Football fans rejoice! NFL training camps open

Each year, the crack of the bat dominates the sports dog days of July. Each year, the crack of helmets is a welcome respite.Face it, the NFL never can arrive soon enough.Next Saturday, the Chicago Bears will be the league's first team to open training camp for the 2005 season. A week from today, three more teams -- including the Miami Dolphins and new Coach Nick Saban -- will be bashing blocking sleds in the unforgiving heat. - NFL Football -
Four days later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers report to Celebration for their fourth straight training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who narrowly missed the playoffs in '04, open workouts July 29 at Alltel Stadium.On a national scope, the woeful Arizona Cardinals are a fashionable pick to reach the postseason. The Minnesota Vikings have rebuilt their team around Daunte Culpepper and defense. In Philadelphia, a contract squabble could keep controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens out of camp. Pittsburgh's quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, is not a rookie anymore. And in Foxboro, the New England Patriots are looking to make history again. - NFL Football -
To answer the rhetorical question, yes, we're always ready for some football.The preseason kicks off in 20 days with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts facing off Aug. 8 in Tokyo. On Aug. 9, the Dolphins and Bears play in the Hall of Fame Game, culminating in a special weekend in Ohio for Miami fans. - NFL Football -
Saban's much-anticipated debut on the sideline, however, will take second billing to Dan Marino's induction on the stairs of the legendary Hall in Canton.The regular season commences Sept. 8 when the two-time defending champion Patriots -- winners of three of the last four Super Bowls and looking to become the first team ever to "threepeat" -- play host to Randy Moss and the new-look Oakland Raiders in a nationally televised Thursday night opening-day spectacular. - NFL Football -
The first full slate of games comes on the hallowed and patriotic day of Sept. 11.Make note of those dates on your calendar. But first, check out the Sentinel's massive NFL primer for the key 411 on our three state teams, as well as the sexy subplots from around the league.

Chris Harry Sentinel Staff Writer