DALLAS COWBOYS

Training-camp site: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.

Training-camp report date: July 29.

Key veteran arrivals: LB Keith Brooking, QB Jon Kitna, DE Igor Olshansky, S Gerald Sensabaugh.

Key veteran departures: OG Joe Berger, OLB Kevin Burnett, DE Chris Canty, OLB Greg Ellis, CB Anthony Henry, QB Brad Johnson, DT Tank Johnson, CB Adam Jones, WR Terrell Owens, LB Zach Thomas, SS Roy Williams.

Drafted rookies: (3) LB Jason Williams, OL Robert Brewster; (4) QB Stephen McGee, OLB Victor Butler, OLB Brandon Williams; (5) CB DeAngelo Smith, FS Michael Hamlin, PK David Buehler; (6) LB Stephen Hodge, TE John Phillips; (7) CB Mike Mickens, WR Manuel Johnson.

Offensive overview: Tony Romo will be without Terrell Owens, who was cut, but Jerry Jones and others believe this will be a good thing for his quarterback. TE Jason Witten remains a No. 1 option, and WR Roy Williams could be a good second chair, but the offense likely won't be as open as it was before. The team is hoping another key receiving option emerges, with WRs Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton and TE Marcellus Bennett the most likely candidates. Expect to see a heavier emphasis placed on the run game. At different times, Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have each shown terrific potential, and if healthy, the trio could be dominant. The offensive line is aging somewhat but also possesses the power to push around smaller defensive fronts. Romo's consistency will be a key story line to follow throughout the season.

Defensive overview: There will be changes, and Wade Phillips now is calling the shots with Brian Stewart gone, although Phillips actually took the reins of the defense midway through last season. This group can bring the pressure and actually led the NFL in sack percentage in 2008, but Ellis' departure means Anthony Spencer must be a presence across from DeMarcus Ware, who earns the attention of every opposing offense. DE Chris Canty and LB Zach Thomas also are notable losses, though Igor Olshansky and Keith Brooking are expected to take their spots, respectively. Look for Phillips to emphasize blitzing and slanting up front to get pressure on the quarterback, and that should help ease some shortcomings the secondary might have.

Battle to watch: CBs Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick will battle for the starting spot opposite LCB Terence Newman; the loser of the battle is expected to man the nickel position in the slot. Scandrick actually outplayed Jenkins in their rookie season, but the team appears to want to give Jenkins — a first-rounder — every chance to win the job. He has good speed but must get tougher.

Injury update: DE Jason Hatcher, WR Isaiah Stanback and rookie LB Stephen Hodge all had knee surgeries this offseason but are expected back for training camp. So is PK Nick Folk (hip surgery), but his kicking could be limited early in camp. The team drafted David Buehler as a kickoff specialist, and he could handle the early foot duties until Folk is cleared. Miles Austin missed OTAs and minicamp with a hamstring strain and should be back for camp, but he also missed valuable time — time he had designs on spending to get a leg up on a starting spot.

Fantasy sleeper: Felix Jones had only 30 carries and two receptions in six games as a rookie but showed explosive potential at 8.6 yards per touch from scrimmage and three TDs. He also added a kick return for a score and should be a multipurpose tool who totals at least 1,200 yards on offense, even if Barber is considered the lead back. Jones isn't too different from Reggie Bush, except he's a little sturdier and might have a touch more straight-line speed.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Training-camp site: University at Albany, Albany, N.Y.

Training-camp report date: Aug. 3.

Key veteran arrivals: DT Rocky Bernard, LB Michael Boley, FS C.C. Brown, DT Chris Canty, OL Tutan Reyes.

Key veteran departures: FS James Butler, WR Plaxico Burress, RB Reuben Droughns, S Sammy Knight, CB Sam Madison, WR Amani Toomer, RB Derrick Ward, DE Renaldo Wynn.

Drafted rookies: (1) WR Hakeem Nicks; (2) OLB Clint Sintim, OT William Beatty; (3) WR Ramses Barden, TE Travis Beckum; (4) RB Andre Brown; (5) QB Rhett Bomar; (6) CB DeAndre Wright; (7) CB Stoney Woodson.

Offensive overview: The Giants spent the offseason remaking their offense without Burress, something they struggled to do after the receiver was suspended last season. With him on the field, they averaged 28.5 points; without him, that number was 21.9. The changing of the guard at receiver includes holdovers Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Sinorice Moss, plus rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden. Although QB Eli Manning is entering his prime and is coming off one of his most complete seasons, the run game still is king. Even without Ward, the engine should run hot with Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware and Andre Brown all competing for carries behind an offensive line that has been one of the league's more cohesive the past two seasons.

Defensive overview: Whom do you double-team? With the additions of DTs Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard and LB Michael Boley and the return from injury of DE Osi Umenyiora, the Giants' front seven will be deep and dangerous. DEs Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka were very good last season, but they and NT Fred Robbins all wore down by season's end. The thinking is that the added depth — perhaps the league's best — will prevent that. The linebackers are solid, but the secondary could emerge as an elite unit. CBs Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are as fine a young pair as the NFL offers, and 2007 first-round FS Kenny Phillips appears to be a star in waiting. The only major question is whether new coordinator Bill Sheridan, who has been on the staff for four seasons, can invoke the previous magic of Steve Spagnuolo, who left to take the Rams' head-coaching job.

Battle to watch: The most interesting battle will come at receiver, where the totem-pole order is unclear. Smith is probably best in the slot, but he will vie for a starting role and could slide inside in three-WR sets. But Hixon and Nicks also have eyes on the outside spots. Hixon has good speed and has flashed big-play potential, but he remains raw. Nicks has great hands and competitiveness and might be a terrific mid-range receiver. Watch for Moss, who has opened eyes this offseason.

Injury update: Umenyiora proclaimed himself nearly at full health at the end of OTAs and should be raring to go when camp starts. He was showing some of his old fire in practices this spring and early summer and had the kind of quickness he'll need to get back to an elite pass-rushing level. Boley underwent hip surgery in June and was slated to be out 8-10 weeks from that point before he was suspended one game for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. Expect him to start practicing near the end of the preseason with an eye on starting in Week Two, when he returns. Rookie OLB Clint Sintim, who has a shot at beating out SLB Danny Clark for a starting spot, suffered a hamstring pull in minicamps but should be fine. Moss suffered a hamstring pull that ended his OTAs, but he is expected back, as well. Less clear is the health of Robbins, who is a physically-unable-to-perform candidate. Robbins underwent knee surgery in February, which prompted the Canty and Bernard signings.

Fantasy sleeper: TE Kevin Boss is known in fantasy circles and took a big step from his rookie season to his second year. Expect another jump in his production. The Giants' passing game is likely to be a team effort, with perhaps no player catching more than 65-70 passes. That means Boss will get a chance to catch 40-50 in Year Three, up from his 33 a season ago. And his six touchdowns are evidence the Giants trust him in the red zone — especially when defenses gang up against that potent run game.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Training-camp site: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.

Training-camp report date: Rookies, July 26; Veterans, July 29.

Key veteran arrivals: OG Stacy Andrews, S Rashad Baker, CB Ellis Hobbs, SS Sean Jones, OT Jason Peters.

Key veteran departures: RB Correll Buckhalter, S Brian Dawkins, WR Greg Lewis, OT Jon Runyan, CB Lito Sheppard, TE L.J. Smith, OT Tra Thomas.

Drafted rookies: (1) WR Jeremy Maclin; (2) RB LeSean McCoy; (5) TE Cornelius Ingram, CB-FS Victor "Macho" Harris, OT Fenuki Tupou; (6) WR Brandon Gibson; (7) OG Paul Fanaika, OLB Moise Fokou.

Offensive overview: Much of the focus is on the health of RB Brian Westbrook, who had surgery on his injured ankle in June and is expected to miss all of the preseason. That puts the pressure on rookie LeSean McCoy, who will take a lot of reps in training camp with the first unit. Westbrook's running and receiving ability help make the Eagles' West Coast offense go, so expect QB Donovan McNabb to work the ball around to his deep cast of pass catchers. WRs DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and Jeremy Maclin are a good group, and TE Brent Celek has a chance to emerge after a few breakout games in 2007. The offensive line underwent a face-lift in the offseason with the additions of OLT Jason Peters and ORG Stacy Andrews and the move of Shawn Andrews to right tackle. If it plays up to its potential, the line could be a dominant unit.

Defensive overview: The Eagles have a terrific, young group that ranked in the top five in total defense, run defense, pass defense and points allowed last season. A deep rotation up front allows the team to pressure consistently, and a talented LB corps should take another step in its development. But there are questions. The team must replace Brian Dawkins, the heart and soul of the secondary, and coordinator Jim Johnson might not be available this season as he battles cancer. Sean McDermott is slated to call the shots and has served under Johnson's wing for a few seasons with the idea that he one day would replace the master. Assuming the transition goes well, this again should be a top-five unit.

Battle to watch: A potential battle at center (incumbent Jamaal Jackson vs. Nick Cole) could be an interesting brew, but the one at safety to replace Dawkins is most pressing now. Quintin Mikell is expected to take over Dawkins' leadership role and will start at one spot, but Sean Jones and Quintin Demps are expected to lock horns to line up next to him. Jones has good ball skills but might be a better fit at strong safety; Demps has better range but struggled mightily in the NFC title game loss to Arizona.

Injury update: All eyes will be on Westbrook, who is 30 and has been beset by injuries for most of his career. McCoy's ability to not only run and catch but also pick up blitzes — something Westbrook does well — will come under scrutiny. Stacy Andrews is recovering from a torn ACL and could take a little while to get into camp. Shawn Andrews is coming off a back injury that ended his season, and he also admitted to suffering from depression last season. If either of the Andrews brothers is slow to recover, the team could re-sign free-agent ORT Jon Runyan, who is coming off microfracture surgery himself. Curtis (groin) and DE Darren Howard (abdomen) are expected to be ready to go when camp starts.

Fantasy sleeper: Avant has improved his receptions totals each season — from seven as a rookie to 23 in his second season to 32 in 2008 — and became a trusted target for McNabb by season's end. Although he's primarily the slot receiver, don't be surprised if Avant is among the team's leaders in receptions this season. Sixty catches is not out of the question, although he might never be a big home-run threat or TD producer.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Training-camp site: Redskins Park, Ashburn, Va.

Training-camp report date: July 29.

Key veteran arrivals: DT Albert Haynesworth, P Hunter Smith, LB Robert Thomas, DE Renaldo Wynn.

Key veteran departures: DE Demetric Evans, OT Jon Jansen, P Ryan Plackemeier, CB Shawn Springs, DE Jason Taylor, WR James Thrash, LB Marcus Washington.

Drafted rookies: (1) OLB-DE Brian Orakpo; (3) CB Kevin Barnes; (5) LB Cody Glenn; (6) LB Robert Henson; (7) H-back Eddie Williams, WR Marko Mitchell; (3/supplemental) DE Jeremy Jarmon.

Offensive overview: The West Coast offense is a work in progress in Jim Zorn's second season, and the team is hoping for far more consistency. The first half of the season was roundly a success, with RB Clinton Portis putting up MVP-type numbers and QB Jason Campbell exhibiting great precision and control. But most things fell apart in the second half as the line struggled a bit, teams keyed on Portis, and Campbell developed a few bad habits as the offense was expanded. A lot of pressure will be on a young trio of receivers — WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly and TE Fred Davis — to help out Campbell and WRs Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. And the line, following the loss of Jansen and the re-acquisition of Dockery, must hold up for the full season.

Defensive overview: The additions of DT Albert Haynesworth, OLB-DE Brian Orakpo and DE Jeremy Jarmon should help cure the lack of pressure (23 sacks last season), but the overall numbers last season were actually quite respectable. Health is the biggest concern; when this unit is healthy, it has top-10 potential. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache plays a lot of man coverage and is not afraid to pressure if needed, but he mixes coverages well. There is talent in the back seven, strong up the middle with MLB London Fletcher and FS LaRon Landry, who is a future All-Pro. If Orakpo can learn two positions — defensive end and strong-side linebacker — and Haynesworth can continue to dominate and command double-teams, this is a group that could pitch some dominant performances.

Battle to watch: The favorite at right tackle to replace Jansen is Stephon Heyer, who beat out Jansen to start last season but subsequently lost his starting spot. Other candidates, in case Heyer slips, include Mike Williams, the former top-five pick who is attempting to reclaim his career, and Jeremy Bridges, who probably will start out at guard, where he has been at his best in his career. Heyer has yet to show 16-game starting potential, but he has size and light feet the coaches like.

Injury update: The team is in remarkably good shape heading into training camp. OLT Chris Samuels suffered a torn triceps in December and has been held out of all team drills this offseason, but he is expected to be 100 percent when July 30 arrives.

Fantasy sleeper: Kelly has a chance to be the starting split end because of his size, hands and route running. He was ahead of Thomas to start last season but suffered a knee injury and never really got healthy. If Kelly emerges, he has a chance to start outside and push Randle El to the slot. Other than Portis and TE Chris Cooley, the team doesn't have great goal-line options, and Kelly — at 6-foot-4 with leaping ability and long arms — has the chance to be a nice contributor.

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.