NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS

How will the offseason injuries of Rod Coleman and Demorrio Williams affect the Falcons' defense?

Losing Coleman and Williams puts the Falcons defense in a serious bind. With Grady Jackson missing offseason workouts because of a contract dispute and Patrick Kerney leaving via free agency, the Falcons are facing the prospect of starting four new players on defense. Draftees Stephen Nicholas and Jamaal Anderson will step in for Williams and Kerney, while Jonathan Babineaux will start for Coleman. Given the struggles that the Falcons had on defense last season, it is hard to imagine their defense improving much with first- and second-year players slated to start at key positions. While the majority of the focus will be on Michael Vick and the offense, the defense will be the reason that the Falcons start out slowly under Bobby Petrino.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Will DeAngelo Williams supplant DeShaun Foster as the starting tailback?

Yes. Williams was effective in a limited role last season and his skills on the perimeter could give their running game a much needed boost. While Foster has been productive as the starter, injuries have robbed him of the burst and explosiveness he once had. Foster has become a downhill runner, rather than the explosive outside runner that he was earlier in his career. Both should be incorporated into the offense, but Williams deserves the bulk of the carries due to ability to make a big play.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Can tight end Eric Johnson actually make a great offense even better?

This is one of the most underrated signings of the offseason. The Saints led the league in passing last season, but rarely used the tight end. Johnson caught 82 passes in 2004 and has the potential to be a 50-plus catch receiver in this offense. Marques Colston and Reggie Bush will be the targets of double coverage, and Drew Brees will be forced to find other options. If Johnson can give them a threat in the middle of the field, the rest of the passing game will open up even more. This under-the-radar acquisition will keep the Saints' offense rolling at a high level.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Who wins the QB battle: Jeff Garcia or Chris Simms?

Garcia will be the Buccaneers starting quarterback in 2007. Garcia led the Eagles on an improbable playoff run by completing 61 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions. The confidence, poise and leadership that he displayed during that run is exactly what the Buccaneers need. In addition to those intangibles, Garcia's physical skills fit in perfectly in Jon Gruden's offense. He has enough mobility to move around in the pocket and is an accurate passer who has always completed nearly 60 percent of his passes. Gruden's most successful offenses have been led by veteran quarterbacks. Garcia gives him a player in the mold of his most productive pupil, Rich Gannon.

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Will Edgerrin James bounce back from a sub-par 2006 season?

Edgerrin rushed for over 1,000 yards for the sixth time in eight years, but averaged a career low 3.4 yards per carry and failed to have a run over 20 yards for the first time in his career. His production fell far short of expectations and the Cardinals never established the running game that they needed to complement their passing attack.

New head coach Ken Whisenhunt orchestrated top-10 rushing attacks in Pittsburgh as offensive coordinator and is planning on building a power running game featuring Edgerrin as the workhorse. Their offensive line was upgraded with the signings of Mike Gandy and Al Johnson in free agency and they picked up Levi Brown with the No. 5 overall pick. And they added Terrelle Smith as a fullback to give Edgerrin a legitimate lead blocker. Based on the offensive line improvements and the track record of Whisenhunt, expect Edgerrin to re-establish himself as one of the top runners in the league.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Do the 49ers have enough pieces to make their 3-4 defense work?

No. After giving up a league high 25.8 points per game, the 49ers chose to rebuild their 3-4 defense by being aggressive in free agency and the draft. Nate Clements was signed to give them the shut-down corner that they needed, and free-agent signees Michael Lewis and Abrayo Franklin, upgraded their respective position. Tully Banta-Cain and first-round pick, Patrick Willis bring energy and toughness, but there are still major holes along the defensive line. They lack depth at defensive tackle and are without a dominant pass rusher at rush end/outside linebacker. Without the horses to pressure the quarterback, the 49ers won't have consistency on defense.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Will Dante Hall dramatically improve the Rams' woeful return game?

The Rams have ranked near the bottom of the league in both punt and kickoff returns since 2003, so they made draft-weekend deal to get Hall. I think Hall will return to Pro Bowl form now that he won't really have receiving duties and this exactly what St. Louis needed.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Will running back Shaun Alexander bounce back?

After leading the league in rushing in 2005, Alexander failed to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career since taking the starting role. His foot injury played a part in his dramatic decrease in production, but I think the real factor behind his declining production was the loss of Steve Hutchinson. Hutchinson and Walter Jones combined to form a dominating force on the left side of the line.

Alexander averaged more than 4.5 yards a carry in his first five seasons as a starter, but saw that average fall to 3.9 yards per carry in '06. Rob Sims and Pork Chop Womack failed to fill the vacancy left by Hutchinson's departure, and the Seahawks missed out on signing top free agent Kris Dielman in free agency. Former starting center Robbie Tobeck recently retired and his replacement, Chris Spencer, is recovering from a shoulder injury. With the offensive line in transition, expect Alexander's production to continue to decline.