Florida Today

It wouldn't be training camp if NFL fans didn't have a few things to chew the fat over. And from salary disputes to position battles and a few new schemes being thrown in, this year is no different.

The defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers started training camp Saturday, the first team to begin workouts in preparation for the Sept. 4 season opener. Most other teams open training camp this week.

Here are some things to look for:

Who gets the contract?

Derrick Brooks and John Lynch may be the soul of Tampa Bay's defense, but Warren Sapp is clearly the front man. Tampa Bay fans may want to take a good, long look at the man in pewter and silver this training camp because it may be his last with the team.

The Bucs have a big decision to make between the younger Anthony McFarland and the bigger-than-life Sapp, whose contracts both expire at the end of this season. Tampa Bay should be able to bring one of them back, but not both.

Another contract situation to watch will be in Kansas City, where running back Priest Holmes has declared himself healthy for camp and reiterated his desire for a lucrative extension. The Chiefs recently said they would be willing to talk to Holmes about a new deal, but they want proof that the hip injury that sidelined him at the end of last season is healed.

Quarterback puzzles

How well the Dolphins handle the Jay Fiedler-Brian Griese situation could play a big role in how far the team goes this season. While Fiedler will go in as the starter, it will only take one or two interceptions in a preseason game to inspire fans to call for Griese.

Other competitions to watch will be in Cleveland, where Tim Couch has the edge against Kelly Holcomb for the moment; Dallas, where Bill Parcells doesn't have much to choose from between Chad Hutchinson and Quincy Carter; and Carolina, where Jake Delhomme will try to unseat Rodney Peete.

Coaching carousel

Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio has been the fresh air Jaguar fans have been dying to breathe after choking during Tom Coughlin's reign. Parcells is back in Dallas where he'll try to work his magic side-by-side with hands-on owner Jerry Jones. Dennis Erickson takes over from Steve Mariucci in San Francisco, where he'll find 49er fans are more demanding than what he dealt with when he was with the Miami Hurricanes.

Mariucci, meanwhile, moves to Detroit where he has a good 1-2 punch in second-year quarterback Joey Harrington and rookie Charles Rogers, but not much else. Mooch won't turn the Lions around this season, but they should be a tougher out than they were last season.

Marvin Lewis is in a similar boat in Cincinnati - one that's still missing a few paddles. But attitude adjustments can pay off.

New faces

The top players who should make the biggest impact with their new teams:

•  Peerless Price, WR, Atlanta: With Price on board, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will become more of a pocket passer and give defenses something else to worry about.

• Takeo Spikes, LB, Buffalo: The Bills' efforts to revamp their defense all start with Spikes, who could finally get recognized for the solid player that he is now that he's out of Cincinnati.

• Emmitt Smith, RB, Arizona: Why Smith? Because he'll sell tickets. And with the Cardinals, that's about all you can ask from this sorry bunch.

Teams to watch out for

•  Buffalo: The Bills spiced up their defense, which could make them a contender in the AFC East if they can mesh all the new faces into a cohesive unit and also develop more weapons on offense so they don't have to rely on Drew Bledsoe's arm every down.

• Kansas City: Dick Vermeil is in his third year with the Chiefs, which usually means good things. Vermeil also did some work to revamp the Chief's defense, which - aside from the Miami game - was hardly dominant. If Holmes has truly recovered from his injury, the Chiefs could be a factor in the AFC West.

• St. Louis: A lot of people enjoyed watching Mike Martz and the Rams take a big nose dive into the turf last season, but it could be a very short-term problem. With Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk healthy and Kyle Turley a great bookend for Pro Bowler Orlando Pace, the Rams could rise again.

• Atlanta: Vick's got another year of experience and a new big-play receiver to work with. If the Falcons can figure out how to beat the Buccaneers, they also will have a shot in one of the NFL's toughest divisions.

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