Keys to Training Camp: NFC East

Posted 7/22 by Jason Wood, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Dallas Cowboys

Link: http://www.dallascowboys.com
Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
Dates: July 24 - August 8
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Adjusting to the new coaching staff - The Cowboys overhauled their coaching staff this offseason with a new head coach (Wade Phillips), offensive coordinator (Jason Garrett) and defensive coordinator (Brian Stewart). Phillips will run a 3-4 defense but his scheme is much different than the one Bill Parcells utilized. On offense, the team plans fewer changes, but Garrett is a first-time NFL play-caller.

QB Tony Romo's first camp as the starter - Tony Romo played unbelievably well in 11+ games last year, but will have much higher expectations this season. Romo's progress in camp, his first as the designated starter, will go a long way toward setting the tone for the 2007 season; and may lead to a large contract extension which is rumored to be in the works.

RBs Julius Jones vs. Marion Barber - The new coaches have given no indication they plan on changing the roles Jones and Barber play in the offense, which could mean Jones gets 2x the touches and Barber gets the short-yardage work. Barber was statistically superior to Jones in virtually every category a year ago, and should be given a chance to earn the lion's share of the work; but Jones is coming off his first 1,000-yard season so this smells a lot like a true RBBC situation.

Was Leonard Davis worth the money? - The Cowboys paid big dollars for Leonard Davis, who will play left guard after coming into the league as a tackle. Can Davis solidify an uneven line and justify the huge free agent contract he landed this spring?

(IDP) Will S Ken Hamlin free Roy Williams up to make plays in the box? - Roy Williams is a difference maker against the run, but he's a major liability in pass coverage. The addition of Ken Hamlin should allow Williams to play up close to the line more often, but Hamlin will need to acclimate himself to the new defense in camp for the pieces to come together.

New York Giants

Link: http://www.albany.edu
Location: University of Albany (Albany, NY)
Dates: July 28 - August 23
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Fixing QB Eli Manning's mechanics - New OC Kevin Gilbride and QB coach Chris Palmer are tasked with fixing Eli Manning's inconsistent mechanics. Manning must take a major step forward this year if the Giants are to have any hope of making a playoff run.

Sorting out the offensive line - The Giants let Luke Petitgout walk and seem content to put guard David Diehl at left tackle. Can Diehl handle the job, and can Rich Seubert stay healthy to help ameliorate Diehl's transition?

Is RB Brandon Jacobs up to the challenge? - Tiki Barber is irreplaceable but the Giants hope RB Brandon Jacobs can at least give them a big chunk of the rushing contribution they lost when Barber moved to the broadcast booth. Is the mammoth Jacobs equipped to handle a full workload? If not, will veteran Reuben Droughns slide in and take on a big role?

WR Amani Toomer's health - Amani Toomer has lost a step or two, but he's still a vital part of the passing game because of his sure hands and his ability to convert first downs. Will Toomer return to form in camp and, if not, are Steve Smith and Sinorice Moss able to handle the job despite their inexperience?

(IDP) Steve Spagnuolo's defensive scheme - The Giants raided division rival Philadelphia for their new defensive coordinator. Spagnuolo will bring the Eagles attacking 4-3 defense with him, but questions remain about whether the Giants have the secondary to allow the scheme to flourish.

(IDP) Matthias Kiwanuka's transition to linebacker - Last season's 1st round pick, Kiwanuka is being moved to strongside linebacker as the Giants have a bigger need at the LB position than they do at defensive end. If Kiwanuka doesn't adjust to the SAM, the Giants will need to look at veteran castoffs from other teams potentially.

PK: Huston vs. Tynes - Jay Feely left for Miami, which means Lawrence Tynes and Josh Huston will duke it out for the place-kicking honors.

Philadelphia Eagles

Link: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Location: Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
Dates: July 27 - August 12
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Donovan McNabb's health - Donovan McNabb is "ahead of schedule" having already returned to practice in OTAs. But he hasn't put his surgically repaired ACL through full practice yet and Eagles fans and fantasy owners alike will be laser-focused on his progress in camp. If healthy, the Eagles are an NFC contender. If not, it could mean a rebuilding year and the beginning of the end for Donnie Mac.

What's the plan for RB Tony Hunt? - The Eagles drafted bowling ball Tony Hunt from Penn State, who would seem a logical compliment to Brian Westbrook, the team's offensive star. Will Hunt show enough prowess as a blocker to earn playing time as the short-yardage specialist or will Correll Buckhalter hold him off for at least a season?

Integrating WR Kevin Curtis - Kevin Curtis is a smart player who should eventually fit into the team's offense quite nicely. But he hasn't had time to work with McNabb (due to McNabb's rehab) and must learn a new offensive system after spending a few years as the 3rd string receiver in St. Louis.

How is TE L.J. Smith's recovery progressing? - L.J. Smith underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia this summer and may not be ready for the start of training camp. Smith is the Eagles only proven weapon at the TE position and his loss would have repercussions throughout the offense.

(IDP) Is Jevon Kearse healthy? - Donovan McNabb isn't the only Eagles star returning from a season-ending injury. DE Jevon Kearse returns after missing 14 games a season ago. According to safety Brian Dawkins, Kearse is 100% healthy and ready to dominate.

(IDP) Can the Eagles return to dominance? - The Eagles defense has been downright average the last two seasons and far below average against the run. The team hopes the acquisitions of LB Takeo Spikes, DTs Ian Scott and Montae Reagor and the return of Jevon Kearse will return the defense to its once dominant form.

Washington Redskins

Link: http://www.redskins.com
Location: Redskins Park (Ashburn, VA)
Dates: July 27 - August 8
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Year Two of the Al Saunders era - When the Redskins lured Al Saunders away from the Chiefs, most thought he would step in and turn the Washington offense into something special. Instead, he and HC Joe Gibbs butted heads over philosophical differences. According to published reports, the two are now on the same page, which could bode ill for opposing defenses.

QB Jason Campbell's first training camp as the starter - Jason Campbell was productive (10 TDs in 7 games) in some ways but struggled (53% completion) in others, to be expected for a green QB that didn't get starters snaps in camp. This year he's the starter from day one of camp, and his progress is essential to the Redskins hopes of finishing above 0.500 this year.

Will the coaches use a RBBC approach? - Clinton Portis is a beast when healthy, but we learned last year that Ladell Betts is no slouch either. The coaches have talked about using a true committee approach to keep Portis healthy, but will they really balance the workload and, in the process, rob fantasy owners of a potential stud?

(IDP) Does LB London Fletcher-Baker have anything left in the tank? - The Redskins were desperate to improve their LB corps and added veteran London Fletcher-Baker this offseason. On the wrong side of 30, is he still a difference maker?

(IDP) Getting LaRon Landry into camp - The Redskins have a thing for high priced safeties, and LaRon Landry was the one difference maker the team brought in via the April draft. If signed and in camp on time, Landry could start immediately and, along with Sean Taylor, give the Redskins a dominating tandem in the defensive backfield.