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Home , Geoff Hangartner, Henry Melton, Jabari Greer, Jameel McClain, Jared Allen, Jared Veldheer

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD NFL TRAINING CAMPS: NFC CAPSULES SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014 • 7C

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS and the look to become the fi rst team in a decade to repeat as champions.

NFC EAST NFC SOUTH NFC NORTH NFC WEST (10-7) (12-5) (8-8-1) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (16-3) OPEN CAMP: Friday, Philadelphia OPEN CAMP: Saturday, Spartanburg, South Carolina OPEN CAMP: Saturday, Green Bay, Wisconsin OPEN CAMP: Friday, Renton, Washington IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Ss IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WRs Kelvin Benja- IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE/LB ; IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DT Kevin Williams; and ; RB Darren Sproles; CB No- min, Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Tiquan S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix; WR Davante Adams QB ; WRs and Paul lan Carroll; LB Marcus Smith; QB ; Underwood; TE ; CB Antoine Cason; IMPORTANT LOSSES: WR James Jones; C Evan Richardson; DE ; OT Justin Britt WRs Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff Ss and Thomas DeCoud; DE Dietrich-Smith IMPORTANT LOSSES: DEs and IMPORTANT LOSSES: WR DeSean Jackson CAMP NEEDS: Top priority is keeping team ; DT Clinton McDonald; CB Walter CAMP NEEDS: Find way to replace Jackson and IMPORTANT LOSSES: WRs Steve Smith, Bran- healthy. After that, coach Mike McCarthy has Thurmond; G Paul McQuistan; OT Breno Giacom- RT Lane Johnson, who is suspended fi rst four don LaFell and Ted Ginn Jr.; LT Jordan Gross; G promised to improve defense. Playbook has ini; WR games. Jackson, three-time Pro Bowler, team’s Geoff Hangartner; CBs and been pared down in hopes of simplifying CAMP NEEDS: Not much for champs to solve. Drayton Florence; S Mike Mitchell best deep threat and most accomplished receiv- scheme and using more players while adding Defensive line depth took hit in free agency, but er, was released in March. , who CAMP NEEDS: Getting QB healthy dose of deception. Jermichael Finley (neck) Seattle has young talent that rarely saw the fi eld missed last season with ACL injury, returns and following offseason ankle surgery; he should be still unsigned after getting hurt in October; can last season. Deciding starter at OLB between should help. Rookies Matthews and Huff also ready to go for camp. Newton has new group Andrew Quarless take fi rm hold of TE position? Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith and . of receivers, so developing chemistry is priority. will be counted on to fi ll void. EXPECTATIONS: QB , 30, is in his Finding WR depth behind and Doug Secondary remains question with potential- prime and missed half of 2013 season. Even Baldwin. EXPECTATIONS: Eagles should enter season as ly three new starters in Cason, Harper and team to beat in NFC East. But key to success is with injuries, Packers seemed primed for 12-win EXPECTATIONS: Narrative has gone from DeCoud. season before he went down. A full year of whether Seattle is legit Super Bowl contender largely dependent on whether QB is EXPECTATIONS: Panthers are looking to the real thing. Foles threw 29 and Rodgers and RB Eddie Lacy could make Green to can Seahawks be fi rst team in a decade to make playoffs in back-to-back seasons for fi rst repeat? Locked up All-Pro DBs Richard Sherman only two in 11 starts, including Bay even more dangerous. time, which won’t be easy given free agent and with lucrative extensions. playoffs, and had third-highest departures. If Panthers are to be successful, QB should continue to improve (119.2) in NFL history. Defense needs to show (8-8) they need to develop cohesiveness quickly on and offense has impressive speed with Harvin improvement for the Eagles to be legitimate offense. OPEN CAMP: Thursday, Bourbonnais, Illinois healthy. Only lingering concern is whether RB Super Bowl contenders. IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DEs , Marshawn Lynch’s desire for reworked contract (12-6) and Willie Young; CB Kyle will become distraction. (8-8) Fuller; Ss Adrian Wilson, Ryan Mundy and M.D. OPEN CAMP: Thursday, White Sulphur Springs, Jennings OPEN CAMP: Thursday, Oxnard, West Virginia (14-5) IMPORTANT LOSSES: DE/LB Julius Peppers; DT IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: OL Zack Martin; DE IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: S Jairus Byrd; CBs ; QB Josh McCown OPEN CAMP: Thursday, Santa Clara, California DeMarcus Lawrence; DTs Henry Melton and Champ Bailey and Stanley Jean-Baptiste; FB Erik CAMP NEEDS: IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WRs Brandon Lloyd Terrell McClain Lorig; C Jonathan Goodwin; WR Time for an overhauled defense to come together; someone to establish himself and Stevie Johnson; RB Carlos Hyde; DB Jimmie IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Sean Lee; DEs DeMar- IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Darren Sproles; WR as backup QB to . Ward; S ; CB Chris Cook; QB cus Ware and Jason Hatcher ; FB Jed Collins; C Brian De La EXPECTATIONS: Most significant move was not ; OL Jonathan Martin CAMP NEEDS: Top priority is replacement for Puente; DE Will Smith; CB ; Ss IMPORTANT LOSSES: S Donte Whitner; CBs Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper signing Allen; it was giving Cutler seven-year con- MLB Lee (torn ACL). QB enters camp tract instead of letting him hit free agency. Allen, and Carlos Rogers; OL Jonathan CAMP NEEDS: There appears to be competition without working any competitive situations however, is most significant addition. Bears Goodwin for at least two receiver spots, possibly three for second straight offseason, but he’s much hope fi ve-time Pro Bowler can ignite pass rush CAMP NEEDS: Face questions at linebacker, if veteran fades. Cooks and further along with latest back issue. Overhaul of and help stabilize unit that struggled in big way. where All-Pro NaVorro Bowman could miss half appear to be favorites for those defensive line kicks into high gear, with rookie “Monsters of the Midway” ranked 30th overall the season recovering from knee injury. Pass spots. Coach also will be looking second-rounder Lawrence possible heir to Ware. and 32nd against run last season. If defense rusher Aldon Smith could face a suspension EXPECTATIONS: Cowboys are without two best for players with speed and versatility to replace for off-field troubles. 49ers also have to deal production from Sproles in past three seasons. can make leap to respectability, Chicago fi gures players from defense that was worst in league to challenge in division, maybe make playoff run with disgruntled veterans TE Vernon Davis and EXPECTATIONS: and gave up most yards in franchise history, so With additions of Byrd and after missing out six of past seven years. OL Alex Boone, who both skipped offseason hard to imagine anything better than another Bailey and return of nearly all productive players program as they seek new contracts. from 2013 on both sides of ball, Saints expect 8-8. With Jason Garrett in fi nal year of contract, (7-9) EXPECTATIONS: 49ers open their $1.2 billion anything less than postseason berth could to look like legitimate title contender by end of stadium this season with hopes of adding their training camp. mean Jerry Jones is looking for new coach. OPEN CAMP: July 27, Allen Park, Michigan sixth Super Bowl title. QB Colin Kaepernick IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR Golden Tate; S has extension, also has more receiving options (7-9) (4-12) ; CB Cassius Vaughn; QB Dan with additions of Johnson and Lloyd, a healthy OPEN CAMP: Friday, Tampa, Florida Orlovsky; TE Eric Ebron , as well as and OPEN CAMP: Monday, East Rutherford, New IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Josh McCown; DE IMPORTANT LOSSES: S Louis Delmas; WR Nate Davis. Offense might have to shoulder bigger Jersey Michael Johnson; WRs Mike Evans and Louis Burleson; CB Chris Houston; DE Willie Young; load with Bowman sidelined and DL Justin IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: CBs Dominique Murphy; CB ; OT Anthony Col- QB Shaun Hill; K David Akers Smith, 34, starting to show signs of aging. Rodgers-Cromartie, and Zack lins; C Evan Dietrich-Smith; DT Clinton McDon- CAMP NEEDS: New coach Jim Caldwell is Bowman; DE Robert Ayers; LB Jameel McClain; ald; TEs Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Brandon charged with helping QB Matt Stafford refine (10-6) RB Rashad Jennings; OLs Geoff Schwartz, John considerable talents and avoid mistakes that Myers; RB Charles Sims OPEN CAMP: Friday, Glendale, Arizona Jerry and J.D. Walton; WRs Odell Beckham Jr. IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Darrelle Revis; WR plagued him last year. Lions even added another and ; KR Trindon Holliday offensive target for Stafford when they draft- IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: OT Jared Veldheer; Mike Williams; OT ; G Davin Joseph; CB ; ILB Larry Foote; TE John IMPORTANT LOSSES: DE ; OL Kevin C Jeremy Zuttah; LB Dekoda Watson ed Ebron. On defense, secondary is concern, Boothe; WR ; DT Linval Joseph especially with Houston and Delmas gone. Did Carlson; SS Deone Bucannon CAMP NEEDS: New coaching staff also means IMPORTANT LOSSES: CAMP NEEDS: Get QB EIi Manning back on Detroit do enough to address it? ILBs Daryl Washington new offensive and defensive systems. Lovie and Karlos Dansby; RB Rashard Mendenhall; track and familiar with deeper corps of receiv- EXPECTATIONS: After wasting great chance at Smith is counting on McCown, career backup G Daryn Colledge; WR Andre Roberts; LB Matt ers, and comfortable with new coordinator Ben coming off best season, to take charge and playoffs last year, there’s pressure to produce Shaughnessy; S Yeremiah Bell McAdoo’s schemes. See if Jennings can carry instill confidence in unit that also fi gures to under Caldwell, especially with DT Ndamukong load as top RB and if David Wilson can return include three new line starters. Suh’s future with Lions in doubt as he enters CAMP NEEDS: Washington and Dansby were heart of defense that ranked sixth, but Wash- from neck injury. Solidify OL. EXPECTATIONS: Bucs haven’t made playoffs fi nal season of contract. Stafford and WR Calvin ington suspended for year for violating NFL since 2007, but Smith insists he isn’t beginning Johnson are in their primes, so this is potentially EXPECTATIONS: Hopes remain high after going substance abuse policy and Dansby departed rebuilding project. He believes McCown can be formidable offense if Lions can avoid turnovers. 7-3 following horrendous start. But there are via free agency. Cardinals plan expanded role lots of new faces on ’s roster, and consistent QB team has lacked for more than a Suh and DT Nick Fairley combined for 11½ decade. sacks in 2013, DE Ziggy Ansah added eight. for Andre Ellington as feature running back. Also it could take time for everything to jell. Still, NFC are looking for third receiver to replace Roberts. East has no dominant team, so Giants will be (5-10-1) EXPECTATIONS: Cardinals are thinking playoffs, thinking playoffs from outset. (4-12) but need better record than 2-4 within division. OPEN CAMP: Friday, Flowery Branch, Georgia OPEN CAMP: Friday, Mankato, Minnesota WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-13) IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR/KR Devin Hester; IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Teddy Bridgewa- ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-9) OPEN CAMP: Wednesday, Richmond, Virginia OGs Jon Asamoah and Gabe Carimi; CB Javier ter; LBs Anthony Barr and Jasper Brinkley; CB Arenas; OT Jake Matthews; DEs Captain Munnerlyn; DT Linval Joseph; DE Corey OPEN CAMP: Friday, St. Louis IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WRs DeSean Jackson Wootton; SS ; RB Jerick McKinnon IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR ; OL and Andre Roberts; DE Jason Hatcher; S Ryan and Ra’Shede Hageman; RB Devonta Freeman; IMPORTANT LOSSES: DE Jared Allen; DTs Kevin Greg Robinson; DT ; RB Tre Ma- Clark; Gs and Spencer Long; LB Prince Shembo; DT Paul Soliai; QB T.J. Yates; S Dwight Lowery Williams and Letroy Guion; RB Toby Gerhart; LB son; DE Michael Sam CB ; LB ; OT Morgan Erin Henderson; CB Chris Cook IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Cortland Finnegan; G Moses IMPORTANT LOSSES: TE Tony Gonzalez; CB As- ante Samuel; LBs Sean Weatherspoon, Akeem CAMP NEEDS: For ninth consecutive camp, Chris Williams; QB IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB London Fletcher; CB Dent and ; RB ; since ’s last turn, QB situation CAMP NEEDS: QB and LT Jake Josh Wilson; WR Joshua Morgan; C Will Mont- S Thomas DeCoud; OL Garrett Reynolds; FB is fl uid. But outlook is brighter with Bridgewater Long, both coming off knee surgery, will be gomery; S Reed Doughty; TE Fred Davis Bradie Ewing; QB Dominique Davis and return of Matt Cassel, who was on fi eld at eased into mix. Robinson, who starred at left CAMP NEEDS: Learn new coach Jay Gruden’s CAMP NEEDS: They fi nished 2013 with 11 end of all fi ve 2013 wins. Must establish reli- for Auburn’s national runner-up, was sec- offense. Get Hatcher (left knee surgery) healthy. players on injured reserve; need to keep injuries able, productive complement to star RB Adrian ond overall pick, but starts NFL career at guard. Find out if Clark, who turns 35 in October, can from being prominent storyline for HBO’s “Hard Peterson. Barr, ninth overall pick, must prove Ultra-aggressive coordinator will still play. Get a gauge on how soon draft picks Knocks.” WR Julio Jones, held out of minicamp, he’s ready to start. begin to put his stamp on defense. Moses and Long will be ready to start. is trying to return to 2012 form. RT EXPECTATIONS: Despite dismal 2013, Vikings EXPECTATIONS: Coach Jeff Fisher and GM EXPECTATIONS: Gruden is new coach, but Matthews, fi rst-round pick, is expected to start had lead in fi nal minute of four losses. New Les Snead deserve kudos for making Rams franchise revolves around QB Robert Griffin III, on line that needs LT Sam Baker back at full coach inherited roster with plenty trailblazers as fi rst NFL team to draft openly gay who has talent to lead team to a championship. strength after missing 12 games in 2013. of talent, and offseason moves enhanced player, Sam, a move that fi gures to build unity. There’s no shortage of offensive talent around EXPECTATIONS: Return to playoffs is Atlanta’s resources. With merely modest improvement Rebuilding plan fueled by Robert Griffin III trade him — Jackson, WR Pierre Garcon, RB Alfred goal, a big jump from 4-12. Matt Ryan no longer on defense, Vikings should be competitive. produced bevy of starters; franchise could be Morris, TE Jordan Reed — but defense has its has TE Gonzalez, but passing game can still Remember, Vikes went 10-6 in 2012 after 3-13 poised to post fi rst winning season since 2003. questions marks. fl ourish if Jones and Roddy White are healthy. in 2011. — The Associated Press