Camp News & Notes: NFC South

By Chad Klassen
Love of Sports Correspondent

As training camps progress and we get through one week of preseason action, we’ll start to see how teams around the league are shaping up.

Injuries and on-field fisticuffs have outlined the proceedings during the first two weeks of practice and given some insight into how the NFC South will breakdown.

The Bucs welcome back a former star into the fold, while the Cadillac continues to sit in the shop and their starter rests his wounds; the Saints are seeing immaculate improvement on the injury front in The Big Easy; Carolina pulls out the tranquilizers to sedate a pair of Panthers; and a rookie Falcon is flying high under center.

These are the top stories as The Love of Sports examines Training Camp 2008 around the NFC South.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

--There’s been a little concern over the well-being of Jeff Garcia, who strained his calf in the first couple days of Training Camp and still isn’t practicing. Backup Luke McCown has mostly spent time with the first-team offense while the journeyman quarterback recovers. He’s close to returning, though, according to head coach Jon Gruden. On a side note, Garcia might’ve had one of the best offseason quotes, discussing Gruden’s obsession with signal callers amidst the Favre rumors: “He loves quarterbacks. But he likes to just date. He doesn’t like to marry.”

--Another Buccaneer hoping to make a triumph return to the gridiron is running back Carnell Williams, who suffered a potential career-ending knee injury last season. Cadillac’s knee was basically decapitated when he was tackled awkwardly against Carolina in September, but his rehab has him making unbelievable progress on his comeback. While Cadillac won’t be back in Training Camp, possibility ready to start the regular season, the Bucs have depth at the position, having reacquired fan-favorite Warrick Dunn, who’ll likely share the load with Earnest Graham.

New Orleans Saints

--The Saints were without a dependable running game for most of last year, but Deuce McAllister is making progress with his on-field rehab, despite not practicing everyday. He recently participated in two daily practices for the first time since Training Camp started, but is still taking it easy following his second knee surgery in three offseasons. Training Camp in New Orleans will be geared towards building up the strength in McAllister’s knee to ensure he’s 100 percent when the Saints kickoff their season. Reggie Bush is sure hoping McAllister’s on the opening day roster, so he can revert to making plays outside the tackles and leave the inside running to McAllister, a combo that made the Saints a dynamic offense in 2006.

--Recently acquired tight end Jeremy Shockey will undoubtedly compliment McAllister and Bush. Shockey’s partaken in morning and afternoon drills and looks solid, seemingly eager to return to Pro Bowl form. However, head coach Sean Payton’s been protective, wanting to assure the former Giant makes a full recovery from the fractured fibula. Both he and McAllister will sit out the team’s preseason opener in Arizona.

--Saints top pick Sedrick Ellis made it to Training Camp following a lengthy contract dispute. He agreed to a five-year deal and Payton noted that his newest defensive lineman showed up in good shape and had impressed the coaching staff in both rookie camp and minicamp. But the seventh overall pick’s behind the rest of the team after missing the first 12 days of festivities and will need time to catch up.

Carolina Panthers

--The team’s seemingly moved on from the fight between star receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Ken Lucas that resulted in Smith’s two-game suspension, as the flashy pass-catcher was welcomed back to practice last week. The tension and intensity in practice points to a team frustrated and insistent on revamping a disappointing 7-9 season in 2007, and Training Camp’s where it all begins. Smith is a major component to Carolina’s turnaround, and if his performance in camp is any indicator, he’s looking determined as always to lead the Panthers back to the playoffs.

--The emergence of Jake Delhomme in 2003 was a big reason why the Panthers were a couple plays from winning the Super Bowl. But the undrafted quarterback has suffered from injuries the past couple seasons, and given the ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery, he’ll be limited throughout camp. From the limited action he’s seen, Delhomme’s making huge strides and hasn’t felt the effects from his surgically-repair elbow. The Panthers need their leader to flash back to his injury-shortened 2007 season when he threw eight TD passes in three games to help Carolina start 2-1.

--Julius Peppers arguably had his worst season last year, but the pass rusher feels stronger and fitter at Training Camp, and this is what the Panthers need. Given the trade of Kris Jenkins to the Jets and the retirement of Mike Rucker, it’s a necessity that Peppers returns to top form. It doesn’t look like this will be much of a problem for the six-year veteran, who’s looked very quick and agile during the early stages of camp.

Atlanta Falcons

--The Falcons faithful will put all their hopes into Matt Ryan, who has to be feeling the pressure that tends to follow a $72-million rookie contract. The third overall pick was recently given first-team snaps, and amidst the debate whether to throw him into the fire or slowly groom him as a quarterback, new head coach Mike Smith and his staff have to like what they’ve seem from him during Training Camp and are leaning towards the first option. The former Boston College quarterback, while not having the strongest arm, has some timing issues to work out, but he’s easily been the most improved player since minicamp. Journeyman Chris Redman still has a shot to win the starting job, but Atlanta probably wants to move forward with their future and make this Ryan’s team.

--Ryan’s early season success is predicated on a solid running game. The Falcons went out and signed Michael Turner, L.T.’s backup in San Diego, to a lucrative deal. Turner will bring the necessary speed and toughness to Atlanta’s backfield, but he’s rehabbing from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the Chargers’ playoff run and required offseason surgery. During full-contract drills, though, Turner’s looked strong and will continue to get better as Training Camp marches on.