NFL training camps preview: Looking at questions surrounding each team – Los Angeles Times
Peyton Manning is gone, Los Angeles is back, and 32 teams are gearing up for another run at the Lombardi Trophy.
NFL training camps kick off this week, and there are seven new head coaches. Only the NFC North and AFC West return all four coaches from last season.
There are plenty of rookies in the spotlight, too, among them the two quarterbacks selected at the top of the draft — the Rams’ Jared Goff and Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz — neither of whom begins camp as the starter.
A look at the comings, goings, and questions surrounding each team:
NFC WEST
Arizona
Camp location: Glendale, Ariz.
Hello: The Cardinals are looking to turn up the heat on opposing quarterbacks with the acquisition of outside linebacker Chandler Jones, and the drafting of talented but trouble-prone defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche. The team also added guard Evan Mathis and rookie center Evan Boehm.
Goodbye: It could be the end of the road for center Lyle Sendlein, 32, and defensive end Dwight Freeney, 36, neither of whom has been re-signed. Safety Rashad Johnson (Tennessee) and cornerback Jerraud Powers (Baltimore) are elsewhere.
Big questions: How much does Larry Fitzgerald have left in the tank? Will Tyrann Mathieu be back from knee surgery for the opener?
RAMS
Camp location: Irvine
Hello: The Rams made a power play to move up to the No. 1 spot to draft California quarterback Jared Goff. In need of receiving targets, the club drafted receiver Pharoh Cooper and tight end Tyler Higbee.
Goodbye: A fresh start in L.A. included letting go of familiar defensive fixtures Chris Long and James Laurinaitis. Corner Janoris Jenkins turned down a five-year deal from the Rams and signed a more lucrative one with the Giants, as did safety Rodney McLeod with the Eagles.
Big questions: How quickly can Goff secure the starting job, seeing as he’s making the transition to playing under center? How will tailback Todd Gurley build on his outstanding rookie year?
San Francisco
Camp location: Santa Clara.
Hello: It’s a coastal change for Coach Chip Kelly, who was 26-21 in almost three seasons in Philadelphia. Rookie DeForest Buckner adds horsepower to a defensive line that’s lacking.
Goodbye: The 49ers will miss guard Alex Boone, who signed a four-year deal worth $26.8 million with the Vikings. The team parted ways with receiver Anquan Boldin.
Big questions: Can Kelly help Colin Kaepernick regain some of the promise he showed earlier in his career, or will Blaine Gabbert wind up with the quarterback job? Will NaVorro Bowman be even better after his impressive bounce-back season a year ago?
Seattle
Camp location: Renton, Wash.
Hello: The Seahawks rekindled memories by signing back a couple of their former players: defensive end Chris Clemons, who spent the past two years in Jacksonville, and cornerback Brandon Browner, who won a Super Bowl with New England and then was a bust in New Orleans.
Goodbye: Marshawn Lynch retired, and the team watched tackle Russell Okung (Denver), linebacker Bruce Irvin (Oakland), and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (San Diego) depart in free agency.
Big questions: Is the offensive line an Achilles’ heel for this team? How well will running back Thomas Rawls (ankle) and tight end Jimmy Graham (knee) recover from injuries that cut short their 2015 seasons?
NFC EAST
Dallas
Camp location: Oxnard.
Hello: The Cowboys are hoping they have their answer at running back in No. 4 pick Ezekiel Elliott, who denied the domestic-violence allegations that surfaced against him this week. Dallas also drafted linebacker Jaylon Smith, but the former Notre Dame standout likely will miss the season rehabilitating his reconstructed knee.
Goodbye: A defensive line overhaul included parting ways with Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey, and Nick Hayden.
Big questions: Can this team resume its 2014 form now that quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant have had time to heal? Will a playmaker step up on defense?
New York Giants
Camp location: East Rutherford, N.J.
Hello: The Giants have invested big bucks in their defense, re-signing defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, and plucking high-priced defensive linemen Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison from free agency. The club fortified its defensive backfield with the addition of cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and first-round pick Eli Apple.
Goodbye: The biggest departure was longtime coach Tom Coughlin, replaced by Ben McAdoo. The team also bid farewell to cornerback Prince Amukamara, linebacker Jon Beason, guard Geoff Schwartz, and receiver Rueben Randle.
Big question: Can Giants relocate their defense? Is their offense more than Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.?
Philadelphia
Camp location: Philadelphia.
Hello: Eagles traded up twice to select North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz with the No. 2 pick. They also signed free agent Chase Daniel, but Sam Bradford remains the starting quarterback for the moment. Other signings include cornerback Leodis McKelvin, receiver Rueben Randle, and center Stefen Wisniewski.
Goodbye: In addition to giving up on the Chip Kelly experiment, the team parted ways with running back DeMarco Murray, linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso, and cornerback Byron Maxwell.
Big question: How soon before Wentz goes from No. 3 to No. 1? Is tailback Ryan Mathews durable enough to get through a season?
Washington
Camp location: Richmond, Va.
Hello: The Redskins strengthened their secondary by signing dynamic cornerback Josh Norman, and safety David Bruton Jr. Rookie Josh Doctson provides another target in a robust group of receivers.
Goodbye: Robert Griffin III is gone, as is running back Alfred Morris, both of whom looked to be the future of the franchise a few years ago. On the other side of the ball, the team bid farewell to defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, defensive end Jason Hatcher, and safety Dashon Goldson.
Big question: Can Kirk Cousins pick up where he left off last season when he strung together three 300-yard passing games to clinch the division?
NFC NORTH
Chicago
Camp location: Bourbonnais, Ill.
Hello: The Bears upgraded at linebacker with the addition of playmaker Danny Trevathan — among Coach John Fox’s standouts in Denver — Jerrell Freeman, and first-round pick Leonard Floyd.
Goodbye: Offensive coordinator Adam Gase left to become head coach of the Dolphins, and the Bears also parted ways with a couple of familiar offensive weapons: running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett.
Big questions: Both Carolina and Denver made huge strides in their second seasons under Fox, so can the Bears (6-10 in 2015) follow that pattern? What about Jay Cutler’s protection, with four new offensive line starters?
Detroit
Camp location: Allen Park, Mich.
Hello: With the surprise retirement of Calvin Johnson after nine seasons, the Lions needed help at receiver. They signed free agents Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley. Rookie tackle Taylor Decker will help protect the oft-battered Matthew Stafford.
Goodbye: Johnson is the landscape-shifting loss, but the Lions also said goodbye to defenders Stephen Tulloch, Rashean Mathis, and James Ihedigbo.
Big questions: What will life after Megatron be like, especially for Stafford? Can the Lions generate a running game and take some pressure off their quarterback, who has been sacked 89 times the past two years?
Green Bay
Camp location: Green Bay, Wis.
Hello: Typically, the Packers weren’t extremely active in free agency. They did sign tight end Jared Cook, giving Aaron Rodgers another capable target. Their first two draft picks — UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark and Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs — will help them beef up in the trenches.
Goodbye: Defensive tackle B.J. Raji has stepped away from football and said he will not play for at least the 2016 season. Fullback John Kuhn is gone, as is receiver James Jones.
Big questions: How will Jordy Nelson bounce back after a devastating knee injury? Which Eddie Lacy will show up this season?
Minnesota
Camp location: Mankato, Minn.
Hello: The Vikings were looking for another big target for Teddy Bridgewater, and they found one in first-round pick, 6-foot-2, 210-pound Laquon Treadwell. The team took a long look at former Cincinnati safety Reggie Nelson, but wound up signing free agent Michael Griffin.
Goodbye: Receiver Mike Wallace was released after one lackluster, two-touchdown season. The team fired offensive line coach Jeff Davidson and replaced him with Tony Sparano.
Big questions: Can the Vikings christen their new stadium with a second consecutive NFC North title? Will an improved supporting cast help Bridgewater take a big step forward?
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta
Camp location: Flowery Branch, Ga.
Hello: With the Falcons releasing Roddy White, there’s ample opportunity for Mohamed Sanu to step in and complement Julio Jones. Center Alex Mack should be a stabilizing force on the offensive line.
Goodbye: Gone are White, nose tackle Paul Soliai, receiver Leonard Hankerson, and linebacker Justin Durant.
Big questions: Quarterback Matt Ryan took a step backward last season. Can he and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan make strides in Shanahan’s second season? How does the club recover from the bottom dropping out after last season’s 5-0 start. Will Devonta Freeman build on his strong 2015?
Carolina
Camp location: Spartanburg, S.C.
Hello: In a sense, the Panthers are victims of their success. Most of their money went to retaining current players, instead of spending on free agents. They’re expecting strong performances from rookie defensive tackle Vernon Butler, and corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley.
Goodbye: Gone are cornerbacks Josh Norman and Charles Tillman, along with safety Roman Harper.
Big questions: How much will getting receiver Kelvin Benjamin back help an offense that’s already clicking? Can Panthers avoid the doldrums that often strike Super Bowl losers? Can Cam Newton keep up his torrid pace?
New Orleans
Camp location: White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
Hello: Forever looking to turn around their sagging defense, the Saints added defensive tackles Nick Fairley and rookie Sheldon Rankins, linebacker James Laurinaitis, and brought back safety Roman Harper.
Goodbye: Some familiar names are gone — receiver Marques Colston, tight end Benjamin Watson, running back Khiry Robinson, and guard Jahri Evans.
Big questions: Can defensive coordinator Dennis Allen do what Rob Ryan could not, and whip a U-turn on that side of the ball? Can Drew Brees build on the momentum from the end of last season, when the Saints won three of final four?
Tampa Bay
Camp location: Tampa, Fla.
Hello: The Buccaneers made big strides with their offense last season, and now it’s the defense’s turn. Rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and defensive end Noah Spence are expected to make a splash. Tampa Bay also picked up corner Brent Grimes and defensive end Robert Ayers.
Goodbye: Kicker Connor Barth is gone, to be replaced by second-rounder Roberto Aguayo. Guard Logan Mankins retired after the season.
Big questions: The Buccaneers tripled their 2014 win total last season, but it wasn’t enough to save Lovie Smith’s job. Can Dirk Koetter get this franchise to the playoffs for the first time in nine years?
AFC WEST
Denver
Camp location: Englewood, Colo.
Hello: After Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler signed with Houston, the Broncos made a trade with Philadelphia for quarterback Mark Sanchez, and took Memphis’ Paxton Lynch in the first round.
Goodbye: Lots of departures from Denver’s Super Bowl-winning team, among them defensive tackle Malik Jackson, linebacker Danny Trevathan, safety David Bruton Jr., and tight end Owen Daniels.
Big questions: With Manning and Osweiler gone, how does Coach Gary Kubiak manage the quarterback situation? Linebacker Von Miller just got the biggest non-quarterback contract in NFL history. Can he keep defense rolling despite all the departures?
Kansas City
Camp location: St. Joseph, Mo.
Hello: It wasn’t a splashy, headline-stealing move, but the Chiefs picked up a rock-solid tackle in Mitchell Schwartz, a starter in Cleveland the past four seasons.
Goodbye: Safeties Husain Abdullah and Tyvon Branch are gone, along with defensive tackle Mike DeVito, and backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
Big question: The Chiefs made an incredible U-turn last season, starting 1-5 before winning 10 in a row and making the playoffs. Now, they’re getting back injured stars Jamaal Charles, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. Are they poised to go deep into the playoffs this year, or is it just more warning-track power?
Oakland
Camp location: Napa, Calif.
Hello: The Raiders have beefed up their already-strong defense with the addition of linebacker Bruce Irvin (formerly of Seattle), cornerback Sean Smith (Kansas City), and safety Reggie Nelson (Cincinnati).
Goodbye: Safety Charles Woodson retired — next stop, Canton, Ohio — and the Raiders also bid farewell to defensive end Justin Tuck and linebacker Curtis Lofton.
Big question: The Raiders have gone 13 consecutive seasons without making the playoffs, or even recording a winning record. With their promising roster — and young stars in quarterback Derek Carr, receiver Amari Cooper, and defensive end Khalil Mack — can they finally end that drought?
San Diego
Camp location: San Diego.
Hello: The Chargers fortified their trenches by adding center Matt Slauson, nose tackle Brandon Mebane, and rookie defensive end Joey Bosa.
Goodbye: Gone are safety Eric Weddle and receiver Malcom Floyd, players synonymous with the Chargers. The team will also be looking to replace the production of tight end Ladarius Green.
Big questions: Coming off a 4-12 season, and having missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, can the Chargers regain their footing in the twilight of the Philip Rivers era? And what about that lingering threat to relocate to Los Angeles?
AFC EAST
Buffalo
Camp location: Pittsford, N.Y.
Hello: The Bills used their first three picks on defensive players: linebackers Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland, and defensive tackle Adolphus Washington. All could be starting by midseason.
Goodbye: In March, the Bills parted ways with defensive end Mario Williams after four seasons, releasing the former No. 1 overall pick who began his career in Houston.
Big questions: How will the club work out the contract situations of two pivotal players, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and quarterback Tyrod Taylor? Does Coach Rex Ryan have to make the playoffs to keep his job?
Miami
Camp location: Davie, Fla.
Hello: Rookie tackle Laremy Tunsil, who slid from the top of the draft to No. 13 because of character concerns, will look to solidify an offensive line that has yielded an NFL-high 184 sacks since 2012.
Goodbye: In deciding to keep Cameron Wake, the Dolphins let defensive end Olivier Vernon walk out the door. The New York Giants promptly signed Vernon to a five-year deal worth $85 million, the most lucrative in NFL history for an edge rusher.
Big question: Can new Coach Adam Gase turn around a franchise ranked 25th in offense and 26th in defense last season?
New England
Camp location: Foxborough, Mass.
Hello: Defensive end Chris Long, who played eight seasons in St. Louis, fits the mold of an aging star who is reinvigorated in Bill Belichick’s system. With Rob Gronkowski and the just-added Martellus Bennett, the Patriots’ collection of receiving tight ends is almost unfair.
Goodbye: The Patriots needed to add Long, seeing as they traded defensive end Chandler Jones to Arizona, bidding farewell to a player who had a career-high 12 ½ sacks last season.
Big question: How will third-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo perform in the first four games, while Tom Brady serves his Deflategate suspension?
New York Jets
Camp location: Florham Park, N.J.
Hello: Running back Matt Forte, who rolled up an NFL-high 12,718 yards of all-purpose offense the past eight seasons in Chicago, joined the Jets in free agency. The team also acquired tackle Ryan Clady in a trade with Denver.
Goodbye: Forte became a priority when the Jets lost running back Chris Ivory to Jacksonville. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie was released after his second tour of duty with the club.
Big question: Can the Jets work out their quarterback situation? The Ryan Fitzpatrick negotiations have dragged on for months, and the Geno Smith fallback plan is less than enticing.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore
Camp location: Owings Mills, Md.
Hello: Safety Eric Weddle, for years the face of San Diego’s defense, will now patrol the back end of Baltimore’s defense. He’s a two-time All-Pro and the Chargers’ defensive player of the year in three of the past five seasons.
Goodbye: Left tackle Eugene Monroe was released by the Ravens in June and decided a month later to retire. Rookie Ronnie Stanley, the No. 6 overall pick, is slated to step into that role.
Big question: How well will Joe Flacco recover from reconstructive knee surgery, and can he do enough to return the Ravens to their Super Bowl glory?
Cleveland
Camp location: Berea, Ohio
Hello: New Coach Hue Jackson is overseeing a fluid quarterback situation, with Josh McCown back, but competing for the starting job with Robert Griffin III, whose once highly promising career fizzled in Washington, and rookie Cody Kessler.
Goodbye: The Browns cut ties with the troubled Johnny Manziel, and parted ways with some fixtures in center Alex Mack, tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and safety Donte Whitner.
Big question: Can Jackson, a quarterback specialist, work his magic and cobble together a solution at the most important position? The club has cycled through 24 starting quarterbacks since relaunching as an expansion franchise in 1999.
Cincinnati
Camp location: Cincinnati.
Hello: The Bengals signed a big-name veteran on both sides of the ball with the same-day pickup of receiver Brandon LaFell and linebacker Karlos Dansby. First-round pick William Jackson III could make a splash at cornerback.
Goodbye: Gone are receivers Mohamed Sanu (Atlanta) and Marvin Jones (Detroit), both of whom are expected to have bigger roles with their new teams. The addition of LaFell helps salve that sting.
Big question: Coming off the best season of his career, can quarterback Andy Dalton win a playoff game and maybe even make an MVP push?
Pittsburgh
Camp location: Latrobe, Pa.
Hello: The homegrown Steelers don’t typically wade too deep in the free-agent pool, so it’s noteworthy they grabbed tight end Ladarius Green, who was a good complement to Antonio Gates in San Diego.
Goodbye: Heath Miller retired in February as the club’s all-time leader in receptions (592), receiving yards (6,569) and touchdowns (45) by a tight end.
Big questions: With all their offensive firepower, are the Ben Roethlisberger-led Steelers on their way to record-breaking numbers? What will the availability of Le’Veon Bell be, considering the looming threat of suspension?
AFC SOUTH
Houston
Camp location: Houston.
Hello: The Texans paid big bucks ($18 million per year) to lure quarterback Brock Osweiler from Denver, and now they’re looking to reap the dividends. He’ll be joined by running back Lamar Miller, who averaged a robust 4.8 yards per carry during the past two seasons in Miami.
Goodbye: Quarterback Brian Hoyer (Chicago) is gone, and so is running back Arian Foster (Miami).
Big questions: The Texans need to build an offense to complement their strong defense, but is Osweiler up to the challenge? How quickly can three-time NFL defensive player of the year J.J. Watt recover from back surgery to return?
Indianapolis
Camp location: Anderson, Ind.
Hello: The Colts picked four offensive linemen in this spring’s draft, including first-round center Ryan Kelly, expected to anchor that line. The Alabama standout won the Rimington Award last season as the nation’s top college center.
Goodbye: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (retired), and tight end Coby Fleener (New Orleans) are no longer with the Colts. Quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky are gone too.
Big question: After an abysmal season in which he missed nine games – and his team missed the playoffs for just the second time since 2002 – will quarterback Andrew Luck bounce back strong?
Jacksonville
Camp location: Jacksonville, Fla.
Hello: The Jaguars made a big commitment to stepping up their defense, opening their wallet to acquire defensive tackle Malik Jackson and cornerback Prince Amukamara, as well as draft cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Myles Jack.
Goodbye: Gone are defensive end Chris Clemons, and center Stefen Wisniewski.
Big questions: Although they improved on offense, the Jaguars were dragged down by their defense last season, ranking near the bottom in virtually every defensive category. Will all the personnel adjustments change that? How much more time does Coach Gus Bradley have, seeing as he’s 12-36 in his three seasons?
Tennessee
Camp location: Nashville
Hello: The Titans were 25th in rushing offense last season. They addressed that by trading for running back DeMarco Murray, who played one season with Philadelphia after winning the 2014 rushing title with Dallas.
Goodbye: Safety Michael Griffin was released after nine seasons. The former first-round pick out of Texas who had 25 career interceptions had lost a step at age 31, and was a liability on the back end of Tennessee’s defense.
Big question: With an improved offensive line, and more horsepower in the backfield with Murray and rookie Derrick Henry, can Marcus Mariota build on his strong debut?
