NFL training camps in full swing starting now

Photo by Courtesy photo

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Courtesy photo

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Talking to sports fans lately, it seems no one can wait for football season to start. Sure, baseball is fine and all, but there is something about the impending football season that gets folks’ blood pumping again.

But before the season starts, we have to go through the preseason — that time of year when NFL players are more accessible to us than ever and we, as fans, get the chance to see if they spent their down time working out and honing their skills or sitting on the couch not thinking about football in the least.

That’s right, training camp is here, and the two “hometown” teams for the Upstate — Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons — are just an hour or two away from us.

As fans, it’s our duty to root for our team at training camp and enjoy some of the spectacle that the NFL has become. So, here are the specifics of what’s going on at Carolina’s and Atlanta’s training camps this year. It starts this weekend, so get your foam finger, your jersey and your bullhorn and get out there.

Carolina Panthers (12-4)

Open camp: Aug. 2, Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.

Last year: Used dominating running game of DeAngelo Williams (1,515 yards rushing, 18 TDs) and rookie Jonathan Stewart (836 yards, 10 TDs) to win NFC South before a 33-13 playoff flameout vs. Arizona. Jake Delhomme had a solid return from reconstructive elbow surgery until he threw five interceptions and lost a fumble against the Cardinals. Defense faltered late in the season despite DE Julius Peppers’ 14ƒ sacks.

Key changes: Coach John Fox has six new assistants, including defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, who replaces Mike Trgovac. Veteran CB Ken Lucas was released and will be replaced by Richard Marshall. Traded next year’s first-round pick for extra second-rounder to take DE Everette Brown, who’s expected to help anemic pass rush after Peppers. Fellow second-round pick Sherrod Martin may immediately become No. 3 CB.

Camp needs: Get Peppers up to speed with Meeks’ system and eliminate any hard feelings. Peppers skipped offseason workouts while saying he wanted to play elsewhere. He eventually signed one-year, $16.7 million tender under the franchise tag. His large salary-cap figure prevented Carolina from signing a single free agent, while Panthers lost several key backups, especially on OL. Delhomme, rewarded with a new contract, must recover from final game. Need to find KR and LS.

Expectations: History hints the Panthers are in for a down year. They’ve never had consecutive winning seasons and face a brutal schedule that includes NFC East and AFC East. But running game, experienced OL and WR Steve Smith’s explosiveness give Carolina a potent offense if Delhomme avoids mistakes. Defense, led by Peppers, LB Jon Beason and CB Chris Gamble, must improve for a repeat division title.

The Carolina Panthers 2009 training camp will be Aug. 2-20 at Wofford College in Spartanburg. All training camp practices are free and open to the public with each practice session lasting between 90 minutes and two hours. Please be aware that practice times and lengths are subject to change without notice.

Monday, Aug. 3 — 9:10 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 4 — 3:10 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 5 — 9:10 a.m. and 3:10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 6 — 3:10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 7 — 9:10 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 8 — 11:00 a.m. Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium

Sunday, Aug. 9 — No Practice

Monday, Aug. 10 — 9:10 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 11 — 3:10 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 12 — 9:10 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. (Snyder Field)

Thursday, Aug. 13 — 3:10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 14 — 9:10 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 15 — 3:10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 16 — 9:30 a.m.

Monday, Aug. 17 — 8:00 p.m. at New York Giants

Tuesday, Aug. 18 — No Practice

Wednesday, Aug. 19 — 9:10 a.m. and 3:10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 20 — Last day of training camp

Directions: Fom I-85 North — Take I-85 North to exit 72 (I-585). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right toward Spartanburg. Cross over Business I-85. I-585 becomes Pine Street into Spartanburg. After crossing over Business I-85, turn right onto Twitty Street and into training camp at the second stoplight. Free parking is provided at the top of the hill on the right of Twitty Street. The practice fields are on the left, and the Panthers Experience is located between the practice fields and Gibbs Stadium.

For more detailed directions or for further information about Spartanburg, call the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800.374.8326.

Atlanta Falcons (11-5)

Open camp: Aug. 1, Flowery Branch, Ga.

Last year: Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan started every game and free-agent addition Michael Turner rushed for 1,699 yards to lead the Falcons to a surprising playoff berth. John Abraham led the defense with 16ƒ sacks. The Falcons lost at Arizona in the playoff opener as Ryan was intercepted twice, lost a fumble and was tackled for a safety.

Key changes: Signed LB Mike Peterson, but lost LBs Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, DT Grady Jackson, S Lawyer Milloy and CB Domonique Foxworth to free agency. The big move on offense was the trade with Kansas City for 10-time Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez. Also added veteran offensive linemen Jeremy Newberry and Brett Romberg.

Camp needs: Second-year coach Mike Smith needs to work seven draft picks into the defense, including DT Peria Jerry, the first-rounder who should replace Jackson. Second-round pick William Moore may fill Milloy’s spot at safety. Ryan must adjust to having a receiving threat at tight end.

Expectations: Gonzalez joins Ryan, Turner and WR Roddy White to give the Falcons their most potent and balanced offense in recent years, but there are major questions on defense after five starters were lost to free agency. The schedule is tougher, but anything short of a return to the playoffs will be a disappointment.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Falcons will hold Russell Falcons Training Camp at the team’s Flowery Branch headquarters. Atlanta’s 44th training camp will begin Aug. 1, with select morning and afternoon practices open to the public. Admission is free.

Aug. 1 — 8:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Aug. 2 — 9:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Aug. 3 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 4 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 5 — 1:30 p.m.

Aug. 6 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 7 — 10:15 a.m. (practice) 6 p.m. (Falcons Friday Night Lights)

Aug. 8 — 10:30 a.m. Roam the Dome

Aug. 10 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 11 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 12 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 13 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 14 — 10:30 a.m.

Player autograph sessions at the merchandise trailer are scheduled for Aug. 1, 2 and 5. (subject to change)

Directions: Take I-85 South from Anderson. Take Exit 12, Spout Springs Road. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Spout Springs Road. Travel ß mile and make a right on Thurmond Tanner Road. Proceed on Thurmond Tanner Road for about one mile, then make a right on Atlanta Highway (Ga. 13). Go about a ƒ mile on Atlanta Highway (which becomes Falcon Parkway) past the Wrigley Plant on your left and back over I-985. The Falcons Complex will be on your left (4400 Falcon Parkway).

4400 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Ga. 770.965.3115

Compiled from Associated Press, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons