  
 NFC Mini-camp Notes: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly June 27th, 2002 To speak metaphorically, now is that time of year in the NFL which can be called the calm before the storm, or the lull before the battle, or maybe even the deep breath before the plunge. It is the summer break between mini-camps and training camp. Most teams are finished with their passing camps, their rookie orientations, and their “voluntary” workouts. Between now and late July, there will be a few free agent moves, a lot of rookies negotiating contracts, and the occasional player who runs afoul of the law. What have we learned about the 2002 editions of the 16 NFC teams, so far? Read the below mini-camp news compendium, and find out who’s been good, who’s been bad, and which teams got a lump of coal in their draft-day stockings. Dallas Cowboys 2002 – the year that the Cowboys emerge from what owner Jerry Jones recently called “pure cap hell.” The complete, candid column can be found here (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/3432800.htm). The good news for Emmitt Smith fans – he is still the man in Dallas, and barring injury should break Walter Payton’s mark sometime in 2002. Only 540 yards to go! This is a team that looks suprisingly strong for a club that had $28 million in “dead money” in 2001. According to a 6/6/02 report by Chip Brown of dallasnews.com (http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/football/cowboys/stories/060602dnspocowlede.c0848.html), coach Dave Campo heads into training camp with a squad focused on winning the NFC East. A few of last year’s faces will not be among the ‘Boys as they shoot for NFC East domination, says a 6/ 14/02 dfw.com report by Clarence E Hill, Jr. (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/3467334.htm). Veterans Darren Chiaverini (WR) and Ben Fricke (G), along with longshot rookie running back Josh Ranek are history. The release of Chiaverini occurred because the team is very happy with the development of rookie Antonio Bryant (he may have the inside track at the #3 slot behind Joey Galloway and Raghib Ismail), and because of the depth at the position with young wide receivers like Reggie Swinton, Ken-Yon Rambo, Randal Williams and Bashir Yamini all competing for playing time. Rookie Andre Gurode has beat out Fricke for a slot at center/guard, and may be the starter when training camp is over. When
it’s all said and done, though, the key to the Cowboy’s season is going to be
the play of quarterback Quincy Carter.
Even though the Cowboys snagged talented prospect Chad Hutchinson in the
off-season (a refugee from the pitching mound) he is very raw and not ready for
the rigors of the NFL, according to Tim Cowlishaw’s 6/6/02 column on
dallasnews.com (http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/football/cowboys/stories/060502dnspocowlishaw.c1914.html).
“…But the quarterback job belongs to Carter until further notice or three consecutive bad games, whichever comes first. In the second half of the 2001 season, Carter demonstrated enough promise that there should be no open competition for the starting spot this summer.” If Carter is zinging lasers into Galloway and Ismail, the Boys are in good shape – especially with their very solid defensive team returning mostly intact for 2002. If Carter is lobbing ducks, though…. New York Giants Believe it or not, the Michael Strahan contract controversy is not the only issue facing the Giants in 2002. It is the situation grabbing all the headlines, however, like this one from the 6/14/02 report by nj.com’s (http://www.nj.com/giants/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1024045828284612.xml) Kimberly Jones. Other
issues are also showing their ugly heads in Big Blue land, where coach Fassel
is once again angry at mercurial Ike Hilliard, who missed the final voluntary
passing camp for unknown reasons. Fassel said, according to a 6/13/02 report by
Paul Schwartz on nypost.com (http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/17557.htm),
“I know last-minute things come up and personal things come up. But pick up the
phone.” It’s the latest in a series of clashes between the player and coach
stretching back to the beginning of the 2001 season. Ron Dayne had surgery to repair a thumb injury and sat out the final mini-camp. According to Buster Olney’s 6/12/02 report on nytimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/12/sports/football/12GIAN.html), Dayne is expected to return by the start of training camp. Perhaps
the biggest problem for the Giants is the process of re-creating their
offensive line. As Olney pointed out 6/1/02 on nytimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/01/sports/football/01GIAN.html),
“The Giants are replacing three of their five starting offensive linemen from
last season. The pass protection around quarterback Kerry Collins may well
suffer; the line could be vulnerable to blitzes, as the newcomers gain
experience.” Still unresolved questions include who will start at left tackle,
and whether the influx of newcomers will jell in time for the start of the
season. Also
key for the success of the offensive game plan is the development of rookie
tight end Jeremy Shockey. If he learns fast and gets in the game from the start
of the season, a credible receiving threat over the middle would loosen up
opponent’s run defenses. All
in all, the Giants are a team facing many challenges, as Paul Schwartz pointed
out in his 5/29/02 column on nypost.com (http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/48985.htm). “With so
many familiar players leaving and not much in the way of established talent
arriving, the Giants have the look and feel of a team in transition.” Philadelphia Eagles Unlike
many teams heading into training camp, the Philadelphia Eagles appear to be all
set for 2002, according to a report by Kevin Callahan, appearing 6/16/02 on
southjerseynews.com (http://www.southjerseynews.com/issues/june/s061602i.htm).
“It is unlikely Andy Reid will sign any free agents before the team breaks for
summer vacation on Wednesday. So like it or not, the guys who have been running
around the NovaCare Complex during the three separate minicamps this spring are
the guys who will be trying to defend the NFC East title in the fall. Don't
expect any new faces now.” Head coach Andy Reid is pleased with the performance of his rookie defensive backs, and feels that they will improve depth across all the positions in the secondary. Running back Brian Westbrook has also done well, according to Reid. Duce Staley is physically fit and ready to go when training camp opens, according to a 6/16/02 report by nj.com (http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/102413162264881.xml). He will be the featured back in 2002 since the season-ending injury suffered by Correll Buckhalter removed his competition from the backfield. At wide receiver, the trio of James Thrash, Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell have another year of work with McNabb under their belt. These three are expected to elevate their play in 2002, according to a 6/18/02 philly.com report (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/3492186.htm) by Phil Sheridan. The main questions heading into training camp are on the defensive side of the ball, according to a 6/14/02 report on nj.com (http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1024045218261020.xml). For example, Mark Eckel writes “…the situation at linebacker remains in a state of flux.” The defensive line could also use some beefing up, but the Eagles just aren’t impressed with the free agent pool in 2002. Stay tuned to see how these situations are resolved during training camp. Washington Redskins Another season, another new head coach – the Redskins hope
that the rest of 2002 is not a replay of their 2001 season. Coach Steve
Spurrier heads into training camp with optimism. Jody Foldesy quoted Spurrier
6/13/02 on washtimes.com (http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20020613-3079075.htm),
“I think we made a lot of progress with a lot of work still to be done. There's
a lot of improvement needed, but we've got basically a start. Hopefully each
player knows what he needs to work on prior to training camp.” The biggest training camp question revolves around the quarterback. “Quarterback remains the intriguing position as Shane Matthews, Sage Rosenfels and Danny Wuerffel battle for the starting spot. Spurrier kept his word by rotating each at first string and it appears the battle will be determined in the preseason games that begin Aug.3 in Osaka, Japan.” Patrick Ramsey appears to be destined to hold a clip board in 2002. On the defensive side of the ball, the Redskins have a solid unit led by new defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. “The Redskins' most expensive player additions this offseason have been on defense, and they have the league's best-paid defensive coordinator in Marvin Lewis. Spurrier said the defense is "probably a little more ready than we are right now because of the experience over there," and indicated that he could adjust during the season if his offense doesn't catch up.” (from Mark Maske’s 6/13/02 report on washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41231-2002Jun12.html). Indeed, the defense is not lacking in confidence, with cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot already talking about earning Pro Bowl appearances, according to Rick Snider’s 6/13/02 report on washtimes.com (http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20020613-59880925.htm). One position that may see a free agent addition prior to or during training camp is wide receiver, where the Redskins currently have Rod Gardner and Jacquez Green penciled in to start. According to a 6/6/02 washingtonpost.com article(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1975-2002Jun5.html), the ‘Skins may try to sign a “bargain” free agent once the high-dollar free agents are off the market – perhaps free agent Willie Jackson. Chicago Bears As
the Bears head into their July 25th training camp, the team is
mostly set to begin the 2002 season. Quarterback Jim Miller, while forced out
of the June mini-camp by muscle spasms (go here (http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-bside11.html)
to read about it), he has enjoyed a solid off-season of work with his wide
receivers, according to coach Jauron. He said “I really don't see any
percentages in pushing him back on the field right now. He's had a great offseason. He's been here
working awfully hard, and I want to make sure that he's OK because we start
July 25 and that's when we want him ready to go…” (6/15/02 dailysouthtown.com (http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dssports/pro/152sd1.htm)). Marty
Booker, while unhappy with the team’s reluctance to sign him to a big money
deal, is under contract for 2002, according to a 6/12/02 suntimes.com (http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-bearnt12.html)
report. Gene Chamberlain reported in dailysouthrown.com’s (http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dssports/pro/121sd6.htm)
6/12/02 edition that “The Bears have slated Marcus Robinson's return from knee
surgery to the first team for "the middle of training camp," …At that
time, Jauron said the star wideout is expected to participate at full speed and
full strength in practices.” Second-year
runningback Anthony Thomas is entrenched as the starter in a run-first offense
that highlights his abilities. A perfect fit for John Shoop’s offense, he has
looked solid throughout mini-camps. The
defense is superb, and stars like Phillip Daniels and Brian Uhrlacher will
continue to dominate in 2002. The
one blotch on the mini-camps was wide receiver David Terrell’s assault of
parking lot attendants, as reported by CBSSPortsline.com (http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,5428929_59,00.html)
on 6/13/02. The matter
does not appear to be a major incident, and Terrell should be available for
training camp and the regular season. Detroit Lions The Lions embark on their 2002 campaign in the midst of another rebuilding phase. Charlie Batch is gone, a Pittsburgh Steeler now. Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton were shown the door, as were linebackers Stephen Boyd, Allen Aldridge and Scott Kowalkowski. Go here (http://www.detnews.com/2002/lions/0206/09/d12-510129.htm) to read about the bloodletting. So, where do the Lion’s units stand on the cusp of 2002? Tom Kowalski, of mlive.com (http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/sports/1024355403113690.xml) offered his perspective on 6/20/02. Some of the questions facing the Lions – who will quarterback the club during the season? Right now, Mike McMahon has the starting job, but rookie Joey Harrington waits in the wings. On the receiving end of their passes will be Bill Schroeder, and high-dollar acquisition Az-Zahir Hakim. Schroeder was an established starter for the Packers, but Hakim has never been in the starting role until this season. Can he hack it? The Lions hope so, after signing him to a $16 million dollar deal. Right now, the Lions are looking for rookie John Owens to replace departed David Sloan at tight end – but rookie receivers always face a rough learning curve in their inaugural seasons. The defensive backfield was gutted, and though rookie Andre Goodman looks like he’ll start, (http://www.freep.com/sports/lions/lions14_20020614.htm///sports/index.htm/sports/index.htm/index/lions.htm/index/lions.htm) it’s likely due to the fact that there is little other talent to be found in the secondary. The
Lions are set at running back, at least, inking James Stewart to a new,
cap-friendly deal on 6/6/02 (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4359249&BRD=982&PAG=461&dept_id=458069&rfi=6).
Rookie quarterback Joey Harrington is vowing to get his contract negotiated
before the beginning of training camp, as reported by Tom Kowalski 6/14/02 on
mlive.com (http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/sports/1024020603157650.xml). Green Bay Packers The
Packers have a new-look tandem at wide receiver to shag Brett Favre’s passes in
2002, headlined by head case Terry Glenn. According to Cliff Christl, writing
for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 6/12/02, “Glenn, the Green Bay Packers'
new and enigmatic wide receiver, is one of those rare talents. ‘To me, he's a
top-five receiver in this league,’ said Ray Sherman… ‘He's a rare guy.’ Whether
he plays to that level when it counts or self-destructs as he did in New
England remains to be seen. But Glenn's ability is so evident, even in a
minicamp, that one can't help but notice it.” Across from Glenn is second year
pro Robert Ferguson, who has the local press singing his praises in 2002 (like
this article by Pete Dougherty (http://cgi.greenbaypressgazette.com/cgi-bin/packerwrapper.pl?URL=http://www.packersnews.com/archives/news/pack_3678679.shtml&AFFIL=packgroup) written on 4/29/02). The
#3 wideout, Charles Lee, is also much improved, according to a jsonline.com (http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/jun02/50589.asp) report from 6/12/02.
Rookie Javon Walker waits for a chance to move up the depth chart. Other than the new faces at wide receiver, the Packers return with superstar running back Ahman Green in the backfield, now backed up by Jason Brookins and Ki-Jana Carter (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1395044.html). The highly publicized signing of veteran talent Hardy Nickerson (http://www.greenbaynewschron.com/packers/page.html?article=114489) solidifies the linebacking corps, and enhances an already-stout defense. Minnesota Vikings In the wake of a humiliating five win season, the Vikings bit the bullet and released long-time head coach Dennis Green. His replacement, Mike Tice, wants to take the club’s offense back to the up-tempo style that made it so explosive in the 90’s. He said on 6/14/02, “The offense got bastardized in the last three or four years. That was my biggest complaint. ... We didn't know what we were.” (go here (http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/2902190.html) for the whole story). To effect that return to the glory offenses of old, Tice needs quarterback Daunte Culpepper to overcome last season’s injuries (as of 4/23/02, Culpepper put his rehabilitation of the injured knee at 90%, according to CBS Sportsline.com). He also needs Randy Moss to become a leader, and leave his disruptive, whining behavior in the past. One of the big questions about Moss is whether or not their will be a credible threat across from him in 2002. Does Derrick Alexander have enough gas left in the tank? If not, can D’Wayne Bates elevate his play to the next level? Keep an eye on this one during training camp. The other big question on offense is about who will back up starter Michael Bennett. There is a battle royale brewing for this roster spot, with Doug Chapman, James Wofford and rookie James Allen all going for it. The defense (http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/football/nfl/minnesota_vikings/3435926.htm) and special teams (http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/2892886.html) were overhauled in the off-season and made great improvements during the mini-camps. All in all, it looks like Tice has this team headed in the right direction, according to Bob Sansevere’s 6/9/02 article on twincities.com (http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/football/nfl/minnesota_vikings/3424120.htm). We’ll see how they play once the pads come on and the pre-season gets rolling. Atlanta Falcons The
Falcons are a team that is rebuilding. This year, they will do without ‘98’s
hero, Jamal Anderson, and without long-time starter Chris Chandler. Striding
onto center stage at quarterback is ballyhooed Michael Vick. How ready is he to
become a starting NFL quarterback? We’ll find out, soon enough. In the
meantime, Steve Young will help tutor Vick during the team’s next mini-camp,
according to accessatlanta.com (http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/epaper/editions/today/sports_d3e07c65f2f8221e00eb.html). While
Vick continues to learn the ropes, new acquisition Warrick Dunn will be toting
the pigskin for the dirty birds. He told accessatlanta.com’s (http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/sports/falcons/0602/0616dunn.html)
Matt Winkeljohn (on 6/16/02), “I don't want it 18 times up the middle. I'm not
crazy," said the five-year veteran running back. “Can I run over somebody?
Yes. Do I want to? No. I want to get the yards the easy way. I'm going to
utilize my skills the best way I know how to, number one, make the plays, and
number two, stay healthy.” Offensive line coach Pete Mangurian added “Warrick
can make people miss; that's plain and simple.” Also aiming to get a share of
the carries is rookie back T.J. Duckett, the surprise Atlanta selection in the
2002 draft. Among
those snagging Vick’s passes in 2002 will be Brian Finneran (starting at flanker) newcomer Jeff Graham
(also playing flanker), Shawn Jefferson and Alvis Whitted (the primary split
ends). NFLE player Mareno Philyaw is off to a good start and could challenge
for some playing time in 2002. The
defense is undergoing a major overhaul, starting with a new defensive
coordinator, Wade Phillips, and a new secondary coach, Emmitt Thomas. The
scheme he is installing will hopefully give up less big pass plays, according
to Winkeljohn’s 6/15/02 accessatlanta.com (http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/sports/falcons/0602/0616falnote.html)
article. Carolina Panthers The
Panthers capped their three week mini-camp by going home a day early. Coach
John Fox was pleased with the team’s hard work, and decided to show his
appreciation by releasing the guys one day early, according to charlotte.com’s (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/3506329.htm) Charles Chandler on
6/20/02. Especially impressive to the coach were tight end Wesley Walls,
H-backs Brad Hoover and Kris Mangum, and defensive linemen Julius Peppers,
Brentson Buckner, Sean Gilbert and Mike Rucker. Fox is so pleased with the
offensive and defensive linemen that he said he considers both lines the best
units on the team. The
news from other positions on the team isn’t as good, however. Quarterback Chris
Weinke just began throwing in practice 6/17/02, part of his recovery from a
shoulder surgery performed two months ago (go here (http://www.gopbi.com/shared/sports/ap/ap_story.html/Football/AP.V4161.AP-FBN-Panthers-We.html) to read more about it). And the Panthers are unsure if wide receiver
Patrick Jeffers will be ready for camp, according to charlotte.com’s (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/3506323.htm)
Chandler. Rookie running back DeShaun Foster finally hit the practice field along with Weinke on 6/17/02 (http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/sports/football/panthers/MGBIZQ3AL2D.html), but he has lost ground to veteran Lamar Smith in the contest to start for the team. However, coach Fox is pleased with Foster’s study habits, and stated that he feels Foster is “pretty much up to speed.” However, as noted above, not all is doom and gloom in Charlotte. Especially important to the Panther’s offensive unit is the return to health of tight end Wesley Walls, who appears to be back at 100% this season, according to a 6/12/02 report by Joe Menzer on journalnow.com (http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/sports/football/panthers/MGBB8NAHC2D.html). Said Fox “All the great players have something that the other players don't have, and Wesley is one of those guys. He's got a great work ethic. He knows the commitment that it takes to be a great player. That's the way he goes about his business, and that's why he's had the success that he's had.” The tight end brings veteran guidance to a young ball club. Whatever
Fox is doing, it seems to be working with the Panthers, according to Tom
Sorenson in a 6/14/02 column on charlotte.com (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/3466623.htm). “…his players talk as if they believe in
him. They certainly like him. Everybody seems to like him. You would have to
work not to like Fox.” New Orleans Saints Please
note: The Saints went to their June mini-camp beginning June 20th,
so the lack of items is due to their mini-camp beginning as this article is
being finished. – MW The
Saints went at off-season mini-camps differently this season, scaling way back
on sessions in an attempt to avoid player burnout. According to a 6/20/02
report on theadvocate.com (http://www.theadvocate.com/stories/062002/spo_brooks001.shtml),
the approach suits starting quarterback Aaron Brooks just fine. “The expanded
preparation Brooks experienced last off-season allowed for the condensed
version this off-season. ‘Obviously,
now, there's a lot Aaron already knows,’ offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy
said. ‘He's in his fourth year now and he starts off more mature. He's growing
every day with every repetition.’” To
protect Brooks, and open holes for new starting running back Deuce McAllister,
the Saints made many acquisitions over the off-season along the offensive line.
According to a 5/29/02 report by Darrell Williams of nola.com (http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index.ssf?/saintsstory/saints29.html),
“(Kendyl) Jacox is the second interior offensive lineman the Saints have signed
in two weeks. On May 14, New Orleans signed former Philadelphia Eagles center
Bubba Miller. The Saints also added two tackles -- Victor Riley from the Kansas
City Chiefs and Spencer Folau from the Miami Dolphins.” One
of the unresolved questions of the off-season and mini-camps is who will back
up Deuce McAllister. According to a 6/16/02 report by Jeff Duncan on nola.com (http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index.ssf?/saintsstory/saints16.html),
the team is considering free agent Terry Allen. Also in the realm of
possibility is a trade between the Saints and the Bills, for Shawn Bryson. Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Buccaneers enter 2002 with a rearranged coaching staff, featuring new head coach Jon Gruden. They made a switch in the backfield, saying goodbye to Warrick Dunn and hello to Michael Pittman. And, the Bucs brought in talented Keenan McCardell to team with Keyshawn Johnson, and tight end Marco Battaglia from Cincinnati. So,
how are all the changes jelling during mini-camps? According to a 6/16/02 Jim
Brockman report on bradenton.com (http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/sports/3479327.htm),
things look pretty good on the offensive side of the ball. “Whatever their
individual level of understanding is, the Bucs like what they see so far… The
Bucs finished up their third and final offseason minicamp Saturday at One Buccaneer
Place. Players have been piecing everything together since offseason workouts
began in March.” Coach Gruden likes what he sees too, according to sptimes.com
(http://www.sptimes.com/2002/06/16/Bucs/Offense_passable__hig.shtml)
writer Darrell Fry. “Gruden was satisfied with the team's development. ‘I was really, really impressed with the effort and the enthusiasm that these guys showed every single day’.” One position on the team that is going to radically change in 2002 is the wide receiver corps. Gruden identified it as a weak spot heading into this season, and has acted, as Roger Mills points out on sptimes.com (http://www.sptimes.com/2002/06/16/Bucs/Bucs_find_strength_in.shtml) on 6/16/02. In
fact, “…the Bucs have signed veterans Keenan McCardell, Joe Jurevicius and E.G.
Green, added projects Milton Wynn and Frank Murphy, re-signed Karl Williams,
one of the more consistent players last season, and added free-agent receivers
Jermale Kelly, Eddie Hardaway, Darryl Daniel and Keith Poole. They drafted
Marquise Walker and Aaron Lockett.” Look for a huge battle in training camp to
decide the backups to Johnson and McCardell. The acquisition of McCardell is
being hailed as the right move at the right time, at least by Roy Cummings of
tbo.com ( http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGAGOW5BF2D.html). The
defense is gearing up to be its usual brash self in 2002, led by none other
than #99, Warren Sapp (http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/sports/3466061.htm).
“Warren Sapp took part in his first minicamp practice under Gruden on Thursday.
Sapp didn't participate in the first two minicamps because of offseason
shoulder surgery. Tampa Bay's All-Pro defensive tackle said there is one big
difference between practices under the volatile Gruden and his religious,
reserved predecessor, Tony Dungy. Dungy didn't allow swearing and went almost
unnoticed at practices. "There's nothing you can't say out here now,"
Sapp said after his second practice Thursday. "It's kind of a free-flowing
place again.” "He
has a juice and a fire that we haven't seen around here in an offensive guy. He
talks (stuff) and gets everybody going. That's something that he's going to
bring." Sapp and co. will be more vocal than ever in 2002? Hard to imagine! Arizona Cardinals The
Cardinals kick off 2002 with high hopes. They have one of the best offensive
lines in the league heading into training camp (go here (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0606cardsnb.html)
to read about depth concerns, though) and superstar wide receiver David Boston
bringing down gunslinger Jake Plummer’s darts. New tight end Freddie Jones
should help spring Boston loose in 2002, by supplying a credible mid-range
receiving threat. According to Lee Shappell of azcentral.com (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0612cardsnb0612.html)
on 6/12/02, the team heads into training camp in excellent physical condition,
the result of a high level of participation in the team’s off-season strength
program. “This football team is in condition. That's the first thing that
caught my eye,” (coach) McGinnis said. “They're moving quicker and they're crisp, very good for this time of year.” One of the big question marks of 2002 is at the running back position. As Shappell pointed out on 6/4/02 ( http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0604cardinals0604.html), “…starting running back Thomas Jones doesn't have a wealth of experience - 224 carries for 753 yards in two truncated seasons - and that behind Jones there isn't a back with a single NFL carry.” And Jone’s inability to get the job done as a starter the last two seasons doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the situation. On
the defensive side of the line, Kyle Vanden Bosch is working to return from a
knee injury – carefully. On June 11th, Shappell reported (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0611cardsnb0611.html)
that “The worst thing that could happen now would be a setback," Vanden
Bosch said Monday after the opening workout of a veterans minicamp at the
team's Tempe training facility. He
expects to be ready for the Sept. 8 opener at Washington. The Cardinals had 19 sacks, worst in the NFL - and 3½ fewer than Strahan had in his record-setting season. Getting a healthy Vanden Bosch back would help.” St. Louis Rams Head
Coach Mike Martz didn’t want to start mini-camp practices too soon after his
team’s Super Bowl appearance, so the club limited participation in the earliest
camps to backups and rookies. According to R.B. Fallstrom’s 5/31/02 report (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/Sports/Rams/D912048F5BD0040886256BCA005E1132?OpenDocument&Headline=Martz%20gets%20first%20look%20at%20full%20roster%20since%20Super%20Bowl), “This was a lesson learned from the
2000 season, his first as coach, when everybody participated in the minicamps
mere months after the Rams won their first Super Bowl. Also contributing to
Martz's reasoning is the fact the Rams have 20 of 22 starters returning. ‘These
guys don't need a lot of reps, they need one real good camp to get their feet
back on the ground and ready to play,’ Martz said. ‘You can overdo it with
these guys.’” So
far, it looks like the break did the veterans good. For example, consider Kurt
Warner’s situation. According to Jeff Gordon of the Post Dispatch (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/Sports/Rams/710249D504B852F886256BD000595241?OpenDocument&Headline=Jeff%20Gordon%3A%20%22It's%20all%20about%20competing%22%20for%20fearless%20Warner)
on 6/6/02, “Rams quarterback Kurt Warner looked sharp during the recent
minicamp. Really, really sharp. After
resting his thumb for almost four months, he was firing darts all over the
field. He was lofting his accurate deep balls into the path of his sprinting
receivers, allowing them to run under the passes. We were treated to a
flashback to his breakout season, when he played mostly injury-free.” Torry
Holt and Isaac Bruce must be wearing smiles a mile wide. The
only significant loss the team suffered during the off-season was when #3 wide
receiver Az-Zahir Hakim bolted to the big money in Detroit. Otherwise, the whole
wrecking crew – headlined by all-universe running back Marshall Faulk – is back
to tear up the league in 2002. The
defensive team also returns basically unchanged. San Francisco 49er’s The team chasing the dominant Rams in the West, the 49’ers got some great news in the off-season when starting quarterback Jeff Garcia declared to bayarea.com (http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/sports/football/nfl/san_francisco_49ers/3419876.htm) that he is 100% recovered from a series of minor injuries that had beset him in 2001. The team returns an astounding 20 of 22 starters for 2002, despite the salary cap, according to a 6/6/02 sfgate.com report (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2002/06/06/SP113855.DTL). Most of those veterans are young, yet seasoned, players who plan to challenge the Rams for NFC West glory. Much like the Rams, the 49’ers bring the same cast of characters to the field in 2002 – Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes are the wide receivers, Eric Johnson the tight end, and Garrison Hearst the starting running back. About the only question heading into 2002 is how long Hearst can hold off the challenge of Kevan Barlow – a conundrum many other NFL head coaches would love to have. Mariucci and company will be the class of the league again in 2002. Seattle Seahawks The newest NFC team in the league is quietly building a club that aims to disrupt the Rams’ and 49er’s plans for the conference championship. Trent Dilfer is the starting quarterback going in to 2002, and has at his disposal an explosive running back named Shaun Alexander. Koren Robinson and Darrell Jackson will go up and catch the ball, with Bobby Engram in the #3 slot. After the team’s first minicamp, coach Holmgren declared “It's a throw-'em-up, scoring division, so we'll have to deal with that. I think we have the people to do that.” (Go here (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/69296_hawk06.shtml) and here (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/69288_hbox06.shtml) to read more about the early minicamps) On
6/13/02, Molly Yanity of seattlepi.nwsource.com (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/74420_hawk13.shtml)
detailed the team’s composition heading into training camp. It appears that the
starting offense is set, with Itula Mili cementing his hold on the tight end
slot to join the other starters listed above. But there are plenty of battles yet
to come at the backup postions, “This is going to be as competitive a training
camp as we've had since I've been here," Holmgren said. "As far as
filling out the roster, this is as deep a pool as we've had, and it's very,
very competitive.” The
biggest question for the team is at the place kicker position. Rian Lindell
left the door open for Shayne Graham and Aaron Elling to challenge him in
training camp. As Mike Sando of tribnet.com (http://www.tribnet.com/frame.asp?/sports/football/seahawks/0613c81.html) noted on 6/13/02, none of
the kickers were very good in camp, so there may be more faces added to the mix
before the question is decided. Another situation to watch is John Randle’s return to practice during training camp. Randle is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, and will try to make the season opener, according to ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1378630.html) on 5/6/02. Conclusion As
you can see, the mini-camps have answered some of our off-season questions
about the various teams, while causing us to ask new ones looking forward to
the training camps. Nonetheless, the best place to begin a yearly analysis of
the many NFL prospects is where and when they begin to train – the mini-camps. |