ARIZONA CARDINALS

Training-camp site: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz.

Training-camp report date: July 29.

Key veteran arrivals: TE Anthony Becht, FB Dan Kreider, LS Mike Leach, S Keith Lewis, CB Bryant McFadden, OT Oliver Ross, RB Jason Wright.

Key veteran departures: RB J.J. Arrington, LB Monty Beisel, CB Eric Green, LS Nathan Hodel, CB Rod Hood, RB Edgerrin James, DE-OLB Travis LaBoy, DE Antonio Smith, FB Terrelle Smith.

Drafted rookies: (1) RB Chris "Beanie" Wells; (2) OLB-DE Cody Brown; (3) S Rashad Johnson; (4) CB Greg Toler; (5) OT-OG Herman Johnson; (6) OLB-DE Will Davis; (7) RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, OG Trevor Canfield.

Offensive overview: Although the offense has new coordinators — with Todd Haley, the new head coach of the Chiefs, being jointly replaced by Russ Grimm, who will oversee the run game, and Mike Miller, who will be in charge of the passing game — the same pass-oriented approach that worked so well last season under the direction of newly re-signed QB Kurt Warner is expected to remain intact. Crisp, accurate up-tempo passes from Warner to 1,000-yard WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston will again be the featured attraction. The Cardinals hope a ground game that made major strides in the postseason, after having gained a league-worst 73.6 yards per game during the regular season, will be bolstered by the addition of first-round rookie RB Chris "Beanie Wells. Ex-Brown Jason Wright is expected to replace J.J. Arrington as the No. 3 back, while fellow free-agent addition Dan Kreider takes over for Terrelle Smith at fullback.

Defensive overview: The defense also has a new coordinator, as Billy Davis, formerly the LB coach, replaces Clancy Pendergast, who has joined Haley in Kansas City. Davis will retain the same 4-3 "under" scheme that ranked 28th in points allowed last season but turned things around in the playoffs, racking up a 13-5 turnover differential while limiting opposing running attacks to only 72.5 yards per game. Newly re-signed Pro Bowl SS Adrian Wilson, ILB Karlos Dansby and DE-DT Darnell Dockett spearhead a unit laden with quality playmakers but lacking in consistent pass rushers. Second-year DEs Calais Campbell and Kenny Iwebema are tabbed to collectively replace the departed Antonio Smith at left end. A pass defense that surrendered a league-leading 36 TD passes looks greatly improved with the additions of free-agent CB Bryant McFadden and rookie DBs Rashad Johnson and Greg Toler.  

Battle to watch: Wells could have his work cut out for him wresting the No. 1 RB job away from hardworking second-year RB Tim Hightower. While he doesn't offer nearly as great a big-play dimension as Wells, Hightower is expected to be a lot more comfortable during his second year in the Cardinals' offensive system.

Injury update: Warner is reportedly close to 100 percent recovered from his arthroscopic hip surgery in March and says he has improved his range of motion as a result of the operation. Starting C Lyle Sendlein is feeling much better after undergoing surgery to repair the torn labrum he quietly endured a good part of last season. TE Stephen Spach continues to gradually recover from the torn ACL in his right knee suffered in last year's playoff win over the Panthers. NT Gabe Watson is expected to be more of a factor after successful offseason knee surgery, combined with a considerable weight loss. Clark Haggans, who will share the right-side "predator" end position with veteran Bertrand Berry, has been working nonstop in the weight room and appears fully recovered from the foot injury that prematurely ended his '08 campaign. Iwebema is slowly but surely rounding back into shape after having a tumor surgically removed from his chest in May.  

Fantasy sleeper: While the temptation is great to pick Breaston, who could conceivably get more opportunities at the expense of the disgruntled Boldin, who remains unhappy over his contract, the nod goes to Hightower. It's hard to overlook those 10 touchdowns he managed to score in his rookie campaign.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Training-camp site: Russell Training Center, Earth City, Mo.

Training-camp report dates: Rookies, July 30; Veterans, July 31.

Key veteran arrivals: TE Billy Bajema, QB Kyle Boller, C Jason Brown, FS James Butler, WR Tim Carter, DT Orien Harris, FB Mike Karney, WR Laurent Robinson.

Key veteran departures: TE Anthony Becht, WR Drew Bennett, S Corey Chavous, QB Trent Green, WR Torry Holt, C Nick Leckey, RB Brian Leonard, OT Orlando Pace, C Brett Romberg, OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa.

Drafted rookies: (1) OT Jason Smith; (2) ILB James Laurinaitis; (3) CB Bradley Fletcher; (4) DT Dorell Scott; (5) WR Brooks Foster; (6) QB Keith Null; (7) RB Chris Ogbonnaya.

Offensive overview: Pat Shurmur grabs the coordinator baton from Al Saunders, whose disappointing offense managed to score 20 or more points only three times last season. Shurmur appears to be following the Eagles' West Coast offensive blueprint, with a heavier emphasis on the run. RB Steven Jackson remains the undisputed offensive centerpiece and is expected to have more holes to run through, courtesy of new FB Mike Karney, new C Jason Brown and first-round draft pick Jason Smith, who is expected to begin the regular season as the starting right tackle. New head coach Steve Spagnuolo has pledged his allegiance to QB Marc Bulger, who is facing a make-or-break campaign after steadily declining the past two seasons. Bulger will be throwing to a very injury-prone and inexperienced WR corps led by second-year pros Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton and ex-Falcon Laurent Robinson. After missing much of last season with a leg injury, TE Randy McMichael could end up being Bulger's primary target.

Defensive overview: The hope is that Spagnuolo will be able to work the same kind of defensive magic he displayed the previous two seasons as the coordinator of the Giants. He and new coordinator Ken Flajole, previously the Panthers' LB coach, hope to put together a versatile unit in a constant attack mode, which will be much tougher at the point of attack and up the middle. They also hope to get a lot more out of former first-round picks Chris Long, whose play at right end leveled off over the second half of his rookie campaign last season, and Adam Carriker, who will play left tackle and handle both the three-technique and NT duties at that position, depending on the situation. Second-round draft pick James Laurinaitis is expected to be an upgrade at middle linebacker over undersized Will Witherspoon, who will move back to the weak-side spot he previously held down in Carolina. Free agent James Butler, who played under Spagnuolo with the Giants, bolsters the back end of the secondary as the new starting strong safety.  

Battle to watch: The verdict remains out at strong-side linebacker. Versatile veteran Chris Draft is widely considered the front-runner, but in offseason practice sessions up to now the starting role has been mostly shared by ex-Niner Larry Grant, a former teammate of Laurinaitis' at Ohio State, and former "Mr. Irrelevant" David Vobora. Quinton Culberson, who gave way to Draft after struggling mightily as the starter last season, is also in the mix.

Injury update: Jackson claims to be in the best shape of his life after missing four games and most of a fifth last season with a strained thigh and being hampered by a sore hamstring down the stretch. WRs Burton and Derek Stanley, who became the team's primary kick returner last season, both continue to recover from knee surgery and are expected to very gradually ease into training camp. Avery, who finished the '08 season with a cracked hip, has also moderated his offseason so far. Mark Setterstrom, who missed all of last season after suffering a preseason knee injury, is healthy again and shapes up as the front-runner to back up Brown at center. Carriker believes he's finally fully recovered from the shoulder and ankle injuries that plagued him all of last season. Veteran DE Leonard Little, who was hampered by a torn hamstring last season, has enjoyed a strong early offseason. Former first-round CB Tye Hill has also held up well enough so far this offseason after missing 12 games with a knee injury in '08. 

Fantasy sleepers: Flip a coin between Robinson, who displayed intriguing fantasy flashes as a rookie with the Falcons, and TE Daniel Fells, who has made his presence very much felt since being plucked off the Buccaneers' practice squad early last October.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Training-camp site: Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Center, Santa Clara, Calif.

Training-camp report dates: Rookies, July 28; Veterans, July 30.

Key veteran arrivals: CB Dré Bly, DE Demetric Evans, OLB Marques Harris, QB Damon Huard, WR Brandon Jones, FB Moran Norris, OT Marvel Smith.

Key veteran departures: TE Billy Bajema, LB Tully Banta-Cain, DE Ronald Fields, OT Jonas Jennings, WR Bryant Johnson, S Keith Lewis, QB J.T. O'Sullivan, CB Donald Strickland.

Drafted rookies: (1) WR Michael Crabtree; (3) RB Glen Coffee; (5) ILB Scott McKillop, QB Nate Davis; (6) TE Bear Pascoe; (7) S Curtis Taylor, DT Ricky Jean-Francois.

Offensive overview: With the starting QB job undecided between incumbent Shaun Hill and former first-rounder Alex Smith, and this year's No. 1 pick, WR Michael Crabtree, yet to strut his stuff after undergoing offseason foot surgery, it could take awhile before the Niners' new offensive identity is fully revealed by Jimmy Raye, the Niners' seventh coordinator in seven seasons. It's safe to say a lot will be expected from RB Frank Gore, who should benefit from the additions of second-round pick Glen Coffee, who will help keep Gore fresh, and FB Moran Norris, who blocked so effectively for Gore in his breakout campaign in '06. The team hopes ex-Steeler Marvel Smith can step in at right tackle to bolster an O-line that surrendered a league-high 55 sacks in '08. The WR situation is extremely fluid, with Crabtree, veterans Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle, promising youngsters Josh Morgan and Jason Hill, and ex-Titan Brandon Jones all considered very much in the picture.

Defensive overview: The simplified 3-4 base defense Mike Singletary installed after replacing Mike Nolan as the head coach last season steadily improved during the second half of the 2008 campaign. Spearheaded by ILB Patrick Willis, who is widely considered the game's best young defender, the unit is expected to pick up where it left off with a much greater emphasis on forcing turnovers. A key change in that regard is the insertion of hard-hitting Dashon Goldson as the starter at free safety over Mark Roman, who has not intercepted a pass or forced a fumble since 2006. The starting secondary will also include a different starter at the right corner, where either newcomer Dré Bly or Tarell Brown will replace veteran Walt Harris, who is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee earlier this offseason. After failing to add a badly needed pass rusher, holdover OLBs Parys Haralson, who had a team-high eight sacks last season, and former first-rounder Manny Lawson are being counted on to apply steady pressure.   

Battle to watch: It has to be the competition at quarterback, where Smith has narrowed the gap after coming on strong in the team's minicamps and OTAs with steadily improving arm strength and body language. Hill is still considered the front-runner by virtue of his strong performance after replacing the struggling J.T. O'Sullivan under center last season.

Injury update: Alex Smith, who has added about 20 pounds to his frame, looks healthier every time he throws the ball after having been forced to undergo three shoulder surgeries the last two seasons, the latest coming last October when a bothersome bone fragment was removed. As for Marvel Smith, he has remained virtually under wraps so far this offseason after missing 15 games the past two seasons with back problems. Crabtree, who is champing at the bit to get on the field, is expected to be ready to go full tilt by the start of camp. DE Ray McDonald, who had his moments before injuring his knee late last season, is recovering slowly from surgery on the knee and looks like a strong candidate for the physically-unable-to-perform list to begin the season. Starting SS Michael Lewis, who suffered a lot of wear and tear due to a host of injuries last season, has yet to do much at all this offseason but should be OK for training camp.

Fantasy sleeper: Don't be surprised if WR Josh Morgan, a sixth-round steal in last year's draft with legitimate big-play potential, steals Crabtree's thunder.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Training-camp site: Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, Wash.

Training-camp report dates: Rookies, July 30; Veterans, July 31.

Key veteran arrivals: DT Colin Cole, FB Justin Griffith, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CB Ken Lucas, TE John Owens, LS Bryan Pittman, DL Cory Redding.

Key veteran departures: DT Rocky Bernard, WR Bobby Engram, DT Howard Green, TE Will Heller, RB Maurice Morris, OLB Julian Peterson, LS Tyler Schmitt, FB Leonard Weaver, OG Floyd Womack.

Drafted rookies: (1) OLB Aaron Curry; (2) OG-C Max Unger; (3) WR Deon Butler; (6) QB Mike Teel; (7) S Courtney Greene, DE Nick Reed, TE Cameron Morrah.

Offensive overview: Although the Seahawks are excited over what figures to be a very diverse and potentially potent passing attack featuring WRs Deion Branch and Nate Burleson outside, newcomer T.J. Houshmandzadeh and TE John Carlson inside and rookie Deon Butler both wide and over the middle, look for an equal amount of impact from the run game in 2009 under new coordinator Greg Knapp. Reunited with new head coach Jim Mora for the third time, Knapp has coordinated top-ranked rushing attacks in his three previous stops in San Francisco, Atlanta and Oakland and is hopeful that the combination of Julius Jones and beefy T.J. Duckett can effectively move the chains behind Knapp's patented zone-based blocking scheme. A key factor will be the effectiveness of 33-year-old QB Matt Hasselbeck, who is feeling frisky after missing a career-high nine games with back and knee injuries. Better health is also imperative for an offensive line that never had its projected starting five on the field together at the same time last season, as every starter finished the season on injured reserve.

Defensive overview: Energetic new coordinator Gus Bradley, a disciple of the Tampa-2 defensive scheme, wants to put together a versatile unit constantly on the attack, with plenty of creative blitz packages thrown into the mix. Bradley is salivating over a LB corps with a much healthier Lofa Tatupu in the middle, flanked by first-round draft pick Aaron Curry and Leroy Hill, both of whom can rush the passer and effectively drop into coverage. He also sees better things in store for a defensive line that has added stout ex-Packer Colin Cole on the nose and ex-Lion Cory Redding, who provides great flexibility with his ability to play both outside and inside. After becoming the only team to allow more than 4,000 yards passing last season, the Seahawks added badly needed size and strength at cornerback with the free-agent signing of Ken Lucas, who will be returning for his second stint in Seattle.

Battle to watch: As was the case last offseason, look for a knock-down, drag-out battle for the starting PK job between veteran incumbent Olindo Mare, who is reportedly looking for a contract extension after the decent job he did last season, and strong-legged second-year pro Brandon Coutu, a 2008 seventh-round pick who managed to stick on the roster last season. The Seahawks have said that they won't keep two placekickers again in '09.

Injury update: Hasselbeck says his core area has never felt stronger after conditioning with the same specialist who worked with NBA star Steve Nash. The offensive lineman taking the longest to recover from injury would appear to be OLG Mike Wahle, who has yet to do anything this offseason after undergoing shoulder surgery. Star OLT Walter Jones is ahead of schedule in his return from microfracture surgery on his left knee and was running wind sprints without pain at the team's final minicamp. ORG Rob Sims (torn pectoral), C Chris Spencer (herniated disc) and ORT Sean Locklear (dislocated toe) are all expected to be ready in time for training camp. Same goes for DLE Patrick Kerney, who is coming off his third shoulder surgery in 13 months. Practicing for the first time in early June were Branch, who was coming off the second clean-out surgery of his left knee in 13 months; Redding, who is coming off a dislocated kneecap; and CB Kelly Jennings, who is on the mend from shoulder surgery.

Fantasy sleeper: Burleson, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee in Week One last season, is determined to be in the best shape of his life entering his contract year. He displayed his fantasy acumen two seasons ago with a team-leading nine TD catches.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com