Jason Wood - Keys to Training Camp

Link: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/news_detail.php?PRKey=780
Location: Texans Practice Facility (Houston, TX)
Dates: July 30 - August 23
Open to the public? - Limited (see website for details)

Will LT Seth Wand be final cog in the offensive line? - The Texans enter their 3rd training camp with very few questions regarding personnel. While the offensive line improved markedly last season, management prioritized the line again this offseason by signing RT Todd Wade away from the Dolphins. Wade is a proven road grader, who can play either LT or RT, but the team is counting on Wade at RT provided Seth Wand can earn his keep at LT, where he enters camp as the starter. Should Wand hold up in camp, the line will fall into place with Chester Pitts moving inside to guard. What used to be a weakness could now be a strength.

Can Domanick Davis build off his improbable rookie year? - There was uncertainty surrounding the Texans RB situation last training camp but few pundits predicted that Domanick Davis would emerge from the pack. Yet it was Davis, not Tony Hollings or Stacey Mack, who put together almost 1,400 yards and 8 touchdowns. This year, Davis enters camp as the clear workhorse, and the team plans on implementing a new zone blocking scheme in an effort to create more cutback lanes for Davis. Add in TE Mark Bruener and this could be a potent running attack.

How good is Andre Johnson? - Johnson's rookie season was one of the best rookie showings in the history of the league, but he was overshadowed by fellow rookie Anquan Boldin's historical campaign. Nevertheless, Johnson almost achieved the 1,000 yard mark despite catching passes from Tony Banks for part of the season. This year, with a better offensive line, Johnson should be ready to ascend into the upper echelon of NFL receivers; we see him as a viable WR2 for fantasy purposes.

Competition at tight end - Billy Miller is no longer the every down tight end by default; he will be used in conjunction with Bennie Joppru and Mark Bruener To what degree each will be utilized is something to monitor in camp, particularly for those counting on Miller as a late round fantasy option.

Indianapolis Colts

Link: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=2073
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN)
Dates: August 1 - August 20
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Pollard or Clark? - The Colts are a rare breed in that they utilize two-TE sets in their base offense. Dallas Clark and Marcus Pollard should be see plenty of targets and are viable fantasy options, but watch in camp to see if the coaching staff expresses a preference for one over the other; particularly whether the team plans on keeping Pollard, the better blocker, into block more than his fantasy owners hope.

(IDP) Who is going to replace Marcus Washington? - Strongside linebacker Marcus Washington left via free agency and entering training camp, the coaches expect David Thornton, last year's weakside 'backer to fill the hole. Replacing Thornton will be Cato June; watch in camp whether these changes take hold. Our IDP team is very high on June, projecting him 29th among fantasy LBs.

(IDP) The new look secondary - The Colts will have at least two new starters in the secondary and possibly three if S Bob Sanders beats out incumbent Idrees Bashir. Our IDP team expects Mike Doss, the lone returning player not fighting for his job, to be a fantasy factor (35th ranked DB) and believes, of the new guys, Joe Jefferson is the one most worth keeping an eye on.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Link: http://www.jaguars.com/Story/3717.asp
Location: Alltel Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)
Dates: July 31 - August 24
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Is Leftwich ready to shine? - Byron Leftwich enters this training camp as the unquestioned starter for the first time, with Mark Brunell gone on to Washington. Leftwich is one of the quarterbacks most often mentioned as breakout candidate in 2004, yet is that reasonable? Leftwich much show in camp that he's fit, and he's got command of the offense in order to justify his current draft position.

Does Jimmy Smith have his head on straight? - For many years, Jimmy Smith was consistently one of the best receivers in the league. Yet, last year he was forced to sit out the first 4 games due to substance abuse issues and upon his return, failed to produce in the manner most fans have become accustomed to. In minicamps, observers suggested Smith looked like his Pro Bowl self, but they may be asking too much of a 35 year-old getting acclimated to a young quarterback. Our team expects Smith to be among the top 25 fantasy WRs this year.

Will Fred Taylor reclaim the "every down" role? - Fred Taylor rushed for almost 1,600 yards last year and will again be the focal point of the team's ball-control ground attack. However, Taylor was benched in obvious passing downs last season after dropping too many passes (he led the league with 12 drops), and the coaches have suggested that Taylor must win their confidence back as a receiver.

Will Salaam or Pearson win the battle at left tackle? - Third year Mike Pearson opens camp as the starter but the team signed veteran Ephraim Salaam to compete for the job.

Is Reggie Williams ready to contribute out of the gate? - Reggie Williams will be given every opportunity to start alongside Jimmy Smith. The Jaguars offense was handcuffed by the lack of an effective second option in the passing game last year, and Williams immediately becomes the team's second best wide out.

(IDP) Do Hugh Douglas and Tony Brackens have any gas left in the tank? - Hugh Douglas was a huge disappointment in his first year with the Jaguars and Brackens was ineffective due to injuries. Our IDP team expects both to be more effective; with Brackens being marginally valuable in deep IDP leagues.

Tennessee Titans

Link: http://www.gotitans.com/artman/publish/article_00208.shtml
Location: Baptist Sports Park (Nashville, TN)
Dates: July 30 - August 26
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Will Chris Brown emerge as an every down back? - The departure of Eddie George was supposed to be the beginning of the Chris Brown era in Tennessee; yet the team's decision to sign veteran Antowain Smith a day later raised new questions about whether Brown is capable (and being given the opportunity) of carrying the load. Our current projections assume Brown gets about 2/3rds of the carries, but that could change as camp developments unfold.

Assessing the loss of Justin McCareins - Justin McCareins, one of several Titans WRs that contributed mightily to Steve McNair's MVP season, has departed for the Jets. Drew Bennett returns as the starter opposite Derrick Mason, and Tyrone Calico will be given the opportunity to earn a larger role in McCareins absence.

Erron Kinney, Ben Troupe, or Shad Meier? - With the departure of TE Frank Wycheck, the team has a hole to fill, and all three young TEs will endeavor to step into the role. Kinney probably has the leg up based on his playing time from a season ago, whereas Ben Troupe, a 1st round pick in the 2004 draft, is the long-term answer.

(IDP) Filling the gaps on the D-Line - Gone are Jevon Kearse and Robaire Smith, in their place will be some combination of rookies Travis Laboy, Antwan Odom, Bo Schobel and 3rd year veteran Carlos Hall. The team is moving Kevin Carter inside to tackle, provided the collection of young ends show reasonable ability during camp. Our IDP team recommends avoiding the entire Tennessee D-Line