Part Three of eight training-camp previews by division.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Training-camp site: Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, Ga.

Training-camp report date: July 31.

Key veteran arrivals: TE Tony Gonzalez, C Jeremy Newberry, LB Mike Peterson, C Brett Romberg.

Key veteran departures: LB Michael Boley, LB Keith Brooking, CB Domonique Foxworth, DT Grady Jackson, S Lawyer Milloy, OT Todd Weiner.

Drafted rookies: (1) DT Peria Jerry; (2) S William Moore; (3) CB Chris Owens; (4) DE Lawrence Sidbury; (5) CB William Middleton, OT Garrett Reynolds; (6) OLB Spencer Adkins; (7) DT Vance Walker.

Offensive overview: The Falcons' starting offense will return intact, except for one major change — the addition of TE Tony Gonzalez. The 10-time Pro Bowler gives the unit a pass-catching tight end, which is something it lacked in 2008, and could make an already good offense a great one. Atlanta will pound the ball on the ground with the tough, durable RB Michael Turner, loosening up defenses to allow second-year QB Matt Ryan to find Gonzalez and budding star WR Roddy White downfield. Ryan is still developing, and he'll assuredly make a few mistakes, but the Falcons don't have any glaring weaknesses on offense. The offensive line is devoid of stars, but it's gritty and plays very well as a group.

Defensive overview: Atlanta made several changes to its defense in the offseason in an effort to improve on its No. 24 ranking from last year. Veterans Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy, Michael Boley, Grady Jackson and Domonique Foxworth were allowed to depart in free agency, and GM Thomas Dimitroff plucked most of their replacements in the draft, giving the unit a much younger and quicker look in 2009. First-round pick DT Peria Jerry is likely to start from Day One, joining Atlanta's playmaker on "D," DE John Abraham, on the defensive line. MLB Curtis Lofton, who established himself as a solid force as a rookie last season, will be joined in the starting lineup by one of the team's few free-agent additions, veteran Mike Peterson. The club's biggest weakness is likely to be in the secondary, where several young and inexperienced players could be thrust into major roles.

Battle to watch: Left cornerback. Several players, including Chevis Jackson, Brent Grimes and rookie Chris Owens, will compete to fill the void left by the departure of Foxworth.

Injury update: It is not clear whether or not Abraham underwent surgery, but he was kept out of some offseason workouts while recovering from neck and shoulder injuries that bothered him last season. He is expected to be ready for training camp. CB-S Von Hutchins is coming off a broken foot but should be ready for camp.

Fantasy sleeper: Second-year WR Harry Douglas has the skills to become a versatile playmaker for Atlanta. He showed glimpses of big-play ability last season as a slot receiver and punt returner, and his role could expand in 2009, especially while defenses have their hands full trying to cover White and Gonzalez.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Training-camp site: Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.

Training-camp report date: Aug. 2.

Key veteran arrivals: None.

Key veteran departures: OL Jeremy Bridges, RB Nick Goings, WR D.J. Hackett, OL Geoff Hangartner, RS Mark Jones, LS Jason Kyle, CB Ken Lucas, OL Frank Omiyale, MLB Adam Seward.

Drafted rookies: (2) DE Everette Brown, CB-S Sherrod Martin; (3) DT Corvey Irvin; (4) RB Mike Goodson, FB Tony Fiammetta; (5) OG Duke Robinson; (7) CB Captain Munnerlyn.

Offensive overview: Few changes were made to the Panthers' offense this offseason, leaving some fans dismayed. Many wanted to see a new quarterback brought in to replace Jake Delhomme after his atrocious postseason performance, but management decided to stick with him and gave him a contract extension in April. The offense will rely heavily on the talented rushing tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, which was one of the more potent 1-2 punches in the league last season. Carolina needs the ground game to keep defenses honest so Delhomme can take to the air, delivering the ball to WR Steve Smith, who stands alone as a deep threat among the receiving corps. The team returns all five starters on the bulky, powerful offensive line, but it lost three experienced backups in free agency, which could become a real problem if any starters miss time with injuries.

Defensive overview: The Panthers have a new defensive coordinator in Ron Meeks, who held the same job for the Colts from 2002-08, but the scheme on "D" isn't expected to change much. Head coach John Fox's 4-3 zone will remain intact. While the coaching staff is different, the team's personnel on "D" will be very similar to that of 2008, as the only starter to depart in the offseason was CB Ken Lucas. One of the Panthers' biggest problems in the past has been the inability to find a reliable pass rusher to play opposite DE Julius Peppers. The club hopes that issue will be resolved with the drafting of DE Everette Brown.

Battle to watch: Strong-side linebacker. Incumbent starter Na'il Diggs could be challenged by second-year player Dan Connor. Connor is coming off a torn ACL that ended his rookie season after just three games, but he has recovered and is ready to push Diggs.

Injury update: Stewart missed all OTAs and minicamps with what he described as a sore left Achilles tendon, but he's expected to be ready to participate in training camp. Keydrick Vincent, the team's starting right guard, missed the final three games of last season and underwent groin surgery. He was able to compete during offseason workouts and should be prepared for camp. MLB Jonathan Beason had shoulder surgery after last season and missed early minicamp practices, but he's expected to be healthy and ready for camp. The same goes for DT Damione Lewis, who had rotator cuff surgery in January.

Fantasy sleeper: In a receiving corps without much depth, WR Dwayne Jarrett could finally carve a niche for himself in his third season. Jarrett has shown signs of coming around this offseason and has committed himself to the team more than in the past, according to his teammates. He could be Carolina's No. 2 receiver by midseason if he takes off.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Training-camp site: New Orleans Saints Training Facility, Metairie, La.

Training-camp report date: July 30.

Key veteran arrivals: DT Rod Coleman, FB Heath Evans, CB Jabari Greer, C Nick Leckey, S Pierson Prioleau, S Darren Sharper, DE Paul Spicer.

Key veteran departures: S Kevin Kaesviharn, FB Mike Karney, RB Deuce McAllister, CB Mike McKenzie, WR David Patten, DT Hollis Thomas, DT Brian Young

Drafted rookies: (1) CB-S Malcolm Jenkins; (4) FS Chip Vaughn, LB Stanley Arnoux; (5) P Thomas Morstead.

Offensive overview: The Saints' passing offense has been one of the league's more prolific over the past two seasons, thanks in large part to QB Drew Brees' steady play and leadership. While the aerial attack flourished, the running game lagged behind, but the team is optimistic that RB Pierre Thomas can bring some balance to the offense as he assumes the role of lead back after a strong finish in 2008. Reggie Bush, who is coming off microfracture surgery, is used as a RB-receiver hybrid and will leave the between-the-tackles carries to Thomas. The team's offensive line is composed of veterans and has been very effective in keeping pressure off Brees. Expectations are high for TE Jeremy Shockey after an awful first season in New Orleans.

Defensive overview: Weary of the struggles on defense that had cost them dearly during the past two seasons, the Saints remade their secondary in the offseason and brought in a new defensive coordinator to help fix the club's defensive deficiencies. Gregg Williams was considered the best D-coordinator on the market, and Saints head coach Sean Payton plucked him, beating out other teams for his services. New Orleans added veteran CB Jabari Greer, S Darren Sharper and rookie CB-S Malcolm Jenkins to help patch glaring holes in the defensive backfield. The secondary should be improved, but the Saints did little to improve their front seven. DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant are likely to serve four-game suspensions at the start of the season, but the club was anticipating their absence and did add some depth at end.

Battle to watch: Tracy Porter, Randall Gay, Greer and Jenkins all have a shot to claim starting spots at corner. Porter and Greer are considered the front-runners, and Gay will likely move into the nickel-back role, but Jenkins will compete and might even unseat Darren Sharper at free safety, should the team decide he can help them more at safety this season.

Injury update: Bush and Marques Colston are both coming off microfracture knee surgery. They took it easy during offseason workouts and are expected to be ready to play by training camp. WR Lance Moore underwent shoulder surgery in the spring after injuring himself while lifting weights. He was sidelined for much of OTAs and minicamps, but Payton said he was optimistic Moore would be prepared to participate at the start of training camp.

Fantasy sleeper: Robert Meachem is a potential breakout player to watch. He's penciled in as the team's fourth wide receiver, but Brees will spread the ball around to all his targets, and Meachem's relatively low spot on the depth chart will not preclude him from posting solid numbers, especially if he can earn Brees' trust by being more consistent.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Training-camp site: One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, Fla.

Training-camp report date: July 31.

Key veteran arrivals: LB Angelo Crowell, LB Niko Koutouvides, QB Byron Leftwich, PK Mike Nugent, RB Derrick Ward, TE Kellen Winslow.

Key veteran departures: LB Derrick Brooks, CB Phillip Buchanon, DE Kevin Carter, RB Warrick Dunn, WR Joey Galloway, QB Jeff Garcia, QB Brian Griese, DT Jovan Haye, WR Ike Hilliard, LB Cato June, TE Alex Smith.

Drafted rookies: (1) QB Josh Freeman; (3) DT Roy Miller; (4) DE Kyle Moore; (5) OT Xavier Fulton; (7) CB E.J. Biggers, WR Sammie Stroughter.

Offensive overview: Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was one of the first hires Raheem Morris made after being promoted to head coach. Jagodzinski said he will emphasize the power-running game in his version of the West Coast offense. RBs Derrick Ward, a free-agent addition from the Giants, and Earnest Graham should see plenty of carries. Tampa Bay's biggest move of the offseason was a trade to acquire Browns TE Kellen Winslow, who will team with WR Antonio Bryant to give the Bucs a formidable receiving tandem. The starting QB spot is up for grabs, but whoever wins the job will be protected by one of the NFC's better offensive lines. C Jeff Faine is a master technician and keeps the front five on the same page.

Defensive overview: After more than a decade of running Monte Kiffin's Tampa-2 defense, the Bucs will transition to a new scheme under coordinator Jim Bates. The club made major personnel changes in the winter, releasing veteran Derrick Brooks, among others, in an effort to clear the way for some younger players to become starters. Unlike the quick, penetrating defensive tackles favored in Kiffin's scheme, Bates' system relies on having two bulky tackles in the middle to clog up holes, allowing the linebackers to flow to the ball and make a play. MLB Barrett Ruud has been solid since becoming a full-time starter in 2007, and he will take more of a leadership role on "D" with Brooks gone.

Battle to watch: Luke McCown, Byron Leftwich and rookie Josh Freeman are competing for the starting job at quarterback. The battle could last well into the preseason, as no front-runner has distance himself from the pack. McCown may have a narrow lead heading into training camp, but it's far from insurmountable.

Injury update: OLG Arron Sears stopped coming to OTAs, missed the Bucs' mandatory minicamp in June and lost his starting job to Jeremy Zuttah in the process. There have been reports that Sears is dealing with neurological issues related to a concussion he suffered last season. It's unclear whether he will be active in training camp. The Bucs were cautious with SLB Angelo Crowell in the offseason as he tries to return from September knee surgery, but he's expected to pick up the pace as camp opens and will compete for a starting spot.

Fantasy sleeper: Michael Clayton doesn't have much competition for his job as No. 2 receiver, but Maurice Stovall is one of the few who could conceivably beat him out for the role. Stovall, entering his fourth season, has been hampered by injuries in the past. At 6-foot-5, he has great size and could be a dangerous target in the red zone.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com.