Just because a pure passer takes over at quarterback for Tim Tebow doesn’t mean the Florida Gators are going to start throwing the ball all over the yard and abandon the running game in 2010. The Gators are still going to run the ball plenty and with the talented corps of backs on hand, it should make John Brantley’s passing game all the more dangerous.

Urban Meyer has always insisted that his spread option offense evolves to fit the personnel rather than the other way around. What the Gators ran for two years with Chris Leak as the trigger man bore little resemblance to the offense of the past three years that Tim Tebow ran. When spring football practice begins in eight more days, Florida fans will get a chance to watch the latest evolution in the Meyer offense as John Brantley finally gets his chance to show what he can do.

A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning.

There will likely be no victory laps by the quarterback this season. It’s not likely he’ll be trying to run over linebackers and defensive backs. He’ll be taking most of his snaps under center and not out of the shotgun. But don’t think for a moment that because Tim Tebow is gone that there will be a drop-off at the quarterback position.

We’ve got a few transactions around the NFC South this afternoon.

Let’s start in New Orleans, where the Saints have just announced they’ve agreed to terms on a one-year contract with cornerback Leigh Torrence. He spent last season with the Saints and appeared in five games. Torrence isn’t a real threat to challenge for significant playing time at cornerback, but he has a chance to be a factor on special teams.

In Atlanta, the Falcons took care of some housekeeping details. They got Brent Grimes to sign an exclusive rights contract, which means he’s Atlanta’s property for this year. Grimes will compete with Brian Williams for the No. 2 cornerback spot. If he doesn’t win that, he’s probably the favorite over Christopher Owens and Chevis Jackson to be the nickel back.

The Falcons also waived receiver James Swinton, who spent part of last season on the practice squad.

A new Tuesday feature on the ESPN.com NFL blog network.

Can the Falcons play some real defense?

In Mike Smith’s two years as coach, the Falcons have put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. But the amazing thing is that Smith, a coach with a defensive background, has done it without a very good defense, which is something any team needs to compete with New Orleans in the NFC South.

The Falcons are well aware of this and they’re doing something about it. They went out and made their big splash in free agency by signing cornerback Dunta Robinson and re-signing cornerback Brian Williams. They also dumped Chris Houston, whom they never felt was very aggressive, in a trade with Detroit.

On paper, Robinson and Williams should be the starters. But the Falcons are also high on young corners Chris Owens, Brent Grimes and Chevis Jackson, and they’ll all be in the mix. Pretty amazing how proactive the Falcons have been at cornerback, especially when you consider Atlanta officials got a little sensitive when media members criticized the team's cornerback play last season.

Those officials repeatedly said the main reason the cornerbacks were struggling was because the pass rush wasn’t producing like they had hoped. Take that as a very strong sign the Falcons aren’t done touching up their defense.

They’ll tell you that defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who is coming back from an injury that kept him out most of his rookie season, will be back. Jerry can create a push in the middle and that’s going to help John Abraham and Kroy Biermann be more productive on the outside. But, if the Falcons were this aggressive at addressing cornerback, you have to think they’re not done at defensive end.

They’ve got the draft and what’s left of free agency, and their focus is going to be on building up the pass rush. It’s all they’re really lacking right now. They’re solid at cornerback, linebacker and in the middle of the defensive line.

Give them a pass-rusher and Smith might finally be able to really play the kind of defense he wants; the kind of defense that could make the Falcons a legitimate challenger to the Saints.

Matt in Atlanta writes: There has been so much talk and movement with cornerback this off-season, which is a huge need for the Falcons, but I was really concerned when I saw that Harvey Dahl was unsigned going into the offseason as well. I believe he could be a strong, long-term staple on our line. Is there any news on his situation?

Pat Yasinskas: Dahl is a restricted free agent and I seriously doubt the Falcons will let him go even if he gets an offer from another team. Dahl is a tough and consistent player on a pretty good offensive line. The Falcons don’t want to lose him.

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Derek in Mandeville, La., writes: I was reading yesterday that now that the Saints have lost Scott Fujita to the Browns, the Saints are able to go after a 2nd tier free agents. So because that they are bringing in Leonard Little and possibly Jamal Williams this week, what impact could either of those 2 guys make to our current defensive line rotation?

Pat Yasinskas: Just because the Saints are having those guys in for visits doesn’t mean they’re going to sign them. They both would be nothing more than rotation players. Yes, the Saints are in the market for some depth on the defensive line, but I think they’re just doing their homework at this point. Guys like Little and Williams could still be available much later in free agency at very reasonable prices.

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Scott in New Orleans writes: What will the Saints do if they lose Sharper? Are Taylor Mays and Chad Jones viable options for New Orleans? I like them both.

Pat Yasinskas: First off, I still think there’s a good chance Darren Sharper re-signs with New Orleans. If he doesn’t, I think his replacement might come from within. The Saints used last year’s top pick on Malcolm Jenkins and decided to try him at cornerback first. Jenkins did all right there as a rookie, but Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter established themselves as elite corners last year and they’re not going anywhere. Jenkins has the size and skills to switch to safety. Teams usually like to have a first-round pick starting by his second season.

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Adrian in Augusta, Ga., writes: Hey Pat, love the blog man. When are we going to get that mock draft featuring all the ESPN blog stars?

Pat Yasinskas: Not sure if that’s happening or not. I’ll run it up the ladder. But I know that last year the bosses decided against it because they felt we already had a glut of mock drafts on our Web site.

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Lee in Kenansville, N.C., writes: Is there any possibility that Darren Sharper might be going to Carolina?

Pat Yasinskas: Not going to happen. Look at what’s going on in Carolina with the youth movement. The Panthers aren’t going to suddenly reverse all that in bring in a 34-year-old.

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Aaron in Greensboro writes: What's the word on Jake Delhomme? Any thoughts or rumors as to where he might end up?

Pat Yasinskas: Quiet so far, but I think Delhomme eventually will land somewhere as a backup. I’ve already theorized Tampa Bay and New Orleans could be logical landing spots for him. His days as a starter may be over, but the fact he’s intelligent and a good guy in the locker room still give him some value as a backup.

As we sometimes do here on the NFC South Blog when the inbox is overflowing with questions about one particular topic or issue, we’re going to do a special edition of the mailbag just focusing on that topic or issue. We’re going to put a new name on it and call it “The Hot Button.’’

The best way to summarize the questions that are lighting up my inbox today is to ask the question, “What the heck is going on in Carolina?’’ Here are some of your questions and my answer at the bottom.

Jonathan in Fort Mill, S.C., writes: With all the changes in Carolina, is Jerry Richardson the one calling the shots? Hard to believe that Marty Hurney and John Fox (who are fighting for the jobs) feel like they have a better team compared to a few weeks ago. It appears that the moves being made will mean more in two years than the immediate future. Not sure how this is going to sit with the fans who were expecting us to spend some of that cash after letting Peppers walk. As of now it looks as if we have clearly taken a step back.

Ron in High Point, N.C., writes: Many of us Panther fans are wondering where the Panthers are going with all the cuts (Hoover being the most confusing...why cut a relatively low cost player who is so much better than his backup?), given the lack of action in signing free agents and no first round pick in the draft. If, as you write, the pressure is even stronger for Fox to win this season, wouldn't you think it would be VERY frustrating for him to be dealt a weaker hand? And finally, are the cuts simply Richardson sending a message to players about their salaries in a "down economy"?

Mark in Monroe, N.C., writes: The Panthers have done nothing so far to make their team better. In fact some of the releases have made it much worse. With this being the do-or-goodbye year for Fox and Hurney why aren't we seeing more? I know this is the way they typically do business but without a first round draft pick what are they waiting for?

Devin in Monterey, Calif., writes: I understand that the Panthers want to get younger in order to be successful, but it seems like they releasing more players than signing them. With only 5 draft picks and no free agents signed so far, how do they even think they are going to replace those players? Also, releasing Brad Hoover, one of the classiest players I've ever seen, seemed unnecessary considering the fact that Hoover was still doing an outstanding job as full back and Anthony Fiammetta didn't seem ready to replace him.

Pat Yasinskas: Yes, these are very puzzling times in Carolina, and I’m not going to pretend to have an easy answer as to exactly what the Panthers are thinking. But let’s try to sort through it. First off, let’s start with Jerry Richardson. The owner has had some health issues in recent years, but he always has remained very much in control of this team and I suspect, right now, he’s even more involved in football issues than ever. I know for a fact Richardson is extremely worried about the labor situation in the NFL and is preparing for the possibility of a lockout in 2011. I think he is sending a message to his players and also tightening things up in case there is no football in 2011.

I’ve got to believe he’s the one behind this plan, in which the Panthers have parted ways with a bunch of expensive and older players. As several of you pointed out, it’s tough to imagine John Fox and Marty Hurney deciding to go in this direction on their own. They like to tell you they make the football decisions, and that’s usually true, but, in this case, I think Richardson is calling the shots.

I hate to even make this comparison, but I’ve got to be honest: It almost reminds me a little of the 2001 offseason when George Seifert was coaching. The Panthers got rid of all of their old players and it resulted in the disastrous 1-15 season that cost Seifert his job. I’m not saying that’s going to happen with these Panthers because Fox is too good of a coach and there is some talent remaining with Steve Smith, Jon Beason, Jordan Gross, Chris Gamble, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

But, as several of you pointed out, there’s no way this team is better right now than it was a couple of weeks ago.

Now, let’s move over to a little brighter side. The one thing I urge Carolina fans right now -- and I know it’s not easy -- is to be patient. Let’s wait a bit and see what the flip side to all of this is -- if there is a flip side. Richardson, Fox and Hurney are too smart to just simply gut their team. I’m not saying they’re going to go out and go crazy in free agency. That’s not their style and, besides, there’s not a lot left in free agency. But I think you’ll see them make some moves on some mid-level free agents. While it’s true they don’t have a first-round draft pick right now, that can change between now and late April.

It may all look crazy right now, but there’s got to be more to come. Maybe, in the end, it will all make sense. Or maybe not.