NFC South

Sporting News, The, July 19, 2004

ATLANTA FALCONS

CAMP PRIORITY: Rookie Matt Schaub, the No. 2 quarterback, has a high ceiling, but he is too inexperienced to lead the team if Michael Vick suffers a major injury. Coordinator Greg Knapp has worked with Schaub a lot, and the Falcons, who signed Ty Detmer to be the No. 3 quarterback, say his offense is easy to learn. But if Schaub struggles in training camp, the team will have to trade for a proven backup or sign a free agent, though pickings will be slim.

POSITION BATTLE: Chris Draft and Jamie Duncan are coming off subpar seasons and will compete to be the middle linebacker. Draft (5-11, 232) didn't have the size to play in a 3-4 and should benefit from the switch to a 4-3. He played at least well enough to keep his starting job; Draft had a high tackle total last season, but many of his tackles were after long gains, and he showed poor technique. Duncan lost a step, which cost him his job with the Rams. He remains a decent run stuffer but needs to improve in coverage.

ON THE SPOT: CB Jason Webster started two games for the 49ers last season because of ankle, chest and knee injuries, but he received a $7 million signing bonus because coach Jim Mora believes he can play at the level he previously did. Webster looked good in minicamps, but he must prove to himself he is 100 percent healthy once contact work starts.

HONING THEIR GAMES: If he can stay healthy, RE Will Overstreet, who moved from linebacker, should get plenty of snaps behind Brady Smith. Overstreet is the team's fastest end and has a strong first step. ... LG Eric Beverly has improved his strength, changes demanded by line coach Alex Gibbs, and should win the starting job.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The offense will increase Vick's pass attempts on rollouts, which should help him become a more efficient passer. The previous staff used him as a dropback passer, which made him impatient.... The team faces a major decision regarding rookie DeAngelo Hall. He already has taken over a starting cornerback job, but the Falcons must decide if he also will return punts. Hall appears to be a better punt returner than Alien Rossum, but the team would be wise to use Rossum in that role because it can't afford to expose Hall to injury.... Mora has a fast, upbeat approach during practices, and the players have responded well to it. He is demanding but reasonable, and the team will be in better mental and physical shape when the season starts. --George Henry

Greenville, S.C.

REPORTING DATES: Rookies

July 27

Veterans

July 28

TRACKING THE CAMPS Visits from the South Carolina Watermelon Board and Association, a tradition started by former coach Dan Reeves that coach Jim Mora plans to continue, help the team combat the heat and humidity at Furman University. The association's state watermelon queen, in high heels and wearing a tiara, and her court serve slices of watermelon to the sweat-drenched players.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

CAMP PRIORITY: The team's core of young leaders must maintain focus and motivation, qualifies that have been elusive in recent years. Coach Jim Haslett has taken a tougher stand this offseason, and the results have been impressive: He says the team's offseason attitude was the best it has been during his tenure. He must keep up the pressure.

POSITION BATTLE: The middle linebacker job is being pursued by incumbent Orlando Ruff, Cie Grant, and rookie Courtney Watson. Ruff is tough and has the size to stuff the run inside, but he lacks range and top speed. Grant is a big-time athlete who hits anything that moves. At 6-1, 228 pounds, though, he appears better suited for the weak side. Watson is smart and a natural leader. If he can hold up against the run in camp, the job will be his. If not, Grant will win it.

ON THE SPOT: DT Johnathan Sullivan needs to make an impact after a disappointing rookie season. Sullivan has big-time talent but hasn't shown the proper drive or attitude--a problem that became worse when he reported to the offseason conditioning program in poor shape. Like most players, his play improves with better conditioning, and he promises to report to training camp at 315 pounds.

HONING THEIR GAMES: FS Tebucky Jones will work with coaches on his tackling technique. He's a great athlete, but coaches have asked him to drop 10 pounds after he lost some agility playing at about 230 last season.... WR Talman Gardner has the size, speed and strength to win the third wide receiver job, but his unreliable hands could ruin his opportunity. He needs to spend extra time with the JUGS machine every day to improve his catching ability.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Second-round pick Devery Henderson might someday emerge as a top wide receiver. But the team's decision to pass on a cornerback to select a player who probably won't be active all season might haunt the team if anyone goes down in the thin secondary.... Only the quarterback has more responsibility than the center in coordinator Mike McCarthy's offense. Therefore, C LeCharles Bentley needs to stay healthy and take as many snaps as possible to help his transition from right guard. ... Coaches hope new DT Brian Young's hustle and intensity will rub off on Sullivan. Their play will be key to the defense.... With WR Donte' Stallworth healthy and ready to bust out, look for the team to attack more vertically.... The team will try to improve the run defense by squeezing the rushing lanes up front. The linemen will set up in a tighter alignment to jam the interior and force backs outside, where the speedy linebacking unit can make plays in pursuit.--Jeff Duncan