NFL focus: comeback stories

A foot injury and a dislocated shoulder wiped out most of CB Lenny Walls' 2004 season. Yet the Broncos are so sure he's going to be a star they allowed CB Kelly Herndon, a starter last year, to sign with the Seahawks. Walls (6-4, 192) has a body that allows him to match up well with big, athletic receivers, and with WRs Randy Moss and Jerry Porter playing for the division rival Raiders, the Broncos need Walls to perform at a high level. If he does, CB Champ Bailey will be able to take more risks. Walls has worked hard on his footwork and has decent speed. ... The Buccaneers expect DT Anthony McFarland (triceps) to participate fully in their offseason workout program and be 100 percent healthy when camp opens in July. McFarland's best attribute is his quickness, so the injury shouldn't keep him from regaining top form. However, he'll need to spend the remainder of the offseason building up arm strength so he can shed blocks and make solid tackles. ... Dolphins DT Tim Bowens decided to return for his 12th season after missing almost all of last season with a back injury. Bowens felt much better after resting, but he must watch his weight more carefully than ever if he wants to have a productive year. Given that DT Larry Chester is coming back from a season-ending knee injury, the Dolphins need Bowens in top form if they're going to be effective stopping the run. ... Several weeks into his rehab from reconstructive knee surgery, TE Mark Campbell is progressing so well that the Bills believe he might be healthy enough to play early in training camp. They're counting on a healthy Campbell to be a key part of the offense. He's a solid run blocker with the size (6-6, 255), strength and leverage to hold his own at the line. The sure-handed Campbell also could be a dependable receiving option for QB J.P. Losman. ... Cardinals RB Marcel Shipp missed all of last season after suffering a gruesome leg injury in training camp, but he hopes to be 100 percent for minicamps. He has worked diligently this offseason, and his car often has been in the team facility parking lot in the early-morning hours. For now, he's the team's starting running back, but his lack of breakaway speed makes his hold on the job tenuous. Even if Shipp is replaced in the lineup by a high draft pick, he could play a big role because he's a tough runner with good agility.

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