NFC

Sporting News, The, August 16, 1999

Arizona

THE GREAT WAIT: The impasse between the dub and first-round pick L.J. Shelton continues even though it has come to terms with its higher first-round pick, WR David Boston, and even though there are several candidates at left offensive tackle who are performing well in camp. The team gave Boston a four-year contract instead of the five it wanted in exchange for Boston dropping his demands for voidables or escalators. The dub is less inclined to do the same for an offensive tackle because it thinks linemen don't make the immediate impact of a speed receiver and because it thinks the learning curve for a lineman is longer. The team wants Shelton to sign for five years to get the most return on its investment. He would be vying to replace Lomas Brown, who signed as a free agent with Cleveland. The team is moving on, as left tackle candidates Anthony Clement Matt Joyce and Ernest Dye have been impressive. Unless Shelton gets to camp soon, the best he can hope for is beating out Jon Clark as a backup fight tackle.

HOLD THAT LINE: It's still unknown when DT Eric Swarm will be ready to play. He's continuing to rehabilitate his arthritic Right knee and is on the physically unable to perform list. With DT Mark Smith also missing because of a contract dispute, the front office is exploring contingency plans. It is considering frequently using five-man fronts with three players--Carl Simpson, Rashod Swinger and Brad Ottis--doing the work of Swarm and Smith.... The best rookie in camp has been fifth-round pick Yusuf Scott, who is making a push at fight offensive tackle, where Lester Holmes hasn't impressed. Scott's strength and footwork have earned plaudits.... Clement, who is coming off surgery on a herniated disk, has come back quicker than coaches anticipated. Had Clement not been injured, the dub likely wouldn't have drafted Shelton and instead tabbed LB Andy Katzenmoyer. --Lee Shappell

Chicago

THINK DEEP: When rookie QB Cade McNown is under pressure, he tends to think about throwing deep before contemplating dumping off the ball. While the wideouts love it, coaches don't want McNown to hold the ball longer than necessary, which happens when he winds up to heave it The pressure applied by NFL defenses is faster than he is, and if he takes time to wind up and throw, he'll be crushed. To help McNown, coaches gave him a larger percentage of practice reps in stepped-up blitz drills.... Hall of Fame OT Anthony Munoz, who worked with linemen during the first minicamp this year, is back for several days to assist line coach Dob Wylie in teaching a new blocking system. Munoz is familiar with Wylie's techniques, which are based on blockers aligning to move at identical angles in an attempt to prevent seams. The blockers also want to cover defenders rather than work independently on blowing them off the ball. To execute the new scheme, linemen are using a drop-step style to open their hips and face defenders on the angle they want. The linemen prefer the new method that is being taught to the previous zone-blocking style that was based on firing into defenders. Running backs are being taught to read defenders instead of locking on to a hole, meaning they will take defenders where they want to go.

TIGHT SPOT: It's difficult to envision RB Edgar Bennett fitting into the team's plans. He's 30 and coming off postseason knee surgery, but the bigger problem is where he fits into a backfield that features Curtis Enis at the top of the depth chart and younger, faster backs, such as the quick-slashing James Allen, as situational options. Coaches like Bennett's character and presence, and believe a roster never can have too many running backs. But with the need for multiple receivers in the new offensive scheme being implemented, Bennett may be squeezed out. --John Mullin

Atlanta

A SETBACK: WR Chris Calloway sprained his left ankle and will be out two to four weeks. He hopes to be back by the season opener. Ronnie Harris will move into Calloway's spot opposite Terance Mathis. Without Calloway, Mathis is the team's only proven receiver. He is the best downfield blocker and has exceptional hands. Harris runs precise routes and has above-average speed but is inexperienced. Another option is Tim Dwight who is extremely fast but is small and suffers too many drops. He tends to run full throttle every down, which leaves him out of control. Even with Calloway, the offense faces a daunting task in replacing Tony Marlin, whose speed loosened defenses. The team initially pursued Calloway with the idea of putting him in the slot, with Mathis and Martin outside. But Martin had legal problems and ended up signing with the Dolphins.

SHAKEUPS: Rookie LBs Jeff Kelly and Lamont Green continue to impress the coaching staff with their speed and quick reactions. Kelly is an extremely hard hitter. He could make fourth-year player Ruffin Hamilten expendable at middle linebacker. Green, signed as a rookie free agent, is battling several players at both outside spots, where veterans Craig Sauer and Ben Talley could be on the bubble.... QB Tony Graziani is pushing free agent Danny Kanell for the backup job behind Chris Chandler. Graziani is assured of at least the No. 3 job, which means Sherdrick Bonner, who spent last year on the practice squad, could be headed back there.... Eric lane is working ahead of third-round pick Jeff Paulk at fullback. Paulk is known as an exceptional blocker, but his receiving skills are below-average. Still, the team likely will keep him.... FS Omar Brown seems more confident and is playing more aggressively. He is playing well enough to keep Ronnie Bradford at corner. Bradford was expected to play behind FS Eugene Robinson. --Mark Schlabach