Atlanta Falcons

Link: http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/tc.jsp
Location: Falcons Training Facility (Flowery Branch, GA)
Dates: July 26 - August 22
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Will they (re)take the cuffs of Vick? - Michael Vick was at his best when he used his legs to freelance. When the new regime took over, the intent was to make Vick more comfortable as a drop back passer. While the coaches haven't officially abandoned that, Vick has complained about the way he's being utilized and the Falcons have given him a new QB coach. Will they turn him loose in 2006, and will we see evidence of that in training camp?



• Does T.J. Duckett have a future in Atlanta? - Trade speculation has surrounded T.J. Duckett this offseason and is expected to continue once camp is underway. The Falcons may be willing to part ways with Duckett if rookie Jerious Norwood plays well in the early going.



• Do the Falcons have a number one receiver? - Brian Finneran led the WR corps with 50 receptions. The team's last two first round picks, Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, had their moments last year but combined for 65 receptions and less than 1,000 yards. Veteran Jerome Pathon was re-signed in May. Are any of these guys capable of emerging from the pack?



• How is Alge Crumpler's shoulder? - The Falcons best receiver and one of the league's best tight ends underwent surgery on his rotator cuff in February. The team maintains he'll be ready for camp, but this isn't the kind of injury one should speculate about until we see Crumpler on the field practicing.



• (IDP) Who will start at nose tackle? - Jim Mora has declared an open competition between Chad Lavalais, Antwan Lake and Darrell Shropshire.
  (IDP) Can Jimmy Williams displace Jason Webster? - The Falcons didn't draft Jimmy Williams to sit on the bench, and he could easily overtake Jason Webster as a starter with a solid camp.



• Is there a kicker in the house? - Will Atlanta choose between Tony Yelk and Zac Derr or will they bring in a veteran at some point to handle the place kicking duties?

Carolina Panthers

Link: http://www.panthers.com/news/trainingcamp.jsp
Location: Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
Dates: July 28 - August 23
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• DeShaun Foster vs. DeAngelo Williams - DeShaun Foster signed a new three-year deal and will be given every chance to start. If he's healthy, rookie DeAngelo Williams probably serves as a backup this season. But Williams has rare talent and is an every down back, so if Foster opens the door even a tad, Williams may seize the opportunity and never look back.



• Can Keyshawn Johnson accept a supporting role? - Keyshawn Johnson should be an ideal fit in Carolina. Steve Smith, arguably the league's top receiver, provides the deep threat and is an open field game breaker. Johnson is a sure-handed, tough receiver who can make plays across the middle and convert necessary first downs. Ultimately Keyshawn's success will hinge on whether he's okay with being the team's second option at receiver; something we won't know until the season gets underway.



• Is Evan Mathis a starter at right guard? - Evan Mathis enters camp as a starter at right guard. Can he lock down the position or will Scott Peters, Geoff Hangartner or Chad Beasley give him a run for his money?



• (IDP) Naming the starting outside linebackers - Dan Morgan will start in the middle, but training camp will determine who lines up at WLB and SLB. Thomas Davis, converted from safety, will need to hold off veteran Chris Draft on the strong side. Meanwhile on the weak side a three way race between Keith Adams, Na'il Diggs and James Anderson will ensue.

New Orleans Saints

Link: http://www.millsaps.edu/news_events/releases/june/saints_schedule.shtml
Location: Millsaps College (Jackson, MS)
Dates: July 27 - August 27
Open to the public? - Limited (see website for details)

• New coaches, new systems - The Saints new head coach Sean Payton will bring a balanced offensive style that uses a lot of 2-TE sets and believes in setting up the pass via the run. Defensively, his new DC Gary Gibbs believes in using linebackers to bring pressure, which should prove interesting given the uncertainty of the Saints LB corps.



• How is Drew Brees' shoulder? - The Saints rewarded Drew Brees with a lucrative contract in free agency despite his ongoing recovery from shoulder surgery. He has made steady progress through the summer, but he and the team have been reluctant to set a formal timetable for his return. If he doesn't practice in the early part of training camp, one has to start questioning not only his health but his ability to master a completely new offensive system and roster.



• McAllister vs. Bush - Few RB situations bear closer scrutiny than the ensuing battle between Deuce McAllister and the most coveted rookie in years, Reggie Bush. McAllister, rehabbing from a season-ending knee injury last year, has a rare combination of size and speed when healthy. Bush, meanwhile, is as adept a pass catcher as he is a runner, in the mold of Marshall Faulk. Can the new coaching staff find ways to maximize the presence of both players? Will McAllister be healthy enough to stake his claim? Will Bush be signed and in camp?



• Is Joe Horn still an elite receiver? - Joe Horn's 2005 season was woeful by any measure (654 yards, 1 TD) and that's led some to question whether age and accumulating injuries have taken their toll. But Horn insists he's healthy and ready to resume his Pro Bowl stature.



• Do you believe the Zach Hilton hype? - Every year there is one tight end that becomes the popular breakout candidate and Zach Hilton appears headed for that distinction this year. Were Hilton's late season heroics a sign of things to come? Will Drew Brees be as eager to throw to the Saints tight ends as he was Antonio Gates?



• (IDP) About that linebacker corps - Nothing is set in stone right now. Tommy Polley, Scott Fujita, Colby Buckwoldt, Anthony Simmons and Jay Foreman all think they can be starters. And 2nd year Albert Fincher needs to make sure he gives the coaches no reason to look elsewhere in the middle.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Link: http://www.buccaneers.com/trainingcamp/campinfo.aspx
Location: Disney's World of Sports Complex (Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Dates: July 28 - August 17
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

• Is Chris Simms a franchise QB? - This isn't a question that will be answered in camp necessarily but certainly Simms will need to demonstrate to his coaches and teammates that he's capable of consistent leadership and solid play. Bucs fans would contend Simms played better than his stats indicated last year, but will that sustain them this year when the Bucs have deep playoff aspirations? HC Jon Gruden has stockpiled backup QBs and he won't hesitate to make a switch if deemed necessary.



• Does Cadillac have a full tank of gas? - Last year's rookie of the year was impressive when healthy but struggled midseason after being overworked. Can he build off last year and ascend into the upper echelon of NFL runners?



• Rounding out the offensive backups - The Bucs' starters are pretty well established on offense, but there is depth that must be sorted out in camp for the backup spots on the active roster. At WR, David Boston, Maurice Stovall, Edell Shepherd, Larry Brackins, Derek McCoy and several others will battle for two spots. At RB, can Michael Pittman retain his backup spot against rookie Andre Hall, veterans Ernest Graham and Derek Watson? At fullback, will the Bucs keep Alstott, Sowell and Razzano?



• Will the real Michael Clayton please stand up? - As a rookie, Michael Clayton caught 80 passes for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, Clayton caught just 32 passes for 372 yards and zero touchdowns. Which player will show up this year? According to team reports, Clayton's 2005 season was an anomaly brought about by never properly allowing his knee to heal from preseason surgery. If May mini-camp was any indication, Clayton looks closer to his rookie form than last year's disappointment.



• Sifting through the offensive line - The Bucs have all five of last year's starters under contract and healthy. Yet, the team could be facing a major overhaul as it tries to improve the unit's productivity and consistency. Sean Mahan (RG) will be given a chance to unseat John Wade at center. Free agent OT Torrin Tucker and rookie Jeremy Trueblood could push Anthony Davis and Kenyatta Walker. Rookie OG Davin Joseph will be given a chance to earn a starting spot. This should be one of the best training camp battles in the league.