Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Training camp season has arrived, and the
NFL probably couldn't be happier.
With countless episodes of bad behavior both on the field (the revelation of
the New Orleans Saints' elaborate "pay-for-performance" system and its
resulting ramifications) and off (an alarming number of player arrests)
dominating the headlines during the normally tranquil down period of the
offseason, the league can't wait for the attention to be turned to less blood-
boiling subjects such as quarterback controversies, injury impacts and fantasy
league sleepers that the upcoming preseason is sure to provide.
As the exhibition schedule draws nearer, here's a synopsis of the top
storylines and camp battles to keep an eye on for the 16 NFC representatives
over the next six weeks, with last season's record for each included in the
breakdown:
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
REPORT DATES: July 25th (rookies), July 29th (veterans)
SITE: River Ridge Sports Complex, Oxnard, CA
The Cowboys were able to upgrade perhaps their most pressing offseason need by
signing coveted free-agent cornerback Brandon Carr to a sizeable five-year
contract and aggressively moving up in the draft to nab highly skilled LSU
coverman Morris Claiborne in the first round. There are still quite a few
positions that must be sorted out on a defense that was clearly the team's
weak link in 2011, however. Former Jet Brodney Pool and career reserve Barry
Church will be fighting for a starting position at safety, and a fierce
competition between Bruce Carter, a gifted but raw second-round pick in last
year's draft, and more-experienced spring pickup Dan Connor should ensue at
inside linebacker. There's also a battle to be held at left defensive end,
where veteran Kenyon Coleman faces a steep challenge from holdover Marcus
Spears and emerging third-year man Sean Lissemore for the top spot on the
depth chart. Dallas will also be hoping that a reliable No. 3 receiver from
the current ranks can emerge, with 2011 college free agent Andre Holmes
believed to have an edge on the inconsistent Kevin Ogletree and rookie Danny
Coale (5th Round, Virginia Tech), who'll miss the beginning of camp with a
fractured foot, heading into the summer. Another rookie to monitor is Ronald
Leary, an undrafted offensive lineman with a chance to open the season as a
starter at right guard if projected regular Mackenzy Bernadeau isn't
completely recovered from hip surgery. The saga involving cornerback Mike
Jenkins, a 2011 starter who was on the trade block in the spring following the
additions of Carr and Claiborne, also bears watching, though his situation is
compounded by a lingering shoulder injury that will sideline the former first-
round selection early in the preseason.
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N.Y. Giants (9-7)
REPORT DATE: July 26th
SITE: University at Albany, Albany, NY
Though the Giants enter the preseason as world champions for the second time
in five years, the roster is far from set as they begin defense of their
title. Key contributors to last year's Super Bowl run such as running back
Brandon Jacobs, wide receiver Mario Manningham, offensive tackle Kareem
McKenzie, tight end Jake Ballard and cornerback Aaron Ross are no longer
around, and there are a few medical concerns as well with corner Terrell
Thomas, wide receiver Domenik Hixon and left tackle Will Beatty all coming
back from season-ending injuries and No. 1 receiver Hakeem Nicks sidelined for
the start of camp with a broken foot. If Beatty proves to have his back
problems behind him, that will allow Big Blue to move veteran David Diehl into
McKenzie's old post on the right side, but those plans would be scrapped if
that isn't the case. The Giants did secure potential replacements for Jacobs
and Manningham by selecting running back David Wilson and wideout Rueben
Randle in the first two rounds of this past draft, with the latter ready to
contend with Hixon for the No. 3 receiver position. The situation at middle
linebacker is a bit tenuous as well. Special-teams ace Chase Blackburn emerged
as the starter following spring practices, but he'll have competition from
former Cincinnati first-round pick Keith Rivers and inspirational second-year
man Mark Herzlich.
---
Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)
REPORT DATES: July 22nd (rookies), July 25th (veterans)
SITE: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
The Eagles head to Lehigh focused on atoning for a disappointing 2011 campaign
filled with sky-high expectations, though this season's optimism has been
tempered somewhat by the absence of a pair of important contributors due to
injury. All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters will likely miss the entire year
after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the spring, while steady defensive
tackle Mike Patterson will be held out all of camp while recovering from
January brain surgery. Patterson's unavailability will provide an avenue for
2012 first-round pick Fletcher Cox to showcase his skills and make a case for
a starting role on a defense that will be fielding two new linebackers, with
ex-Texan DeMeco Ryans slated to man the middle after coming over via trade and
rookie second-rounder Mychal Kendricks the favorite to take over on the strong
side. On offense, Philadelphia will be hoping free-agent signee Demetress Bell
can stay healthy and transition quickly to line coach Howard Mudd's zone-
blocking scheme as Peters' replacement and third-year pro Mike Kafka can
continue to make strides as the next in line to Michael Vick at quarterback.
Finding someone who can ease the workload on star running back will also be a
high priority. 2011 fifth-round choice Dion Lewis enters camp with an edge in
experience, but rookies Bryce Brown and Chris Polk will have a chance to make
an impression as well.
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Washington Redskins (5-11)
REPORT DATES: July 16th (rookies), July 25th (veterans)
SITE: Redskins Park, Ashburn, VA
The Redskins were able to accomplish their No. 1 goal heading into training
camp with last week's signing of Robert Griffin III, ensuring that the
electrifying rookie quarterback will be on the field when the team begins its
first full-squad workouts. Getting the 2011 Heisman Trophy recipient
completely versed in the offense in time for Washington's Sept. 9 season
opener now becomes the main order of business for head coach Mike Shanahan and
his staff, though expect fellow rookie Kirk Cousins to receive abundant
playing time early in the preseason as he starts an apprenticeship as
Griffin's expected long-term backup. The Redskins also have decisions to make
at running back and wide receiver, with Tim Hightower and promising second-
year man Roy Helu vying for lead ball-carrying duties as long as the former
shows he's over last October's ACL tear and youngster Leonard Hankerson
battling free-agent pickup Josh Morgan for the No. 3 wideout job behind ex-
Colt Pierre Garcon and mainstay Santana Moss. The biggest camp question marks
on defense reside in the secondary, where there'll be new starting safeties in
offseason acquisition Brandon Meriweather and either one of two castoffs,
Madieu Williams (49ers) or Tanard Jackson (Buccaneers). A preseason
competition at kicker will also be on the menu, with inconsistent incumbent
Graham Gano attempting to stave off proven vet Neil Rackers.
---
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears (8-8)
REPORT DATE: July 25th
SITE: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
A situation of disharmony that threatened to disrupt Chicago's summer practice
schedule was averted in the days leading up to camp when the team came to
agreement with Matt Forte on a new four-year contract, preventing a potential
holdout from the standout running back and allowing head coach Lovie Smith and
his staff to devote their full attention to the most pressing on-field
matters. As has been the case with the Bears in past years, chief among them
will be stabilizing an offensive line that's struggled in pass protection in
recent times. The main battle lies at left tackle, where returning starter
J'Marcus Webb endured an inconsistent 2011 season and will be pushed for his
job by Chris Williams, a 2009 first-round pick whose career has also been
marked by erratic play. Right guard is also unsettled, with ex-49er Chilo
Rachal brought in to compete with returnee Lance Louis for the starter's role.
Achieving continuity between quarterback Jay Cutler and a revamped receiver
corps that now contains three-time Pro Bowl honoree Brandon Marshall and big-
bodied rookie Alshon Jeffery (2nd Round, South Carolina) will also be on new
offensive coordinator Mike Tice's agenda, while 2012 first-round selection
Shea McClellin will have a chance to take snaps away from veteran Israel
Idonije at left defensive end with a strong preseason. Expect Smith to be
cautious with his cornerstone players in camp, with Cutler, Forte and young
right tackle Gabe Carimi all missing significant time with injuries last year
and longtime middle linebacker Brian Urlacher sitting out the spring with a
knee problem.
---
Detroit Lions (10-6)
REPORT DATES: July 23rd (rookies), July 26th (veterans)
SITE: Detroit Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, MI
Jim Schwartz will probably be welcoming the return of a structured environment
after the fiery head coach had to endure four of his players being arrested a
total of seven times in the offseason, with projected starting cornerback
Aaron Berry recently being released after running afoul of the law twice in
the past month. His departure sets up a wide-open competition to earn that
spot, with free-agent acquisition Jacob Lacey, returnee Alphonso Smith and
rookie third-round pick Dwight Bentley entering camp as the leading
candidates. Strong safety Amari Spievey will also have a fight on his hands to
keep his starting job following a shaky 2011 season, with Detroit re-signing
veteran Erik Coleman and bringing in experienced pro Sean Jones as possible
alternatives. Shoring up a secondary that was lit up routinely at the end of
last season and creating more balance to a pass-heavy offense will be the
Lions' two main goals of this camp. The team's two best running backs, Jahvid
Best and Mikel Leshoure, missed most or all of last year with a concussion and
Achilles tear, respectively, and both will be closely monitored throughout the
preseason. Rookie wide receiver Ryan Broyles, a second-round selection in
April's draft, also figures to be brought along slowly as he recovers from a
torn ACL sustained in November, but it's hoped that he'll be able to push Nate
Burleson for time in the slot at some point.
---
Green Bay Packers (15-1)
REPORT DATE: July 25th
SITE: St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI
Defense will be the central theme when the Packers return to St. Norbert for
the 55th consecutive summer, with improving a unit that permitted an NFL-worst
411.6 yards per game the unquestioned No. 1 purpose. A host of rookies on that
side of the ball will have the chance to shine in the preseason, with first-
round choice Nick Perry expected to be installed as a regular outside
linebacker opposite All-Pro Clay Matthews and second-rounder Jerel Worthy one
of several candidates to start at right defensive end, a list that also
includes holdovers C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn and Dolphins castoff Phillip
Merling. With veteran playmaker Charles Woodson possibly moving full-time to
strong safety and nickel back Sam Shields coming off a poor season, the
door could be open for Casey Hayward -- another second-round selection in
April's draft -- and 2011 fourth-round pick Davon House to get on the field at
cornerback, with undrafted second-year safety M.D. Jennings also in the
equation in sub packages after impressing in offseason workouts. Green Bay is
fairly well set at offense, but the team does want to see if injury-prone
leading rusher James Starks can handle a more substantial workload with former
backfield mate Ryan Grant now out of the picture and if young reserves Alex
Green and Brandon Saine can emerge as reliable secondary options. A pair of
second-year tight ends, D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor, could be in line for
increased duties with main backup Andrew Quarless' season in doubt due to an
ACL tear.
---
Minnesota Vikings (3-13)
REPORT DATE: July 26th
SITE: Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
There will be a few storylines worth following when the Vikings head to
Mankato with designs on improving off a dismal 3-13 season in 2011. The
biggest one involves Adrian Peterson and the standout running back's continued
recovery from a torn ACL sustained last December. Though the team is
optimistic that the four-time All-Pro be ready to go for the season opener,
he'll still be brought along slowly and likely held out of early practices.
Disgruntled wide receiver Percy Harvin made headlines in the spring by briefly
walking out of minicamp in protest over his contract and playing, though the
expectation is he'll report on time, while another potential holdout was
averted when the team reached agreement with heralded rookie offensive tackle
Matt Kalil just prior to the first practice. With the No. 4 overall pick now
signed, he'll slot in on the left side of a revamped front line that will
have last year's regular left tackle, Charlie Johnson, kick inside to guard
and a preseason battle between free-agent signee Geoff Schwartz and rising
second-year man Brandon Fusco at right guard. The secondary will see some
reshuffling as well, with high 2012 draft choice Harrison Smith ticketed for
one safety post and his former Notre Dame teammate, Robert Blanton (5th
Round), competing with Mistral Raymond, a five-game starter as a rookie last
year, for the other starting job. With No. 2 receiver Jerome Simpson to start
the regular season with a three-game suspension, veteran Michael Jenkins and
fourth-round selection Greg Childs (Arkansas) can state their case to be the
emergency fill-in with a good camp.
---
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
REPORT DATE: July 25th
SITE: Atlanta Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, GA
The Falcons have already had to make some adjustments even before stepping out
to the field for their first practice, as expected starting middle linebacker
Lofa Tatupu suffered a season-ending pectorals tear while lifting weights just
prior to the outset of camp and was subsequently released. That leaves
unproven second-year man Akeem Dent as the favorite to claim the position,
though the team did re-sign 13-year vet Mike Peterson as insurance in case the
Georgia product isn't quite ready. The offensive line will also need to be
sorted out prior to the season opener, as two spots have unsettled situations
at the moment. Former first-round pick Sam Baker enters drills as the No. 1
left tackle, but is coming off back surgery and briefly lost his job to
journeyman Will Svitek last season. There'll be an open competition at right
guard, where neither Joe Hawley nor Garrett Reynolds distinguished themselves
in opportunities a year ago, prompting Atlanta to spend a second-round pick in
April's draft on Wisconsin's Peter Konz and sign former Jaguars starter Vince
Manuwai after being out of football in 2011. This will also be an important
camp for second-year running back Jacquizz Rodgers, whom the club would like
to utilize more frequently to help keep workhorse Michael Turner fresh over
the course of the season.
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Carolina Panthers (6-10)
REPORT DATES: July 16th (rookies), July 27th (veterans)
SITE: Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC
The Panthers have no questions at the quarterback position after Cam Newton's
dazzling rookie season in 2011, but there are a few issues that still need to
be resolved in other areas if the young club is to continue its progression.
Most of those concerns lie on defense, with a pair of starting spots up for
grabs in the secondary and several veterans attempting to make their way back
from serious injuries. Carolina would like to see one of two high-upside
youngsters, either 2011 fourth-round pick Brandon Hogan or rookie fifth-
rounder Josh Norman, quickly develop into a capable cornerback opposite
stalwart Chris Gamble and push the undersized Captain Munnerlyn into slot
duties, while incumbent free safety Sherrod Martin is on the hot seat after an
erratic last season and the addition of heady ex-Raven Haruki Nakamura. Three-
time Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason has been cleared for practice after
missing all but one game due to a torn Achilles, but where he'll play has yet
to be fully determined. It's possible that the usual middle linebacker will be
shifted to the weakside to make room for pro-ready rookie Luke Kuechly, the
ninth overall choice in this past draft, or Kuechly could start at the WILL if
that proves to be a better fit. The comeback of fellow linebacker Thomas Davis
from a third ACL tear in three years to his right knee will also be a
compelling storyline of this preseason, while the team is hopeful talented
wideout David Gettis is over his own knee injury and can serve as the No. 3
receiver and that undrafted find Byron Bell can be a solid replacement for the
departed Jeff Otah at right tackle after an encouraging rookie year.
---
New Orleans Saints (13-3)
REPORT DATE: July 24th
SITE: Saints Training Facility, Metairie, LA
The Saints will likely be eager to hit the practice fields once again after
experiencing one of the most tumultuous offseasons any professional franchise
has ever endured. And although Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton and
middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma won't be present at Metairie after being hit
with season-long suspensions for their roles in the Bountygate scandal, the
recent signing of Drew Brees to a new five-year contract that ensures the star
quarterback won't miss any camp time was a positive step for a team ready to
turn the page on the past few months. With nearly every key member of New
Orleans' record-setting offense also returning, interim head coach Joe Vitt
shouldn't have too many worries on that side, but a defense that'll be
breaking in two new starting linebackers in free-agent additions Curtis Lofton
and David Hawthorne and is now being run by ex-Rams sideline boss Steve
Spagnuolo may need a bit of an adjustment period. Finding consistent pass
rushers and a dependable nickel back from a group headed by 2011 third-rounder
Johnny Patrick and newcomer Elbert Mack (Tampa Bay) will also be on
Spagnuolo's agenda, while the kicking competition between the strong-legged
Garrett Hartley and 42-year-old John Kasay should be one of the more
interesting battles of camp.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)
REPORT DATES: July 18th (rookies), July 26th (veterans)
SITE: One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, FL
There's a new coach, new attitude and plenty of new faces on the 2012
Buccaneers roster, not to mention plenty of decisions that await Greg Schiano
as the ex-Rutgers program architect begins his first season in charge. The
most interesting of the many camp battles that will take place at this year's
camp is at running back, where fumble-prone incumbent LeGarette Blount faces a
stern challenge from rookie Doug Martin, whom Tampa Bay selected with the 31st
overall choice in April's draft. Two other premium 2012 picks, safety Mark
Barron (1st Round, Alabama) and outside linebacker Lavonte David (2nd Round,
Nebraska), have the inside track at starting jobs on an overhauled defense
where 16th-year veteran Ronde Barber is being moved to free safety after a
long and successful run at right cornerback. The main focus of the Schiano
regime, however, will be getting quarterback Josh Freeman back on track after
the strong-armed 24-year-old regressed badly last season following an
excellent 2010 campaign. The Tampa field general will have an exciting new
weapon to work with after the Bucs landed prized free-agent wideout Vincent
Jackson in the offseason, while ex-Colts tight end Dallas Clark will attempt
to further boost a remodeled receiving corps if he's able to bounce back from
two straight injury-plagued years.
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NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
REPORT DATE: July 23rd
SITE: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona's sixth training camp under head coach Ken Whisenhunt will feature a
quarterback competition that figures to last well into the preseason. Kevin
Kolb enters the two-man race with third-year pro John Skelton as a slight
favorite for the starter's nod, mostly because the Cardinals are paying him $8
million for this season, but the brittle veteran will still need to show well
after managing only a 3-6 record during a disappointing and injury-marred
first year with the team. Skelton guided Arizona to a 5-2 mark in seven starts
in 2011, but owns just a 53 percent completion rate and a 13-to-16 touchdown-
to-interception ratio over his career. There will be a few other positions to
watch on offense, with heralded 2012 first-round pick Michael Floyd attempting
to overtake holdover Andre Roberts for the No. 2 receiver slot opposite
perennial All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald and fellow rookie Bobby Massie (4th Round,
Ole Miss) vying with journeyman Jeremy Bridges to be the regular right tackle.
Whisenhunt and his staff will also be keeping a close eye on their top two
running backs, with leading rusher Beanie Wells coming off knee surgery in
January and promising youngster Ryan Williams missing his entire debut season
with a torn patella tendon. Greg Toler, also recovering from a knee injury
that cost him all of 2011, will contend with free-agent pickup William Gay and
rookie Jamell Fleming (3rd Round, Oklahoma) for starter's snaps at cornerback
in the most notable defensive battle.
---
St. Louis Rams (2-14)
REPORT DATES: July 24th (rookies), July 27th (veterans)
SITE: ContinuityX Center, Earth City, MO
The long-suffering Rams are about to embark upon yet another massive
rebuilding effort, with former Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher tabbed to lead
this latest project, and establishing roles and getting a bevy of incoming
talent to blend together will be the focus of the new regime. Many of St.
Louis' 10 choices in this most recent draft have a path to immediate playing
time if they're up to the task, with hulking first-round tackle Michael
Brockers and controversial second-round cornerback Janoris Jenkins penciled in
as immediate starters on a defense that's undergoing a major makeover. The
Rams could have a pair of first-year players contributing at the outside
receiver flanks as well, with both good-sized second-rounder Brian Quick and
speedy fourth-round selection Chris Givens set to get crash courses in
coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense, though veteran Steve Smith may
have a say in the matter if the ex-Eagle can demonstrate he's completely over
a knee problem that greatly curtailed his 2011 production. Getting 2010 NFL
Offensive Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford healthy and back to form after an
injury-plagued and ineffective sophomore campaign is also a high priority for
the new staff, and that cause would be aided if tackles Roger Saffold and
Jason Smith can stay on the field after each missed substantial time a season
ago. There are also decisions to be made at left guard and outside linebacker,
where free-agent additions Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Rocky McIntosh and Mario Haggan are
vying for two open spots.
---
San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 26th (veterans)
SITE: Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Centre, Santa Clara, CA
Obtaining more explosive weapons to an offense that ranked 29th in passing
yards during last year's breakthrough 13-3 campaign was the offseason onus of
the 49ers' front office, and getting those newcomers ready to go when the real
games start will be the top priority of camp. The most notable acquisition was
that of seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Randy Moss, though the mercurial 35-
year-old must prove he can still be an impact performer after sitting all of
of last season and putting together a rather unproductive 2010. Giants Super
Bowl XLVI hero Mario Manningham and rookie first-round pick A.J. Jenkins will
also attempt to earn prominent roles on a totally revamped receiver cast,
while former University of Oregon speedster LaMichael James (2nd Round) has an
opportunity to make a mark as a change-of-pace alternative to workhorse
running back Frank Gore. Another interesting preseason battle will come at
quarterback, where ex-Buccaneer Josh Johnson and 2011 second-rounder Colin
Kaepernick will compete to be the No. 2 behind entrenched starter Alex Smith.
The Niners have to replace only one regular, right guard Adam Snyder, from
last year's NFC West championship squad, with third-year man Alex Boone
entering camp as the favorite to step in.
---
Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
REPORT DATE: July 27th
SITE: Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, WA
The Seahawks are set to stage a wide-open competition for the No. 1
quarterback job, and that race will certainly be the highlight of the team's
third camp under head coach Pete Carroll. Seattle signed ex-Green Bay
understudy Matt Flynn to a three-year, $19.5 million contract in the
offseason, though he'll open camp behind Tarvaris Jackson on the depth chart
due to the returning starter's advanced knowledge of the offense. Undersized
rookie Russell Wilson, a third-round pick in April's draft, can't be counted
out as a dark horse either after impressing the staff in minicamp, and the
athletic 23-year-old should get ample opportunity to show his skills in the
preseason. Fellow rookie Bobby Wagner, the Seahawks' second-round choice,
could be in line to claim a major role at middle linebacker with free-agent
signee Barrett Ruud a question mark because of various injuries, while
bruising running back Marshawn Lynch's possible suspension after a recent DUI
arrest could provide an early-season opening for fourth-round selection Robert
Turbin. Young wide receivers Golden Tate, Kris Durham and Ricardo Lockette
also figure to get long looks in camp following veteran Mike Williams' release
and the fragile status of top target Sidney Rice, who's missed 17 games with
shoulder problems the last two years.
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