USA TODAY International Edition
Pressing issues
With training camps about to begin, we pose a key question to each of the NFL’s 32 teams,
NFL training camps begin opening this weekend when the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers report for duty ( all team’s dates, 7C). Though optimism runs high in July, every team has its issues. Here is one major question for every NFL club as the dawn of the 2015 season approaches:
Arizona Cardinals: Will they hit the ground running? Coach Bruce Arians likes to attack through the air, but the Cards — the NFC’s worst running team in 2014 — need better balance. A bolstered O- line, a healthy Andre Ellington and rookie David Johnson offer hope.
Atlanta Falcons: Will Matt Ryan get help? He and WR Julio Jones weren’t responsible for last season’s struggles. But if the Falcons don’t run the ball better and begin stopping anyone defensively, another ugly autumn awaits.
Baltimore Ravens: The offense had its best year of the Joe Flacco- John Harbaugh era in 2014, but how will it adapt to Marc Trestman, the Ravens’ fourth coordinator since 2012? Aside from WR Steve Smith, Flacco has no proven receiving options.
Buffalo Bills: Who emerges from a three- way quarterback battle? If Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor proves an effective game manager, Rex Ryan has the defense plus run game formula that led to two AFC title game trips with the New York Jets.
Carolina Panthers: Will they get enough blocking? They look OK inside, where star C Ryan Kalil is the anchor. But will now-healed and now- paid Cam Newton get capable protection off the edges, and will RB Jonathan Stewart find room outside?
Chicago Bears: How will they adapt to Vic Fangio’s 3- 4 defense? The new coordinator had a great run of success with the San Francisco 49ers, but a steep learning curve awaits the Bears’ Tampa 2 personnel, including Jared Allen, 33, who must learn linebacker.
Cincinnati Bengals: Do they have the talent ( and has it progressed enough) to be more than a one- and- done playoff team? They did little in free agency, and the draft might not offer immediate help. It’s hard to envision a quantum leap under the circumstances.
Cleveland Browns: Is there reason to believe they’ve closed the gap on the AFC North? Mike Pettine’s a good coach, and his defense should be better in Year 2. But the offensive skill players don’t remotely compare to their counterparts in the division.
Dallas Cowboys: Can they overcome the loss of DeMarco Murray? RBs Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle can likely provide a decent run game behind the sterling O- line. The challenge is moving the chains to shield a defense that allowed 5.8 yards a play in 2014.
Denver Broncos: Is this Peyton Manning’s final rodeo? And, if so, do the Broncos have enough horsepower to get him a second ring? That question might boil down to a patchwork O- line and how quickly players synthesize Gary Kubiak’s playbook.
Detroit Lions: Can they thrive without Ndamukong Suh? The double- team- commanding centerpiece of 2014’ s No. 2 defense is gone. The Lions will rely on a village to replace him and hope healthy WR Calvin Johnson can increase the overall margin of error.
Green Bay Packers: Are they over their NFC Championship Game meltdown in Seattle? New team, new season, yada, yada. But if the Pack want to vie for a Super Bowl 50 berth from the safety of Lambeau Field, they can’t afford an early- season hangover.
Houston Texans: Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett? Experience and unproven potential, a microcosm of the Houston roster in many ways. But make no mistake — this team can make noise if someone quiets the QB conundrum.
Indianapolis Colts: Can they beat the Patriots? Andrew Luck and Co. must overcome the same bugaboo Peyton Manning’s Colts had to surmount nearly a decade ago. Otherwise, Indy certainly has the potential to be Super.
Jacksonville Jaguars: How deep is owner Shad Khan’s patience? The Jags are 7- 25 under GM Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley, though the duo has laid a promising foundation. But three or four wins might not mean a stay of execution in 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs: Who will ease RB Jamaal Charles’ burden? A solid defense led by $ 100 million man Justin Houston can be counted on to do its share. But QB Alex Smith, LT Eric Fisher, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce must step up.
Miami Dolphins: Can DT Ndamukong Suh provide a topfive defense, something Miami hasn’t had since 2006? The offense took a major step forward in 2014. If Suh’s presence has a positively cascading effect, this should be a playoff club.
Minnesota Vikings: Will Adrian Peterson break from the gate quickly? History certainly suggests yes. But he has basically missed a full year and must find rhythm with coordinator Norv Turner and QB Teddy Bridgewater.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady is in limbo. Aside from that, who will stop the pass? The Pats parted ways with their four top corners and seem in danger of reverting to the defense that was 25th or worse from 2010 to 2013.
New Orleans Saints: Can they cut the load on Drew Brees’ arm? The defense was atrocious in 2014, and the Saints have had only one top- 10 run game since their 2009 Super Bowl season. But they’ve taken steps to address both areas amid life after Jimmy Graham.
New York Giants: Are they OK in the trenches? The NFC’s worst defense against the run last season doesn’t look markedly improved, and DE Jason Pierre- Paul is something of an unknown. The bigger concern is how an overhauled O- line will hold up.
New York Jets: Can QB Geno Smith, who has turned the ball over 41 times in 30 NFL games, merely elevate his play to an efficient level with more talent around him? If so, the defensively stacked Jets should be squarely in the playoff mix.
Oakland Raiders: Is RB Latavius Murray the real deal? A 6- 3, 230- pound freight train who showed ability to break off 90yard TD runs could also be a flash in the pan. The answer might determine whether Oakland leaves the AFC West basement.
Philadelphia Eagles: Can Sam Bradford stay healthy? He’s nearly two years removed from his last regular- season snap and joins an offense that exposes quarterbacks to many occupational hazards. But if Bradford stays upright, look out.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The offense is Super Bowl- caliber, but is it good enough to carry a defense in transition? New coordinator Keith Butler brings his own style, but he can only hope he has an adequate pass rush and coverage from an inexperienced group.
St. Louis Rams: What will they get from new QB Nick Foles? It’s not fair to expect the guy who posted a surreal 119.2 passer rating two years ago. But Foles must capably diversify an offense that has been too onedimensional of late.
San Diego Chargers: Is this team on the rise or on the verge of being demolished? QB Philip Rivers, TE Antonio Gates and S Eric Weddle could be playing their final seasons in San Diego ... perhaps along with the franchise.
San Francisco 49ers: Who’s the boss? Jim Harbaugh, Frank Gore,— all Patrickstrong leaders,Willis, Justinall gone. Smith If this under team rookie suffers coach an Jim identity Tomsula, crisis a depleted roster could be of secondary concern.
Seattle Seahawks: Can they continue managing distractions? The track record shows they know how to cope with significant drama. This year, it starts with contract issues for mainstays Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and Michael Bennett.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: How will rookie QB Jameis Winston handle the spotlight? Given his troubling off- field detours at Florida State, it might be a more relevant concern than his ability to run the Bucs offense, a huge challenge by itself.
Tennessee Titans: Is Marcus Mariota up to the NFL challenge? He’ll surely get more than a 16game audition, but the Titans know they bypassed some intriguing opportunities to replenish the franchise had they dealt the right to draft Mariota.
Washington Redskins: Is Robert Griffin III the guy? No way the fourth- year passer collects $ 16 million in 2016 if he’s subpar in 2015. With Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy in walk years, the team could be back at square one under center in six months.