NFC reports

Sporting News, The, May 17, 2004

ARIZONA CARDINALS QB John Navarre, a seventh-round pick, has all but stolen No. 3 QB Preston Parsons' job. Navarre displayed a strong arm and great study habits during minicamp. The rap against him is he lacks mobility, but scouts thought he did a decent job of avoiding the rush and was mobile enough to give himself time in the pocket.... The coaches want to inject the standout speed of RB Josh Scobey, who was at the bottom of the depth chart last year, into the offense. He's the team's fastest back and a dangerous kick returner. His straight-ahead running style is great on kickoffs, but there are questions about how nimble he is in traffic and how well he can pick up the blitz. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: Free agent Bert Berry (Denver) had 11 1/2 sacks last season; his leadership will help enormously with a young group. He'll start on the right side ahead of Calvin Pace, a first-round pick last year who started but looked bewildered much of the time. The left spot is open. Kyle Vanden Bosch could jump in, but he's coming off of his second knee injury in three years. Fred Wakefield was the team's best defensive lineman at the end of last season. Dennis Johnson has yet to prove himself despite playing a lot last year. Rookie Antonio Smith is a project.--Kent Somers

POSITION GRADE

C-

ATLANTA FALCONS The coaches want rookie DeAngelo Hall to beat out LCB Tod McBride in training camp, but if Hall struggles early, they will be patient. Still, the hope is Hall will be starting by October. He is much faster and jumps higher than McBride, but Hall is behind when it comes to reading receivers, understanding their routes and gauging a quarterback's arm strength. ... G.M. Rich McKay knows it's a reach, but he thinks FB Justin Griffith could compare favorably to Mike Alstott. As a rookie, Griffith (5-11, 232) played in every game, but he had difficulty finishing blocks and taking on second defenders as games progressed. He has worked to improve his endurance, so his legs and upper body can withstand the beating. Griffith also has shown decent ability as a change-of-pace runner. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: LE Patrick Kerney is primed for a big season as the defense moves back to a 4-3. His sacks fell from 10 1/2 in 2002 to 6 1/2. Kerney will face fewer double-teams as he lines up next to DT Rod Coleman. RE Brady Smith is underrated as a pass rusher. Will Overstrest, who plays behind Smith, is learning a new position after playing outside linebacker. At end, Overstreet should be able to use his ability to spin off blocks.--George Henry

POSITION GRADE

B

CAROLINA PANTHERS The team might have another option at free safety if Colin Branch and Travares Tillman don't step forward. William Hampton, who has been a cornerback throughout his career, got some work at free safety in minicamp. Hampton doesn't have great size, but he showed the ability to close on the ball well in the preseason last year.... FB CaGey Moore, who missed last season because of injury, had a strong showing in minicamp and could back up Brad Hoover. Moore showed good receiving skills and has the size to be an effective blocker. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: This is the team's strongest position and the key to the defense. RE Mike Rucker, whose quickness is his strength, produces double-digit sacks. Rucker isn't big, but he's a solid run defender. LE Julius Peppers needs to improve against the run, but he has rare athletic ability, and the coaches will work to make him stronger in that area. Peppers has the tools to become an elite pass rusher. His numbers tailed off last season, but he is working to improve his recognition skills. AI Wallace isn't as athletic as Peppers and Rucker, but he's strong against the run and as a pass rusher. Kavika Pittman, who's returning from a knee injury, is healthy and gives the team a fourth solid end.--Pat Yasinskas

POSITION GRADE

A

CHICAGO BEARS The star of the team's recent minicamp was WR Justin Gage, who showed big-play ability in the second half of his rookie year. Gage, who also played basketball at Missouri, has excellent hands, great body control and fine leaping ability. He has enough speed to get deep and also can run all of the underneath routes, which forces cornerbacks to step up and play him instead of sitting on the deep patterns. Gage could start opposite Marry Booker, with David Terrell used in the slot.... With nobody behind inexperienced Qasim Mitchell at left tackle, the Bears used John Tait there in team drills during the minicamp. If Mitchell can't cut it in training camp, Tait might wind up the starter, with Aaron Gibson back at right tackle. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: RE Alex Brawn looks like a different player after losing 20 pounds at the instruction of the new coaching staff. He's a former fourth-round pick who fell in the draft because of concerns about the consistency of his effort, but the Bears have seen no signs of a stalled motor. LE Michael Haynes moves into the lineup after Phillip Daniels was dumped in a cost-cutting move. Haynes has some speed and a closing burst, but he might lack the strength, quickness and athletic ability to turn the corner consistently. Depth is a concern. Joe Tafoya, who has half a sack in 35 career games, and rookie Claude Harriott will battle for a spot in the rotation.--Mike Mulligan