NFC south.(NFL)(National Football Conference, National Football League)

ATLANTA FALCONS

FS Kevin McCadam isn't an adequate replacement for injured starter Cory Hall (foot). Hall plays deep in cover 2 and cover 3 but quickly closes and helps out cornerbacks when necessary. McCadam isn't fast enough to compete with receivers in the open field.... Brian Finneran continues to play well enough to hold off rookie Michael Jenkins as the No. 3 wideout. Finneran runs excellent routes and is a good downfield blocker. A sore Achilles', however, has limited his average speed. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The team must find a way to keep pass rushers from setting up outside LT Kevin Shaffer and RT Todd Weiner, beating them in three or four steps and collapsing the pocket around QB Michael Vick. The staff denies it, but blocking has suffered since the loss of TE Eric Beverly (shoulder). Coordinator Greg Knapp and line coach Alex Gibbs must design plays that allow bigger lanes for Vick to escape the blitz. He needs more time to work through progressions.--George Henry

CAROLINA PANTHERS

After an excellent rookie year at right tackle, Jordan Gross has struggled on the left side: He's the team's most talented linemen, but injuries and inexperience elsewhere have put extra pressure on him. The team has been using its running backs and fight ends to help the right side with pass blocking. That has left Gross without help. Most disturbing has been his tendency to draw penalties.... FS Colin Branch, who has been playing with a cast on his broken hand that makes it difficult to tackle or intercept passes, has been replaced in the lineup by Travares Tillman. There's not much of a drop-off because they are similar players. They don't make major mistakes, but neither has big-play ability. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The loss of WR Steve Smith to a broken leg in the opener has left the team without a deep threat. Defenses are able to concentrate on the running game and send blitzers at QB Joke Delhomme. The team has lined up running backs wide in four- and five-receiver sets, but that hasn't worked.--Pat Yasinkas

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

In ...