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael Jr.

Defensive Coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo

What's New: The biggest addition is probably Spags, who failed as head coach of the Rams, but when last seen as a defensive coordinator was winning a Super Bowl with the Giants. Linebacker Curtis Lofton, from the rival Falcons, may take over in the middle for Vilma. Ben Grubbs, a free agent from Baltimore, adds to an already very good offensive line.

See You Later: Guard Carl Nicks left for Tampa Bay, wide receiver Robert Meachem left for San Diego and cornerback Tracy Porter left for Denver. And of course, Vilma, is waiting to see if his year-long suspension gets reduced.

If Things Go Right: Brees will play even better than he did the past three years and take the Saints deep into the playoffs. The defense will rally around an "us vs. the world'' mentality and the Saints cruise to the title.

If Things Go Wrong: Payton's absence is felt even more than realized. Lofton can't replace Vilma and the tolls of the offseason result in a .500 season.

Look Out: Second-year running back Mark Ingram is ready to become one of the NFC's top backs.

Tell Me Why: Everyone is overlooking this team?



ATLANTA

Last Year: 10-6

Head Coach: Mike Smith

Offensive Coordinator: Dirk Koetter

Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan

What's New: The Falcons acquired cornerback Asante Samuel from the Eagles to add a much-needed playmaker to the secondary. Mike Nolan comes in to run Mike Smith's defense and Dirk Koetter is also new to the offense.

See You Later: The only loss of consequence was linebacker Curtis Lofton jumping ship to New Orleans.

If Things Go Right: The Falcons, after four consecutive winning seasons - a first in team history, finally gets over its playoff failure and gets to the franchise's second Super Bowl.

If Things Go Wrong: Atlanta continues to play its worst football at the worst time and is another first-round out in the playoffs. Worse yet, the past failures haunt the team and there aren't any playoffs.

Look Out: Nobody scores quicker than the Falcons. Over the past four years, Atlanta has scored more opening-drive points than any team in the league.

Tell Me Why: The Falcons can't win in the playoffs?



CAROLINA

Last year: 6-10

Head Coach: Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator: Rob Chudzinski

Defensive Coordinator: Sean McDermott

What's New: The only offseason addition was fullback Mike Tolbert, who came via free agency from San Diego.

See You Later: Oft-injured linebacker Dan Connor left for Dallas. Tight end Jeremy Shockey will also not return.

If Things Go Right: Quarterback Cam Newton, after a brilliant rookie season, takes another step, the defense continues to improve and the Panthers challenge for a wild-card spot.

If Things Go Wrong: Newton suffers a sophomore jinx and then all bets are off.

Look Out: Rivera knows linebackers and first-round pick Luke Kuechly has the look of a Rookie of the Year candidate.



Tell Me Why: The team didn't do a little more to help Newton on offense?



TAMPA BAY

Last Year: 4-12

Head Coach: Greg Schiano

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Sullivan

Defensive Coordinator: Bill Sheridan

What's New: Schiano, the former head coach of Rutgers, comes in with a brand-new attitude and a brand-new coaching staff. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson (San Diego) and guard Carl Nicks (New Orleans) are the key additions to the roster.

See You Later: Schiano didn't clean house, like most new head coaches, at least not yet. Check back at final cut-down day.

If Things Go Right: Schiano's rah-rah attitude and attention-to-detail style wakes up the Bucs after last year's dismal finale under Raheem Morris. Still, the best this team can hope to do is finish .500.

If Things Go Wrong: Schiano proves to be another college coach in over his head and the Bucs remain one of the worst teams in the league.

Look Out: Wide receiver Arrelious Benn keeps getting better every year.

Tell Me Why: If you can't win in the Big East, how do you win in the NFC South?

Tomorrow: AFC South



PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

New Orleans 11-5

Atlanta 9-7

Carolina 7-9

Tampa Bay 5-11

BEST OF THE SOUTH

QB – Drew Brees, New Orleans

RB – Michael Turner, Atlanta

WR – Roddy White, Atlanta

TE – Jimmy Graham, New Orleans

OL – Jahri Evans, New Orleans

DE – Charles Johnson, Carolina

DT – Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans

LB – Jon Beason, Carolina

CB – Asante Samuel, Atlanta

S – Roman Harper, New Orleans

Coach – Ron Rivera, Carolina

