The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

I’VE got four very important Fantasy Football League Drafts coming up this week and next week, so let’s cut right to the chase for the NFC SOUTH.

In and out, I need to get back to strategising!!

ATLANTA FALCONS - Training camp report date: rookies and veterans (July 26).

Location: Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

HOTTEST POSITION BATTLE IN CAMP - Offensive Line Right Guard RG.

The returning NFC championship roster is solid across the board, however there is a glaring question at right guard.

Chris Chester announced his retirement in March, leaving the position up for grabs between fourth-year player Ben Garland and second-year guard Wes Schweitzer.

BIGGEST OFFSEASON ADDITION - Rookie Defenders

Takkarist McKinley is the biggest name to watch. The Falcons need immediate production from his relentless pass rush. However McKinley could reportedly miss a part of training camp with a labrum issue. Takk isn’t the only rookie to monitor though. Third-round pick Duke Riley enters camp as the favourite to win the weak-side LB duties, while fifth- round pick Damontae Kazee will battle for the nickel gig. Head Coach Dan Quinn isn’t afraid to trust rookies, so these kids will play.

BIGGEST Camp

Question Mark -

How will new OC Steve Sarkisian’s offence differ from Kyle Shanahan’s?

The Super Bowl hangover questions will be a daily chore and bother, but they’re certainly not the most interesting or relevant queries for this team.

Last year, the Falcons’ offence was a well-oiled, motion-heavy offence that led the NFL with 33.8 points per game - more than 4.5 points more than the next-closest team (Saints). How much will even subtle changes from Sarkisian alter the offence? How is the relationship between the OC and QB coming along? All of this remains to be seen in a topsy turvey division.

CAROLINA

PANTHERS -

Training camp report date: rookies and veterans (July 25).

Location: Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

HOTTEST POSITION BATTLE IN CAMP - Offensive Line RT Right Tackle

If Michael Oher is healthy, this battle ends quickly, as he continues to deal with concussion issues. Oher was released in camp but is expected back once he’s dealt with his lingering concussion issues. Until Oher is cleared, the battle will be between Daryl Williams and second-round rookie Taylor Moton. The former a player who struggled in 10 starts last season, the later a rookie second- round selection!

BIGGEST OFFSEASON ADDITION - Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel.

The Panthers head into the season planning to tweak the offence to get the ball out of Cam Newton’s hands faster. McCaffrey (mostly from the backfield) and Samuel (mostly from the slot) will play major roles in the offensive transformation. How quickly the rookies grasp the offence will indicate how far Mike Shula can move away from the QB runs with Newton early in the season.

BIGGEST Camp

Question Mark -

How much will the GM situation hover over the players?

The Panthers were playing ‘musical GM’s’ earlier this offseason, let’s see where if goes from here.

How much will the GM situation hover over the players?

The Panthers announced that ex-panthers GM Marty Hurney will return in an interim role after the firing of Dave Gettleman. What’s old is new again in Charlotte.

NEW ORLEANS

SAINTS -

Training camp report dates: rookies (July 19), veterans (July 26).

Location: New Orleans Saints Training Facility in Metairie, Louisiana.

HOTTEST POSITION BATTLE IN CAMP - Offensive Line

A torn labrum for Terron Armstead spawned major questions about Drew Brees’ blind side. With Armstead out for a significant period of time, the gig could fall to rookie Ryan Ramczyk who is coming off a hip injury of his own this offseason.

BIGGEST OFFSEASON ADDITION - Offence RB Adrian Peterson

The Saints have talked up Peterson, leading many to speculate he could swipe the lead role from Mark Ingram.

BIGGEST Camp

Question Mark -

Is the Defence finally ready to compete?

The addition of first-round corner Marshon Lattimore opposite Delvin Breaux should give the Saints a stellar secondary. The questions up front persist, however. The heart condition that sent Nick Fairley to the NFI list was a blow. An already-flimsy defensive front became that much shallower. AJ Klein and Manti Te’owere uninspiring signings at linebacker -- so still looks like a ‘No’ to me.

The addition of first-round corner Marshon Lattimore opposite Delvin Breaux should give the Saints a stellar secondary. The questions up front persist, however. The heart condition that sent Nick Fairley to the NFI list was a blow. An already-flimsy defensive front became that much shallower. AJ Klein and Manti Te’owere uninspiring signings at linebacker --

TAMPA BAY

BUCCANEERS -

Training camp report dates: rookies (July 25), veterans (July 27).

Location: One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida.

HOTTEST POSITION BATTLE IN CAMP -

Kicker K Incumbent Robert Aguayo vs Veteran Nick Folk .....

This one didn’t go the distance, Aguayo was released last week, with Folk taking over as the starter in TB.

BIGGEST OFFSEASON ADDITION - New Receivers

In addition to first - round pick TE O.J. Howard Tampa brought in a host of intriguing offensive weapons this offseason. DeSean Jackson will take the top off defences, third-round pick Chris Godwin, who should feast on one-on-one matchups with defenders focused on Mike Evans and Jackson. Howard is the one to watch in training camp. The uber-athletic tight end brings an intriguing element to an exciting Bucs offense.

BIGGEST Camp Question Mark - Will the Bucs Defence be up for the challenge?

The Bucs’ defence made significant strides down the stretch last season, yet ended up middling overall -- 23rd in yards allowed per game (367.9), 22nd in pass yards per game allowed (250.8) and 22nd in rushing yards per game given up (117.2).

The potential is there for a massive leap in 2017. Adding defensive tackle Chris Baker could turn out to be the most underrated signing of the offseason, and with names like Gerald McCoy, Noah Spence, Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander, and Brent Grimes at key positions, this defence looks prime for a breakout campaign.

Until next week, get all non-football related obligations completed by September 8 to ensure you enjoy a stress free NFL 2017!!!

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net