Keys to Training Camp: NFC South

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

Atlanta Falcons

Link: http://www.atlantafalcons.com
Location: Falcons Training Facility (Flowery Branch, GA)
Dates: July 26 - August 14
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Installing new defensive and offensive systems - HC Bobby Petrino is promising wholesale change on offense, including a new run-blocking scheme and a more dynamic, pro-style passing attack. On defense, DC Mike Zimmer returns to his 4-3 roots.

Will Michael Vick be a part of the team? - Vick's indictment on federal charges casts a pall on the 2007 season. Depending on his guilt (or the presumption of it), anything could happen including suspension or his outright release. Then again, he could start all 16 games but either way it's sure to be a media circus during training camp.

RBs Dunn vs. Norwood - Jerious Norwood was explosive in limited action last year, but Warrick Dunn is a proven veteran. Will the new coaching staff open up the competition in camp? If so, the winner of this battle likely comes down to which better adjusts to the new blocking scheme.

Acclimating WR Joe Horn - Joe Horn jumped from division rival New Orleans and will be asked to stabilize a perennially disappointing position. Which WR will start opposite Horn?

TE Alge Crumpler's health - Falcons fans gasped when Alge Crumpler underwent surgery on his knee in early April. Team officials insist he'll be ready for camp, but obviously fantasy owners need to watch his progress in camp because he's the linchpin of the Falcons passing attack.

Will OG Justin Blalock earn a starting spot? - Rookie guard Justin Blalock is being counted on to start at one of the interior positions. If he struggles in camp it could require wholesale changes on the projected line.

(IDP) FS Battle: Crocker vs. Williams - Chris Crocker and 2nd year Jimmy Williams will compete in camp at free safety. The winner needs to play more consistently if the Falcons are to improve on last year's secondary woes.

(IDP) Is DE Jamaal Anderson ready? - The Falcons need rookie Anderson to provide an instant pass rush, as Chauncey Davis probably won't generate a lot of sacks if he wins the starting job instead.

Carolina Panthers

Link: http://www.panthers.com
Location: Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
Dates: July 27 - August 22
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Re-igniting the offense - New OC Jeff Davidson must inject life into an offense that finished 27th in points scored last year. Central to his plan is a conversion to a new zone-blocking scheme, which the team hopes will make better use of the undersized, albeit athletic offensive line.

Shuffling the offensive line - Rookie Ryan Kalil will likely push Justin Hartwig for the starting center job, which in turn could free up Hartwig to start at guard. Geoff Hangartner is also pushing for a starting job on the interior.

DeShaun Foster vs. DeAngelo Williams - Williams and Foster will probably split carries, but with a new OC and blocking scheme, there's the chance one could grab the brass ring and emerge as a workhorse. Fantasy owners should be so lucky.

WR Battle Royale: Colbert vs. Carter vs. Jarrett - The team drafted Dwayne Jarrett with every intention of starting him at some point, but will he play well enough in camp to overtake Drew Carter and Keary Colbert?

(IDP) Mike Rucker's recovery - Rucker is recovering from ACL surgery and will probably be limited for part, if not all, of camp.

(IDP) Beason vs. Diggs - Rookie LB Jon Beason will be given the chance to displace Na'il Diggs on the weakside.

New Orleans Saints

Link: http://www.millsaps.edu/news_events/saints/index.shtml
Location: Millsaps College (Jackson, MS)
Dates: July 27 - August 17
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Will the balance of power between RBs Bush and McAllister change? - The Saints enjoyed an explosive offense and successfully leveraged the disparate abilities of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister. With Bush entering his 2nd season, will the team consider shifting more of the workload to him, or are they content to keep things closely aligned with 2006?

Who emerges as the WR2? - Joe Horn is gone, leaving a spirited competition for the starting slot opposite Marques Colston. Devery Henderson is considered the favorite, but rookie 1st rounder Robert Meachem and veteran Terrance Copper may have something to say about that.

Can TE Eric Johnson find a role? - The Saints lacked a playmaking tight end last year and hope Eric Johnson will solve that problem. But Johnson has been oft-injured and must find a place in an offensive chock full of weapons.

(IDP) CB Battle Royale: Davis vs. Thomas vs. Craft vs. The Field - Mike McKenzie is locked in at one spot, but the other starting role and the nickel back position are wide open.

Establishing the kick and punt returners - Michael "Beerman" Lewis was cut, leaving a wide open competition for the team's return jobs; kickoffs especially. Reggie Bush will be used on punt returns at times, but his importance on offense may preclude him from filling the role exclusively.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Link: http://www.buccaneers.com
Location: Disney's World of Sports Complex (Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Dates: July 27 - August 16
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Is QB Jeff Garcia a lock to start? - Jon Gruden is nothing if not fickle and has 14 (OK, five) QBs slated to compete in training camp. Jeff Garcia, by most accounts, is a lock to start but yet recent reports have Gruden imploring Jake Plummer to unretire. Can Chris Simms conceivably retake the job he lost due to injury last season?

Stabilizing the offensive line - Proving that one man's trash is another man's treasure, the Bucs appear set to start Luke Petitgout at left tackle but few other things are set in stone. John Wade and Dan Buenning will compete at center, and rookie Aaron Sears will be given a chance to displace Anthony Davis. At RT, Jeremy Trueblood is penciled in but if he struggles the team could look to put RG Davin Joseph at RT (where he played in college) and insert free agent Matt Lehr at guard.

Is there a WR2 in the house? - It seems like a LONG time ago that Michael Clayton was setting the world on fire as a rookie. Now he's battling the likes of Maurice Stovall and David Boston (yes, you read that correctly) for a starting spot opposite Joey Galloway.

Will the real Cadillac Williams please stand up? - Rookie of the year to flop in a season. Team officials are blaming "nagging injuries" on Williams' struggles last season but that doesn't really explain away his subpar 2nd season. Can he return to form in camp and, if not, what will the Bucs do?

TE Battle Royale: Stevens vs. Smith vs. Becht - Alex Smith comes into his third season with stiff competition from both Jerramy Stevens and Anthony Becht. Stevens is maddening in that he looks great in practice, but drops balls on Sunday. Becht is a blocker, but given the state of the Bucs offensive line, that may be exactly what the team needs on most downs.

(IDP) Simeon Rice's shoulder - Simeon Rice is recovering from shoulder surgery but is supposed to be ready for camp. The Bucs need Rice to approximate his usual production particularly if 4th overall pick Gaines Adams holds out deep into camp.