Baltimore Ravens

Link: http://baltimoreravens.com/news/trainingCamp.jsp;jsessionid=EJICCLLPIELM
Location: McDaniel College (Westminster, MD)
Dates: July 27 - August 19
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Is Steve McNair the missing link? - Expectations are sky high entering camp thanks to the addition of former MVP QB Steve McNair. But McNair has to adjust to a new team, facilities, playbook, coaches and personnel. How quickly can he master the new offense and gain command of the huddle?



• Is Mike Anderson a backup or potential competition for Jamal Lewis? - When the Ravens signed Mike Anderson this offseason, many presumed it was as a cheap alternative to re-signing Jamal Lewis. But then the Ravens re-signed Lewis too. Is Anderson simply an insurance policy or does he have a shot at playing a more significant role? Jamal Lewis probably holds the answer to this question. If Jamal Lewis can shrug off his sub par 2005 (ankle surgery, incarceration); Anderson probably sees minimal action. Otherwise, all bets are off.



• How will the targets be distributed? - WR Derrick Mason has reason to rejoice as he's reunited with McNair. Surely he will see plenty of targets as will All-Pro Todd Heap. McNair has always thrown a lot to his tight ends, and Heap is the best he's ever played with. But don't forget about Mark Clayton, who led all rookies in receptions a year ago.



• Deciding on a right tackle - The Ravens will open camp with Tony Pashos as the starter, but Adam Terry will be given a fair shot at winning the job.



• Winnowing the fullback depth chart - In an era when most teams are de-emphasizing the fullback, the Ravens have three potential starters on the training camp roster. Alan Ricard, Ovie Mughelli and Justin Green will be in a dogfight for not only the starting job, but roster spots.



• (IDP) Ray Lewis' contract status - It's no secret that Ray Lewis wants an extension and a humongous signing bonus; which some observers have put at $50 million. Will Lewis' annual offseason consternation evaporate as camp begins, or could his unhappiness lead to a hold out and/or possibly worse?



• (IDP) Deciding on a free safety - The Ravens locked up SS Ed Reed long-term, but it's hard to believe anyone on the roster represents more than a short-term solution at free safety. Nevertheless, the Ravens must find a starter from a group that includes Gerome Sapp, B.J. Ward and Dawan Landry.

Cincinnati Bengals

Link: http://www.bengalscamp.com/
Location: Georgetown College (Georgetown, KY)
Dates: July 29 - August 12
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• How is Carson Palmer's rehab progressing? - Carson Palmer emerged as one of the league's best passers last year only to suffer a devastating knee injury in the team's first playoff game. Palmer's rehab is allegedly way ahead of schedule; team officials have suggested he'll be ready to play in the team's final exhibition game and will be a part of training camp. If that timetable proves correct, Palmer could be a fantasy bargain given his current ADP (which presumes he'll miss some time).



• Who will be the team's backup quarterback? - The team's backup QB situation is hardly impressive. Ravens castoff Anthony Wright appears the most obvious choice, while journeyman Doug Johnson will try to overtake him. Would the team consider promising, but raw rookie Erik Meyer if he wows the team in camp?



• How is Chris Perry's health? - Chris Perry is an important component to the Bengals stellar offense, because he brings a multidimensional versatility that workhorse Rudi Johnson does not. But Perry is questionable for the start of training camp with knee troubles.



• Backup WR corps - A year ago, Chris Henry caught 31 passes and scored six times in limited action as the team's 3rd receiver. With his status uncertain due to mountainous legal woes, free agent Antonio Chatman will battle Tab Perry and possibly Kelley Washington for the 3rd spot.



• Will the offensive line's contract status be a distraction? - The Bengals offensive line should be the envy of the league as all five starters return intact, with most of the unit being at the top of their craft. Yet, the team has yet to come to terms on extensions for most of the line, and they all face free agency after this season. Will the team make overtures to lock up the OL in camp, or roll the dice that things will work themselves out next season?



• (IDP) Is Madieu Williams back and ready to lead the defense? - Madieu Williams missed most of the 2005 season with a shoulder injury but should be 100% for the start of training camp. Can his presence, alongside newly acquired Dexter Jackson, solidify a secondary that gave up almost 3,600 passing yards a year ago?

Cleveland Browns

Link: http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news_room/news/arts/5492.0.html
Location: Browns Training Camp Facility (Berea, OH)
Dates: July 26 - August 24
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Is Charlie Frye ready? - Any question about whether the Browns were committed to Charlie Frye as the starter was put to rest in May when Trent Dilfer was traded to San Francisco. With an improved defense, the returns of Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow and the addition of Joe Jurevicius, Frye will have no excuses if he missteps.



• Is Braylon Edwards going to start opposite Joe Jurevicius? - The Browns are set at one WR slot with the offseason signing of Joe Jurevicius. Ideally the team will have Braylon Edwards, last year's first round pick, on the other side but he won't be ready to practice until late in training camp at the earliest. If Edwards' recovery is stalled, who among Dennis Northcutt, Travis Wilson and Frisman Jackson will emerge?



• Is Kellen Winslow finally ready to help the Browns? - Kellen Winslow was supposed to revolutionize the tight end position, two years ago. But consecutive season-ending injuries clouded his future much less his chances at being considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL. This year, Winslow is finally expected to contribute in Cleveland. Does he still have the upside that made him the 6th overall pick two years ago?



• Will the offensive line additions elevate the unit from mediocrity? - The Browns added the league's best young center in LeCharles Bentley as well as a solid left tackle in Kevin Schaffer. Will their additions be enough to improve the entirety of the line?



• (IDP) Can a rookie and a grizzled vet lead the defense? - The Browns 3-4 scheme is only as good as its linebacking corps and the additions of Willie McGinest and rookie Kamerion Wimbley certainly hint at marked improvement. Does McGinest have enough in his tank to lead this young defense? Is Wimbley ready to cause havoc behind the line of scrimmage?



• (IDP) Who starts inside with Andra Davis? - LB Andra Davis is a lock at one inside position, but the other inside LB spot is wide open. Rookie D'Qwell Jackson is probably the long-term solution but can he beat out Chaun Thompson, Leon Williams and Mason Unck to start the season opener?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Link: http://media3.steelers.com/article/65524/
Location: St. Vincent College (Latrobe, PA)
Dates: July 28 - August 24
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Will Big Ben be full speed from the start? - Anyone that saw pictures of Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle wreck understands that he's lucky to be alive, much less playing football. Yet, somehow, all signs point to him being at full strength for the start of training camp. We know the team will limit contact as much as possible, but how will his face hold up that first time he's pounded into the ground?



• Are the Steelers going to give Willie Parker the rock? - With Jerome Bettis retired, Willie Parker is the odds on favorite to lead the Steelers punishing ground game. Parker ran for more than 1,200 yards last year and will certainly be a major part of the Steelers game plan. But will Pittsburgh work others into the rotation and, if so, does Parker have a chance at surpassing last year's 255 carries?



• Will the Steelers miss Antwaan Randle-El? - Antwaan Randle-El took his Super Bowl ring and ran to Washington and Daniel Snyder's bottomless wallet. That leaves Cedrick Wilson, Quincy Morgan or rookie Santonio Holmes as Randle-El's replacement on offense, but what about his punt return duties? The Steelers will try out rookies Willie Reid and Holmes in the role, hoping that at least one can flourish.



• Kendall Simmons vs. Chris Kemoeatu - Kendall Simmons was displaced by Kemoeatu in mini camp and must reassert himself in training camp to win back the job. This should be one of the more spirited camp battles for a team that otherwise returns most of its key pieces.



• (IDP) Monitoring Joey Porter's knee - Joey Porter had arthroscopic knee surgery in May and, although the team downplays the situation, Porter may be limited at the start of camp. If Porter's recovery suffers a setback, the team has no backup that projects to be as disruptive in blitz packages.



• (IDP) Replacing Chris Hope - Chris Hope is the latest player to get overpaid in free agency coming off a Super Bowl win, but he was still a valuable member of the Steelers secondary and not easily replaced. Will journeyman Ryan Clark lock down the free safety job or can someone like Tyrone Carter grab hold of the job in camp?