FanHouse JonathanGoodwin

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is right around the corner, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Drew Brees is, to me, the third best quarterback in the league. And that's not just because I have a giant man-crush on him. Say what you will about your Tony Romos and Carson Palmers, but I'd take Brees over those two, especially as he appears to be in the prime of his career. All he's done since arriving in New Orleans is put up gaudy numbers through the air, but he plays a heady game based on quick (and good) decisions. He's also a good guy off the field and the unquestioned leader of the team. Mark Brunell was brought in as Brees' backup while project Tyler Palko continues to develop, and while you don't want to see the old lefty play at all, his arm looks good enough in camp to sustain for a couple of weeks if need be. Anything more than that, though, and the Saints are in trouble. Heat Index: 9

Running Back: Running back committees are a bitch for fantasy owners, but none have encountered a mess like this, where four backs are going to get a fair share of touches. Exactly how the carries shake out depends on Deuce McAllister's health; ditto for the productivity of the group. All four backs -- McAllister, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Aaron Stecker -- are talented, but Deuce is the only pounder that can keep the running game glued together. If he's in the lineup, expect Bush to flourish, with Thomas making a solid impact as well. If he's not, Thomas takes on a larger role and, though he rolled up Chicago for over 200 yards from scrimmage in Week 17 last year, it remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time NFL back. Luckily, Deuce has looked healthy so far. Heat Index: 7

In noting that the Saints are dangling Jammal Brown, MDS asks if it makes sense to trade a 27-year-old All-Pro left tackle for a rookie who will get massive guaranteed money right away. Usually, that question is a no-brainer. In this instance, I'm not so sure.

What many don't know about Brown is that he's got a degenerative knee condition dating back to his college days that teams were aware of. The word on the injury was that it wouldn't damper his play, but would most likely shorten his career significantly. I think that injury is in the Saints' minds right now, tempting them to deal Brown before he commands a huge contract he might not live up to.

The team is also deep at tackle, and love young backups Zach Strief and Jermon Bushrod. If Brown were to be dealt it would be Strief's job, which also fits into logic. Since Sean Payton arrived, the team has slowly converted their offensive line into a nasty, physical bunch. New-ish starters Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, and potential starter Andy Alleman all have that quality, and Strief does too. Brown's a finesse tackle.

So to me, at least, it makes sense to deal Brown while the Saints can turn his value into a potentially All-Pro defensive tackle, the missing piece that has resulted in such a consistently bad defense. But it might not be the Rams Brown is headed to -- perhaps he and the 10th pick go to the Chiefs, which should land the Saints Sedrick Ellis. In return the Chiefs get a great tackle and can replace Jared Allen with Derrick Harvey. Things that make you go "hmmmmm."

It took a while for the Saints to start locking down their own free agents, but they're picking up steam. Yesterday they announced two re-signings on the offensive line -- backup center Jonathan Goodwin and starting left guard Jamar Nesbit. Goodwin's signing could mean the end of a third lineman, free agent starting center Jeff Faine.

Word on the street is that Faine is looking to be one of the highest-paid centers in the league, and the Saints apparently recognize that that's foolish, so he appears to be walking (potentially to division rival Tampa Bay). Faine is a very intelligent center who excels at calling out blocking assignments. But he's also undersized. At 290 pounds, he has a tough time blocking nose tackles 20-30 pounds heavier than he is (we already know he's a tad on the weak side). When Faine missed two games with injuries, the offense was much better under Goodwin. The fact that he was given a three-year, $8.5 million deal suggests as well that the Saints aren't paying him to be a backup.

As for Nesbit, there's been word that the team feels '07 draft pick Andy Alleman might be able to take over this year, so Nesbit could potentially lose his starting job. If he does, though, he's a very good backup who's played at all five positions. Either way, by what the Saints did and didn't do yesterday, I think their line got better.

NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason.

1. Defensive Tackle/Linebacker/Cornerback. I know this reeks of a cop-out, and I guess you're right. But every time I think that the Saints need one of these positions over the others, I change my mind. On one hand you've got defensive tackle, where Hollis Thomas, the only true nose tackle, is 34 and playing year-to-year. He's consistent against the run and pass, but can't play a full game anymore. The rest of the tackles are just adequate, and starting 3-tech Brian Young's a free agent who probably won't be back. Then there's linebacker, which features just two players, because middle linebacker Mark Simoneau has no impact whatsoever. Scott Shanle ain't no prize, neither. Finally, there's cornerback. The crew, outside of Mike McKenzie, is terrible (admittedly, with faint hints of promise). And McKenzie's torn ACL should keep him out until October at earliest. So you decide which is worse off.

I don't expect the Saints to go after any of the marquee free agents at these positions, but I wouldn't be surprised to see under-the-radar signings like Corey Williams or Drayton Florence. Most of the improvement will come in the draft. I'm all for Sedrick Ellis in the first, even if the Saints have to move up a few spots from 10 to get him. This is a deep draft for linebackers, which is helpful, and good young corners like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be available after the first round.

Yeah, this is slightly embarrassing. Earlier in the season, when Jeff Faine missed time with an injury, Jonathan Goodwin won a lot of Saints fans over. He played much stronger than Faine, who is stuck with the label "finesse center." Faine's great, don't get me wrong, but who doesn't love a good mauler?

So if you're Faine, and you get pushed around by big defensive tackles, perhaps you shouldn't volunteer to lead the team chant, what with all the big guys slamming into each other and whatnot.

To be fair, the guy who hits Faine is bottom-barrel tight end Ronnie Ghent, meaning it's quite possible that was the first physical action the overzealous Ghent has gotten since Louisville. And he's not a little guy. Still, didn't stop the Superdome crowd from getting a hearty laugh at Faine's expense. Now we know why the Saints' running game has been so weak.

Oh, and if you're wondering -- Faine is 6'3'', 291 pounds; Ghent is 6'2'', 253 pounds. Not quite as impressive as Maurice Jones-Drew pwning Shawne Merriman, but funny regardless.

To get you ready for week 12, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your New Orleans Saints/Carolina Panthers preview.

2007 Records:

New Orleans Saints: 4-6 (t-2nd in NFC South)
Carolina Panthers: 4-6 (t-2nd in NFC South)

Last Game(s):

Texans 23, Saints 10
Packers 31, Panthers 17

Why We Care: The Saints and Panthers are increasingly-desperate teams looking to keep pace with the Bucs for the NFC South lead. The Saints, after struggling from 0-4 to 4-4, have lost two straight. The Panthers are on a four-game losing streak and haven't won a game in four tries at home. Both teams need this win to keep their seasons alive.