IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR/KR Devin Hester; OGs Jon Asamoah and Gabe Carimi; CB Javier Arenas; OT Jake Matthews; DEs Tyson Jackson and Ra'Shede Hageman; RB Devonta Freeman; LB Prince Shembo; DT Paul Soliai; QB T.J. Yates; S Dwight Lowery; OL coach Mike Tice and DL coach Bryan Cox.
CAMP NEEDS: New coaching staff also means new offensive and defensive systems. Smith is counting on McCown, career backup coming off best season (in Chicago), to take charge, help transition of draft picks Evans, Seferian-Jenkins and Sims from college, and instill confidence in unit that also figures to include three new line starters.
EXPECTATIONS: Panthers are looking to make playoffs in back-to-back seasons for first time, which won't be easy given free agent departures. If Panthers are to be successful, they need to develop cohesiveness quickly on offense.
LAST YEAR: Won NFC South and earned first-round bye, but lost at home to San Francisco in divisional playoffs. Coach Ron Rivera got extension.
OPEN CAMP: July 25, Flowery Branch, Georgia.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB Darrelle Revis; WR Mike Williams; OT Donald Penn; G Davin Joseph; C Jeremy Zuttah; LB Dekoda Watson.
EXPECTATIONS: Return to playoffs is Atlanta's goal, a big jump from 4-12. Falcons are off to bad start with Weatherspoon rupturing his Achilles tendon while working under supervision of trainers. Ryan no longer has superstar TE Gonzalez, but passing game can still flourish if Jones and White are healthy, and Matthews and Asamoah hold down right side of line.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (12-5)
CAMP NEEDS: They finished 2013 with 11 players on injured reserve,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, need to keep injuries from being prominent story line for HBO's "Hard Knocks." Jones, held out of minicamp, is trying to return to 2012 Pro Bowl form. RT Matthews, first-round pick, is expected to start on line that needs LT Sam Baker back at full strength after missing 12 games in 2013 (knee). Defense is shifting toward 3-4 base look, which means new responsibilities at outside linebacker for ends Osi Umenyiora, Kroy Biermann, Jonathan Massaquoi and Stansly Maponga.
LAST YEAR: Ended streak of five straight winning seasons with coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan. Slowed by string of injuries,Cheap NFL Jerseys, team finished last in rushing and next to last against run. Ryan couldn't carry team with arm alone, especially after star receiver Julio Jones broke his foot and Roddy White was slowed by ankle and hamstring injuries.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Coach Lovie Smith; defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier; offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford; QB Josh McCown; DE Michael Johnson; WRs Mike Evans and Louis Murphy; CB Alterraun Verner; OT Anthony Collins; C Evan Dietrich-Smith; DT Clinton McDonald; TEs Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Brandon Myers; RB Charles Sims,Pat Tillman Cardinals Jersey.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5)
CAMP NEEDS: Getting QB Cam Newton healthy following offseason ankle surgery; he should be ready to go for camp. Newton has new group of receivers, so developing chemistry is priority. Secondary remains question with potentially three new starters in Cason, Harper and DeCoud. Offensive line is young, team needs stability at left tackle and both guard spots.
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: TE Tony Gonzalez; CB Asante Samuel; LBs Sean Weatherspoon, Akeem Dent and Stephen Nicholas; RB Jason Snelling; S Thomas DeCoud; OL Garrett Reynolds; FB Bradie Ewing; QB Dominique Davis.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-12)
NFC SOUTH
IMPORTANT LOSSES: WRs Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn Jr.; LT Jordan Gross; G Geoff Hangartner; CBs Captain Munnerlyn and CB Drayton Florence; S Mike Mitchell.
OPEN CAMP: July 24, White Sulphur Spring, West Virginia
LAST YEAR: Season began with expectations of contending for playoffs quickly spiraled out of control. Outbreak of MRSA infection in locker room preceded early demotion and subsequent release of quarterback Josh Freeman. Addition of star CB Darrelle Revis didn't help defense much,Nike Tns Cheap Online, offense sputtered with rookie QB Mike Glennon, finishing 30th in scoring, last in passing and total yardage. Nonstop chaos claimed jobs of coach Greg Schiano (11-21 in two seasons) and GM Mark Dominik.
EXPECTATIONS: With additions of Byrd and Bailey and return of nearly all productive players from 2013 on both sides of ball, Saints expect to look like legitimate title contender by end of training camp.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WRs Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, and
