NFC

Sporting News, The, June 11, 2001

Arizona

RISING TO THE TOP: No player has worked harder this offseason than WR David Boston. He has been at every offseason workout and has spent considerable time working one-on-one with assistant coach Jerry Sullivan. Coaches think Boston can become one of the top players in the league, and he probably will replace Frank Sanders in the starting lineup. If Rob Moore can return from a knee injury, he and Boston could be one of the league's best duos.... DE Andre Wadsworth, the third overall pick in 1998, was supposed to be the final piece in what should have been the team's best front four ever. Instead, he was the last piece to leave when the team withdrew his tender offer. That leaves second-round pick Kyle Vanden Bosch as the likely starter on the right side and Brad Ottis as the top candidate on the left.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: Starter Ronald McKinnon took a beating last season because he didn't get much help from a horrible defensive line. At 240 pounds, McKinnon isn't very big, so he needs his two tackles to control the gaps. McKinnon is a team leader and tried valiantly to instill some passion in his teammates last season. Backing up McKinnon is Johnny Rutledge, who moves from outside linebacker to the inside. Rutledge is at a crossroads in his career. A second-round pick in 1999, Rutledge has been a bust so far, and the team hopes the move inside will be a catalyst. Rutledge won't fail because of laziness. He has worked hard at learning the new position and understands the importance of playing well this season. --Kent Somers

Atlanta

ALL EYES ON VICK: The spotlight will return to top pick QB Michael Vick with the start of passing camp. In addition to blistering other rookies in 40-yard sprints, Vick showed a strong arm and an ability to throw on the run in the brief rookie minicamp. The passing camp will be Vick's first full exposure to veteran receivers Terance Mathis and Shawn Jefferson. It will be just as important for Vick to establish a relationship with veteran QB Chris Chandler. Coach Dan Reeves wants Chandler to serve as a mentor to Vick, and Chandler--who is expected to open the season as the starter--says he will help the rookie. However, Vick recently said he has not yet talked with Chandler.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: Even if Jessie Tuggle (knee) makes a full recovery, he will share time. Mark Simoneau might be the key to the picture. As a rookie last season, Simoneau showed promise as the linebacker in nickel defenses. He has good speed and he hustles, which allowed him to recover if he was initially beaten on plays. Simoneau is best suited to play off the line, but if Tuggle and Keith Brooking are set at the middle and weakside spots, Simoneau might figure into the competition at strongside linebacker. Jeff Kelly filled in for Tuggle last season, starting six games. At 5-11 and 256 pounds, Kelly is thick but a bit top-heavy. Like Tuggle, he is best against the run. If some other player takes control at the strongside spot, Simoneau might compete with Kelly for the role of Tuggle's top backup. --Charles Odum

Carolina

UP AND COMING: It has been known for months that Rashard Anderson would move from safety to cornerback. But a big surprise came in the offseason program when Anderson lined up with the first-team defense ahead of CB Jimmy Hitchcock. Anderson was a first-round pick, and the team will give him every opportunity to win the job. If he can't, Hitchcock will start and Anderson will be the nickel back.... WR Patrick Jeffers, who is coming off knee surgery, should be ready for training camp. That's good news for a team without a proven quarterback. It's also good news for WR Muhsin Muhammad, who drew double coverage for most of last season.... Backup QB Dameyune Craig says he's on the chopping block, and he might be right. Jeff Lewis and Chris Weinke are likely to battle for the starting position, and Matt Lytle's impressive offseason has put him in position to claim a reserve job.... DE Chuck Smith's recovery from knee surgery isn't going well, and it's possible he could retire or be released. If that happens, the team would need to sign a veteran end or two.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: After the most productive season of any of the team's rookies last year, Lester Towns has shown signs he can be a force in the middle. Towns started 14 games in 2000 and is penciled in to start again. Dean Wells is more than competent as a backup, but he has a big contract and could be cut to clear salary-cap room. That would leave the team without a backup, but rookie OLB Dan Morgan played inside during his senior year at Miami and could slide over in a pinch. --Pat Yasinskas

Chicago

EXPERIENCE COUNTS: The signing of veteran QB Billy Joe Tolliver was a mild surprise because coach Dick Jauron had just said no one should leave out the name of Mark Hartsall when discussing the team's quarterback situation. Hartsell was abruptly cut to make room for Tolliver, who didn't play in 2000 but started seven games in 1999 for the Saints. The team needs insurance in case Jim Miller's torn Achilles' tendon does not hold up through training camp. Hartsell, 27, showed promise, but Tolliver offers more experience, having played nine NFL seasons. The offense can't afford time to let an inexperienced backup develop, not with the win-now pressure on this team.... The change to a West Coast offense means more two-running back sets, and that means a heavier load on backs as receivers. Backs are taking extra reps in receiving drills and are expected to master pass-protection schemes before they'll be able to challenge for a starting job.