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PRESEASON PRIORITY: The team needs to protect its quarterback better than it has in recent years. From Jeff Hostetler to Jeff George to Donald Hollas, the Raiders' quarterbacks have been beaten up by defenses. With free agent Rich Gannon, the team has a quarterback mobile enough to avoid a pass rush. But even a quarterback who can run will avoid rushers only for so long. If the line doesn't block any better than it has in recent years, it will continue to be a mediocre offense.

KEY COMPETITION: There are several areas where there will be fierce competition, and one of the most interesting is one of the most important--left tackle. Mo Collins took over as the starter last season when Pat Harlow's back problems ended his season. Collins' introduction to the NFL was not an easy process. He will be challenged by rookie Matt Stinchcomb. One of Stinchcomb's advantages is that he is a natural left tackle, having developed into one of the best in college football. Collins was a right tackle in college. But there's nothing that can match the experience of a year in the NFL. One theory was the team would move Collins to right tackle and current RT Lincoln Kennedy inside to guard. But Gruden has made it clear on several occasions that Kennedy is the right tackle.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Third-year DT Grady Jackson may be ready to make even more of a contribution than he did last season. Jackson took advantage of his playing time last year to develop into a reliable run-stopper next to Darrell Russell, who could become a major star this season. Jackson's quickness, strength and low center of gravity make him difficult for offensive linemen to block.... CB Eric Allen, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 10th game, created a hole in the defense the team was unable to fill. A healthy Allen allows defensive coordinator Willie Shaw to devise imaginative game plans.... Gruden likes to run a passing game based on shorter passes, sharp pass routes and smart decision-making by his quarterback. That's one reason George is gone. This style of offense requires bigger receivers and reliable hands, and the team has brought in Chris T. Jones and Horace Copeland. The team will throw more fade patterns once it gets inside the red zone, an element that was missing from last year's offense. The team won't take as many shots downfield because Gannon doesn't have the arm, but his ability to make decisions should mesh well with this offense.

--Dave Williams

CAMP FACTS

Where: Napa Valley Marriott; Napa, Calif.

Rookies report: July 23

Veterans report: July 23

Pittsburgh

CAMP PHILOSOPHY: This camp will differ from past ones under Bill Cowher, primarily because the team did not make the playoffs in 1998. Uncharacteristically, the Steelers stumbled down the stretch last season. They dropped their last five games and lost several games in the fourth quarter. In the past, Cowher and his players always had been confident that, with their resolve and experience, they would prevail in tight games. But that didn't happen in 1998, and Cowher has to get the players back to believing in themselves. In the last few years, Cowher hasn't pushed veterans hard in preseason, but that will change. Camp will be more up-tempo, and veterans will play much more in preseason games with the goal of reestablishing the team's confidence level. The Steelers open with division games at Cleveland and Baltimore, so they need to get off to a fast start.