Keys to Training Camp: NFC East

Posted 7/28 by Jason Wood - Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Dallas Cowboys

Link: http://www.dallascowboys.com
Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
Dates: July 28 - August 19
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/13 - @Oakland (10 PM Eastern)
8/21 - Tennessee (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - San Francisco (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/04 - @Minnesota (8:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Is QB Tony Romo focused and in control of the offense? - Cowboys fans want to believe that losing Terrell Owens was addition by subtraction, but the proof will be in the pudding. Can Tony Romo put up the monster fantasy stats we've become accustomed to without the Hall of Fame TD machine? Will Romo come into camp focused even though he was gallivanting with Jessica Simpson all offseason?

How do the Cowboys plan on splitting the RB touches? - Last season, Marion Barber did little to disprove the notion he's not suited for 20 carries per game and Felix Jones and Tashard Choice were highly productive when given chances. Will the Cowboys, who plan on running more this year, give all three backs work or will Barber and Jones have defined roles with Choice as the emergency option?

Does WR Roy Williams have the goods to the top target? - Roy Williams was a colossal bust last year after being traded to Dallas six weeks into the season, but armed with a monster contract and no one to credibly push him for playing time, Williams has to be the WR1 Jerry Jones envisions. If Williams struggles in camp, it would have ripple effects throughout the entire Cowboys offensive lineup and representative fantasy expectations.

Could TE Martellus Bennett be the surprise 3rd option at receiver (behind Witten and Williams)? - A lot of people are trying to figure out who starts opposite Roy Williams at WR, but backup TE Martellus Bennett may have more fantasy relevance. Bennett is off the charts athletically and caught 4 TDs in 20 catches a season ago while averaging 14.2 yards per catch. Look for signs the Cowboys plan on using a lot of 2-TE sets.

New York Giants

Link: http://www.giants.com/
Location: University of Albany (Albany, NY)
Dates: August 3 - August 25
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/17 - Carolina (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - @Chicago (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - New York Jets (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @New England (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Who is going to catch the ball? - Plaxico Burress shot his way off the team, and Amani Toomer was finally let go after a storied career. That leaves Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Hakeem Nicks, Sinorice Moss, Ramses Barden and Mario Manningham vying for roles. It's anyone's game entering camp, and fantasy owners will want a clue as to how the depth chart is shaking out.

Who is RB Brandon Jacobs' handcuff? - Brandon Jacobs is a fantasy beast but is injury prone because of his sledgehammer approach, which means fantasy owners need to consider his handcuff. Will Ahmad Bradshaw, last year's #3, be that guy or will rookie Andre Brown earn that position because his style of play is more comparable to Jacobs'?

(IDP) Can LB Bryan Kehl hold down the fort at WLB? - The Giants targeted Michael Boley this offseason, but Boley underwent hip surgery and will miss part of the season. That opens the door for 2nd year Kehl to prove he belongs in the league. If he struggles, the Giants may have to turn to rookie Clint Sintim before he's ready.

(IDP) Integrating the new pieces on the defensive line - The Giants already had a daunting defensive front seven but GM Jerry Reese added quality bodies to the mix. The Giants need to figure out a rotation that includes Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins.

Philadelphia Eagles

Link: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Location: Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
Dates: July 26 - August 12
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/13 - New England (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/20 - @Indianapolis (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/27 - Jacksonville (7:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @New York Jets (7:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Establishing Sean McDermott as the new defensive play-caller - Longtime DC Jim Johnson is battling cancer and has been relieved of his duties. Sean McDermott, the 35-year old defensive assistant, has been elevated to DC and must quickly move to make the defense his own. McDermott is the longest tenured Philly assistant and was the heir apparent, but he's never called plays; which is Johnson's forte.

Reshaping the offensive line - The Eagles are considered NFC contenders but that will only happen if the offensive line changes fall into place. The Eagles will start the season with two new tackles, Jason Peters and Shawn Andrews (moving from guard), and hope that free agent Stacy Andrews will be healthy enough to step right into the starting RG position.

Are the Eagles backup RBs ready to spell Brian Westbrook? - The good news is Brian Westbrook's recovery from surgery is ahead of schedule, but realistically he won't see the field much until the start of the season. Are rookie LeSean McCoy and veterans Leonard Weaver and Lorenzo Booker capable of shouldering the load in his absence?

Will WR Jeremy Maclin play a role on offense in 2009? - The Eagles hit pay dirt last season with DeSean Jackson but that didn't stop them from using a 1st round pick on Jeremy Maclin. Maclin isn't as polished as Jackson but is more explosive and has the higher long-term upside. Will Maclin earn a major role as a rookie, or will a healthy Kevin Curtis, an improving Jackson and the cadre of veterans hold Maclin off for a season?

Do the Eagles have a TE worthy of fantasy consideration? - A lot of fantasy owners have zeroed in on Brent Celek's 10-catch, 83-yard effort in the NFC Championship Game and view him as a solid late round sleeper, but that belies Celek's less-than-impressive career to date. Celek is a hard worker but is neither a punishing blocker nor a gifted athlete. Barring a strong camp, temper your enthusiasm.

(IDP) Replacing S Brian Dawkins - Quintin Mikell plays strong safety but he'll take over most of Dawkins' play-calling duties. Mikell has the potential to be a top IDP playmaker and will need to be on his game given the inconsistency at linebacker. At free safety, either free agent Sean Jones or 2nd year Quintin Demps will start in place of Dawkins. The heavy favorite is Demps.

Washington Redskins

Link: http://www.comcastsportsnet.tv
Location: Redskins Park (Ashburn, VA)
Dates: July 29 - August 8
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/13 - @Baltimore (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/22 - Pittsburgh (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/28 - New England (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @Jacksonville (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Is QB Jason Campbell focused after an offseason of uncertainty? - If there was an alternative to Jason Campbell the Redskins pursued him this offseason. Daniel Snyder coveted Mark Sanchez, and he sought to trade for Jay Cutler. One has to wonder whether Campbell will let those overtures affect him, but either way this is an enormous training camp for Campbell's NFL future.

Does Clinton Portis have another Top 10 season in him? - Clinton Portis is only 28 years old, it seems like he should be approaching 40 given how many years he's excelled. The question that's always asked is whether Portis has another great season left in him; because there is a discernible drop off from Portis to Ladell Betts.

Are WRs Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly ready to supplant Randle El? - Antwaan Randle El shouldn't be a starting receiver and the coaches know it. The bar isn't high for either Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly to jump into a starting role. Kelly is the more polished player but his knees argue for a potential career washout. Thomas, on the other hand, has shown flashes this preseason and will get every shot in camp to win a job. Neither represent compelling fantasy value but if Thomas does overtake Randle El, it could mean a resurgent year for Santana Moss.

Will Suisham survive or will Rayner reign? - Dave Rayner seemingly gets a shot every year to win a regular season job but always falls short. This year, he'll get his shot at displacing Shaun Suisham, who struggled with accuracy last year.

(IDP) Will the additions of Brian Orakpo and Albert Haynesworth give London Fletcher new lease on life? - London Fletcher is 34 years old and has led his team in tackles for a decade and counting, but showed signs of slowing down last season. Will the additions of mammoth DT Albert Haynesworth and pass-rushing rookie OLB Brian Orakpo give Fletcher one more year of fantasy stardom?