Keys to Training Camp: NFC North

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

Atlanta Falcons

Link: http://www.atlantafalcons.com

Location: Falcons Training Facility (Flowery Branch, GA)

Dates: July 31 - August 20

Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/15 - @Detroit (4 PM Eastern)
8/21 - @St. Louis (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - San Diego (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 -Baltimore (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Integrating TE Tony Gonzalez into the offense - Matt Ryan smashed through expectations as a rookie, but this year he'll be expected to take another big leap forward. The Falcons didn't sit idly by; they've provided him with a Hall of Fame tight end who will give Ryan a target in the middle of the field. Will Gonzo take quickly to his new surroundings?

Will RB Jerious Norwood really be relied upon more in 2009? - Norwood has done everything the team has asked but that didn't stop the Falcons from riding Michael Turner almost 400 times rather than utilize a more balanced approach. The coaches insist Norwood will see more touches in 2009, but fantasy owners are going to want to see evidence of that in camp before betting on it in their drafts.

(IDP) Replacing LBs Brooking and Boley - Keith Brooking was past his prime but was a defensive stalwart for the Falcons, and Michael Boley was a playmaker. The Falcons need to get free agent Mike Peterson and 3rd year Stephen Nicholas to acclimate to the lineup quickly, or the Falcons playoffs hopes will be dashed early.

(IDP) Sorting out an uncertain secondary - CB Chris Houston and FS Erik Coleman are established but the rest of the secondary is up for grabs. Von Hutchins, Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson, Chris Owens and William Middleton are all vying for starting and nickel roles. At SS, Thomas DeCoud will try to keep rookie William Moore out of the lineup.

Establishing depth at every position - The Falcons have surprisingly few questions in the starting lineup, but in an injury-prone league that's little solace if the depth isn't in place. The Falcons need to use camp to figure out their backup picture at QB, OL, WR and DL (in addition to the aforementioned secondary battles).

Carolina Panthers

Link: http://www.panthers.com
Location: Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
Dates: August 2 - August 20
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/17 - @New York Giants (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - @Miami (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/29 - Baltimore (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 - Pittsburgh (8:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Does QB Jake Delhomme deserve his contract extension? - If you watched Jake Delhomme throw five interceptions against the Cardinals in the playoffs last year, you probably figured his days as the Panthers starting QB were numbered. But ownership rewarded him for his solid play in the regular season with a $42.5mm extension erasing any doubts that he'll lead this team for several more years. Fantasy owners want to know if he was worth that contract and whether he should be considered a solid QB2 this year.

Will the Panthers mess with RB success? - DeAngelo Williams was absolutely dominant (1,515 yards rushing, 18 TDs) last season but fantasy owners wonder whether Jonathan Stewart is too talented to keep off the field. The Panthers seemingly have little reason to change the ratio of carries for the two talented runners, but that doesn't mean they won't tinker with the balance. Pay close attention to the coaches comments about whether Stewart is in line for more touches; which could wreck havoc on both backs' fantasy prospects.

Is there any credible threat to WR Muhsin Muhammad? - Muhammad is 36 years old but is coming off a 923-yard, 5 TD season. The Panthers would love it if a young receiver emerged to push him for playing time, but so far that's not happened.

Can OG Duke Robinson challenge for a starting role? - Duke Robinson is one of the more NFL-ready interior linemen in this draft class and could conceivably challenge Keydrick Vincent for playing time.

(IDP) Is there any other team with Top 5 IDPers at each position? - Julius Peppers (DE5), Richard Marshall (DB4) and Jon Beason (LB2) are all projected as Top 5 players at their positions, can any other team match that feat?

New Orleans Saints

Link: http://www.neworleanssaints.com
Location: Saints Practice Facility (Metairie, LA)
Dates: July 31 - September 1
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/14 - Cincinnati (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - @Houston (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - @Oakland (4 PM Eastern)
9/03 - Miami (8:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Is RB Pierre Thomas the back New Orleans has been looking for? - Many observers were shocked when New Orleans failed to add a RB in the April draft, but the coaches have clear confidence in Pierre Thomas and his ability to carry the load. Thomas was the 3rd best fantasy RB in Weeks 11-17 (when he was given the starting job), and If he looks good in camp, his draft stock will skyrocket.

Can RB Reggie Bush stay healthy and make plays as both are receiver AND a runner? - Bush has missed 10 games in the last two seasons and has averaged a paltry 3.7 yards per rush in three seasons. Bush is inarguably one of the best receiving backs in football, but are his running skills even league average?

Are WRs Marques Colston and Lance Moore healthy? - The Saints seem to plug-and-play skill players as needed, but fantasy owners would love to see Marques Colston (microfracture) and Lance Moore (shoulder) back on the practice field sooner rather than later. Colston missed five games last year and then had surgery in January, but when healthy he's a legitimate Top 10 prospect. Moore was the surprising star of the Saints passing attack in 2008, and could represent great value if fantasy owners doubt his recovery timetable; he should be ready by the start of the season.

Will TE Jeremy Shockey carve out a larger role? - Jeremy Shockey got his wish last year and earned a ticket out of New York into a perceived NFC contender. But Shockey never acclimated to the explosive offense and went scoreless over 12 games. Can Shockey stay healthy and earn more looks from HC Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees?

(IDP) Trying to field a cohesive secondary - The Saints new DC Gregg Williams is known for his aggressive blitz packages, but he can't release the hounds unless the secondary is capable of stopping receivers downfield. The Saints have added new pieces, including veterans Darren Sharper, Pierson Prioleau and Jabari Greer to go along with rookies Malcolm Jenkins and Chip Vaughn; and Williams will need to integrate those guys into his system quickly.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Link: http://www.buccaneers.com
Location: One Buccaneer Place (Tampa Bay, FL)
Dates: July 31 - August 20
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/15 - @Tennessee (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - @Jacksonville (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/27 - Miami (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/04 - Houston (7:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

The QB battle to end all QB battles? - It's not unusual to have a QB battle in camp, but the Bucs have as wide open a competition as we've seen in ages. Veteran Byron Leftwich signed thinking he had a clear path to the job, but offseason reports favor Luke McCown. Rookie Josh Freeman is in the mix, if not now then soon, and the team insists Josh Johnson still has a puncher's chance.

Is TE Kellen Winslow the new centerpiece? - The Bucs traded for Kellen Winslow and signed him to a massive new contract; giving every indication they think he can be one of the elite playmakers at his position. Is he going to adjust to life back in Florida, and earn the big dollars his new contract provides?

How will the carries be split between RBs Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward? - The Bucs made Derrick Ward a priority in free agency, but Earnest Graham remains a factor. Will the Bucs use both liberally, or will Ward get the chance to be a true #1; something he wasn't given a shot at in New York.

Are WRs Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton worth the big bucks? - Antonio Bryant had a huge bounce back season (83 catches for 1,248 yards and 7 TDs) and earned the franchise designation as a result. Michael Clayton didn't impress (38 for 484 and 1 TD) but that didn't stop the Bucs from signing to a new $24mm contract. Will the Bucs proactive efforts be rewarded or will the skeptics be validated?

What's the deal with OG Aaron Sears? - Sears is a Pro Bowl caliber guard but inexplicably has been absent from team activities on a 'personal matter' with no indication he's due to return. Can raw rookie Jeremy Zuttah handle a starting role if Sears doesn't return?

(IDP) Can Jermaine Phillips transition to linebacker? - Phillips has the daunting task of replacing Derrick Brooks, which would be hard enough for a linebacker much less an NFL safety.

Matt Bryant vs. Mike Nugent - Bryant was rock solid in 2008 (32 FGs) but his lack of distance led the Bucs to sign former Jet Mike Nugent to compete. The winner should have reasonably good fantasy value.