Washington Redskins- Training camp begins July 27

Players being drafted from the Redskins:

Clinton Portis                     Was/4

Santana Moss                    Was/4

Ladell Betts                        Was/4

Chris Cooley                        Was/4

Jason Campbell                    Was/4

Washington Redskins          Was/4

Antwaan Randle El                Was/4

Washington Redskins by Ryan O'Halloran Columnist for the Washington Times

Issues entering camp

1. Is QB Jason Campbell ready to be the full-time guy?

2. Did the Redskins make the right decision not addressing defensive tackle in the offseason?

3. Will the revamped secondary -- starters Fred SMoot and LaRon Landry and reserves David Macklin and OMar Stoutmire -- help a dreadful pass defense?

4. Will life-long tackle Todd Wade made a good transition to left guard?

5. Will a second receivers -- Randle El or Lloyd -- step up and compliment Santana Moss?

6. Will Clinton Portis stay healthy?

Fantasy guys: TE Chris Cooley should have a huge year. RB Ladell Betts will be a good reserve. I would stay away from the defense because they don't get sacks and don't create turnovers.

Dallas Cowboys- Training camp begins July 25

Players being drafted from the Cowboys:

Terrell Owens                         Dal/8

Marion Barber III                     Dal/8

Julius Jones                            Dal/8

Tony Romo                             Dal/8

Terry Glenn                             Dal/8

Jason Witten                           Dal/8

Dallas Cowboys                        Dal/8

Dallas Cowboys-

The 2007 season opens with a new Head Coach in Wade Phillips. Gone is the tyranny that was Parcells. It seems that it will be a more relaxed atmosphere but is that really what the cowboys need? Jason Garrett is the new offensive coordinator but he has never called plays on the NFL level.

The Tony Romo era is officially on its way as he is the clear starter in Dallas. I have no doubt that he has put the Seattle game behind him and that he is poised to have a good season. The question that remains is if he can play well for a full season. The majority of QB's struggle in their second year, so Romo will have some more growing pains as he leads this group.

The RB situation is just as confusing as it was last year and the year before. Many see the committee approach but do not know how much of the load each back will carry. Jones is out of Parcell's dog house and has a chance to prove himself to the new coaching staff. It looks as if Jones will once again get the yards between the 20's and Barber will be the player punching it in the end zone.

The WR situation remains the same from last year unlike many teams that have made a lot of changes. You know what your getting in both Owens and Glenn but they are both getting up in the 30's which mean injuries might be a concern. Patrick Crayton worked well with Romo and this could be the year he contributes like a starter.

The Defense is always a solid unit and Phillips was brought in to maximize the teams 3-4 defensive set up. The Cowboys will be aggressive and physical and have the players in place to do so. 

Philadelphia Eagles- Training camp begins July 31

Players being drafted from the Eagles:

Brian Westbrook                  Phi/5

Donovan McNabb                Phi/5

Reggie Brown                      Phi/5

Kevin Curtis                          Phi/5 (New Team)

L.J. Smith                             Phi/5

Philadelphia Eagles                Phi/5

Correll Buckhalter                 Phi/5

David Akers                           Phi/5

Tony Hunt                            Phi/5 (New Team)

Hank Baskett                         Phi/5

Philadelphia Eagles-

Many are picking the Eagles to win the division this year and go deep into the playoffs. That remains solely on the health of the team on both sides of the ball. The Eagles have had injuries to key positions at QB, RB, WR, TE and on Defense.

Donovan McNabb remains ahead of schedule in his rehab from his knee injury and many fans and fantasy owners hope that he can come back like Carson Palmer and not like Daunte Culpepper. Last year McNabb was the hottest fantasy player before getting injured. McNabb will have something to prove as he always does. The team drafted Kolb who will be the future of the franchise depending on McNabb’s health or longevity with the team.

The RB situation returns Westbrook after having a big year last year. When McNabb went down, the team leaned on Westbrook to shoulder the load and he did. Westbrook has had his share of injuries and the team might lessen his touches to prevent him from re-injuring himself. They drafted Hunt who is a big back and they still have Buckhalter who has injury concerns of his own.

The WR is slightly changed as Donte’ Stallworth left for New England. Kevin Curtis was brought in but will be the teams #2 as the Eagles feel confidante that Reggie Brown can be their go-to-guy. Curtis had success in St. Louis but is playing in a new system. It is still unknown which receiver will step in to the #3 role. Hank Baskett has the tools to do it but he will be challenged by Jason Avant. L.J. Smith has been one of the key cogs in the Eagles offense. He is coming off a sports hernia injury and has had some other injuries through out his career.

The defense added Takeo Spikes and two defensive tackles in hopes to maintain the aggressive blitzing they love to run. They have had injuries to Kearse and must stay healthy to continue their physical style of play.

AFC EAST

New York Jets - Training camp starts July 28

Players being drafted from the Jets:

Thomas Jones                        NYJ/10 (New Team)

Laveranues Coles                  NYJ/10

Jerricho Cotchery                   NYJ/10

Leon Washington                   NYJ/10

Chad Pennington                   NYJ/10

New York Jets                         NYJ/10

Cedric Houston                      NYJ/10 (May not return)

Mike Nugent                            NYJ/10

New York Jets-

The Jets last year surprised many people by making the playoffs when they were expected to struggle. Lead by Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington, they played well. Pennington is going to always be an injury concern but after playing a full season, the team is hoping the injury bug is behind him.

The team pulled off one of the biggest trades of the offseason by acquiring Tomas Jones from the Bears. Jones was a key factor in the Bears success and will look to improve the Jets running game that was average last year. Leon Washington looks to be in the mix as Cedric Houston left the team for personal reasons. 

The team had solid WR play from both Coles and Cotchery but there is not much depth behind them as McCareins remains the 3^rd WR on the team.

The team defense is an average unit and employs a very difficult system to learn. It remains to be seen if they have the players to fit the 3-4.

New England Patriots  - Training camp starts July 28

Players being drafted from the Patriots:

Laurence Maroney                     NE/10

Tom Brady                               NE/10

Randy Moss                              NE/10 (New Team)

Donte' Stallworth                       NE/10 (New Team)

New England Patriots                  NE/10

Ben Watson                              NE/10

Stephen Gostkowski                   NE/10

Wes Welker                              NE/10 (New Team)

Sammy Morris                           NE/10 (New Team)

Kevin Faulk                               NE/10

New England Patriots-

The Patriots have been the talk of the town following all the offseason moves they have made. After letting Givins and Branch go in the past because they didn’t want to pay them big contracts. The Patriots went out and over stocked their WR cabinet.

Brady has been one of the top QB’s in the game and has often had average receivers to work with. My concern with the players that they brought in is if they fit Brady’s style of play. Moss and Stallworth are players that will stretch the field but will Brady be a guy that will start airing it out? Those plays can often lead to more turnovers.

The WR position is one the Patriots addressed pretty heavily and the team added Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelly Washington and they still have Chad Jackson, Troy Brown, Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. That’s a pretty long list of players and you have to believe that some of them will be let go prior to the season. Out of this group I like Welker underneath. The question remains if Brady starts spreading the ball to the TE’s, the RB’s and to different receivers, will Moss and Stallworth remain happy and play hard every down.

While the WR situation gets the attention, the RB situation has been a little hush-hush. Maroney had two procedures done on his shoulders and the team has been cautious with him. They let Dillon walk and brought in Sammy Morris so the bulk of the load will have to be carried by Maroney. If he can not stay healthy, the team will struggle with the run.

The defense is an aging unit but the addition of Thomas and hopefully the signing of Samuels to his franchise tag will make this unit one of the strongest in the division.

Buffalo Bills - Training camp starts July 26

Players being drafted from the Bills:

Lee Evans                   Buf/6

Marshawn Lynch        Buf/6 (Rookie)

J.P. Losman               Buf/6

Anthony Thomas        Buf/6

Buffalo Bills                 Buf/6

Roscoe Parrish          Buf/6

J.P Losman got into a rhythm last year and played better for the Bills. He relied early and often on Evens as his go-to-guy. The Bills upgraded their offensive line and if they play well will give Losman a better chance at being more successful. 

The Bills traded Willis McGahee to the Ravens after Willis made it clear he did not want to be a part of the team. It is said that McGahee was never happy in Buffalo. The team struggled to run the ball last year and the upgrade to the offensive line was one of the areas they addressed in the offseason to help the run. The team draft Marshawn Lynch in hopes he can step in for the departed McGahee. Anthony Thomas remains from last years squad and the team will start camp with a committee approach.

Will someone step up and give Lee Evens some help? Evens was a bright spot at receiver for the Bills but after him it’s anyone’s guess. Peerless Price has not stepped up and is on the decline. Parrish ran well in the slot but only had 23 catches. Reed provides some mismatches but has to improve on his drops.

The Buffalo defenses has made a change to go with younger players but are still a decent unit. They must prove that the loss of Spikes, Fletcher and Clements will not hurt the team. The team will continue learning the Tampa 2 system.

Miami Dolphins - Training camp starts July 28

Players being drafted from the Dolphins:

Ronnie Brown                          Mia/9

Chris Chambers                     Mia/9

Miami Dolphins                      Mia/9

Trent Green                            Mia/9 (New Team)

Lorenzo Booker                     Mia/9 (Rookie)

Marty Booker                          Mia/9

Ted Ginn                                 Mia/9 (Rookie)

David Martin                            Mia/9 (New Team)

Another team that made a lot of changes in the offseason was the Dolphins. Nick Saban returned to college which opened the door for Cam Cameron.

The team addressed their QB situation which seemed like an eternity to straighten out. After selecting John Beck in the draft, the Dolphins traded for Trent Green. Culpepper demanded a release and was finally granted. Green will be the team’s starter and hopefully will not have another concussion that cost him most of the 2006 season.

Ronnie Brown disappointed last year and looks to rebound. Ricky Williams proved he wasn’t ready to return by failing another test and the team drafted Larenzo Booker. Brown must start strong to prevent a committee from happening.

The team lost two of its main receiving threats in Free Agency. Welker signed with rival New England and McMichael signed with St. Louis. The team still has Chambers who avoided legal trouble earlier. Also on the team is Marty Booker and you have to believe that they are counting on Derek Hagan to break out. Martins' Green Bay teammates feel he will be successful in Miami and considering Greens track record with the TE’s, there is optimism for his contribution.

That concludes the 1st stop on the camping tour. Be sure to check out the next stops in the North, South, and West.

Happy Camping!