Jason Wood - Keys to Training Camp

Link: http://www.greatergreenville.com/visitors/falcons/
Location: Furman University (Greenville, SC)
Dates: July 27 - August 9
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Tracking Vick's Development - Michael Vick needs a healthy training camp if he's to take the next step in his development as a passer. New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is ideally suited to teach the mobile lefty the nuances of the West Coast offense; but that's no small challenge for someone who's struggled to complete more than 50% of his passes.

Defining the roles of Duckett and Dunn - Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett both had big moments during the 2003 season, but they also both succumbed to injuries and aren't 100% healthy entering training camp. The new coaching staff had a successful run in San Francisco splitting the workload between Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow, so assuming both Dunn and Duckett are healthy, we expect them to share carries. But are we right in our assumption? Will one outplay the other enough to garner the majority of work?

Can Peerless Price be a productive number one WR? - Peerless Price did not enjoy the kind of season he hoped for last year after joining the Falcons in free agency. The absence of Michael Vick for a majority of the season played a part, but Price didn't light the world on fire upon Vick's return either. With a full training camp to work together, and a better supporting cast, will Price establish himself as a legitimate WR1? We believe Price will have a solid, albeit unspectacular year; finishing among the top 25 at his position.

Creating an effective offensive line - The team lured Alex Gibbs away from Denver where he was known as the architect of the Broncos ultra-effective run blocking unit. Gibbs, who teaches the art of the cut block, is a controversial figure but respected nonetheless. He'll have his work cut out for him with the likes of Kynan Forney, Kevin Shaffer, and Todd McClure penciled in as starters.

(IDP) Who starts at middle linebacker now that Brooking is back outside? - Chris Draft and Jamie Duncan will battle for the middle linebacker job in training camp; our IDP team expects Draft to win the job and make an effective counterpart to ultra-productive Keith Brooking; who is being moved back outside this season.

Carolina Panthers

Link: http://www.panthers.com/news/trainingcamp.jsp
Location: Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
Dates: July 30 - August 25
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Change is good, unless it's the offensive line - When four of your five offensive line positions undergo change, it's not usually a good thing; particularly if you're coming off a near Super Bowl victory. Yet, the Panthers face that situation this year with Jordan Gross moving to left tackle, free agent Adam Meadows taking his place at RT, and new starters at the interior guard positions. Only C Jeff Mitchell returns from last year at the same position.

How many carries does DeShaun Foster warrant? - The Panthers believe that winning games is about ball control, a power running game, solid defense and effective play action passing. To that end, they will once again run the ball as much as any team in the league which means Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster will get plenty of work. But, some believe Foster could see as much as half the workload, which obviously would have a major impact on Davis' draft value, as well as Foster. Watch and listen to camp developments to get a better view into this running back committee.

(IDP) Will Witherspoon or Jessie Armstead (or Brandon Short?) - Our IDP team expect LB Will Witherspoon to hold off the newly signed veterans, but this will be a camp battle worth watching; whoever starts will have the chance to put some points on the board in John Fox's defensive scheme.

(IDP) Can the secondary survive the defections? - The Panthers lost two of their top three corners in free agency, and now rookie Chris Gamble, Artrell Hawkins and Terrence Shaw will battle for the spot opposite 2nd year phenom Ricky Manning. Our IDP team expects Artrell Hawkins, the veteran from Cincinnati to win the job.

New Orleans Saints

Link: http://www.neworleanssaints.com/newsroom.cfm?categoryid=2&pageid=23
Location: New Orleans Saints Complex (Metairie, LA)
Dates: July 30 - August 19
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Is Boo Williams an elite fantasy TE? - Boo Williams finished among the top fantasy tight ends last year for a team that promises to throw the ball quite a bit with Aaron Brooks under center. There was talk of involving Williams more heavily in the passing game this year; watch for that in camp and if it materializes, make sure to target him as a solid top 8 fantasy option that can be had late in most redraft leagues.

Donte Stallworth, ready to ascend? - Donte Stallworth is "in the best shape of his life," where have we heard that before? If he is FINALLY able to stay healthy this season, there's no reason he can't make a major fantasy impact. Watch his production in camp, if he practices consistently and shows up during preseason games, Stallworth will handily outperform our current projections.

Is Deuce McAllister thinner per the team's request? - It's hard to believe the team could want much more out of Deuce McAllister, but the team wants him to report to camp 10-15 pounds lighter than last season; they believe that will make him more explosive and he's agreed.

(IDP) Is there a linebacker in the house? - If the names Sedrick Hodge, James Allen, Orlando Ruff, Cie Grant, Courtney Watson and Derrick Rodgers fail to instill confidence in the Saints defensive corps, you're not alone. But, from among those players will emerge three starting linebackers. Our IDP team recommends staying away from the whole lot, none rank among our top 70 LBs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Link: http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7134Bucks
Location: Disney's World of Sports Complex (Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Dates: July 30 - August 20
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

How safe is Brad Johnson's job? - Brad Johnson wasn't Jon Gruden's "guy" but he did lead the team to a Super Bowl win; yet, entering 2004 reports have been mixed about his job security. ESPN's Chris Mortensen is on record saying that Chris Simms will start at some point this season; although team officials have vehemently denied such conversation. In any event, watch Johnson's workload in camp relative to Chris Simms and Brian Griese. Johnson should see 80% of the first team snaps, if he doesn't, start wondering if we're too secure in our assumptions.

How many running backs fit into the team's plans? - RB Charlie Garner signed with the Bucs this offseason and is the odds on choice to have the most touches this year out of the backfield. However the team also has a healthy Mike Alstott, Michael Pittman (who is suspended for the first three games), Brandon Bennett and Jamel White. We expect that Garner's history with Gruden will prevail, but that Alstott will see work in short yardage situations; vulturing some of Garner's fantasy value.

Will Keenan McCardell report to camp? - Keenan McCardell has expressed displeasure with his current contract, but the team maintains (correctly) that it's fair market value for a player of his age and production. If McCardell decides to hold out, the Bucs appear willing and able to move forward without him. The team added Joey Galloway in free agency, drafted Michael Clayton as the team's future WR1, and still has veterans Joe Jurevicius and Charles Lee. We currently project McCardell 36th which is much lower than his current average draft position; be mindful of that fact.

Is the offensive line better or worse for the changes? - The Buccaneers made upgrading the offensive line a priority this year; a good thing. But the people brought in are older players cast off from their prior team's for salary cap purposes. Derrick Deese and Todd Steussie are the projected starting tackles, and played for the 49ers and Panthers respectively last season. The Bucs also brought veteran Matt Stinchcomb to compete with Cosey Coleman. The team must do a better job at run blocking and pass protection this year, or the Bucs will be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

(IDP) Can the defense compensate for the losses of Sapp and Lynch? - When John Lynch and Warren Sapp were let go this offseason, a part of the Bucs history went with them. Can their replacements (Booger McFarland and Jermaine Phillips, respectively) plug the holes? Our IDP team isn't so sure, ranking Phillips 86th among DBs and McFarland 48th among DLs.