CAROLINA (11-5)
OPEN CAMP: July 30, Spartanburg, S.C.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: LB Mark Fields will be back after missing last season with Hodgkin's disease; LBs Brandon Short, Jessie Armstead, OLs Adam Meadows and Travis Claridge, CB Artrell Hawkins.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: Eight major contributors are gone, including starters OG Jeno James, OG Kevin Donalley, OT Todd Steussie, CB Reggie Howard, CB Terry Cousin, S Deon Grant.
CAMP NEEDS: The Panthers must rebuild the OL, which lost three of five starters and retool the secondary. CB Chris Gamble, their first round pick, will compete for a starting spot.
EXPECTATIONS: The Panthers will be expected to match last season's Super Bowl run, but will be hard-pressed to do so. The losses will hurt and Carolina didn't chase after big names the way it did a year ago in building the Super Bowl team. Coach John Fox will have to work the same magic he did in his first two seasons in Carolina, but last year's success will prevent the Panthers from sneaking up on opponents — they'll be targets instead.
PHILADELPHIA (12-4)
OPEN CAMP: July 27, Bethlehem, Pa.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR Terrell Owens, DE Jevon Kearse, LB Dhani Jones, LB Jeremiah Trotter, G Shane Andrews.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Troy Vincent, CB Bobby Taylor, RB Duce Staley, LB Carlos Emmons.
CAMP NEEDS: Integrate Owens into the offense, establish a consistent running game without Staley, improve the pass rush, figure out who'll start at MLB and find out if Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown can replace Vincent and Taylor. Vincent also must be replaced as team leader, especially with tempestuous Owens in locker room.
EXPECTATIONS: After three straight losses in NFC title game, nothing less than a Super Bowl trip will do.
ST. LOUIS (12-4)
OPEN CAMP: July 27, Macomb, Ill.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: RB Steven Jackson, drafted in first round as eventual replacement for Marshall Faulk. Veteran DLs Bernard Holsey and Sean Moran. QB Chris Chandler.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, who became Chicago head coach. DLs Damione Lewis and Grant Wistrom. Warner, who leaves only injury-prone 38-year-old Chandler as experienced backup to Bulger. DE Leonard Little faces possible suspension after drunken driving arrest.
CAMP NEEDS: Establish Mark Bulger in his first full camp as starter. Re-style defense under new coordinator Larry Marmie, who takes over for Smith.
EXPECTATIONS: Rams are 56-24 since 1999, the year they turned around fortunes and won Super Bowl. As long as Bulger stays healthy, the "Greatest Show on Turf" remains intact. A lot depends on how Larry Marmie, the new defensive coordinator, handles a quick young defense.
GREEN BAY (10-6)
OPEN CAMP: July 30, Green Bay.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Tim Couch. Could he be Brett Favre's eventual successor? LB Armegis Spearman, who is listed as MLB Nick Barnett's backup but might push Na'il Diggs or Hannibal Navies for a starting job on the outside. Rookie CBs Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas. SS Mark Roman, who will battle Marques Anderson and Bhawoh Jue for the starting job.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: P Josh Bidwell and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, who was replaced by Bob Slowik after his unit blew a fourth-and-26 coverage in the waning minutes to lose to the Eagles in the playoffs.
CAMP NEEDS: CB, where Mike McKenzie is holding out. Backup QB, where Couch's addition could spell the end for Doug Pederson and Craig Nall. Punter.
EXPECTATIONS: The Packers fully expect to challenge for a championship under Favre, who has started 190 consecutive games, a record for an NFL quarterback, and RB Ahman Green, who rushed for 1,883 yards and 20 TDs in 2003.
DALLAS (10-6)
OPEN CAMP: July 30, Oxnard, Calif.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR Keyshawn Johnson; RB Eddie George; DE Marcellus Wiley; QBs Vinny Testaverde and Drew Henson; rookie RB Julius Jones; rookie OLs Stephen Peterman and Jacob Rogers; rookie CB Bruce Thornton; C Al Johnson, 2003 second-round pick injured in training camp last year.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Troy Hambrick, DE Ebenezer Ekuban, WR Joey Galloway, CB Mario Edwards.
CAMP NEEDS: Determine starting QB. The 40-year-old Testaverde signed anticipating a chance to compete for the starting job with his old coach, Quincy Carter is the incumbent starter and former pro baseball player Henson is considered the QB of the future. Is rookie Julius Jones the starting RB, and finally a replacement for NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith?
EXPECTATIONS: With Bill Parcells less patient, demanding that his returning players be better-disciplined and better-conditioned, the Cowboys expect another playoff appearance. Defense should be good again, but offensive woes will continue until QB and RB questions answered.
SEATTLE (10-6)
OPEN CAMP: Aug. 2, Cheney, Wash.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Grant Wistrom; CB Bobby Taylor; rookie DT Marcus Tubbs; rookie SS Michael Boulware.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Shawn Springs; SS Reggie Tongue; DT John Randle.
CAMP NEEDS: Get OT Walter Jones to show up. The four-time Pro-Bowler, designated Seattle's franchise player, is expected to miss camp for the third straight year as he seeks a long-term contract.
EXPECTATIONS: Sky high. Seattle's 10 wins were the most in 17 years and confidence was bolstered by an 8-0 home record. The Seahawks went 2-6 on the road and must improve if they hope to go deep into the playoffs.
MINNESOTA (9-7)
OPEN CAMP: July 30, Mankato, Minn.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: CB Antoine Winfield, WR Marcus Robinson, P Darren Bennett, TE Jermaine Wiggins, DE Kenechi Udeze (first-round draft pick), LB Dontarrious Thomas (second-round draft pick).
IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Greg Biekert (retired).
CAMP NEEDS: Must establish linebacking corps, with second-year man E.J. Henderson stepping in for Biekert in the middle and injury-prone Chris Claiborne lining up outside. There is little depth.
EXPECTATIONS: With nearly every key starter returning, several holes filled through free agency and the draft and the motivation of last year's collapse against the Cardinals, the Vikings and coach Mike Tice will be a huge failure if they don't make the playoffs.
DETROIT (5-11)
OPEN CAMP: July 31, Allen Park, Mich.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: G Damien Woody and FS Brock Marion (free agents). WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones, first-round draft picks.
IMPORTANT LOSS: LB Barrett Green.
CAMP NEEDS: Williams and Jones must learn Steve Mariucci's offense quickly, and WR Charles Rogers (shoulder) has to be healthy.
EXPECTATIONS: QB Joey Harrington, entering his third season, has some talented skill players around him for the first time, but they're young. On defense, Pro Bowl CB Dre' Bly, DT Shaun Rogers and LB Boss Bailey lead the way. If Harrington can produce with his improved surrounding cast and Detroit's defensive line can generate a pass rush, the Lions might finally be respectable.
NEW ORLEANS (8-8)
OPEN CAMP: July 29, New Orleans.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Will Smith, DE, Ohio State, and John Pease, defensive line coach who was with Saints when they had their best defenses.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: None.
CAMP NEEDS: To establish consistency from QB Aaron Brooks among others. Brooks and the team have had trouble staying healthy the past three seasons.
EXPECTATIONS: Saints must make the playoffs. After his first season in 2000, in which New Orleans won its first playoff game ever, coach Jim Haslett has failed to get his team to the playoffs.
TAMPA BAY (7-9)
OPEN CAMP: JULY 30, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: RB Charlie Garner, T Derrick Deese, T Todd Steussie, WR Joey Galloway, rookie WR Michael Clayton, DT Darrell Russell, LB Ian Gold, CB Mario Edwards, QB Brian Griese, T/G Matt Stinchcomb, G Matt O'Dwyer.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: DT Warren Sapp, S John Lynch, WR Keyshawn Johnson, RB Thomas Jones, LB Nate Webster.
CAMP NEEDS: With Sapp and Lynch gone from a defense that's ranked among the NFL's best much of the past decade, the Bucs could be on the verge of becoming an offensive-oriented team. With as many as four new starters on the offensive line, one of Gruden's biggest priorities in training camp will be trying to mold the newcomers into a cohesive unit.
EXPECTATIONS: Jon Gruden and new general manager Bruce Allen have retooled the team to make a run at another Super Bowl now. A mere return to the playoffs won't be enough to satisfy fans whose expectations were heightened by the team's championship run in 2002.
CHICAGO (7-9)
OPEN CAMP: July 28, Bourbonnais, Ill.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Head coach Lovie Smith; RB Thomas Jones; OT John Tait; G Ruben Brown; QB Jonathan Quinn; DT Tommie Harris (draft)
IMPORTANT LOSSES: OG Chris Villarrial; QB Chris Chandler; QB Kordell Stewart
CAMP NEEDS: Learn Smith's system on both sides of the ball; that includes a West Coast offense under coordinator Terry Shea and a more aggressive attacking defense that Smith brings from St. Louis.
EXPECTATIONS: Jones gives the Bears offense a breakaway threat and pass catcher for young QB Rex Grossman, who must mature quickly.
SAN FRANCISCO (5-11)
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: G Justin Smiley, second-round pick, could be a starter; Journeyman WR Curtis Conway to help augment depleted WR contingent.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: Four of the most important offensive players: WR Terrell Owens, QB Jeff Garcia, G Ron Stone, RB Garrison Hearst plus WR Tai Streets. It could be addition by subtraction — Owens spent a large part of the year complaining that Garcia wasn't throwing to him enough.
CAMP NEEDS: Find a QB. Tim Rattay was Garcia's heir apparent, but had groin surgery, opening things up for second-year man Ken Dorsey, who fits the West Coast offense although his arm strength is questionable. There could be additional problem is LB Julian Peterson, designated the franchise player, makes good on his threat to stay out of camp.
EXPECTATIONS: Not very high for a franchise that's been one of the NFL's elite for the past quarter-century.
WASHINGTON (5-11)
OPEN CAMP: July 31, Ashburn, Va.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, QB Mark Brunell, RB Clinton Portis, CB Shawn Springs, S Sean Taylor, LB Marcus Washington, LB Mike Barrow, DE Phillip Daniels, DT Cornelius Griffin, P Tom Tupa.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Champ Bailey, LB Jeremiah Trotter, LB Jessie Armstead, DE Bruce Smith, RB Trung Canidate.
CAMP NEEDS: Players need to master Gibbs' schemes. The coach made his players work hard in the classroom in the spring, hoping that it translates into instant comprehension once the pads are on. He's starting camp as late as possible to cut down on wear and tear late in the season.
EXPECTATIONS: Way too high. Gibbs has been welcomed back as the long overdue savior after 12 years away, but probably only a wild-card team if they do their best.
ATLANTA (5-11)
OPEN CAMP: July 28, Greenville, S.C.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Jim Mora, DT Rod Coleman, CB Jason Webster, WR Dez White. CB DeAngelo Hall, the No. 8 overall draft pick, is expected to start immediately. WR Michael Jenkins, the second first-round pick, also could start.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CBs Ray Buchanan and Tyrone Williams. OLB Keith Newman was cut as Pro Bowler Keith Brooking moved from the middle to the weak side.
CAMP NEEDS: Backup QB. Rookie Matt Schaub lacks experience, and Ty Detmer hasn't attempted a pass since 2001.
EXPECTATIONS: Michael Vick must avoid injury in new West Coast offense and if he does, he should make Falcons an instant playoff contender. But defense also needs a turnaround.
NEW YORK GIANTS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP: July 30, Albany. N.Y.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Coach Tom Coughlin, QBs Kurt Warner and Eli Manning, C Shaun O'Hara, T Barry Stokes, LBs Carlos Emmons and Barrett Green, S Brent Alexander and DT Norman Hand
IMPORTANT LOSSES: QB Kerry Collins, LBs Mike Barrow, Dhani Jones and Brandon Short, C Chris Bober, DTs Keith Hamilton and Cornelius Griffin.
CAMP NEEDS: The new OL has to gel, RB Tiki Barber has to stop fumbling, CBs Will Allen and Will Peterson and TE Jeremy Shockey need to stay healthy and Warner has to play well until Manning is ready to take over, either this year or next.
EXPECTATIONS: Coughlin may have high hopes, but 8-8 might be as good as it gets. And that could be a reach. The team says it's retooling, but it's really rebuilding for Manning.
ARIZONA (4-12)
OPEN CAMP: Aug. 1, Flagstaff, Ariz.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR Larry Fitzgerald (third overall pick), DE Bertrand Berry (free agent), CB David Macklin (free agent), DT Darnell Dockett (third round), QB Shaun King (free agent).
IMPORTANT LOSSES: QB Jeff Blake, CB David Barrett, K Bill Gramatica.
CAMP NEEDS: It's a different world in the NFL's wasteland of a franchise, with new coach Dennis Green making wholesale changes — and that's only during minicamps. OT L.J. Shelton, with a hefty new contract, has been benched with Leonard Davis moving from RG to LT. Green moved RB Emmitt Smith back into starting lineup ahead of Marcel Shipp. Green will continue force-feeding his new system and new attitude. QB Josh McCown, firmly installed as starter, will have to show his skills and leadership to earn team's respect
EXPECTATIONS: The Cardinals hired Green to build a winner before the team moves into new stadium in 2006. Green believes Fitzgerald; 2003 rookie star Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson could be the best wide receiver trio in the league.