TAKE YOUR VICK WITH THE START OF TRAINING CAMPS, 10 NFL QUESTIONS ARE RAISED.

Byline: MATTHEW KREDELL

Staff Writer

Here's a look at 10 storylines to keep an eye on during NFL training camps:

1. How will the Falcons handle the Vick situation?

That the NFL has barred Michael Vick from training camp won't keep his black cloud away from Flowery Branch, Ga. The star quarterback's federal indictment for alleged involvement in illegal dog fighting will be the topic of camp whether team management likes it or not.

Putting aside the controversy, the Falcons still have to deal with preparing for a season that likely will not include the player the team is built around. The Falcons have to decide whether to go with the much-maligned Joey Harrington in Vick's absence or bring in a free-agent quarterback like Daunte Culpepper.

2. Will Moss regain his status as one of the league's best receivers?

Randy Moss was an embarrassing shell of his former self last season.

There's two schools of thought as to why: 1) At 30 years old, he's washed up. The insane athleticism that made up for his lack of work ethic early in his career is gone and he'll never be good again. Or 2) Moss can't stand losing. Playing for the woeful Oakland Raiders threw him into a funk. Joining TomBrady and a perennial winner in the New England Patriots will bring a rejuvenated and motivated Moss. His mind-set at camp should be telling. But, remember, Oakland wouldn't have been so bad last year if Moss had performed during the six losses by 10 points or less.

3. How will coaching changes affect teams?

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt brings his history of running the ball to Arizona, which was a passing team under former coach Dennis Green. Whisenhunt hired Russ Grimm as his offensive line coach, and Grimm has already said he wants the team to run the ball 30-35times a game. But the Cardinals were last in the NFL with a 3.2 average per carry last season, and the team seems more built to pass the ball with quarterback Matt Leinart (USC) and receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. It will be interesting to see if new coaches adjust to their teams or try to change them.

4. Are the 49ers making a move back into the elite?

San Francisco missed the playoffs the past four years, more times than they had been absent from the postseason in the previous 20 seasons -- which included five Super Bowl titles. It looked like the beginning of a long stretch of futility, but maybe not. The 49ers had seven wins last season, more than the previous two years combined, with the emergence of quarterback Alex Smith and running back Frank Gore. Then management, out of the salary cap hell that plagued the team for years, went out in the offseason and showed a commitment to regaining past glory by spending big to get Nate Clements, the best-available cornerback on the market, along with safety Michael Lewis, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain and defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin. The Niners also traded a fourth- round pick for veteran receiver Darrell Jackson. SanFrancisco is now a division contender.

5. Is Calvin Johnson the second-coming of Moss, minus the headaches?

The No. 2 overall pick by the Detroit Lions is getting perhaps the most hype of any receiver ever to enter the league. He has an incredible blend of size (6-foot-5, 237 pounds), speed (4.35 40-yard dash) and hands. Think Mike Williams coming out of USC, but add in speed and a work ethic. But people expecting him to blow away the league from the season opener could be disappointed. Only five receivers in the past 20 years have reached 1,000 yards as a rookie -- Terry Glenn, Moss, Boldin, Mark Clayton and Marques Colston. Johnson will be playing alongside an already established No. 1 receiver in Roy Williams. That likely will limit his upside early on, though the system of offensive coordinator Mike Martz allowed for Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce both to put up big numbers for the St. Louis Rams. Johnson wasn't in camp as Detroit opened shop Thursday. The longer the holdout, the less likely he joins the other five.

6. Is the Kansas City running game going back in time?

Larry Johnson, the league's second-leading rusher last year, wasn't at Chiefs camp when it began Friday. Set to make $1.9million this season, he wants a new contract. He wants LaDainian Tomlinson money. Earlier this week, Johnson's agent told the Kansas City Star that the two sides remain far apart and that the Chiefs haven't made an offer since June 1. Then there's Priest Holmes. Remember him? He rushed for 4,590 yards between 2001 and 2003. But he hasn't played in 21months, since suffering neck and head trauma on a hit by SanDiego's Shawne Merriman. Now Holmes is 33 years old and hoping to resume his career. At the very least, his presence gives Johnson some motivation to get to camp.

7. Can Jon Gruden save his job?

Tampa Bay's Gruden was the most popular and recognizable coach in pro football in 2002, following his Super Bowl victory over his former employer, the Raiders. His scowl was famous and he even made People Magazine's list of the 50 most beautiful people. His record over the previous three seasons was 34-14 with at least one playoff victory each year. Now, the Buccaneers are 27-37 over the past three years and coming off a last-place finish in the NFC South. Previously known as an offensive guru, Gruden coached the Bucs to 13.2points a game last season, second-worst in the league. Gruden probably needs a winning season to keep his job. He has hitched his career to 37-year-old quarterback Jeff Garcia. It doesn't look good.

8. When will they show?

Usually, the first overall pick in the NFL draft has a deal worked out with his future team before being drafted. Yet, 2007 top pick JaMarcus Russell was without a contract and not in the state of California when Raiders camp began Friday. Russell is among five of the top-10 picks unsigned as camps begin, along with Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson (No. 2), Arizona offensive lineman Levi Brown (No. 5), Washington safety LaRon Landry (No. 6) and Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson (No.7).

9. Can Tony Romo overcome the choke?

Romo was looking like a young Brady after taking over for Drew Bledsoe as the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback fivegames into last season. Despite the late start, he made the Pro Bowl and was being linked to Jessica Simpson. Then, as a holder, he dropped a perfect snap for a chip- shot 19-yard field goal that would have given Dallas the lead over Seattle with 1:19 remaining in a first-round NFC playoff game. Instead, the Seahawks were able to run out the clock and Romo became part of the league's all-time biggest blunders reel. A mistake like that can ruin a young player. Romo won't be able to put the bobble behind him until he suits up in the playoffs again, but his attitude during camp will show whether he has the mental fortitude to overcome.

10. How would USC fare in the NFL?

Al Davis is trying to find out. Davis, the Raiders owner who was defensive coordinator for the Trojans way back in 1959, brought in 32-year-old USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and made him the youngest coach in the NFL. Kiffin quickly brought in a couple of his former Trojans receivers in Mike Williams and William Buchanon. The team already had Justin Fargas at running back. But, with the Raiders coming off a franchise-worst 10.5 points per game, Kiffin would need Reggie Bush and Carson Palmer to turn this team around. Pete Carroll warned Steve Sarkisian against taking the Raiders job. Kiffin will find out why.

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Photo:

(1 -- color) 1. How will the Falcons handle the Michael Vick situation?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

(2 -- color) 2. Will Randy Moss regain his status as one of the league's best receivers?

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

(3 -- color) 3. How will coaching changes, including new Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, affect teams?

Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

(4 -- color) 5. Is Calvin Johnson the second-coming of Randy Moss, minus the headaches?

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

(5 -- color) 6. Is Kansas City's running game going back in time?

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

(6 -- color) 7. Can Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden save his job?

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

(7 -- color) 9. Can Dallas QB Tony Romo overcome the choke?

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

(8 -- color) 10. How would USC (Lane Kiffin) fare in the NFL?

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

(9 -- color) 8. When will the top draft picks, like JaMarcus Russell, show?

Nick Laham/Getty Images

(10 -- color) 4. Are the San Francisco 49ers making a move back into the elite?