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On tour Several camps will be summertime hot spotsPosted: Monday June 10, 2002 1:58 PM
This summer there are a few spots on my annual training camp tour that I cannot afford to miss. After all, the way things are today in the NFL it's entirely possible to go from worst to first. In planning my itinerary I could make a case to go visit every non-playoff team from last season. But I can't hit 20 spots, so I'm taking an educated guess as to those clubs poised to make the move up to the next level. Two years ago, the Saints took a big leap from the bottom half of the league to become conference champs. Last season, the Bears surprised everyone in the NFL, while the Patriots went the distance and captured the Super Bowl. The usual quality teams like the Rams, Raiders and Dolphins must be visited but in making travel arrangements I am forced to find this year's budding franchises -- the diamonds in the rough. So here are the criteria -- a set of questions -- I used to set up my camp tour. A majority of yes answers was required for me to consider a stop at a given team's camp.
Here are the six teams I will visit for sure this August, in reverse order of how I predict their future success. And I've already bought the plane tickets. Drum roll, please! 6. First stop, Dallas Cowboys. I don't like the QB situation but I do feel the defense, the division and the offseason moves warrant a look. I think I'll check them out during their short stay in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (The weather there is so much nicer than it is in Texas at that time of year.) 5. Second stop, Buffalo Bills. Drew Bledsoe in a Bills uniform intrigues me. GM Tom Donahoe and his right-hand man, Tom Modrak, know how to build a playoff team and they will right Buffalo's ship sooner rather than later. The defense doesn’t have enough big-time players, but the division lost the Colts and Peyton Manning -- that helps! Going 2-4 in the last six games of the year was nothing to write home about, but that was the Alex Van Pelt era. 4. Third stop, Cincinnati Bengals. Yes, they were bad last year, but they've given themselves an alternative in Gus Frerotte when Jon Kitna fails. Defensive coordinator Mark Duffner is a rising star in the coaching ranks and his unit has some skill and attitude. Corey Dillon is a first-rate running back. I don't think they can win their division, but I do think they could win more than they lose. 3. Fourth stop, Kansas City Chiefs. I'm not a big Trent Green fan, but I do feel he'll be better this year. Plus, I like running back Priest Holmes. Dick Vermeil does his best work coming off of adversity. I like the development of the Chiefs' defensive line and the addition of WR Johnnie Morton is an important one. Not to mention that Kansas City is one of the only teams on this list to finish strong last year. 2. Fifth stop, Cleveland Browns. Tim Couch is ready to take the next step in his growth. The defense has some difference makers, the head coach brings an interesting style to his players and Baltimore is in cap jail for the foreseeable future. True, Kordell Stewart stands in their way, but I like the Browns' chances even though they finished 1-5 down the stretch. 1. Sixth stop, Seattle Seahawks. In my mind, the Seahawks made a big move last year across the board everywhere except at quarterback. The defense improved and Shaun Alexander emerged as a quality back. Now, the QB situation is shored up some and, even though realignment didn't really help them, I like their chances. Sure, now they have to play the Rams and 49ers but they finally have a new home field. They finished up 3-1 last season which tells me they’re on the right track. This was a 9-7 team in 2001 that did not make the playoffs. Not all of these teams will succeed, but more than one will rise from this group of former back-of-the-packers. The key to success lies in their ability to be mentally tough if the road gets bumpy and not revert back to the losing ways. Easier said than done! I'm going out on the road this summer to find the team in this group that's ready to do what it takes to win. From the owner to the head coach down through the players and all the way to the ball boys and equipment guys, these teams have enough talent to jump up -- if the mindset is right. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNNSI.com.
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