Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is considered one of the rising players at his position. He went to the Pro Bowl last year as a replacement player, but some felt he deserved to be a starter. Jenkins is again having a good season, but some scouts say the best defensive tackle in the NFC South isn't Jenkins or Warren Sapp or Booger McFarland. There is some talk Grady Jackson of the Saints is playing the best tackle in the division. Jackson has shed some of the weight that had Saints coaches so concerned during the offseason and has played far above their expectations. He has been one of the few bright spots on a team that has disappointed in so many ways.

The Saints are 1-4, and the conventional thinking is that coach Jim Haslett could be on his way out the door. But owner Tom Benson has told people he's committed to Haslett and he also would be on the hook for $9 million for the next three years if he fires him. That might be prohibitive for a cost-conscious owner like Benson. Haslett could also get a pass based on all the injuries his team has suffered.