Houston Texans

Link: http://www.houstontexans.com/wpimages/uploaded/pdfs/event_overview.pdf
Location: Texans Practice Facility (Houston, TX)
Dates: July 27 - August 21
Open to the public? - Limited (see website for details)

• New coaches, new systems - Gary Kubiak takes over a moribund Texans franchise that's long overdue for an injection of energy and discipline. Offensively, he and OC Troy Calhoun will bring over the Denver Broncos offense. On defense, DC Richard Smith is installing a 4-3 defensive front, which better suits the team's defensive personnel.



• Is David Carr a franchise quarterback? - The Texans are committed to David Carr, but for how long? Clearly he must show marked improvement this season or the new regime won't hesitate to pursue other options in 2007. Carr's progress in training camp will be essential in determining whether he, and the Texans receiving corps, have fantasy value this year.



• Is Domanick Davis healthy? - After being left for dead when the world thought Reggie Bush would be a Texan, Domanick Davis' fantasy fortunes took a major rebound after the team passed on Bush in favor of Mario Williams. Yet, Davis hasn't participated in offseason workouts because of lingering knee pain. Until Davis is in camp, practicing, his fantasy value is of considerable debate.
  



• How will Eric Moulds change the Texans offense? - The Texans won the bidding war for veteran Eric Moulds and his presence is sure to improve an offense that finished dead last in points and yards a year ago. Will Moulds allow Andre Johnson the chance to ascend into the upper echelon of young receivers, or does Moulds become the Texans top pass catcher? Is Moulds the cog that propels David Carr to Pro Bowl form, or does his presence expose Carr now that he no longer can use his supporting cast as an excuse?



• Settling on an offensive line - Right now, it looks as though the interior offensive line is set (Pitts, Flanagan, McKinney) but the tackle spots could be up for grabs. Veterans Seth Wand (LT) and Zach Weigert (RT) are the clear favorites, but rookies Eric Winston and Charles Spencer could push for starting roles with a strong training camp.



• (IDP) Name the starting linebackers - Shantee Orr or Kailee Wong on the strong side? Wali Rainer or Sam Cowart in the middle? Morlon Greenwood or rookie DeMeco Ryans on the weak side? Could Ryans push for the MLB job instead? This will be THE hot button issue defensively for Texans coaches.



• (IDP) Strong safety competition - Earl Glenn is penciled in as the starter, but Ramon Walker, Michael Stone and Jammal Lord will try to change the coaches' minds in camp.

Indianapolis Colts

Link: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/sports/colts/colts2006.htm
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN)
Dates: July 30 - August 19
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Monitoring the backup QB situation - Jim Sorgi has experienced pain in his throwing shoulder and the team has been mum about updating the severity. If Sorgi is sidelined, will the team entrust the backup job to Shaun King? Or would they consider bringing in a more established veteran?



• Will Addai and Rhodes split carries? - The Colts have maintained that the combination of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai will be what's necessary to replace Edgerrin James. Yet, if one is particularly sharp in camp, might the team commit to them as the primary back? Particularly if it's the rookie?



• How is Marvin Harrison's elbow? - Marvin Harrison quietly had elbow surgery in May, and supposedly will be fine for training camp. But the team has given no official update and Harrison's absence in the early going could cause a flurry of speculation as to the severity of the procedure.



• (IDP) Assessing the health of the LB corps - Both MLB Gary Brackett and OLB Cato June are coming back from injuries and may not be ready for the start of camp. With Gilbert Gardner unproven on the strong side, the Colts can ill afford for either veteran to miss significant time.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Link: http://www.jaguars.com/story/5268.asp
Location: Alltel Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)
Dates: July 29 - August 11
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Is Fred Taylor going to finish his career as a Jaguar? - Fred Taylor wasn't himself last year after offseason knee surgery. This year, there was speculation he wouldn't be on the regular season roster as the team opted for a rotation of younger backs (Jones, Drew, Pearman) instead. But Taylor looked great in May mini-camp and, when healthy, is one of the league's most talented backs. His fate will be decided during training camp, but don't count him out.



• Ernest Wilford vs. Matt Jones vs. Reggie Williams - Jimmy Smith's retirement leaves a huge hole atop the Jaguars receiving tree. In all likelihood, the team probably uses a balanced approach with Wilford, Jones and Williams all contributing; but inevitably one of these young receivers will step to the forefront. Training camp may give an indication one way or another, but for now it's anyone's guess.



• Can Marcedes Lewis make an impact as a rookie? - Rookie tight ends usually don't make a big impact, but the Jaguars' need for playmakers and Marcedes Lewis' polished offensive skill set could be the exception to the rule.



• Will Meester be ready to go? - Brad Meester is recovering from a torn biceps tendon and the timetable for his return is uncertain. The Jaguars would be forced to use Dennis Norman is Meester can't go; or bring in a veteran partway through camp to compete.



• (IDP) Strong side linebacker battle - Pat Thomas is penciled in as the starter, but free agent acquisition Nick Greisen and rookie Clint Ingram won't concede the job without a fight. HC Jack Del Rio has endorsed Thomas, but not guaranteed him the spot vacated by Akin Ayodele's move to Dallas.

Tennessee Titans

Link: http://www.gotitans.com/artman/publish/article_00208.shtml
Location: Austin Peay State University (Clarksville, TN) and Baptist Sports Park (Nashville, TN)
Dates: July 28 - August 24
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• How quickly will Vince Young be brought along? - Billy Volek enters camp as the starter unless the Titans bring in another veteran like Kerry Collins. But for how long? Assuming Vince Young gets into camp on time; how quickly will the coaching staff bring him along? Is there a chance he'll play a few series per game? Could he win the starting job in camp?



• Chris Brown vs. Travis Henry vs. LenDale White? - Jeff Fisher called LenDale White a "franchise type back" after the NFL draft and suggested White's hamstring injury provided the Titans a rare opportunity to grab a "top 15 talent' in the 2nd round. Those are strong words for a veteran coach with two halfway decent backs already in the fold. Can Chris Brown hold onto the starting job? Will the Titans use a committee approach? If White is as good as advertised, will Henry or Brown be a training camp cut?



• Winnowing down the receiving corps - David Givens and Drew Bennett are the starters, but there are a lot of receiver vying for the backup spots. Veterans Bobby Wade and Tyrone Calico are competing with youngsters Jon Orr, Courtney Roby and Roydell Williams. Not everyone will make the final roster.



• Will the Titans hang onto Erron Kinney? - Erron Kinney has been mentioned in trade rumors of late, because the Titans feel secure in Ben Troupe's potential to go along with solid backup depth. But the team isn't likely to jettison Kinney for the sake of it, so will he make it through camp as a Titan?



• Bell vs. Stewart at right tackle - Jacob Bell is listed as the starter at RT entering camp, but the coaching staff will give David Stewart the chance to unseat him in camp.



• (IDP) Integrating the new acquisitions - David Thornton and Chris Hope were paid big money to change the complexion of the Titans defense. Can they help improve a unit that has plenty of young talent, but limited experience shutting down the opposition in big games?