Inside the NFC

Offseason conditioning programs

                 Starting
Team             date        Focal point

Arizona          April  4    Dennis Green didn't think his team was
                               powerful enough last year, especially at
                               the point of attack on defense.
Atlanta          March 21    Michael Vick's anticipated presence should
                               boost program participation for a team
                               that needs to get stronger on both sides
                               of the ball.
Carolina         March 21    After an injury-filled 2004, getting all
                               their injured players healthy in time
                               for training camp will be key for the
                               Panthers.
Chicago          April 11    The Bears' program will give players
                               plenty of time to rest in an effort to
                               keep them healthy.
Dallas           March 21    Coach Bill Parcells will try to make his
                               team stronger, both physically and
                               mentally.
Detroit          April 4     Joey Harrington has to spend as much time
                               as possible working with his young
                               receivers on timing, routes and
                               chemistry.
Green Bay        March 21    Getting defensive players in to watch tape
                               and talk with coaches will be important
                               because they are learning a new scheme.
Minnesota        March 21    Strength and conditioning coach Kurtis
                               Schultz will look for ways to prevent
                               late-season collapses.
New Orleans      March 21    The defense should improve a lot if the
                               team finally can get DT Johnathan
                               Sullivan and CB Fred Thomas to develop.
N.Y Giants       March 21    There's no doubt this spring that Eli
                               Manning is The Man. It's time for him to
                               make this team his own.
Philadelphia     April 4     The Eagles will aim to get in shape and
                               shake off any vestiges of a Super Bowl
                               loss hangover.
St. Louis        March 21    The schedule calls for little more than
                               running and lifting the first month and
                               a half; then it gets more intense.
San Francisco    March 21    New strength and conditioning coach Johnny
                               Parker will mold the team; adding muscle
                               and body mass will be emphasized.
Seattle          March 21    The focus under strength and conditioning
                               coach Mike Clark remains enhancing
                               performance and preventing injury.
Tampa Bay        April 5     The team will try to get new starters on
                               offense and defense used to the systems.
Washington       March 21    Establishing cohesiveness will be
                               important. QB Patrick Ramsey needs to
                               develop timing with the new receivers.

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