NFC South Free Agent Roundup

New Orleans - After re-signing All-Pro LB Jonathan Vilma and RT Jon Stinchcomb, the Saints (8-8, last place in the division) will return all 22 starters from the league's top-rated offense and porous defense. They also re-signed 3rd-string WR and one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league, Devery Henderson, and special teams ace and backup LB Troy Evans. The only new addition in free agency thus far is CB Jabari Greer, a former undrafted free agent from the University of Tennessee, who started for Buffalo the past two years and registered four INT's and two pick-6's that keyed victories for the Bills in 2008. Greer upgrades a Saints secondary that was toast in former DC's Gary Gibbs conservative 4-3 defense. Gibbs, a longtime friend and assistant to Coach Sean Payton, was fired shortly after the completion of the regular season and was replaced by defensive guru Gregg Williams. Coach Williams will implement an aggressive 4-3 defense that should prove to be the key to turning around a Saints defense that has been shredded the previous two seasons.

Tampa Bay - The Buc's (9-7, 3rd place, faded badly down the stretch) have made it clear that they are overhauling their ball club this offseason. The wholesale began when they fired Coach Chuckie and replaced him with their former secondary coach and first-time head coach, Raheem Morris. Along with Chuckie, they cut long-time defensive captain Derrick Brooks and much of the old guard including LB Cato June, RB Warrick Dunn, WR Joey Galloway, and WR Ike Hilliard. They traded draft picks to the Browns for TE Kellen Winslow and signed UFA Derrick Ward. Ward was one of two Giants RB's to rush for over 1,000 yards in '08 and will have every opportunity to prove his worth as the featured back in Tampa. Nay-sayers have argued that Ward piled on yards on 3rd- and longs and ran behind a stellar offensive line in New York, but he may prove to be a free agent gem for the Buc's. Tampa also added special teamers K Mike Nugent and backup LB Niko Koutouvides, re-signed special teams caption S Will Allen, and re-signed WR Michael Clayton. Tampa remains well under the salary cap and would figure to continue activity this offseason.

Carolina - The Panthers (13-3, division champs, lost in divisional round to Cardinals) have been rather quiet so far this offseason. They re-signed LT Jordan Gross and placed the franchise tag on All-Pro DE Julius Peppers. They released veterans, OL Jeremy Bridges, RB Nick Goings, and WR D.J. Hackett. Carolina seems poised to rely on what won them the division championship last year.

Atlanta - The Dirty Birds (12-4, 2nd place, lost in wild-card round to Cardinals) were the surprise team in the division last year after Coach Mike Smith stepped in for Bobby Petrino after he left town in dark of the night with three games remaining on the schedule. They drafted QB Matt Ryan to replace Mike Vick, and Ryan has the look of a franchise QB who will give the rest of the NFC South headaches for years to come. The Birds have not done much to improve on their success in 2008. Longtime defensive captain LB Keith Brooking signed with the Cowboys and starting CB Dominique Foxworth will also not be retained by the team. To compensate the loss of these starting defenders, Atlanta has signed a bunch of scrubs; A bad defense appears to have gotten worse this offseason. Matt Ryan and company will have to carry the load if the Birds expect to post their first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history.