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FanHouse NFL Season Preview: New Orleans Saints - Going for Broke

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

"Greatest Panther" Poll Shows How Far Franchise Still Has to Go

When you're stuck in that NFL dead zone in between post-draft minicamp and the start of training camp, you find yourself looking for things to do. This is doubly true in the media, which suddenly has little to write about unless draft picks get signed or sketchy receivers get busted for cutting cocaine in the back of a van.

With that in mind, the gang at the Rock Hill Herald has decided to occupy fans time with a simple question: who's the greatest Carolina Panther ever?

Upon looking at this poll, though, "greatest" suddenly seems relative. Sure, you've got quality players on here -- Mike Rucker, Mike Minter, Steve Smith, Julius Peppers, John Kasay, etc. Some of these names, though, only serve to remind you just how young this franchise is. How many great years did Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster have? Does Kerry Collins deserve to be on here after only one great year? Can we consider his replacement, Steve Beuerlein, truly great? And didn't Sam Mills and Kevin Greene have their best years with other teams?

This year marks the Panthers' 15th season in the NFL. Perhaps we should wait another decade before running such a poll again. I'm not sure the franchise has been around long enough for us to consider this question. Besides, I'm too biased by the current lineup not to vote for Smith.

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