NFC reports

Sporting News, The, August 30, 2004

ARIZONA CARDINALS It is difficult to imagine Darnell Dockett staying at left defensive end now that T Kenny King probably is out for the season because of a wrist injury. King's play in camp allowed Dockett to move from tackle to end, and the team is deeper at end than tackle. Ross Kolodziej, a journeyman who has not played in an NFL game in three years, becomes the starter in place of King.... No Cardinal has had a better camp than LG Reggie Wells. He's strong and has great agility. He could be a fixture for years. Guard is his best position; he played tackle last season because of injuries to other players and struggled.... Rookie QB John Navarre has a good grasp of the offense and has made some nice throws in camp. He needs to develop a better touch on short routes, however.... RB Larry Croom, an undrafted rookie, has a good chance to make the club. He's quick and can make the first tackler miss. SCOUTING REPORT: New CB David Macklin is generously listed at 5-9, but he is competitive and won't back down from receivers. He also is physical, and he plays the ball well. That physical play resulted in some penalties when he was with the Colts, but the Cardinals don't mind the aggressiveness. If CB Duane Starks can stay healthy, the club will have a nice tandem.--Kent Somers

ATLANTA FALCONS Entering camp, coordinator Greg Knapp wanted QB Michael Vick to improve his check-downs and give receivers time to run routes. So far, so good. Vick understands timing, not arm strength, is his best weapon. The fuss over how much Vick should play in the preseason is unnecessary. Practicing against the first-team defense serves Vick better than exposing him to injury in exhibition games.... WLB Demorrio Williams' speed helped him secure a role on special teams, and he has nearly locked up a roster spot. Williams will get few defensive snaps, partially because he plays behind Keith Brooking, but Williams is projected to be a starter in 2005 if SLB Matt Stewart or MLB Chris Draft doesn't return.... The secondary will benefit from SS Bryan Scott's move to the slot. Scott has shown surprising athletic ability and closing speed in coverage. He can limit further knee and shoulder injuries by lowering his torso before making tackles. ON THE RISE: TE Alge Crumpler makes acrobatic catches in traffic, and he has deceptive speed in the open field. But to become one of the league's best, Crumpler needs a lot of chances, so the emergence of blocking TE Eric Beverly is critical. If Beverly can handle key blocks in the running game, Crumpler won't wear down as easily.--George Henry

CAROLINA PANTHERS Rookie WR Keary Colbert started slowly in camp but has come on strong. Once he got comfortable in the offense Colbert showed a knack for making big plays. He will play in four-receiver sets and could split time with Ricky Proehl as the third receiver.... Rich Tylski, who was retired the past two years, has moved ahead of Doug Brzezinski in the battle to start at right guard. Tylski doesn't have great athletic ability but rarely makes mistakes.... The team hasn't had a true backup fullback in years, and that could be a problem again. Casey Moore was ticketed for the job, but an ankle injury sidelined him for part of camp. Nick Goings, who has been the backup the last two seasons, also has missed part of camp because of an ankle injury. Goings lacks size and is not a dominant blocker. But he is valuable on special teams, and the club might not let him go. SCOUTING REPORT: SLB Mark Fields, who sat out last season because of Hodgkin's disease, has made a strong recovery. He has been working a full schedule and is showing signs of returning to form. If Fields can play as he did in 2002, the entire defense will be better. At full strength, he is one of the league's fastest linebackers. Although he is excellent in coverage, his biggest value could be as a pass rusher.--Pat Yasinskas

CHICAGO BEARS LE Adewale Ogunleye, acquired from Miami, is an elite pass rusher who joins a defense that produced a league-low 18 sacks last season. He gives maximum effort, has good speed and is very strong for a 260-pounder. Ogunleye's addition is crucial because Lovie Smith's scheme relies on the front four creating pressure. Michael Haynes, last year's first-round pick, now will be a swingman, rotating in with Ogunleye and RE Alex Brown.... WR Marty Booker, who was sent to the Dolphins, will be missed. David Terrell, who was on the bubble entering training camp, now becomes the No. 1 receiver. Justin Gage will start opposite him, and Bobby Wade will work the middle of the field from the slot.... Ruben Brown will replace injury-prone LG Rex Tucker, who will miss 8-10 weeks after dislocating his left elbow. Brown, who had been a backup at right guard for most of camp, might have lost a step but is a polished, solid veteran.... Rookie CB Nate Vasher (5-10, 180) lacks size, but he has come on strong enough to earn a look in the nickel and dime packages. Vasher has excellent speed and athletic ability. SCOUTING REPORT: RT John Tait (6-6, 323) is an athletic player with great size and strength who can play in space and is equally adept at run and pass blocking. He is at his best when on the move. Tait has the lateral movement to dominate speed rushers and can anchor against bull rushers. He has been criticized for lacking a mean streak, but no one questions his passion for the game.--Mike Mulligan