Much like my College Football Is Upon Us section, I’m going to be doing a similar posting with the NFL. I’ll try to get one division out a day, but my work schedule is busy, so some days might not be posted on.

Today’s post will be on the NFC South, home of my Atlanta Falcons. I’ll be bouncing around after that, with no method to my madness, but all divisions will be covered. Enjoy.

1.) Carolina Panthers: Most people will be picking the Saints to win the NFC South, and why not? Their offense is deep, explosive, and second-year coach Sean Payton looks like the second coming of Bill Parcells (but a little more exciting). That said, the NFL is a tricky business to repeat success, and last year’s feel good story might be this year’s disappointment.

Insert: Carolina. They were a popular Super Bowl pick last year, only to finish 8-8. Jake Delhomme looked terrible, but says he’s past it. Steve Smith will need a receiver to step up — Dwayne Jarrett, mainly –to take some of the pressure off Carolina’s Wonder Man. The defense is solid: If Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker can stay healthy, the Panthers may have the best defensive line in the NFL (with Julius Peppers, of course).

Biggest Question: Can Jake Delhomme return to being Jake Delhomme? No one will know until the season starts. The guy had a great first few years, but last year’s disappointing season has Carolina fans in a hissy. I never thought I’d say this, but you may see some people start calling for David Carr.

2.) New Orleans Saints: It’s tempting to pick this team to win the division, and maybe even the NFC. But I’ve never subscribed to the theory that great offense beats great defense. The Saints will put up a lot of points this year, with Drew Brees in his second season under Payton’s system, not to mention guys like Marques Colston and Reggie Bush a year older and wiser. They only added to their offense when they drafted Robert Meachem, a speed receiver that brings decent size (about 220). Their problem?

Insert: The defense. Will Grant, Charles Grant and Hollis Thomas are solid on the line. . . but after that, there isn’t much support. Their linebacking crew is undersized and not super-quick, and their secondary is vulnerable to the big play.

Biggest Question: Can Drew Brees and the entire city of New Orleans continue their magical run? They were a sleeper last year, a team many were expecing to lose 8 to 10 games, and they took advantage of teams overlooking them. They won’t go undercover this year — Marques Colston is going to see many doubles, and Devery Henderson may have to become more than just a speed receiver who catches it deep (led the league with a 23.3 average yard per catch).

3.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jon Gruden was a hero around this town five years ago; now he’s hearing those same fans that cheered him calling for his exodus. The Buccaneers’ offense last year was awful: 10 of their 16 games they scored 14 or fewer points. Their offensive line is suspect, their receivers not as fast as they should be, and their starting quarterback. . . wait.

Insert: Jeff Garcia. I’ll be the first person to say that I don’t believe last year’s run by the Eagles was the product of Jeff Garcia working miracles. He had a very good defense behind him, and he didn’t turn the ball over. This defense, which used to be great, is only moderate, if even. Their best player, Derrick Brooks, is approaching an age where he shouldn’t be your best player. Simeon Rice and Shelton Quarles helped anchor a sub-par D last year, and both are now elsewhere. So, Jeff, now you’re not to lose the game. . . you’re asked to win it.

Biggest Question: A lot of ‘em. Can Jeff Garcia spark the Bucs the same way he did the Eagles? Can a wide receiver finally step up for Jon Gruden? Can an aging defense become a smart, veteran defense? This team has a lot of holes, and are probably still a few years away from really turning this thing around.

4.) Atlanta Falcons: This should come as no surprise. Our receivers are: Joe Horn (old), Michael Jenkins (can’t catch) and Roddy White (see: Michael Jenkins). We’ve got a good tight end, sure, but when all you can say about your offense is, “Hey, we’ve got a good tight end,” things aren’t going well. Jerious Norwood will break a few big ones under Petrino’s system, but, ultimately, we’ve got Joey Harrington throwing to some guys who haven’t proven much in their two or three years in the league.

Insert: Michael Vick. Yeah, right.

Biggest Question: Can Joey Harrington win? Though it’s a question most have an answer to, Bobby Petrino has a way of turning bad quarterbacks into good quarterbacks.