NFL training camps at a glance
It’s that time of year again. Time for NFL teams to report to training camp, and time for NFL fans to speculate on the upcoming season.
The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets opened camp on Thursday, followed by the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans today. By July 30, all 32 teams will be encamped.
Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram evaluates the teams and ranks them 1 through 32 heading into camp:
1
Colts
The Colts couldn’t afford to keep RB Edgerrin James, who left for Arizona. A running back-by-committee will try to replace James’ 1,506 rushing yards and 337 receiving yards. Dominic Rhodes will start, with James Mungro and first-round draft pick Joseph Addai spelling him.
2
Panthers
The Panthers’ running game ranked only 19th, which is why they released Stephen Davis, tabbed DeShaun Foster the starter and drafted DeAngelo Williams with their first-round pick.
3
Seahawks
The Seahawks re-signed rushing champion and league MVP Shaun Alexander to an eight-year, $62 million deal, and coach Mike Holmgren extended his contract through 2008. Seattle, though, couldn’t afford to keep left guard Steve Hutchinson, who left for Minnesota, leaving Floyd Womack to try to replace the perennial Pro Bowler.
4
Steelers
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent seven hours of facial reconstruction surgery June 12 after he was involved in an accident on his motorcycle. The Steelers have not given a timetable for Roethlisberger’s return, but they hope he will be ready for the Sept. 7 opener against the Dolphins.
5
Patriots
Tom Brady threw for a league-high 4,110 yards last season and will get help in the running game this season from first-round draft pick Laurence Maroney.
6
Dolphins
The Dolphins have had seven quarterbacks since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season. Finally, they might have found Marino’s replacement, trading a second-round pick to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper.
7
Bengals
The Bengals allowed 31 points per game over the last eight games of the season. That prompted the signings of safety Dexter Jackson and defensive tackle Sam Adams and the drafting of cornerback Johnathan Joseph.
8
Broncos
Jake Plummer earned his first Pro Bowl berth with 18 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, but he unraveled in the AFC Championship Game with four turnovers that led to 21 of the Steelers’ points.
9
Cowboys
The Cowboys spent more than $40 million in signing bonuses to add some high-profile players, none bigger than wide receiver Terrell Owens.
10
Redskins
No one outspends Daniel Snyder. Safety Adam Archuleta, receiver Antwaan Randle El, tight end Christian Fauria and defensive end Andre Carter were signed as free agents, and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd was acquired in a trade.
11
Chargers
The Chargers have arguably the best player in the NFL in LaDainian Tomlinson, a rising star in linebacker Shawne Merriman and the best tight end in the league in Antonio Gates.
12
Chiefs
New coach Herman Edwards, a former NFL defensive back, has put an emphasis on upgrading the Chiefs’ 25th-ranked defense.
13
Bears
The good news: The Bears return all 22 starters from last season’s division championship team. The bad news: That includes all 11 from an offense that ranked 29th in points and yards.
14
Cardinals
The Cardinals ranked eighth overall in offense and defense, the only team in the NFL to finish in the top 10 on both sides of the ball. And that was before they signed Edgerrin James to a four-year, $30 million deal.
15
Giants
In the first half of last season, the Giants went 6-2 as Eli Manning managed two fourth-quarter comebacks. But in Manning’s last six starts, he was intercepted 10 times and threw 4 TDs.
16
Jaguars
Coach Jack Del Rio remains behind quarterback Byron Leftwich, even after backup David Garrard went 4-1 in Leftwich’s absence last year.
17
Buccaneers
The Bucs finished first in the league in total defense, but eventually, age has to take its toll. Derrick Brooks is 34, Simeon Rice 33 and Ronde Barber 32.
18
Falcons
The Falcons traded a first-round pick to acquire Jets defensive end John Abraham in a three-team deal. Abraham, who has 53.5 sacks in six seasons, will help a defense that ranked 22nd overall, including 26th against the run.
19
Eagles
Coach Andy Reid needs a return to form from his defense, which was 23rd last season, and his quarterback, Donovan McNabb, who was hurt by both a sports hernia and Terrell Owens’ insults.
20
Ravens
The Ravens traded for Steve McNair, who, despite being 33, is an upgrade over Kyle Boller. In 11 seasons, McNair has passed for 27,141 yards and 156 touchdowns.
21
Vikings
New coach Brad Childress quickly tired of Daunte Culpepper’s attitude, and shipped the disgruntled quarterback to Miami. That handed the job to Brad Johnson, who led the Vikings to a 7-2 finish last year.
22
Browns
Second-year quarterback Charlie Frye won’t have Trent Dilfer as a mentor, but he will have tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, both of whom were injured last season, and free-agent signee Joe Jurevicius.
23
Saints
No team had a busier off-season than the Saints, who announced they were returning to New Orleans, hired coach Sean Payton, signed quarterback Drew Brees and drafted running back Reggie Bush.
24
49ers
Larry Allen’s best years are behind him, but at 34 he remains a Pro Bowler. Allen was named to his 10th all-star game last season, but the Cowboys couldn’t afford to keep him. So he will spend this season helping the young 49ers get a “nasty streak.”
25
Lions
New coach Rod Marinelli quickly decided former first-round pick Joey Harrington was not his quarterback of the present, so the Lions shipped Harrington to Miami. That leaves Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Shaun King to drive the Lions’ bus.
26
Rams
New coach Scott Linehan spent $100 million to mold the team to his liking, adding five defensive starters, a backup quarterback, a punter and a kick returner.
27
Texans
The Texans, who were 7-9 two years ago, will be better with new coach Gary Kubiak’s changes in scheme and personnel. The key will come in keeping QB David Carr upright. He has been sacked 208 times in four seasons.
28
Titans
The Titans traded Steve McNair and drafted Vince Young. In the meantime, Billy Volek is the starting quarterback. The Titans, though, have concerns about Volek’s durability, and the job could be Young’s before the season is finished.
29
Jets
The Jets, who had age catch up with them last season, went young in the off-season – in the front office. They hired Eric Mangini, 35, as head coach, and Mike Tannenbaum, 37, as general manager.
30
Packers
This year, expected to be Brett Favre’s last, promises to be as bad, if not worse than last year when the Packers had their first losing season since 1991. There isn’t much talent on the roster for first-year coach Mike McCarthy.
31
Raiders
The Raiders, who ranked 21st in total offense, have gone back to Al Davis’ beloved vertical passing game with Randy Moss serving as the star. Saints castoff Aaron Brooks will be the QB.
32
Bills
The Bills are unsettled at quarterback with J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb competing for the job, and their best defensive player, Takeo Spikes, is coming off Achilles surgery.