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NFC Training Camp Preview
by: Scott Sommers

Arizona Cardinals

QB

Josh McCown

Shaun King

John Navarre

RB

Emmitt Smith

Marcel Ship

Damien Anderson

FB

James Hodgins

Obefemi Ayanbadejo

Josh Rue

WR

Bryant Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Bryan Gilmore

WR

Anquan Bolden

Nate Poole

Kevin Kasper

TE

Freddie Jones

Steve Bush

Mike Banks

PK

Neil Rackers

It is a new day for the team in the desert. With new coach Dennis Green, the Cards have a chance to be a surprise in this league. Their receiving corps is very deep with the drafting of Fitzgerald, but the play of McCown is crucial and needs to be watched. Shipp needs to overtake Smith for the starting running back job in what promises to be one of the most heated battles. Johnson is already banged up at WR and his injury needs to be watched or else Fitzgerald could overtake him. Jones must have a good camp and season or else he won't be around long.

Atlanta Falcons

QB

Michael Vick

Doug Johnson

Kurt Kittner

RB

Warrick Dunn

TJ Duckett

James Fenderson

FB

Justin Griffith

George Layne

WR

Brian Finneran

Terrance Edwards

Michael Jenkins

WR

Peerless Price

Dez White

LaTerance Dunbar

TE

Alge Crumpler

Justin Swift

PK

Jay Feely

The Falcons come into camp fairly healthy, but there are a few questions that need to be answered. Can Vick adjust to the WCO this season with a new coach and coaching staff. The battle between Dunn and Duckett may become a mute point since Mora may go RBBC. Watch the play of the offensive line under new coach Alex Gibbs (Denver). Whoever gets the bulk of the carries should benefit from an improved offensive line. The two WR starting spots are stet, but watch out for the rookie Jenkins, who has wowed a few people during mini-camp. Obviously, the biggest adjustment is going to be the whole team with a new coach. This team has the potential to light up many a scoreboard this season.

Carolina Panthers

QB

Jake Delhomme

Rodney Peete

Chris Weinke

RB

Stephen Davis

DeShaun Foster

Rod Smart

FB

Brad Hoover

Nick Goings

WR

Muhsin Muhammad

Ricky Proehl

Walter Young

WR

Steve Smith

Karl Hankton

Keary Colbert

TE

Kris Mangum

Mike Seidman

Michael Gaines

PK

John Kasay

The defending NFC champions really didn't change a lot and don't have a ton of questions coming into camp. Their offensive line got a few new people, so watch them this preseason to see how they are blocking for Davis and Foster. Speaking of which, don't be surprise if you see Foster start making a big push for playing time. All of us know what that will mean. The wonderful RBBC. The WR spot is solid, but look for Colbert to make a push for the third wideout spot. If he performs real well, Muhammad may be on the outside looking in.

Chicago Bears

QB

Rex Grossman

Jonathan Quinn

Craig Krenzel

RB

Thomas Jones

Anthony Thomas

Rabih Abdullah

FB

Bryan Johnson

Jason McKie

WR

Justin Gage

Ahmad Merritt

Bernard Berrian

WR

Marty Booker

David Terrell

Bobby Wade

TE

Desmond Clark

Dustin Lyman

John Gilmore

PK

Paul Edinger

A new coach, a new running back and a new philosophy. Lovie Smith gets his long-awaited chance to be a head coach. He gets Thomas Jones to take over the running back duties. That job is his to lose, so don't expect Thomas to beat him out. Grossman has Booker and the up-and-coming Gage to throw to. Terrell is on his last leg. If he doesn't have a good camp, then he is gone. Quinn and Krenzel are purely back-ups on this team. Clark, who was decent last year, may be counted on even more this year in new-offense. The Bears went out and got John Tait from the Chiefs, giving them a big upgrade on the o-line. The biggest factor they have to overcome is getting use to a new coach along with a new offense and defense. The first couple of exhibition games will tell if they have gotten it or not.

Dallas Cowboys

QB

Quincy Carter

Vinny Testeverde

Drew Henson

RB

Eddie George

Julius Jones

Aveion Cason

FB

Richie Anderson

Jamar Martin

WR

Keyshawn Johnson

Zuriel Smith

Cedric James

WR

Terry Glenn

Antonio Bryant

Randal Williams

TE

Dan Campbell

Jason Witten

James Whalen

PK

Billy Cundiff

Everyone had to know that the Tuna was not going to stand pat after losing early in the playoffs last year. He went out and got his trusted qb Vinny Testeverde. He drafted Julius Jones in somewhat of a surprise, but then added Eddie George just before campd. It is a perfect fit for the Cowboys. Carter will be looking over his shoulder the entire camp. There is a real good chance he will not be the starter at the beginning of the season. George willthe season as the starting running back as he mentors Jones. Johnson and Glenn, both former players under Parcells, will start the season at WR, so there is no real battle there. The only question is whether Bryant will last training camp or not after blowing up at Parcells during mini-camp.

Detroit Lions

QB

Joey Harrington

Mike McMahon

Rick Mirer

RB

Shawn Bryson

Olandis Gary

Kevin Jones

FB

Cory Schlesinger

Stephen Trejo

WR

Charles Rogers

Roy Williams

Scotty Anderson

WR

Tai Streets

Az Hakim

Reggie Swinton

TE

Casey Fitzsimmons

Stephen Alexander

John Owens

PK

Jason Hanson

The Lions come into camp with some high expectations, even though this is a young team. Harrington is locked at qb for now, but if he falters during the regular season, he may be benched. Kevin Jones has a real good chance to take over the RB spot, but knowing Marcucci, he likes the RBBC. So there may be no clear-cut RB even though someone will start. To go along with Rogers, the rookie Williams and Hakim, Tai Streets came over from San Francisco where he played for Mooch. Casey Fitzsimmons is a fine tight end and will have to hold off the oft-injured Alexander, which shouldn't be a problem.

Green Bay Packers

QB

Brett Favre

Tim Couch

Doug Pederson

RB

Ahman Green

Tony Fisher

Najeh Davenport

FB

William Henderson

Nick Luchey

WR

Robert Ferguson

Antonio Chatman

Carl Ford

WR

Donald Driver

Javon Walker

Devin Lewis

TE

Bubba Franks

David Martin

PK

Ryan Longwell

The Packers seem pretty set heading into camp. After all when No. 4 is your QB, the rest just seems to take care of itself. Green is back while Fisher and Davenport will compete for the back-up role. Very important to protect your stud RB. Walker seems to be making a push for a starting job, so it will be interesting to see who will be taken out. Either way, Driver, Ferguson and Walker will all see ample time. Franks is the TE, but again with Martin in the fold, both will see plenty of time. The only thing that realy bears watching is whether Couch can grasp the offense. He appears to be next in line if and when Favre calls it quits.

Minnesota Vikings

QB

Daunte Culpepper

Gus Frerotte

Shaun Hill

RB

Michael Bennett

Moe Williams

Onterrio Smith

FB

Charles Stackhouse

WR

Randy Moss

Nate Burleson

Kenny Clark

WR

Marcus Robinson

Kelly Campbell

Keenan Howry

TE

Jim Kleinsasser

Jermaine Wiggins

PK

Aaron Elling

The Vikings seem ready to go this season. They added Robinson to give another deep threat and take the heat off of Moss. Culpepper is a lock, but the most interesting battle will be at RB. Williams is the short-yardage back, so he is set, but Bennett and Smith will battle it out for the starting job. Don't be surprised if one of these two are traded sometime during camp. Bennett is healthy and ready to go, while Smith surprised a lot of people with consecutive 100+ performances last year.

New Orleans Saints

QB

Aaron Brooks

Todd Bouman

TJ O'Sullivan

RB

Deuce McAllister

Aaron Stecker

Lamar Smtih

FB

Sam Gash

Mike Karney

WR

Joe Horn

Michael Lewis

Talman Gardner

WR

Donte Stallworth

Jerome Pathon

Derrick Lewis

TE

Boo Williams

Ernie Conwell

Zach Hilton

PK

John Carney

The only question the Saints have this year is when will they tank the season? In the beginning or the end? Sam Gash replaces Terrelle Smith at fullback and bears watching to see how McAllister does behind him early in the preseason. Stallworth and Pathon will go at it to start opposite Horn. The Saints really want Stallworth to get the job, but he has been healthy as of late. Pathon is very average and may even get passed by Lewis. Williams can be a sleeper at tight end if he can hold off Conwell.

New York Giants

QB

Kurt Warner

Eli Manning

Jesse Palmer

RB

Tiki Barber

Delvin Joyce

Ron Dayne

FB

Jim Finn

WR

Amani Toomer

Tim Carter

Jamaar Taylor

WR

Ike Hilliard

Willie Ponder

David Tyree

TE

Jeremy Shocky

Marcellus Rivers

Vishanthe Shiancoe

PK

Matt Bryant

One of the more interesting camps to watch. New coach Tom Coughlin has already ticked off more than a few players. He will be weeding out throughout this camp. Kurt Warner and Eli Manning will jockey for the starting gig. If Warner gets it, don't look for him to hold it very long during the season. Barber is the RB as of now, but he is just a few fumbles away from being buried. Toomer and Hilliard are locks, but Carter hasn't been on the field long enough to secure the third spot. Look for Taylor to make a push for the third spot.

Philadelphia Eagles

QB

Donovan McNabb

Koy Detmer

Jeff Blake

RB

Brian Westbrook

Correll Buckhalter

FB

Jon Ritchie

WR

Terrell Owens

Greg Lewis

Billy McMullen

WR

Todd Pinkston

Freddie Mitchell

Sean Morey

TE

Chad Lewis

LJ Smith

PK

David Akers

McNabb finally seems to have a legit pro receiver with the addition of Owens. Pinkston and Mitchell continue to underachieve, so don't be surprised if someone replaces them during camp. Westbrook and Buckhalter seem to be vying for the starting job, but Westbrook has a nice edge. The Eagles already have taken him off punt return and Buckhalter was the subject of some trade rumors. LJ Smith will push Lewis very hard for the spot at TE, but even if he doesn't win it. He will seem plenty of time.

St. Louis Rams

QB

Marc Bulger

Chris Chandler

Jeff Smoker

RB

Marshall Faulk

Steven Jackson

Lamar Gordon

FB

Joey Goodspeed

Arlen Harris

WR

Torry Holt

Dane Looker

Shaun McDonald

WR

Isaac Bruce

Mike Furrey

Kevin Curtis

TE

B. Manumaleuna

Erik Jenen

PK

Jeff Wilkins

Somehow the Rams survived the off-season. They dumped Warner after Martz had enough of Brenda. Faulk has been a question mark, so they drafted Steven Jackson. Harris went back to fullback, while Gordon may be shipped out. Keep an eye on Faulk to see if he is close to 100 percent. Rumors have been rampant about him retiring. Holt and Bruce are locks, but watch for Looker and Furrey to go after the third spot. Remember Smoker in the late rounds because Bulger is an interception away from the bench and Chandler is one concussion away from retiring.

San Francisco 49'ers

QB

Tim Rattay

Ken Dorsey

Brandon Doman

RB

Kevan Barlow

Jamal Robertson

Maurice Hicks

FB

Fred Beasley

Terry Jackson

WR

Cedrick Wilson

Curtis Conway

Arnaz Battle

WR

Brandon Lloyd

Rashaun Woods

Derrick Hamilton

TE

Eric Johnson

Aaron Walker

PK

Todd Peterson

This is what they mean by retooling. The Niners got rid of just about everyone. Bum groin and all, Rattay has said he will play in the preseason. Just when we all wanted Dorsey. Barlow has the starting job, but don't trust Erickson, who loves the RBBC. Gone are Owens and Streets (both starters) and in step Wilson and Lloyd. Conway was signed to provide something, I just don't know what it is exactly. Woods will make a push for a starting job early. At worst, he is will be their number three.

Seattle Seahawks

QB

Matt Hasselbeck

Trent Dilfer

Brock Huard

RB

Shaun Alexander

Maurice Morris

Kerry Carter

FB

Mack Strong

Heath Evans

WR

Koren Robinson

Bobby Engram

Taco Wallace

WR

Darrell Jackson

Alex Bannister

TE

Itula Mili

Jerramy Stevens

PK

Josh Brown

One team that has all of its' pieces in place. Hasselbeck, Alexander, Robinson and Jackson can be around a long time, if management lets them. Alexander has been hearing the same thing for the past couple of years in getting Morris more time. Don't believe it until you see it. There are no real battles to speak of. Just watch them during the preseason and see if the pick up right where they left off. One thing of note. Walter Jones, a key left tackle for them is holding out. He needs to be in camp for any of the four above to succeed.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB

Brad Johnson

Brian Griese

Chris Simms

RB

Charlie Garner

Michael Pittman

Brandon Bennett

FB

Mike Alstott

Greg Comella

WR

Joey Galloway

Charles Lee

Michael Clayton

WR

Keenan McCardell

Joe Jurevicius

Sylvester Morris

TE

Dave Moore

Rickey Dudley

Ken Dilger

PK

Martin Gramatica

Plenty of changes for Gruden's boys. Gone is Johnson and Jones. They get Alstott back, but he needs to be watch to see if his neck is 100 percent. Garner comes over from the Raiders and seems to have the inside track on taking the starting spot since he played for Gruden in Oakland. Galloway comes over from Dallas to give the Bucs a deep threat, but McCardell is an unhappy camper and is holding out. See how long he stays out. If it is too long, it could give the rookie Clayton a chance to win the starting spot. Brad Johnson will have to hold off Griese and Simms, but should win out despite Gruden wanting someone else at QB.

Washington Redskins

QB

Mark Brunell

Patrick Ramsey

Tim Hasselbeck

RB

Clinton Portis

Ladell Betts

Chad Morton

FB

Rock Cartwright

Mike Sellers

WR

Laveraneus Coles

James Thrash

Taylor Jacobs

WR

Rod Gardner

Darnerien McCants

Cliff Russell

TE

Walter Rasby

Brian Kozlowski

Robert Royal

PK

John Hall

Another team that has gone through some radical changes. The Redskins give up Bailey, but nab one of the best running backs in the game in Clinton Portis. The only thing we need to watch is see who will be backing him up. Betts seems to have the best shot since Morton is usually a third-down back. Brunell comes over from Jacksonville, but I will be surprised if he throws 20+ touchdowns. The receiving corps starters stay the same this year One thing that needs to be watched is Coles, who is nursing a bad toe, that has limited his speed. Think the Redskins won't be running the ball? They have six tight ends in camp. It doesn't matter who wins the job, they will be use primarily for blocking.

 

 

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