NFC Central - Training Camp Report

CHICAGO

Where: Platteville, Wis. When: Rookies and veterans July 16.

Preseason priority: Few teams will have as many new faces in their lineup, and few teams will need to mesh those newcomers more quickly. The offense not only has a new quarterback (Rick Mirer), center (Chris Villarrial) and wide receiver (Bobby Engram); even the veterans will have to master the schemes of new coordinator Matt Cavanaugh. Chief among the question marks will be the backfield pairing of Raymont Harris and Rashaan Salaam. Both have feature-back skills but now will be sharing the load in more split-back sets. This changes rushing and blocking angles and increases the use of backs as receivers, which is not Salaam's strength. Two new starters at linebacker and two more in the secondary will spend the pre-season learning as much about each other as the defensive schemes. If the preseason learning curve is slow, it will be a long season.

X's and O's: Coach Dave Wannstedt finally has the big, fast cornerbacks (Walt Harris and free-agent pickup Tom Carter) he needs to get up and press the jumbo wideouts of the division. The Bears had to use more rope-a-dope than Wannstedt wanted the last two years; the idea was to force teams to sustain long drives and not give up the quick strike. Tighter man-to-man defense should lift the defensive line, which is excited at the prospect of getting to quarterbacks who can't unload comfort ably before pressure arrives.

Keep an eye on: The defensive left side. End John Thierry enters hie fourth year without ever winning the starting job. But Carl Simpson is bigger, and an underrated pass rusher who could shift from right tackle to Thierry's spot if the defense struggles early. Next to Thierry, tackle Jim Flanigan is trying to come back from a torn Achilles' tendon to his 11-sack form of'95. Linebacker Sean Harris, who has never started, is projected to play on the left side, taking over for Vinson Smith.

Take it to the bank: Special teams will be the best in five years. Returner Tyrone Hughes and punter Todd Sauerbrun are among the NFL's best, and some of the tentativeness that crept into the team's psyche the last two years on coverage teams is being weeded out by new coach Keith Armstrong.

DETROIT

Where: Saginaw, Mich. When: Rookies July 13, veterans July 17.

Preseason priority: The secondary was new coach Bobby Ross' main concern, so he drafted two cornerbacks and signed free agent Mark Carrier, who will be a settling influence at free safety. Third-year man Van Malone, who will replace Bennie Blades, will be more effective in his more natural position at strong safety. Starting rookies Bryant Westbrook and Kevin Abrams at cornerback is a gamble, but both made impressions during two minicamps. Moving to a two-gap defense made nose tackle Henry Thomas expendable. How soon the inexperienced Mike Wells and Shane Bonham can make a difference at defensive tackle is a big question. Right end Tracy Scroggins, tackle Luther Elliss and linebackers Stephen Boyd and Reggie Brown were bogged down by injuries last season. If they can stay healthy, and left end Robert Porcher has another stellar season, the team's youth factor won't be such a concern.

X's and O's: With the arrival of Ross, the last traces of the run-and-shoot are gone. The basic offense will feature two receivers, giving Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton more flexibility in their routes. And Moore, who previously lined up mostly on the right side, will switch sides and go in motion more often. Scott Mitchell, who dedicated his offseason to learning Ross' offense and working out, threw scorchers at the last minicamp. Expect to see two backs, which will make Barry Sanders more of a threat. In his career Sanders has rarely had the opportunity to run behind a fullback. Sanders also will get a shot in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Keep an eye on: Tight end David Sloan has recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss most of '96. Sloan has the speed and the size to be a force working for tough yards in the middle. Second-round pick Juan Roque will beef up the offensive line at right tackle, potentially opening more holes for Sanders.

Take it to the bank: Speedy Glyn Milburn, who was used almost exclusively to return kicks in his first year with the Lions, will add more punch to an already-powerful offense from the slot, as a wide receiver and third-down back.

GREEN BAY

Where: West DePere, Wis. When: Rookies July 9, veterans July 11.

Preseason priority: The biggest concern during training camp will be establishing a starting left tackle, a position patched up all of last season. Heading into camp, second-year man John Michels has the nod, but unless he can maintain his weight around 295 and pick up his play, he might give way to first-round pick Ross Verba. Michels' technique could use fine tuning, but he started eight games and knows the offense. He has worked offseason to build strength in his lower body. The grueling nature of camp will determine if he gained enough to hold his position. If Michels wins the starting job, Verba will compete with Adam Timmerman to start at right guard.

X's and O's: The one significant alteration to Mike Holmgren's West Coast offense could be the use of more three-wide receiver sets and less two-tight end formations. With the retirement of Keith Jackson, there will be no reason to go big up front anymore. Plus, the team is loaded at receiver with Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman, Derrick Mayes, Qadry Ismail and Don Beebe. The Packers have to get those players on the field.

Keep an eye on: The team is counting on rookie kicker Brett Conway to step in and fill the shoes of Chris Jacke, who was not re-signed. The coaching staff will try to get him in as many pressure situations as possible during the team's five exhibition games and maybe even create those types of situations in practice. The Packers need to find out what Conway is made of right away. Another key area to watch is at linebacker, where Bernardo Harris will have to establish himself as an early-season replacement for the recovering George Koonce.

Take it to the bank: This should be a monster year for Freeman, who begins his third season in the league. Even if Brooks returns to his old form, Freeman is going to be a factor in the offense. The Packers have barely tapped his big-play ability, but this year he will be a regular target for quarterback Brett Favre. If the coaching staff lets Freeman return punts, he could be one of the league leaders in total yardage. Then, the only concern will be Freeman testing restricted free agency when the season is over.

MINNESOTA

Where: Mankato, Minn. When: Rookies and veterans July 15.

Preseason priority: Having invested $15.5 million in Brad Johnson and divested themselves of Warren Moon, the team must give Johnson his best chance to succeed in his first full season as a starting quarterback. Johnson performed beyond all expectations last season, but can he continue to emerge and handle the pressure that comes with a big contract and being the No. 1 guy? The quarterback position will be in the spotlight this preseason as the enigmatic Randall Cunningham emerges from a year's retirement to learn a new offense and a new role.

X's and O's: After three uneventful seasons, David Palmer will shift from being a little-used receiver to third-down running back. Palmer, who will continue to return punts, replaces the departed Amp Lee, who averaged 57 catches out of the backfield the past three seasons. Palmer has caught 24 passes his entire career, but the team hopes the 5-8, 169-pounder will create matchup problems for opposing defenses. The team wants Palmer to get 60-70 touches on offense, but the downside will come when the flea-sized Palmer is pressed into service as a blocker on linebacker blitzes.

Keep an eye on: Three key starters are returning from knee injuries: Robert Smith, Orlando Thomas and Ed McDaniel. The team will consider themselves lucky if Thomas, operated on in January, is at full speed by mid-September. A delay in McDaniel's comeback could provide some early playing time for Ron George or Dwayne Rudd. Leroy Hoard should carry a lot of the first-half load until Smith proves he's 100 percent. The battle for the third-receiver role also is key. With Qadry Ismail gone to rival Green Bay, the Vikings sorely lack a deep threat to create room underneath for Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Special teams team standout Chris Walsh is serviceable but not quick, and youngsters Tony Bland, Robert Tate and Matthew Hatchette are unproven.

Take it to the bank: The battle at right guard will get some attention but don't expect any changes. Incumbent starter David Dixon will prevail, fending off challenges from World League standout Everett Lindsay and former practice-squad player Orlando Bobo.

TAMPA BAY

Where: Tampa When: Rookies and veterans July 20.

Preseason priority: Developing a potent offense. Warrick Dunn and Reidel Anthony were drafted because both showed big-play ability in college. That's something the team sorely lacked in 1996 when the running game stayed between the tackles and there was no deep threat. Horace Copeland, another deep threat, returns after missing 1996 with a knee injury. If he returns to his previous form and Anthony has an immediate impact, quarterback Trent Dilfer finally could have the kind of year the team has been hoping for. All too often, the inability of other receivers to get open has allowed other teams to shut down Jackie Harris. The team would love to get him 40-50 catches. With Errict Rhett, Reggie Brooks, fullback Mike Alstott and Dunn, a decent running game should get better and open even more possibilities for Dilfer.

X's and 0's: Dunn is not big enough to run between the tackles. Rhett, Alstott and Brooks will take care of that as the team tries to find ways to get Dunn outside. The goal is to use him as more than a third-down back. Look for Dunn to get some quick pitches as well as catching a lot of passes out of the backfield.

Keep an eye on: Rhett and Warren Sapp. Camp will be a crucial time for both players. The addition of Dunn, the emergence of Alstott and the presence of Brooks mean Rhett could be expendable. If the team gets midway through camp and feels comfortable with the other backs carrying the load, Rhett could end up back on the trading block. Sapp will open camp with a cloud hanging over his head. A court appearance for a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession is scheduled for July 31--11 days into camp and two days before the preseason opener against Washington.

Take it to the bank: Eric Curry probably won't make it to opening day with the team. Curry has been nothing short of a major disappointment for the team and earned only three starts last year. He made nine tackles and had two sacks. The team is comfortable with starters Regan Upshaw and Chidi Ahanotu. Unless Curry finally plays to his potential, the team will be content to let him go and use Tyoka Jackson as the main backup.

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