Line of Scrimmage: NFC Training Camp Previews
Posted: Thu Jul 17 11:17 AM
*** Line of Scrimmage: NFC Training Camp Previews *** By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Below we take a capsule look at the training camp missions of the 16 teams of the National Football Conference, with reporting dates and sites included for your perusal. AFC training camp previews can be found by following the "news" link at sportsnetwork.com:
Arizona
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 23rd, Veterans July 23rd
SITE: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
CAMP OBJECTIVES: The player to watch in Cardinals camp is clearly quarterback Matt Leinart, whom the organization is hoping will turn the corner and play well enough to seize the full-time job from Kurt Warner. If Leinart struggles, head coach Ken Whisenhunt could have a controversial decision on his hands. Whoever plays quarterback needs more help from Edgerrin James and a ground game that ranked 29th in the NFL a year ago. If Arizona fails to produce in the run game during the preseason, count it as an ominous sign. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast needs to locate a replacement for the departed Calvin Pace (Jets) at outside linebacker, and must determine if first-round draft choice and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) is ready to play a significant role in the secondary.
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Atlanta
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: Atlanta Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, GA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: The first training camp of the Mike Smith era is likely to include a great deal of focus on revamping the league's 29th-ranked scoring defense of a year ago. Smith, the former Jaguars defensive coordinator, needs to locate a reliable group from a roster now without former staples DeAngelo Hall (Raiders) and Rod Coleman (released). That said, most Falcons fans will be paying far greater attention to what goes on offensively, as rookie quarterback Matt Ryan (Boston College) attempts to beat out holdovers Chris Redman and Joey Harrington for the starting job. Elsewhere in the backfield, free agent pickup Michael Turner (Chargers) will begin his first year as an NFL starter, and will be trying to find any holes paved by one of the least- regarded offensive lines in the league. Kicker Jason Elam, who was lured to Atlanta after 15 seasons with the Broncos, is one of the Falcons' most notable new faces.
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Carolina
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC
CAMP OBJECTIVES: With Brett Favre's name being thrown around regularly in relation to the Panthers, the pressure on Jake Delhomme and his surgically- repaired right elbow will become even greater as the team descends upon Spartanburg. If Delhomme breaks down, and Carolina fails to secure Favre's services, the Panthers' 2008 season could rest in the inexperienced hands of Brett Basanez or Matt Moore. Whoever plays quarterback will have to get in lock-step with a couple of new receiving options - D.J. Hackett (Seahawks) and prodigal son Muhsin Muhammad (Bears) - while simultaneously learning to work behind a revamped o-line. Fans might see more than was initially expected from first-round draft choice and rookie running back Jonathan Stewart (Oregon), who is rehabbing from offseason toe surgery but could be a full-go for camp. The biggest story on defense is up front, where newcomers Tyler Brayton (Raiders), Ian Scott (Eagles), and Darwin Walker (Bears) are all attempting to win jobs in the wake of Kris Jenkins' trade to the Jets.
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Chicago
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 23rd, Veterans July 23rd
SITE: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
CAMP OBJECTIVES: You'll find few offensive coordinators around the league under as much pressure as the Bears' Ron Turner during the months of July and August. Turner must identify either Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton as his starting quarterback, must extract a running back rotation from a group that includes newcomers Kevin Jones (Lions) and rookie Matt Forte (Tulane) along with holdovers Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe, and must figure out the makeup of a thin-on-paper receiving corps headlined by Devin Hester, rookie Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt) and castoffs Brandon Lloyd (Redskins) and Marty Booker (Dolphins). Chicago has fewer worries on defense, but Lovie Smith and coordinator Bob Babich need to get that group's attention. One year after carrying the Bears to the Super Bowl, the unit was 24th against the run and 27th versus the pass last year.
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Dallas
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: Residence Inn/River Ridge Field, Oxnard, CA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Though the cameras will focus on, and the notebooks will chronicle, every move that the likes of Tony Romo and Terrell Owens make in Oxnard, the biggest stories from a pure football standpoint should be on defense. Dallas has brought in cornerbacks Adam Jones (Titans) and rookie Michael Jenkins (South Florida) to a secondary that has had its problems in pass coverage recently. There is also some question about how the much- maligned Roy Williams fits into a safety rotation to include Ken Hamlin and converted cornerback Anthony Henry. The biggest addition in the front seven is ex-Dolphins star Zach Thomas, who needs to prove he has something to contribute as he nears the age of 35. Besides Romo and Owens, others to watch on offense include rookie running back Felix Jones (Arkansas) and somewhat disgruntled wideout Terry Glenn, who is trying to win the No. 2 receiving job opposite Owens but battled injuries all of last year.
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Detroit
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 24th, Veterans July 24th
SITE: Detroit Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, MI
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz and his pass-happy scheme, which produced just 10 wins in two years, are gone. In are Jim Colletto (promoted from o-line coach) and what predicts to be a more balanced system, albeit one that lacks a proven running back. Rookie Kevin Smith (Central Florida) and 2007 disappointment Tatum Bell will be among those vying for carries. Rookie tackle Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) will be counted on to help prop up a spotty offensive line. The defense underwent a great deal of offseason turnover, which is being billed as a good thing given the fact that the Lions finished dead last in NFL scoring defense a year ago. There isn't much star power on that side of the ball, but head coach Rod Marinell did bring in some of his ex-Buccaneers charges - tackle Chuck Darby and defensive backs Brian Kelly, Dwight Smith, and Kalvin Pearson - to help enhance the Tampa-2 scheme. One of the key directives for Marinelli and coordinator Joe Barry will be locating a pass rusher from a decidedly nondescript group.
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Green Bay
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 27th, Veterans July 27th
SITE: Packers Training Complex, Green Bay, WI
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Until the Brett Favre situation reared its ugly head, Packers camp was supposed to include precious few distractions. Green Bay did not have much roster turnover from a team that went 13-3 in 2007, with the biggest would-be storylines coming from Aaron Rodgers' summer development and the team's attempt to replace departed defensive tackle Corey Williams. As it is now, Rodgers still has plenty of pressure on him, and Favre's potential appearance isn't likely to make things easier for the former first-rounder. On the injury front, end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is expected to be in attendance at camp despite undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on May 29th.
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Minnesota
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
CAMP OBJECTIVES: There is major hope in Minnesota that the light has come on for third-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, and that the presence of an expensive new weapon in wideout Bernard Berrian (Bears) will help the offense realize its potential. If Jackson and the attack struggles early in the preseason, the natives are going to get pretty restless (Gus Frerotte and John David Booty are the backup quarterbacks, by the way). A defense that ranked dead last in the NFL against the pass last year has added a couple of key pieces to help improve upon that standing. Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen needs to prove he was worth the sizeable investment the team made to secure his services from the Chiefs, and ex-Bengals safety Madieu Williams must make some plays and show consistent cover ability on the back end.
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New Orleans
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 23rd, Veterans July 23rd
SITE: Millsaps College, Jackson, MS/Saints Practice Facility, Metairie, LA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: The Saints were horrible against the pass last season, and head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs need to spend July and August identifying a reliable starting cornerback tandem. Free agent pick- ups Randall Gay (Patriots), Jerametrius Butler (Bills), and Aaron Glenn (Jaguars), and rookie Tracy Porter (Indiana) will be among those with a chance to win jobs. A below-average pass rush was bolstered via the addition of ex- Jaguar Bobby McCray, and first-round draft choice Sedrick Ellis (USC) will be counted on to show progress in the run-stopping game. There isn't much new to speak of on offense for New Orleans, though Payton needs to see progress from Reggie Bush and suitable health from Deuce McAllister in order to take some pressure off of the passing game. Speaking of which, New Orleans must locate a reliable complement to No. 1 wideout Marques Colston, who bore too much of the receiving load last year.
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N.Y. Giants
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: University at Albany, Albany, NY
CAMP OBJECTIVES: The soap opera should begin immediately for the defending Super Bowl champs. Will Plaxico Burress, who is seeking a new contract, show up on time for camp? Will the disgruntled Jeremy Shockey upset team chemistry? How will Tom Coughlin handle such potential obstacles, should they arise? Coughlin also has to sort out a crowded wide receiver picture, needs to determine whether David Carr (Panthers) or Anthony Wright is his backup to QB Eli Manning, and must replace four starters including retired end Michael Strahan on defense. But the most formidable task for this coaching staff will be getting the club to avoid the natural complacency that comes with being a defending Super Bowl winner. Neither of New York's previous two world champions reached the playoffs in the following season, a fact of which the Giants' fan base is acutely aware.
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Philadelphia
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 21st, Veterans July 24th
SITE: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: The Eagles' most significant offseason changes were on defense, where Jevon Kease and Takeo Spikes were excised and new blood, including pass rusher Chris Clemons and cornerback Asante Samuel, was brought aboard. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson needs to identify the right nucleus during camp, particularly among an inexperienced group of linebackers. The situation at cornerback, where Samuel is the No. 1 corner and former Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard has been relegated to backup duties, bears watching as well. On offense, the Birds will be looking for Donovan McNabb to be sharper one year further removed from knee surgery, and will monitor the brittle QB's recent bout with shoulder tendinitis as well. Philly's biggest new offensive weapons include running back Lorenzo Booker (Dolphins) and rookie wideout DeSean Jackson (Cal), and head coach Andy Reid needs both to pick up the offense quickly. Jackson also needs to show he can fill the void on punt returns, where the team has long been deficient.
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St. Louis
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: Concordia University, Mequon, WI
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Given the injury problems they faced during last year's 3-13 debacle, staying relatively healthy throughout camp would be a great start for the 2008 Rams. The offense, now directed by coordinator Al Saunders, will be especially worth watching. Saunders is a proven offensive mind, but his attack took some time to take hold in his most recent stop with the Redskins...and St. Louis and embattled head coach Scott Linehan don't have much time. A key to the offense's success will be the health and effectiveness of the line group, which will have to be identified during camp. Jim Haslett's defense (31st in NFL scoring defense last year) needs some work too, but there won't be many new faces to tutor apart from No. 2 overall draft pick and defensive end Chris Long. The biggest special teams story at camp will be at kicker, where former Ram-killer Josh Brown (Seahawks) takes over for the retired Jeff Wilkins.
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San Francisco
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 24th, Veterans July 24th
SITE: San Francisco 49ers Complex, Santa Clara, CA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: One of the league's most notable quarterback controversies will unfold in Santa Clara, where former No. 1 Draft pick Alex Smith battles Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan for signal-caller duties. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz will be the main decision-maker on that count, and will also be responsible for resuscitating the NFL's worst offense of a year ago. Newcomers Bryant Johnson (Cardinals) and Isaac Bruce (Rams) will look to win a coveted spot in the Niners' pass-heavy attack. The defense will greatly resemble last year's unit, though head coach Mike Nolan and coordinator Greg Manusky will be expecting to see results from front-four reinforcements Justin Smith (Bengals) and rookie Kentwan Balmer (North Carolina).
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Seattle
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 22nd, Veterans July 24th
SITE: Seahawks Training Facility, Renton, WA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Mike Holmgren's final training camp as head coach of the Seahawks (we think) should include a slight offensive transition. Seattle morphed into a pass-first team when it became clear that Shaun Alexander had lost a step last season. With Alexander gone and fresher blood like Julius Jones (Cowboys) and T.J. Duckett (Redskins) now in Seattle, the attack should feature a bit more balance. The biggest story on defense should be the work of the front four, which will feature a couple of new faces in first-round draft choice Lawrence Jackson (USC) and ex-Bills and Colts starter Larry Tripplett. Following kicker Josh Brown's defection to the rival Rams, journeyman Olindo Mare (Saints) and rookie Brandon Coutu (Georgia) will duke it out for placement duties.
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Tampa Bay
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 25th, Veterans July 25th
SITE: Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, Lake Buena Vista, FL
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Assuming Brett Favre doesn't become a Buccaneer and Jake Plummer doesn't un-retire, head coach Jon Gruden needs to build a quarterback depth chart from a group that includes holdovers Jeff Garcia and Luke McCown along with newcomers Brian Griese (Bears) and rookie Josh Johnson (San Diego). Garcia made the Pro Bowl last year, but his age (38) and public dissatisfaction with his contract could cause Gruden to re-think his No. 1 status. The rotation at a crowded running back position (Cadillac Williams, Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn, Michael Bennett) must also be devised. The biggest changes for Monte Kiffin's defense could come at end, where Marques Douglas (49ers) and Jimmy Wilkerson (Chiefs) were brought in for their run- stopping prowess, and in a secondary that now includes ex-Patriots safety Eugene Wilson and highly-regarded rookie corner Aqib Talib (Kansas). Gruden and Kiffin will have to be careful how they tinker with a unit that ranked third in NFL scoring defense a year ago.
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Washington
REPORT DATES: Rookies July 20th, Veterans July 20th
SITE: Redskins Park, Ashburn, VA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: The Redskins don't have much time to perfect new head coach/offensive mastermind Jim Zorn's west coast scheme, so the installation of the attack figures to be the primary focus in Washington camp. Quarterback Jason Campbell needs to show he can run the offense with proficiency, and a wideout group including holdovers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El and rookies Devin Thomas (Michigan State) and Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma) must progress quickly as well. There is less work to do on a defense that suffered very little offseason turnover, especially considering the team is expected to embrace the same principles under coordinator Greg Blache that it did under his former boss, the departed Gregg Williams. Still, Blache would be wise to emphasize rushing the passer and making plays in the secondary, two characteristics that often went begging for Washington a season ago. One of the most intriguing camp battles will come at punter, where incumbent Derrick Frost tries to hold off sixth-round draft choice Durant Brooks (Georgia Tech).
