2003 NFL training camp

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Friday, July 18
Updated: July 22, 12:32 PM ET
 
Users on NFC training camps

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NFC East
Cowboys
San Antonio is a great place for training camp. You can watch the 'Boys train in an air conditioned indoor facility. You got the Riverwalk for food and shopping, and if you're really bored, you can "Remember the Alamo". Also, camp is 20 minutes away from Sea World and about an hour away from Schliterbaun, the No. 1 rated water park in the country by the Travel Channel. S.A. is a great sight; it beats the hell out of Wichita Falls. All of you Cowboys haters out there watch out … this is the year of the Tuna. Super Bowl Champs?
Zac Horneigh
Dallas, Texas

Giants
I am a N.Y. Giants fan, and make the annual trip up to Albany every year to see camp. I can also tell you, there is not a lot to do up there afterwards. Seems like the best place to go is Hooters, over in the mall. The players sometimes will stop in for lunch, too. But while at camp, get there early, and ask what field they will be using for the sessions you are attending. If you have kids, there is actually some good things for them to do. They have a set up where kids can try and kick FGs and a course they can run around on. And the players are fairly good about autographs. (Kerry Collins seems to really sign a lot for the kids). And they usually do the signing after the first session, on the way to films and lunch. A souvenir stand is also on site. Parking is $5.00 per session. Attendance is free.
Jason Cooper
Westwood, N.J.

Eagles
I grew up in the Lehigh Valley about four miles from the Goodman Campus. I went to Lehigh so here is the lowdown. Best cheese steaks -- Crossroads corner of Main St. (Route 412) and High St. in Hellertown. Best Italian food -- DiMaio's in Hellertown and Anna Mia's in Bethlehem. Best local attraction -- Dorney Park in Allentown. Best Golf Course -- Saucon Valley C.C. if you know a member. Best public track -- Center Valley G.C. Landmark Pub -- Tally-Ho Bethlehem.

Players sign plenty of autographs coming in and out of practice. You also have a great view of South Mountain in the backdrop. Maybe you will get lucky and have 610 WIP on site to bash Duce (Staley) and (Bobby) Taylor for bagging training camp.
Michael Casciano
Arlington, Va.

Redskins
The Redskins training camp has changed so many times in the last couple of years, I don't know what to talk about. Redskins Park is a nice facility, but for autographs, it is the worst of the three. Dickinson College is the best place to get autographs. The players do not have much room to run around you. Frostburg was a nice place, but not big enough I think.
Chase Troescher
Chesapeake Beach, Md.

NFC North
Bears
I've been a resident of Bourbonnais, Ill. for about five years and having Bears camp there is great, but I would imagine as an outsider it may get a bit dry. As far as restaurants my favorites are Ruby Tuesdays in the mall, Lone Star Steak house and Chicago Dough Co. pizza is decent as is Aurelios pizza. There is also Piccolos next to the mall which is a bit more on the higher scale side. There is also everything you can imagine as far as fast food. For nightlife, T.J. Donlins is right next to Olivet U. and is nice, but gets crowded during camp on nights the players are there. There is also the Bear fans watering hole which is bigger and about three minutes from camp and is all blue and orange. For golf, I would recommend Bon Vivant in Bourbonnais. It has two courses, both are very nice and challenging. For a straighter easier course, I prefer Aspen Ridge which is just north of the mall. The Kankakee state park is a nice place to relax and is within 10 minutes of camp northwest on Rt. 10!
Robert Clayton
Bourbonnais , Ill.

Lions
If you're coming to Detroit's facility in Allen Park, Mich., be sure to head to The Henry Ford. It's the best historic museum and park in the entire country, with countless items you can't find anywhere else. (Also called Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village).

P.S. The Village was recently renovated and looks amazing.
Chris Stokes
Troy, Mich.

Packers
The Green Bay Packers training camp is really awesome to see. First off, just seeing Brett Favre, Ahman Green, Darren Sharper and gang that close is amazing for a fan of the Packers. The history of the team is amazing. It has its own Hall Of Fame in Green Bay to show some of it, which is a must see for Packer fans. Stop and eat at Brett Favre's Steakhouse, not even a mile from the site. I highly recommend the All You Can Eat Beer Battered Fish and Chips. When the team leaves the practice field for break or for the day, the younger children line up with their bikes and wait for the players to trail them back to Lambeau. Lambeau Field is also a historical monument for football and the Packers.
Ryan Sheets
Indianapolis, Ind.

Vikings
Mankato Minnesota! I took my youngest son and two nephews to the Vikings camp last year. We drove two and half days from Bakersfield, Calif. -- over 1,900 miles. The camp was open to all at no cost, the local radio station KFAN was there covering the whole camp. Coach Mike Tice even stopped training and sent all the players to the stands to sign autographs in the afternoons. We would wait at the corner each morning and afternoon to get pictures and autographs with the players.

The place to eat is the "Tav on the Ave." It is a local tavern and grill with great food and friendly people. The kicker in the whole thing is that the players go there for lunch and dinner. The boys all were downstairs playing pool when Chris Hovan, Dave Dixon, and Darius Holland went down and talked to them. Needless to say we got pictures with them and may others.

I had never been to camp or even Minnesota for that matter and I can't wait to go back. It is an experience we will never forget.
Blaine Lyons
Bakersfield, Calif.

NFC South
Falcons
What one must do while at the Falcons' camp is to walk around Furman University. This is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the entire country.

If this is your first time at the camp, make sure you bring some sun screen and some water. I think the Falcons usually provide some of this for free, but don't remember if it is everyday.

If you are staying over in Greenville, S.C., make sure you get down to Wild Wings in downtown. It's a great place to get some wings and they usually have some good bands playing on weekends.
Roy Kemper
Greenville, S.C.

Saints
Well, the Saints train in Metairie, La, but if you come down here, New Orleans is obviously where you want to go, and food and drink is probably what you'll spend most of your time on. Acme Oyster is a no-frills restaurant that is all about good food. Mulate's is good place for cajun -- fried catfish is good -- and has a dance hall with live cajun music. Mothers is a good place for lunch -- try the roast beef with "debris." If you're one of the millions who can't get enough of Emeril, you can hit one of his restaurants -- Emerils, Delmonico, Nola. Any guidebook you pick up will have a hundred others.

New Orleans is also obviously not hurting when it comes to nightlife. If you've never been to Bourbon Street, just start at the beginning and start walking. Since you can walk around with drinks, the whole street is essentially a bar.
Joe
Boston, Mass.

Panthers
I visited the hometown Panthers for the first time last year in Spartanburg, SC and had a blast! It's neat to get up close and personal with the players and watch them practice basically standing right next to them. But, what I loved most was getting the opportunity to meet the players and get a few autographs. All of the guys were very nice and I encourage everyone to get out and support their team at training camp!
Chad Everhart
Walkertown, N.C.

Buccaneers
Last year my friend and I took our sons over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp which is held at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. In years past, we have been to their old training camp site (Pepin-Rood Stadium) in Tampa. The Wide World of Sports complex offers so much more. The NFL Experience that is offered to both children and adults was great for both my son and I. The facility itself is very nice and the complex also offers restaurants such as the All Star Cafe and gift shops. The surrounding area offers many exciting activities such as theme parks, (Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World) as well as a very busy night life, (Disney's Boardwalk, Universal's City Walk, Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood) to name a few. As you can see, a visit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp can be very exciting for the football fan as well as a very nice area to plan your vacation.
John White
Lakeland, Fla.

NFC West
Cardinals
Cardinals' camp is in Flagstaff, Az. -- 6,900 feet in altitude, surrounded by the beautiful San Francisco peaks. The camp is at Northern Arizona University, about five minutes from quaint downtown.

The three practice fields sit nestled in a natural bowl, surrounded by tall pines. Fans get to sit right on the edge of the fields with no barriers to separate them from the players.

Daytime temps are usually in the high 70's or low 80's, cooling to the 50's at night.

Players and coaches are friendly and accessible before and after practice.

Old Flagstaff has nice bars and good restaurants, and the town welcomes tourists. Hotels and motels are plentiful, reasonably priced, and located within a 3-5 minute drive from the campus. Cards camp is a little slice of football heaven. My wife and I go for 10 days every year. I cannot imagine a more fan-friendly camp. If you know of one, visit it. You'll have a blast.
Jim Skane
Cave Creek, Ariz.

Rams
I have a couple of suggestions.

No. 1: As far as dining goes, The Parkside Sports Bar and Grill is a must. Good food and ice cold beer! No. 2: You better bring a laptop so you can log onto espn.com to pass some time because the entertainment in Macomb is nill. Last but not least. Watch your speed on those Illinois Highways. I was pulled over last year for doing 53 mph in a 50. Where's the love?
Bill Hammock
Herculaneum, Mo.

49ers
It's kind of hard to say for the 49ers this year ... The fans are no longer allowed to attend training camp. With the exception of two days which are open to the public in San Francisco and San Jose.

As most people know, there are plenty of places to see and eat at in San Francisco. Hard to pick the best places. (Although Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 is a 1-2 day fun adventure that can make an entire family happy!)

San Jose/Santa Clara can be fun too with the 49ers' HQ there (SB trophies and rings are on display in the lobby!!) and some good restaurants in the area.
Julie Bedford
San Bruno, Calif.

Seahawks
This is a small college town in Eastern Wash. Luigi's is probably the best restaurant to hit. There are many attractions in Spokane which is 10 miles form Cheney (amusement parks, shopping, fine dining, clubs, golf, etc.) The temp is usually in the 90's so bring lots of water and sun block.
Trent Brown
Spokane, Wash.





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