Around the NFL: NFC South

[BrudLee]

Falcons (10-6): Precisely what makes Vick such a mediocre quarterback is what makes him the most dangerous football player in the league. He doesn't set his feet well. While that makes him wildly inaccurate (and has probably ruined the career of Peerless Price), it lets him move around so much that defensive coordinators can't have solid B.M.'s the week before playing him. The story in Atlanta is the defense, which is still great, but won't surprise anyone.

Carolina (9-7): Last year, Jake Delhomme lost Steve Smith and about a dzen running backs to injury. This year, the same RBs are returning without being tested yet, and though Smith will be back, his counterpart has left. The offense of this team will be one the shoulders of the running game. Who will be healthy enough to bear that weight?

Bucs (6-10): What coach has lost more luster than Jon Gruden? The boy genius basically led two teams to the Super Bowl in the same year, then went into perpetual rebuilding mode. The quarterback position is unsettled (unless you think two-time bust Griese is a long-term answer), a rookie is expected to get the bulk of the carries, and their defense just isn't scary anymore.

Saints (5-11): It amazes me that anyone could have faith in Haslett or Brooks to lead this team anywhere. Deuce McAllister will never become the runningback he could be on a team that will be forced to throw as much as this one will.