NFC

Sporting News, The, August 4, 2003

ARIZONA CARDINALS

WALKING THE LINE: In a move designed to get the best linemen on the field, Pete Kendall began camp at center instead of left guard, where he started the past two seasons. The club is deep at guard, with Chris Dishman, Raleigh Roundtree and Cameron Spikes capable of starting. Jason Starkey started eight games at center in 2002 but isn't a long-term solution. Other options at center include Frank Garcia and Steven Grace, who played little as a rookie last season.... FB James Hodgins should fit well in the offense, blocking for RBs Emmitt Smith and Marcel Shipp, but he wants to be more than a glorified guard. In minicamps, he showed good receiving abilities, and the club has had success in the past throwing to the fullback in short-yardage situations. Last year's top fullback, Joel Makovicka, caught 15 passes, including three for touchdowns.

NEW LOOKS: After studying last season's offense and the offenses of other teams, the staff concluded the Cardinals were trying to be too exotic in their running game. So, with the idea they can do more with less, the number of running plays in the playbook has been trimmed. That should fit the club's strengths: a veteran line with the size to knock defensive linemen off the ball and a good group of backs.... Hoping to bolster a pass rush that produced just 40 sacks the past two seasons, the defensive linemen won't use a two-gap technique as much this year. A two-gap system requires linemen to lock up with an offensive player and read the direction of the play. Now, they're being asked more often to choose a gap, then penetrate to disrupt the play. The downside is offensive linemen occasionally find it easier to get to the linebackers.--Kent Somers

ATLANTA FALCONS

JUST IN TIME: After missing passing camp and minicamp to consider retirement, NT Ellis Johnson reported to training camp just minutes before the deadline. If Johnson is committed and performs as well as last year, one of the biggest concerns entering camp will have been alleviated.... CB Juran Bolden still is recovering from a torn right patella tendon suffered in the playoff loss against the Eagles and will not participate in camp. In fact, he may not be ready for contact before October. Though Bolden had a breakout season in 2002, his injury could make it difficult for him to reclaim his status as a top backup; Tod McBride and rookie Bryan Scott are contending for playing time behind Ray Buchanan and Tyrone Williams.

AIR RAID: There will be intense competition at receiver, where 11 players will battle for perhaps no more than five or six spots. Became the team made significant upgrades by signing free agents Peerlees Price and MarTay Jenkins, returning players such as Brian Finneran, Quentin McCord and Trevor Gaylor need to perform well in camp. The long shots at receiver are rookies Joe Olinger, who has a good combination of size (6-2, 233) and speed, and LaTarence Dunbar, who has excellent speed and might contribute on punt and kick returns. There may not be room for more than one of the rookies to make the team, and that decision likely will be influenced by their special teams play.... FB Justin Griffith was impressive as a runner and a receiver in passing camp, but the key to his hopes of winning a starting job will be how he holds up as a blocker when contact drills begin.--Charles Odum

CAROLINA PANTHERS

RIDING SHOTGUN: There was a lot of talk when the team put the shotgun formation in the playbook for the first time in franchise history last year. As it turned out, the formation seldom was used because starting QB Rodney Peete didn't like it. If Jake Delhomme or Chris Weinke wins the job, look for the shotgun to be used a fair amount. Both Delhomme and Weinke, who are less experienced than Peete, could benefit from extra time to look at secondaries. If Peete holds onto the job, the formation will be used only in third-and-long situations.... Another twist that was promised but seldom used last year was the deployment of an H-Back. With added depth at fullback and tight end, FB Brad Hoover and TE Kris Mangum could be candidates for H-Back duties.

ON THE LOOKOUT: The team remains in the market for a wide receiver with experience to play behind Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Ricky Proehl. Seventh-round pick Walter Young has been impressive, but the team doesn't want to depend too much on a rookie.... RB DeShaun Foster, who is coming off knee surgery, will practice only once a day early in camp. If his knee holds up, Foster's workload will increase.... The coaches see a lot of potential in fourth-year FS Deon Grant, who has great physical skills but has to stop taking chances and cut down on mistakes if he's going to hold onto his job. The alternatives are veteran Damien Richardson and fourth-round pick Colin Branch. Richardson is a short term solution at best, and Branch may not be ready to play a significant role in his first season. Still, the coaches might lose their patience if Grant continues to be inconsistent.--Pat Yasinskas