NFL training camp primer

Preparation for the 2013 NFL season begins in earnest later this week when both the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins report to training camp on July 20.

A week later, every NFL team will have started cobbling together their on-
field foundations for "Kickoff 2013."

The tradition of off-site/on-campus bonding that was a hallmark of training
camp over the years is now all but dead with 19 of the NFL's 32 clubs (59
percent), choosing to "stay home." Rewind back to 2000 and only five of 31
teams felt that route was the prudent choice.

One of clubs making the switch this time around is the Philadelphia Eagles,
who will not conduct training camp at Lehigh University for the first time in
17 seasons. Instead, new head coach Chip Kelly decided to practice at the
team's training facility, the NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia, as well
as Lincoln Financial Field, which is a hop, skip and a jump away.

"I just think we have everything here so the fact that we would pack
everything up and move, that didn't make sense to me," Kelly said when
discussing the change. "All our video stuff is here. Our training facility in
terms of how we want to lift is here. Why would you move everything to go
somewhere else?"

The New York Giants have bought into that thinking as well and are also
looking forward to some home cooking as they return to the Timex Performance
Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants last held training camp there in
2011, a season which resulted in the franchise's eighth NFL championship. Last
year, "Big Blue" trained at the University at Albany, which has hosted the
team for 16 of the past 17 years.

While the statistics say staying close put is the league-wide trend, there are
still plenty of examples of the old school philosophy hanging around.

The Pittsburgh Steelers still believe in the camaraderie and lack of
distraction a college campus can provide, opting to remain at Saint Vincent
College in Latrobe, Pa. for the 48th straight year.

"I love this process, I love going to camp, I love team-building, readying
ourselves to pursue our goals," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "I am
extremely excited."

The NFL training camp longevity king, however, should come as no surprise.
It's the Green Bay Packers, who will return for their 56th consecutive summer
at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis.

Like the Steelers, the Packers' NFC North division rival, the Minnesota
Vikings, have called Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn. formerly
Mankato State) home for 48 years.

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins have reversed course and will conduct their
training camp away from Redskins Park for the first time since 2003, choosing
instead to amass at the Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond, Va.

"I think us going to Richmond will be great for the team," said Redskins star
quarterback Robert Griffin III. "I think it is good for team bonding because
we'll be out in a new city. It kind of forces guys to have to hang out with
each other. It will truly feel like a training camp. It will be the first
experience for me because I've always been around wherever we work out,
especially in college, so it'll be fun."

It certainly should.

Here is The Sports Network's 2013 NFL training camp capsules:


ARIZONA CARDINALS:

REPORT DATES: July 23 (rookies), July 25 (veterans)

SITE: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Arizona's first training camp under new head coach Bruce
Arians figures to finally bring some clarity back to the quarterback position
in the desert. The ping-ponging between signal-callers Kevin Kolb, John
Skelton and Ryan Lindley was a major reason why Ken Whisenhunt lost his job.
Veteran Carson Palmer was acquired from Oakland in the offseason and while the
former Southern Cal star may be on the downside on his career, he figures to
be quite the upgrade over the terrible triumvirate of a year ago and the best
QB in Arizona since Kurt Warner. Rashard Mendenhall arrives from Pittsburgh
hoping to resuscitate what has been a moribund running game and the Cards hope
2012 first-round pick Michael Floyd can speed up his development and provide a
solid complement to Larry Fitzgerald outside the numbers. Rebuilding one of
the NFL's worst offensive lines is also of paramount importance with seventh
overall pick Jonathan Cooper figuring to step right in at left guard and
fellow rookie Earl Watford also looking to make some noise. Defensively, a
talented group will have to prepare for the impending suspension of stud
inside linebacker Daryl Washington.


ATLANTA FALCONS:

REPORT DATE: July 24th

SITE: Atlanta Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, GA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL:  One of the NFL's most dynamic offenses is not only back in
tact in Dixie, it has actually been upgraded. Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan
and the best receiving duo in the game, Roddy White and Julio Jones, were
always a given but by convincing future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez
to put off retirement for another year, and replacing the descending Michael
Turner with ex-Rams running back Steven Jackson, Atlanta now looks
poised for another big season in 2013. Offensive tackle could be an issue,
however, because Sam Baker has a history of back problems on the left side and
veteran Tyson Clabo, a solid, if unspectacular player, was released.
Meanwhile, Lamar Holmes, a third-round pick in 2012, is no sure thing.
Defensively, things are much murkier. The aging but always productive John
Abraham is gone, replaced by former New York Giants defensive end Osi
Umenyiora, a talented but far less consistent player. In the draft, the
Falcons tried to rebuild the cornerback position after releasing Dunta
Robinson and losing Brent Grimes in free agency to Miami. Atlanta nabbed
Desmond Trufant in the first round and supplemented that by selecting Robert
Alford in the second.


BALTIMORE RAVENS:

REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 24th (veterans)

SITE: Under Armour Performance Center, Owings Mills, MD

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL:  Much has been made about what the Baltimore Ravens have
lost since winning Super Bowl XLVII. Superstar linebacker Ray Lewis and
veteran Pro Bowl center Matt Birk retired after the title game, while wide
receiver Anquan Boldin was traded to San Francisco. Safety Bernard Pollard was
cut and signed with Tennessee, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe went to Miami as a
free agent, linebacker Paul Kruger signed with Cleveland, cornerback Cary
Williams went up I-95 to Philadelphia and veteran safety Ed Reed took his act
to Houston. General manager Ozzie Newsome has done a decent job of
replenishing things especially of defense, however, bringing in ex-Broncos
pass rusher Elvis Dumervil as well as veterans Marcus Spears and Chris Canty.
He also got younger at safety by brining in former Oakland No. 1 pick Michael
Huff and drafting Florida's Matt Elam in the first round. Kansas State rookie
Arthur Brown will have the unenviable task of trying to replace Lewis and or
Ellerbe in the middle.


BUFFALO BILLS:

REPORT DATES: July 22 (rookies), July 27 (veterans)

SITE: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, NY

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: With Ryan Fitzpatrick now in Tennessee, new Bills coach
Doug Marrone's first order of business is finding a long term answer at
quarterback because newcomer Kevin Kolb isn't the answer. In the end, all the
Ryan Nassib talk prior to the draft was just that but Marrone had a signal-
caller in mind -- Florida State's E.J. Manuel, a very raw prospect, who will
be asked to hit the ground running after being selected No. 16 overall.
Buffalo was able to prop up the weapons around the QB position by drafting
receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in an effort to find a complement
to Stevie Johnson. Woods, a USC product, was probably the best route-runner
available and a player who has been in a pro-style offense for years. On the
other side of the ball, Mario Williams needs to step it up and become a
dominant player again while rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso, a pretty
instinctive guy, will be asked to step in immediately.


CAROLINA PANTHERS:

REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Carolina is probably a little better off than most think
after an uneven 2012 season. Obviously getting more consistency from ultra-
talented quarterback Cam Newton would go a long way in curing many of the
Panthers' woes so maximizing his efficiency has to be paramount. One way
Carolina could have helped Newton was clearing up the question marks on the
offensive line but that really wasn't addressed. Newton could also use more
weapons outside. Veteran Steve Smith is still plenty productive but on the
downside and Brandon LaFell is entering a contract year. Domenik Hixon and Ted
Ginn aren't the answers, however. New Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman
instead decided to create a defensive identity inside in the draft by
selecting back-to-back defensive tackles in the first and second rounds. Star
Lotulelei is a run-stuffer in the mold of Haloti Ngata, while Kawann Short is
an athletic wonder, whose motor gets questioned on occasion.


CHICAGO BEARS:

REPORT DATE: July 25

SITE: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Forget out of the box, the Chicago Bears went north of the
border in an effort to get the most out of their enigmatic but extremely
talented quarterback Jay Cutler. Bears G.M. Phil Emery is just the latest NFL
general manager to subscribe to the theory that most of the innovation in
football, especially offensive football, is taking place outside the league in
places like college, the Arena Football League and Canada, where Marc
Trestman, who replaces Lovie Smith as head coach of the Bears, was a two-time
Grey Cup winner as the pilot of the Montreal Alouettes. It will be Trestman's
job to get the most out of Cutler, who some have already labeled a coach-
killer, pointing to his troubles in Denver with Josh McDaniels and Smith's
departure from the Second City as evidence. Curing Chicago's offensive line
woes will go a long way in helping Cutler and the team brought in high-priced
free agent Jermon Bushrod to secure the all-important left tackle position, as
well as Matt Slauson and first-round pick Kyle Long to bolster the guard
spots. Defensively, all eyes will be on veteran D.J. Williams and rookie Jon
Bostic, who will compete for the right to be compared with future Hall of
Famer Brian Urlacher, who retired in the offseason after contract talks with
the Bears went nowhere.


CINCINNATI BENGALS:

REPORT DATE: July 24

SITE: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The Bengals return to HBO's acclaimed Hard Knocks this
summer so they will be under the microscope. Cincinnati remains a talented
bunch aiming to take the next step and garner some postseason success. Finding
a consistent complement to Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green as well as a more
explosive outside running threat could help quarterback Andy Dalton, who has
some limitations due to his pedestrian arm strength. Mike Brown got the best
tight end in the draft in Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert as well as a back who may
give the running game that needed juice in Giovani Bernard. The defense
welcomes former Defensive Player of the Year and ex-Steeler James Harrison,
who figures to man the strong side linebacker spot, along with Reggie Nelson,
who will be asked to solidify one of the safety spots.


CLEVELAND BROWNS:

REPORT DATES: July 19 (rookies), July 24 (veterans)

SITE: Cleveland Browns Training Facility, Berea, OH

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The ongoing FBI investigation into the business owned by
Browns team owner Jimmy Haslam, figures to be an ongoing distraction. On
the field, the Browns have rebooted yet again with a new management crew of
team president Joe Banner, general manager Mike Lombardi and head coach Rob
Chudzinski. Rumors say the new regime wasn't all that enamored with second-
year quarterback Brandon Weeden, one of the team's first-round picks from a
year ago, but have begun to turn around on that process because the only other
options are journeyman Jason Campbell and the well-traveled Brian Hoyer. Norv
Turner was hired to take over Cleveland's offense and figures to build around
running back Trent Richardson. Defensively Ray Horton was brought in and will
move to a 3-4 look with ex-Baltimore linebacker Paul Kruger and No. 6 overall
pick Barkevious Mingo, brought in to be the edge rushers. Also, look for a
breakout year from talented nose tackle Phil Taylor.


DALLAS COWBOYS:

REPORT DATE: July 20th

SITE: City of Oxnard Fields, Oxnard, CA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Quarterback Tony Romo missed the team's offseason training
activities as he recovered from back surgery to remove a cyst in April. The
procedure wasn't considered serious but anytime you undergo back surgery there
will be question marks, especially after Romo signed a monster six-year
contract extension in late March, a deal reported to be worth $108 million
with $55 million guaranteed. If everything goes to plan, the Cowboys figure to
be set at most of the skill positions with Romo throwing to Dez Bryant, Jason
Witten and Miles Austin. The offensive line and running game leave a lot to be
desired, however. Dallas made changes to four of its five offensive line
positions a year ago and most of them didn't work, meaning more changes are on
the horizon. Tyron Smith, a first-round pick in 2011, is the left tackle and
everything else is up for debate although first-round pick Travis Frederick is
expected to take over the pivot. Over on defense, the 'Boys fired coordinator
Rob Ryan and replaced him with the 72-year-old Monte Kiffin, who worships at
the altar of the antiquated Tampa-2 defensive philosophy. That means the
Cowboys will switch to a 4-3 "under" scheme that requires a Brian Urlacher-
type middle linebacker and smart, zone- savvy defensive backs. There is plenty
of talent on that side of the ball but whether they will fit in with Kiffin's
philosophy is something that needs to be watched.


DENVER BRONCOS:

REPORT DATE: July 24

SITE: Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre, Englewood, CO

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The Broncos figure to coast to another division crown in
the weak AFC West as long as Peyton Manning is healthy and on the field.
Postseason success is another matter and will depend on whether Denver finds a
consistent running threat and improves the defense on the back end. Willis
McGahee's release could turn the backfield into a committee-type setup with
Ronnie Hillman, rookie Montee Ball and veteran Knowshon Moreno all in the
picture. Talented but underachieving cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
was brought in to help the secondary along with veteran Quentin Jammer, who is
expected to move to safety. Manning's tremendous receiving corps of Demaryius
Thomas and Eric Decker was only bolstered by the addition of slot star Wes
Welker from New England.


DETROIT LIONS:

REPORT DATES: July 22nd (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: Detroit Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, MI

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: This is a make or break year for Lions coach Jim Schwartz.
A dismal 4-12 season had Detroit in all too familiar territory this spring,
mulling a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft. The Lions thought they put that kind
of thing behind them after a 2011 playoff appearance but things went off the
rails pretty quickly last year and it's imperative Schwartz turns things
around quickly. Cleaning up the mental mistakes and all the pre-snap penalties
would go a long way in curing the woes of Detroit's talented offense, led by
quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, and All-World
receiver Calvin Johnson, the second selection in the '07 draft. Add in
defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the second pick in the 2010 draft, and this
year's No. 5 selection, DE Ezekiel Ansah, from the other side of the ball and
you see Detroit has far too much experience picking in the top 10 along with
way too much talent to be doing so again.


GREEN BAY PACKERS:

REPORT DATE: July 25th

SITE: St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson doesn't believe in
free agency and builds through the draft. That philosophy generally works for
Thompson but this version of the Packers is showing more than a few holes,
ones that are often masked by the best player in football, quarterback Aaron
Rodgers. A pedestrian offensive line has been revamped with Bryan Bulaga
shifting out to the all-important left tackle position and Evan Dietrich-Smith
taking over full-time at center while Green Bay, which seemingly hasn't had a
legitimate running back since John Brockington called Lambeau Field home,
finally addressed the position by bringing in both Eddie Lacy and Johnathan
Franklin. On defense, first-round pick Datone Jones will be asked to help
fortify a shaky front seven while All-Pro rush linebacker Clay Matthews needs
to stay healthy in order to bolster a mediocre group around him.


HOUSTON TEXANS:

REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: Methodist Training Center, Houston, TX

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL:  The window hasn't shut in Houston but the Texans certainly
have to tweak things if they hope to match last season's 12-4 record. The
Houston defense should be fine since it possesses the best defender in all of
football, J.J. Watt, and will be getting back its captain, stud linebacker
Brian Cushing, who missed the last 11 games in 2012 with a knee injury. That
said, Houston struggled down the stretch last season and showed a disturbing
inability to handle quick rhythm, spread offenses, meaning more speed and
athleticism is needed in the back seven. Veteran Ed Reed certainly provides
leadership and playmaking ability, but not that. Rookie safety D.J. Swearinger
could, though. Offensively the team hopes it finally has a complement to Andre
Johnson at wide receiver in rookie DeAndre Hopkins.


INDIANAPOLIS COLTS:

REPORT DATES: July 23rd (rookies), July 27th (veterans)

SITE: Anderson University, Anderson, IN

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The Colts hope to build on a promising first season with
Andrew Luck at the controls. To move forward even further Indianapolis needs
to protect Luck more consistently and develop a threat in the running game.
Indy did pry right tackle Gosder Cherilus away from Detroit in free agency and
drafted High Thornton, an overachieving, grinder who figures to help at guard.
Meanwhile, the Colts signed ex-Giant Ahmad Bradshaw to carry the load in the
backfield. Improving the pass rush is mission No. 1 on defense and rookie
Bjoern Werner, who was once thought of as a top-10 guy until questions about
his closing speed sent him tumbling, is the kind of high-energy product who
could replace Dwight Freeney and help the aging Robert Mathis on the edge.


JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS:

REPORT DATE: July 25th

SITE: Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields, Jacksonville, FL

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: A new brain trust has taken over in Jacksonville led by
general manager David Caldwell and new head coach Gus Bradley. A lot of the
talk around the Jags has centered on disappointing quarterback Blaine Gabbert
and whether Caldwell is ready to cut bait on the former Mizzou star just three
years into his NFL career. The other options, though, are veteran journeyman
Chad Henne and the nondescript Mike Kafka, who was cut in New England to make
room for Tim Tebow. The 6-4, 233-pound Gabbert remains the only option with a
plus-ceiling as a player and is straight out of central casting when it comes
to quarterbacks, but is running out of chances.


KANSAS CITY CHIEFS:

REPORT DATE: July 22 (rookies), July 25 (veterans)

SITE: Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Does Andy Reid still have it? His dying days in
Philadelphia were ugly but Reid still has the reputation of a franchise-
builder and takes over a team in Kansas City far more talented than its 2-14
2012 record would indicate. Reid has handed the keys to the Chiefs' offense
over to former 49ers signal caller Alex Smith and chose the ceiling over the
floor by taking offensive tackle Eric Fisher and not the  presumptive favorite
to go No. 1 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel. Fisher's
advantage in athleticism was enough to convince Reid and his hand-picked
general manager, John Dorsey, that the former CMU star was the best option.
Fisher will start his career at right tackle while Branden Albert handles the
left side for at least one more season. On defense, Kansas City really
upgraded the secondary by bringing in veteran cornerbacks Sean Smith and Dunta
Robinson.


MIAMI DOLPHINS:

REPORT DATE: July 20th

SITE: Doctors Hospital Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University,
Davie, FL

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The perception in South Florida is that the Dolphins have
gone all-in in an attempt to make things tough on the New England Patriots in
the AFC East. The Dolphins certainly made the biggest splash early on in free
agency, signing two of the best players available in speedy wide receiver Mike
Wallace and Super Bowl winning linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. They continued the
spending spree from there, bringing in wide receiver Brandon Gibson and tight
end Dustin Keller of the offensive side of the ball, along with linebacker
Phillip Wheeler and cornerback Brent Grimes to help the defense. Here's the
bad news, though. Miami had to release linebackers Kevin Burnett and Karlos
Dansby and lost a solid tight end in Anthony Fasano. The Fish also have to
replace their starting left tackle, Jake Long, as well as their best cover
corner, Sean Smith, and a very versatile running back in Reggie Bush. All that
said, if second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill improves like most expect, the
Dolphins should take a significant step forward.


MINNESOTA VIKINGS:

REPORT DATE: July 25th

SITE: Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: It's all about Christian Ponder in Minnesota this season.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has built a championship level club
around his third-year signal caller, a player who really hasn't been able to
hold his own water to this point. Ponder's accuracy as a pro has been very
spotty and his decision-making egregious at times. He also seems to lose
confidence very quickly when things go wrong. Ponder recognizes what he
needs to improve and has diagnosed most of his problems well but often
regresses to what's natural to him, and his default settings are just not
conducive to solid quarterback play at the NFL level. Beyond Ponder the
Vikings are loaded with the best running back in the sport (Adrian Peterson),
a terrific offensive line, an emerging tight end in Kyle Rudolph as
well as a much-improved receiving corps thanks to the additions of veteran
Greg Jennings and rookie Cordarrelle Patterson. On defense, Minnesota has a
deep line, solidified its linebacking group with the addition of Desmond
Bishop and alleviated the loss of Antoine Winfield by drafting Xavier Rhodes.


NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:

REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The engine of the high-powered Patriots offense, the
magnificent tight end combination of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, is no
more while veteran slot receiver Wes Welker is gone. Gronkowski is hurt and
has undergone multiple surgeries on his forearm and back while Hernandez is in
jail, disgraced and awaiting a murder trial. Welker, meanwhile, chose Denver
as his new home. Both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are great at what they do
but can any team replace the production the Pats have lost? Gronk is expected
back at some point but a wide receiver group which will feature the oft-
injured Danny Amendola and nondescript veterans like Michael Jenkins and
Donald Jones leaves a lot to be desired. As for replacing Hernandez, Daniel
Fells probably has the clubhouse lead entering camp.


NEW ORLEANS SAINTS:

REPORT DATES: July 18th (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: Saints Training Facility, Metairie, LA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: With Bountygate safely in the rear-view mirror and Sean
Payton back, expect the New Orleans offense to be back to its high-powered
self with a few tweaks. The Saints really needed to improve the edges
entrusted to protect Drew Brees, however. Right tackle Zach Strief wasn't all
that impressive in 2012 and needs to improve while Jermon Bushrod left in free
agency to Chicago, leaving left tackle to Charles Brown or perhaps talented
but raw rookie Terron Armstead. Payton has said that the team's left tackle
spot keeps him up at night. New Orleans also failed to add reliable depth at
receiver behind Marques Colston and Lance Moore. The Saints defense was a mess
in '12, finishing at the bottom of the league in a number of defensive
categories so Payton fired coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and hired Rob Ryan to
make the switch to 3-4 scheme, meaning the team must find fits for that
philosophy whether it means a true nose tackle, a five-technique end or edge
pass rushers. The transition wasn't made any easier when promising free agent
linebacker Victor Butler tore his ACL during organized team activities.


NEW YORK GIANTS:

REPORT DATE: July 26th

SITE: Timex Performance Center, East Rutherford, NJ

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: What a difference a year makes. The Giants finished the
2011 season 9-7, got hot at the right time and won the Super Bowl. In 2012
that same 9-7 mark wasn't even good enough to get them to the postseason dance
and a lot of people now look at New York as a descending club. The offense
certainly needs some tweaks and the signing of former Oakland tight end
Brandon Myers could really help Eli Manning. The offensive line, however,
remains pedestrian even after reaching for Syracuse guard/tackle Justin Pugh
with the 19th overall pick in the draft. On defense, the line is a concern.
New York struggled mightily against the run and saw its once vaunted pass rush
evaporate into a non-entity a year ago. When the Giants were winning Super
Bowls, it was usually because of Manning along with the pass rush. Osi
Umenyiora is now in Atlanta, Justin Tuck has seen his better days and Jason
Pierre-Paul was closer to ordinary than J.J. Watt a season ago.


NEW YORK JETS:

REPORT DATES: July 22nd (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Those back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game in
Mark Sanchez's first two NFL seasons are now just distant memories for the New
York Jets, a team which will enter the 2013 season as one of the least
talented in football. The embattled Sanchez will likely get one final chance
to prove he can be the answer at quarterback for the Jets but with former West
Virginia QB Geno Smith now on hand, his leash figures to be short. Other areas
to look at include cornerback where rookie Dee Milliner will be asked to fill
some very big shoes (Darrelle Revis),  right tackle, a position where Austin
Howard allowed 13 1/2 sacks last season, and outside linebacker where the
pedestrian Antwan Barnes and second-year man Quinton Coples are currently
penciled in.


OAKLAND RAIDERS:

REPORT DATE: July 25th

SITE: Napa Valley Marriott, Napa, CA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: It seems like the Oakland Raiders start a "new era" every
year or two and 2013 will be no exception as former Green Bay and Seattle
backup quarterback Matt Flynn should finally get his chance as a starting
signal-caller. Reggie McKenzie came over from Green Bay before last season and
is still trying to wash the Davis craziness out of the Raiders but hasn't done
a good job to this point. Oakland really needed help on the defensive line
after the departures of tackles Richard Seymour, Desmond Bryant and Tommy
Kelly, as well as end Matt Shaughnessy. Underwhelming types like nose tackle
Pat Sims and under tackle Vance Walker were brought in as McKenzie focused on
reaching for Houston corner D.J. Hayden in the draft. The Raiders loved Hayden
so much they almost wasted the No. 3 overall pick to get him before wisely
trading down and getting him at 12. They could have dropped another 10 spots
at least. It's almost like Davis is still haunting the organization.


PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:

REPORT DATES: July 22nd (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: NovaCare Complex, Philadelphia, PA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The regime change in South Philly made the spring OTAs and
minicamp a little more meaningful this time around as reporters assembled to
catch a glimpse of Chip Kelly in hopes of seeing what college football's mad
scientist was going to unleash on the NFL. After attending a number of those
scaled-down offseason sessions, about the only thing known about Kelly is that
he has an eclectic playlist on his iPod and likes things up-tempo at all
times. Kelly would obviously like to have Robert Griffin III or Colin
Kaepernick piloting his offense. Or perhaps Cam Newton or Russell Wilson, but
none of those tailor-made fits is an option for Philadelphia. Chip's choices
are Michael Vick, the 33-year-old turnover machine who still has the
athleticism to whet Kelly's appetite but not the decision-making skills, along
with two pure pocket passers, second-year man Nick Foles and rookie Matt
Barkley, a pair of players who could develop into sharp decision makers who
get rid of the football with alacrity but offer no threat in the read-option
Kelly is enamored with. For now, Vick remains the slight favorite to enter the
season as the team's starter but Foles or even Barkley could easily wrest away
Vick's tenuous hold on the job.


PITTSBURGH STEELERS:

REPORT DATE: July 26th

SITE: Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: There is plenty of work to be done in Pittsburgh as age has
slowly crept up on the Steelers. In fact, this could be the most important
training camp for the Steelers in years as they have to move forward at
multiple positions. Pittsburgh has moved on from former Defensive Player of
the Year James Harrison, veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton and really can't
count on oft-injured safety Troy Polamalu. Meanwhile, two of the team's
younger playmakers, wide receiver Mike Wallace and cornerback Keenan Lewis
jetted in free agency to Miami and New Orleans, respectively. Former Georgia
star Jarvis Jones said he would never get past the Steelers in the draft and
sure enough he didn't. It's almost like the whole league conspires to give
Pittsburgh impact 3-4 players. Poor 40 times sent Jones crashing out of the
top 10, but the Steelers may have gotten a Terrell Suggs-like steal in the
first round. Pittsburgh also may have found their successor to the declining
Polamalu in fourth-round choice Shamarko Thomas, an undersized, high-energy
thumper on the back end. Offensively, second-rounder Le'Veon Bell is supposed
to install some of that Jerome Bettis-like toughness back into the Steel
City's running game but he is a big back who doesn't run like one most of the
time and hasn't shown the nastiness as runner the Steelers expect from their
backs.


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS:

REPORT DATE: July 24

SITE: Chargers Park, San Diego, CA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: New Chargers coach Mike McCoy arrives in America's most
Beautiful City as the architect of the reclamation product called Philip
Rivers. Rivers is obviously talented but fell on hard times during the final
season of the Norv Turner era, quite possibly due to his porous offensive
line. Losing the team's best lineman, guard Louis Vasquez, to AFC West-rival
Denver didn't help and mission No. 1 in San Diego will be rebuilding things
up front. D.J. Fluker was the best O-Line prospect left on the board when San
Diego picked at No. 11 overall in the 2013 draft and general manger Tom
Telesco bit. Fluker will join veteran tackles Max Starks and King Dunlap as
well as guard Chad Rinehart as new options on the line. Defensively, the
spotlight figures to follow former Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te'o, a
great college player who fell in the draft because of his strange "catfishing"
scandal.


ST. LOUIS RAMS:

REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 24th (veterans)

SITE: Rams Park Training Center, Earth City, MO

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL:  The Rams needed to add more playmakers for quarterback Sam
Bradford, but they also needed to sure up the offensive line in front of him
and were able to accomplish both goals, at least on paper. St. Louis made some
strides in protecting Bradford in 2012, allowing 20 fewer sacks in 2012 than
they did in '11 but there is still plenty of room for improvement,
particularly on the left side. The club made a significant commitment to ex-
Dolphins tackle Jake Long, signing the former No. 1 overall pick to a four-
year, $36 million dollar deal, in hopes of fixing that problem. Rookie Barrett
Jones also has a real chance to help inside early. The Rams also got Bradford
a new toy by inking former Tennessee tight end Jared Cook to a five-year
contract worth a million less than what Long got and then supplemented that
with perhaps the most explosive player in the 2013 draft, West Virginia slot
star Tavon Austin. Defensively, the Rams really needed help in the back seven
and were able to snare troubled but talented Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree
late in the first round of the draft as well as a potential starting safety in
T.J. McDonald.


SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS:

REPORT DATES: July 19 (rookies), July 24 (veterans)

SITE: Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Centre, Santa Clara, CA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The NFC champions will be aiming to get the most out of
what may be the most gifted roster in football from top to bottom. Finding a
replacement for the injured Michael Crabtree (torn Achilles), perhaps the
Niners' best receiver since Terrell Owens, is paramount. Anquan Boldin goes
from Super Bowl antagonist with Baltimore to Colin Kaepernick's top outside
threat right now but Boldin is more of a move the chains-type possession guy
at this stage. A.J. Jenkins, the team's first-round pick out of Illinois in
2012, has worked hard to add strength in the offseason and needs to step up.
On defense, all eyes will be on the secondary where 2013 first-round pick Eric
Reid will be asked to replace Pro-Bowler Dashon Goldson, who left for Tampa
Bay in free agency. Veteran corner Nnamdi Asomugha also hopes for a resurgence
as he returns to Cali in an effort to garner some depth outside the numbers.


SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

REPORT DATE: July 24th

SITE: Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, WA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: If there truly is an arms race going on between San
Francisco and Seattle in the NFC West, it's currently at the height of Cold
War levels because both the 49ers and Seahawks have amassed enough power to
obliterate just about everyone else. After trading for star slot receiver
Percy Harvin, signing a pair of pass rushers in Cliff Avril and Michael
Bennett, and inking perhaps the game's best nickel corner in Antoine Winfield,
the Seahawks appear to be entering camp with few weaknesses.


TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS:

REPORT DATES: July 17 (rookies), July 24 (veterans)

SITE: One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, FL

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Even before  Ronde Barber called it a career, cornerback
was an obvious need in Tampa. General manager Mark Domenik pulled the trigger
on the Darrelle Revis trade before the draft, giving up his first-round
selection to the New York Jets for the best corner in football when healthy.
The Bucs then supplemented that in the second round by getting a very lengthy
corner in Mississippi State's Jonthan Banks, a player who would have had a
first-round grade if he had a little more speed. On offense all eyes will be
on quarterback Josh Freeman, who will be given one final chance to prove he is
the answer moving forward. Head coach Greg Schiano hedged his bets on Freeman
by drafting a solid developmental signal caller in North Carolina State's Mike
Glennon, a strong-armed accurate passer in the mold of Joe Flacco.


TENNESSEE TITANS:

REPORT DATE: July 24th

SITE: Baptist Sports Park, Nashville, TN

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Talk about turning a weakness into a strength. The
interior of the Titans' offensive line was a mess last season so Tennessee
signed Andy Levitre away from Buffalo and drafted Chance Warmack, perhaps the
best pure football player in the 2013 draft. The Titans also solved some other
glaring holes in free agency by inking strong safety Bernard Pollard from the
Super Bowl champion Ravens, and getting running back Chris Johnson and young
quarterback Jake Locker backups by convincing Shonn Greene and Ryan
Fitzpatrick to leave the AFC East behind. Whether that's enough to push for a
playoff spot will rest on the development of Locker, who has been a
disappointment thus far.


WASHINGTON REDSKINS:

REPORT DATE: July 24th

SITE: Bon Secours Training Center, Richmond, VA

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The health of Robert Griffin III is the main storyline
inside the Beltway these days with the current scuttlebutt saying that the
second-year star should be at 70 or 80 percent by the start of training camp
and 90 percent by the beginning of the regular season. Defensively, Washington
is thrilled to have sackmaster Brian Orakpo back from injury and hopes rookies
Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo can make things interesting at safety.