Sporting News Training Camp Preview

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July 22 issue of Sporting News..

Top Priority: The coaches must get the offense in a productive mode after last season's dismal performance. Training camp will provide an indication of whether they will succeed. Coach Joe Gibbs likes to pound the ball between the tackles and throw deep once the defense draws in, but Clinton Portis does not excel as an inside runner. The blocking schemes have ben altered to give Portis more room and cutback lanes. If the running game and offense in general aren't improved, the team faces another long season of close games and close defeats.

Rookie to Watch: CB Carlos Rogers isn't expected to be a starter by the end of camp, but he is expected to be a solid nickel back who will push for a startig job. He has good speed, solid cover skills and the ability to deliver big hits. A sprained ankle will limit Togers in the early part of camp, making his learning curve longer than expected. Coordinator Greg Williams likes to use his corners creatibely and should be able to find many ways to deploy Rogers.

Camp Confidential: The new starting wideouts must show they will make plays for QB Patrick Ramsey. Perhaps most important, David Patten needs to establish himself as a consistent threat on mid and long range routes to divert some attention from Santana Moss... The team is trying the shotgun to give quarterbacks a better chance in long yardage situations. Gibbs, never a fan of that formation, must resis the inclination to shelve it if things go wrong initially... No position will feature a more fierce competition for playing time and roster spots than linebakcer.