New Orleans

Story line: The only reason we chose the Saints? Everyone else — Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta — has a better chance to win the division. The Saints have had the talent to compete in the division. Unfortunately for head coach Jim Haslett, they haven’t had the discipline or pride to actually compete. One of the top five running backs in the league, Deuce McAllister, has good company on offense. QB Aaron Brooks and the WR tandem of Joe Horn and Donté Stallworth have Pro Bowl ability, the offensive line is one of the most underrated in the league, and the TE position, with Ernie Conwell and Boo Williams, is deep. The defensive line is loaded — DEs Darren Howard, Charles Grant and rookie Will Smith and DTs Johnathan Sullivan and Ryan Young, who had 98 tackles for the Rams last season — but there isn’t much to write home about in the back seven.

Weak links: Brooks has the talent to be among the upper echelon in the NFL’s QB pecking order, but he needs to improve his game and time management, decision-making and performance in the clutch. His job would be less difficult if Stallworth, a first-round pick in 2002, could stay healthy. The running game is the team’s meal ticket. With McAllister, who ran for 1,641 yards last season, the Saints can build leads and, if the defense steps up, protect them. Veteran defensive coordinator Rick Venturi’s group was ravaged with injury last season. The LB corps is rather nondescript, but there is enough speed and talent there to survive. The cornerbacks don’t need to be the league’s best if the pass rush has improved as much as Haslett suggests, which is good, because CBs Jason Craft (acquired from Jacksonville via trade) and Fred Thomas certainly aren’t.

Road blocks: When you play in the same division with the NFC’s Super Bowl representative two years running, the road to the playoffs won’t be simple to navigate. Including two games with Carolina, the Saints face seven of 2003’s playoff qualifiers this season.