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KEY COMPETITION: The battle for running back is the most important to watch. Abdul-Jabbar is a decent fallback position for the team because he is reliable, but the team only wants to go with him if there isn't anyone better. The coaches will take a long look at Collins and J.J. Johnson. Collins has explosive ability, and Johnson is ragged. Wheatley also will get a good look but will have to wow the coaches to overcome his history of unproductive play. Avery has excellent quickness and has improved his work habits this offseason, but Jimmy Johnson envisions him as more of a third-down, scatback type. Look for Collins to win this job if he can show off any of the ability that made him a shooting star at LSU.

KEEP AN EYE ON: TE Troy Drayton didn't have great numbers last season (30 catches, 334 yards, three touchdowns) because he was fighting injuries most of the season. But Drayton did start to understand the subtle nuances of the passing game. He probably will never be as adept in that area as Keith Jackson, who could read defenses as quickly as QB Dan Marino, but Drayton can be a big-time threat. He has the speed and strength to be one of the best all-around tight ends in the league.... The defensive line will be an intriguing position to watch. It is the team's deepest, most talented group with Daryl Gardener, Jason Taylor, Tim Bowens, Trace Armstrong, Kenny Mixon, Lorenzo Bromell and Rich Owens. But with the exception of Armstrong, none has lived up to his ability. All have shown flashes of brilliance, and Bowens made the Pro Bowl last season, but none has been great. The team needs a couple of them to take the next step toward excellence. Gardener and Taylor are the best candidates to do that because they are intelligent and have ability.... If the running game is as good as the coaches hope, the offensive scheme will remain simple but more impressive. WR Tony Martin will give the offense the ability to stretch the field with his speed. Marino rarely threw deep last season because the team simply didn't have a receiver who could get there. Martin will help every part of the offense with his speed, but the team has to be better on third-and-short It was the worst in the league because it wasn't physical enough up front, and the running backs weren't strong enough. That must change or the team will run into a familiar problem with throwing too much.

--Jason Cole

CAMP FACTS

Where: Nova University Davie, Fla.

Rookies report: July 27

Veterans report: July 30

New England

CAMP PHILOSOPHY: Strategically, the team goes into camp in good shape. For the first time in Pete Carroll's tenure, the offensive and defensive philosophies will remain constant. Ernie Zampese still is the offensive coordinator, and Steve Sidwell is still in charge of the defense, ensuring a smoother start to camp. The big difference will be in intensity. With the abundance of injuries the last two years, the team is taking a more physical approach to camp. The goal is to get the team in game-shape before the games begin and cut down on injuries. The team will take a more intense approach to pre-practice warmups and practice drills. The players are ready for the challenge since they have seen what has happened in the injury department.