If you're looking for confidence in a General Manager, look no further than Dave Cariello of Canal Street Chronicles. Does he expect the Saints to take home the South this

A lot, there is a lot of depth there. We saw that at the end of last season. When Deuce went down last season, we got a chance to see the other backs, and things looked pretty good. Aaron Stecker really stepped it up at the end of last season, making me wish the team had gone with him earlier in the season. And when Stecker was injured Pierre Thomas came in and stepped it up even further, breaking some records in the process. And then there is always Reggie. I don't see any of the undrafted free agents taking any of these guys spots. So if Deuce isn't alright this season, I don't think we should be too bad off.

Well, obviously Jonathan Vilma, Sedrick Ellis and Randall Gay. Bobby McCray, though, is a guy I think some people are overlooking. He gives the Saints a lot of depth at the DE position and with him backing up Charles Grant and Will Smith on the ends, I shiver when I think about the possibilities. Everyone seems to be saying positive things about Tracy Porter recently as well. Really I am excited about all of them! This was a team that just needed some defense to go along with its awesome offense and now it feels like they may have got it. Of course this is exactly how we felt last year at this time, but the additions this year are much more significant.

Vilma is very athletic and very quick, a real sideline to sideline linebacker. The importance of a good middle linebacker is crucial. He's also got some experience under his belt, so he can act as role model to some of the younger guys. I think the hope here is that he excels in our 4-3 system like he once did in the Jets old system. His knee seems to be fine. Hopefully he winds up being a steal.

Well, certainly leadership and experience having been a starting quarterback in the league for so long. I am knocking on wood as I say this, but it is nice to have someone like Brunell to rely on should something awful happen to Brees. Prior to him was Jamie Martin and he really didn't have any experience. If a team without a good backup loses their starting quarterback, they can pretty much kiss their season goodbye.

It looks like David Patten will probably maintain that spot from last year. Robert Meachem looks to be the number three guy. Devery lost a little ground after last season but he is in the mix too. Sean Payton will put whoever is most deserving in there though, so it's anybodies to be won.

Sedrick Ellis should start this season and make an immediate impact. Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron has a history and a relationship with Ellis, so that should help his progress. Pressley probably won't see too much playing time this season but definitely has a lot of upside. Training camp will shed some more light on his situation.

I don't think anyone is expecting the Saints secondary to go from worst to first by any means, but it should definitely be improved. If it's not improved, some thing went severely wrong. It would certainly be nice if the secondary became a strength and maybe got some turnovers, but more importantly it needs to NOT be a weakness, which it certainly was last year.

Mike McKenzie is certainly our number one cornerback but only time will tell whether his knee will be ready by week one. New addition Randall Gay should be good enough to start also. Jason David, Jason Craft, Usama Young and Tracy Porter will all be a battling for spots and it should be interesting to watch in camp.

As far as safeties are concerned, Roman Harper, who was used as trade bait for Jeremy Shockey is first on the list. Josh Bullocks and Kevin Kaesviharn are battling it out for the second spot and at this point Kaesviharn seems to be stepping it up and working his way in there.

Easy. Defense and a better running game. Next.

Not much. They will be moving too fast for you to see them. In all seriousness though, Deuce's play is totally contingent on his knees. Hopefully we will see the same old Deuce that we have all come to know and love. As far as Reggie is concerned, I think you will see him get used a lot on pitches, quick outs, quick slants, screens and things like that. The attempt to be an every down, between the tackles type of back seemed to fail miserably.

I don't know if he is that underrated anymore but Pierre Thomas. Wide receiver Lance Moore is a player I have always liked. He will have to fight for a spot on this roster, but he is like Velcro. I mentioned Bobby McCray earlier.

A great one! He should have some better targets to throw to this year. Expect him to make another run at MVP.

MM: With the NFC South on the downswing, what type of year do you expect from your club?

Honestly, I expect the Saints to win the division. The NFC South is so weak and it is always there for the taking. I expect the Saints to have the success they were predicted to have last season. We are a little late to our own party.