NFC

Arizona

CARDINALS

TOP PRIORITY: The club must develop an offensive identity. It has a new offensive coordinator, Keith Rowen; a new starting quarterback, Kurt Warner; and probably a new starting running back, J.J. Arrington. The offensive line needs to show dramatic improvement. Warner has some weapons at his disposal, including talented WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. But their styles are too similar--neither is fast, and both rely on strength and great hands to succeed.

ROOKIE TO WATCH: Arrington is expected to beat out RB Marcel Shipp for the starting job. Arrington is quick and fast and gives the team the big-play threat it had been missing from the position. He appears to be a diligent worker, and coaches have been pleased with his receiving ability.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: It won't take long to find out how good offensive line coach Everett Lindsay is. If C Alex Stepanovich and Gs Reggie Wells and Jeremy Bridges don't improve, the offense will struggle.... Does Warner, 34, have anything left? The question likely won't be answered in training camp and preseason games--he won't see a live rush in camp or intricate defensive schemes during the preseason. Last year with the Giants, Warner took too long getting the ball off and took a beating as a result.... LE Chike Okeafor could be one of the team's best free-agent additions. He works very hard and is a competent pass rusher. Combined with RE Bertrand Berry, Okeafor should help give the team one of its best front fours in years.--Kent Somers

PURE CAMP with DT Russell Davis

Player most likely to fall asleep in a meeting: There are quite a few of us. Training camp is so tiresome. We look out for one another. If you see somebody's head nodding, you tap his chair a bit.

Most unique way to spend downtime: Last year, me and (former Cardinals OT) Anthony Clement went to a local nail shop and got pedicures. A lot of guys do that. You'd be amazed. You make your livelihood with your feet. He was leaving one day, and I asked him, "Where are you going?" "I'm about to go get a pedicure." I thought he was joking. He asked me to come along, and it was great. You don't get them painted. You get them to rub your feet and massage. That's something I'd definitely do again.

Strangest thing a player has brought to camp: A teddy bear.

Site: Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Ariz.

Reporting date: July 31

Atlanta

FALCONS

PRIORITY: The team must develop a multidimensional offensive attack if it intends to reach the Super Bowl. The keys are QB Michael Vick, who needs to improve his efficiency by giving receivers a second or two longer to develop routes, and young WRs Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. Jenkins and White need to emerge as reliable targets who can move the chains and relieve Vick of some of his playmaking responsibilities.

ROOKIE TO WATCH: If White's play without pads is any indication, the team needs him on the field. White does such a good job of adjusting his routes to make tough catches that G.M. Rich McKay compares him to a Gold Glove center fielder. One problem: He isn't a great blocker, a prerequisite for earning snaps with the first team. At camp, he must show he will work hard without the ball in his hands.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The team is excited about new LBs Ed Hartwell and Ike Reese. Hartwell, who will start in the middle, is stout against the run and fast enough to shed blocks and make stops all over the field. Reese will further energize good special teams coverage units and push Demorrio Williams for the strongside job. ... Safety will be a position to watch carefully. Starting SS Keion Carpenter missed last season after tearing his ACL, and starting FS Bryan Scott is expected to miss camp while he recovers from shoulder surgery.... The defense should be even stronger in the front seven, but starting CB Jason Webster must prove he can stay healthy after two injury-plagued seasons.--George Henry

PURE CAMP with LE Patrick Kerney

Worst moment to anticipate: Waking up after the 10th two-a-day and knowing you have nothing left in your legs for the 11th.

Favorite moment to anticipate: The very first collision. It releases a lot of pent-up frustrations.

Strangest thing a player has brought to camp: Last year, (former Falcons DE) Travis Hall brought a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to help his recovery time come quicker. Weird, but he claimed it worked.

Most disgusting thing you've seen at camp: The fourth time the cafeteria serves the same kind of baked chicken. That may not sound gross, but it kills me.

Coaches' favorite whipping boy: (DT) Chad Lavalais, because coach Mora said nobody in America would want a body like that.

Most unique way to spend downtime: (OL) Kynan Forney, Todd McClure, Todd Weiner and Kevin Shaffer play charades for fun. Whatever.

Most unique way to cope with beat: Wear nothing under your pads. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Site: Falcons Training Facility Flowery Branch, Ga.

Reporting date: July 25