Capsules for the 16 NFC teams at the start of training camp. The top six are the playoff teams in order of how far they advanced last season:

Tampa Bay (15-4)

Open camp: July 18, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Last year: Won Super Bowl in first season under Jon Gruden after steadily improving from NFL’s worst franchise to contender under GM Rich McKay and Tony Dungy.

Strengths: NFL’s stingiest defense; Gruden’s offensive mind.

Weaknesses: OL, RB.

Additions: LB Dwayne Rudd; G Jason Whittle; C John Wade; RB Thomas Jones.

Subtractions: S Dexter Jackson; LB Alshermond Singleton.

Prospects: Few teams repeat, but Bucs could. OL retooled with Whittle and Wade; Rudd to replaces Singleton and Super Bowl standout Dwight Smith moves from nickel to safety to replace Super Bowl MVP Jackson. Running game still a big question mark.

Philadelphia (13-5)

Open camp: July 25, Bethlehem, Pa.

Last year: Reached NFC championship game for second consecutive season, losing to Tampa Bay at home.

Strengths: Donovan McNabb is among NFL’s top quarterbacks, OL is solid and secondary may be league’s best.

Weaknesses: Lack No. 1 receiver and pass-rush specialist, and have inexperienced returners. Also rebuilding LB corps.

Additions: Rookie DE Jerome McDougal, LB Mark Simoneau, FB Jon Ritchie. RB Correll Buckhalter returns from knee injury.

Subtractions: DE Hugh Douglas, LB Shawn Barber and return specialist Brian Mitchell.

Prospects: Should vie with Giants for NFC East title.

San Francisco (11-7)

Open camp: July 25, Santa Clara, Calif.

Last year: Won NFC West, rallied from 38-14 deficit to beat Giants in wild-card game, then lost in Tampa. Owner John York fired coach Steve Mariucci, hired Dennis Erickson.

Strengths: Pro Bowl combo of QB Jeff Garcia and WR Terrell Owens as formidable as ever. Solid OL adds rookie T Kwame Harris. Young, speedy defense should continue to mature.

Weaknesses: Owens seems determined to test Erickson, skipping final three minicamps. Defense was green and injury-plagued, and didn’t upgrade. Mariucci’s steadying hand is gone, and Erickson’s people skills will get a workout.

Additions: Harris, DT Anthony Adams, both rookies, but no important free agents.

Subtractions: Mariucci, DT Dana Stubblefield, WR J.J. Stokes.

Prospects: Should contend, but upheaval, uncertainty and difficult schedule could make it tough.

Atlanta (10-7-1)

Open camp: July 25, Greenville, S.C.

Last year: Squeaked into playoffs despite losing three of last four, then became the first visitor to win postseason game at Green Bay. Michael Vick was key all year, setting three NFL rushing records for a QB and finishing with 16 TD passes and 8 INTs.

Additions: WR Peerless Price, CB Tyrone Williams, SS Cory Hall, LB Keith Newman, WR MarTay Jenkins, TE Lamont Hall, LB Twan Russell, CB Tod McBride.

Subtractions: CB Ashley Ambrose, WR Shawn Jefferson, TE Reggie Kelly, OT Michael Thompson, LB Mark Simoneau, LB John Thierry, SS Henry Jones.

Prospects: Anything short of the playoffs would be vastly disappointing. Season and single-game tickets are sold out for the first time since 1981, putting Vick on the verge of sainthood. Solid playoff contender.

Green Bay (12-5)

Open camp: July 22, Green Bay, Wis.

Last year: Won NFC North, but lost bye in final-game defeat, then lost wild-card game to Atlanta, first ever playoff loss in Green Bay. Injuries part of problem.

Strengths: QB, unless Brett Favre finally proves destructible; RB with healthy Ahman Green and solid corps of backups.

Weaknesses: OL, where OTs Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are coming off injuries; DE, where Joe Johnson missed almost all of last season after signing $33 million free-agent contract.

Additions: CB Al Harris; LB Nick Barnett, No. 1 draft pick.

Subtractions: WR Terry Glenn, whose trade to Dallas opens up starting job for Robert Ferguson or Javon Walker; LB Nate Wayne; CB Tyrone Williams.

Prospects: Pretty good in weak division, as long as Favre stays healthy and keeps his streak of 189 consecutive starts (more than a decade) going. Craig Nall, who hopes to supplant Doug Pederson as Favre’s backup, has no experience, save NFL Europe. Akili Smith, a bust in Cincinnati, also will vie for job.

New York Giants (10-7)

Open camp: July 24, Albany, N.Y.

Last year: Won last four games as offense flourished after coach Jim Fassel took over play-calling. Earned wild-card slot but blew a 38-14 lead over San Francisco and lost 39-38 in playoff game marked by officiating controversy on the final play, an aborted game-winning field-goal attempt.

Strengths: Overall offense led by QB Kerry Collins, RB Tiki Barber, WR Amani Toomer and TE Jeremy Shockey, who had huge impact as rookie last season. Starting DL, and CBs Will Allen and Will Peterson.

Weaknesses: Defensive depth. DL wore down in SF game as backups put no pressure on Jeff Garcia. Terrible special teams upgraded in off-season. OL is question for second straight year, but line coach Jim McNally has worked wonders with little.

Additions: Long-snapper Ryan Kuehl plus host of special teamers led by return man Brian Mitchell, P Jeff Feagles and K Mike Hollis. RB Dorsey Levens and DL Keith Washington. Addressed DL depth with first two picks — DT William Joseph and DE Osi Umenyiora.

Subtractions: TE Dan Campbell, OT Mike Rosenthal and G Jason Whittle. Rosenthal and Whittle started last year, part of no-name group molded by McNally, who has several more unknowns waiting to move in.

Prospects: Offensive revival has team thinking big. Can’t afford injuries at CB or DL, but are one of favorites in NFC East.

New Orleans (9-7)

Open camp: July 25, New Orleans.

Last year: After 6-1 start, stumbled late for second straight year. Coach Jim Haslett blames heat of training camp and hopes training in new indoor facility will keep team fresh longer.

Strengths: QB Aaron Brooks is expected to be ready after offseason shoulder surgery. Offense should be strong.

Weaknesses: Seven new starters on defense must come together quickly.

Additions: CB Ashley Ambrose; S Tebucky Jones; LB Orlando Ruff; DT Johnathan Sullivan, No. 1 draft pick.

Subtractions: S Sammy Knight.

Prospects: A lot depends on Brooks’ health in tough NFC South.

St. Louis (7-9)

Open camp: July 24, Macomb, Ill.

Last year: After winning 2001 NFC title, Rams started 2002 at 0-5 and never recovered. Injuries to Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Orlando Pace and Aeneas Williams were devastating. After three straight years as No. 1 in yardage, fell to 13th.

Strengths: Faulk, when healthy, is elite all-purpose running back. Warner’s broken pinky and hand allowed Marc Bulger to emerge as effective alternative, going 6-1 as starter.

Weaknesses: Defense is thin. Big comeback is needed from 35-year-old CB Williams, recovering from broken leg. LBs unproven. Unsigned OT Orlando Pace hasn’t participated in offseason workouts after being designated franchise player.

Additions: DT Jimmy Kennedy, first-round pick, could make immediate contribution. RT Kyle Turley, DB Jason Sehorn.

Subtractions: CB Dre’ Bly; TE Ernie Conwell; RB Trung Canidate; WR Ricky Proehl.

Prospects: Clock is ticking on aging team. Still can contend if Warner and Faulk stay healthy, and Pace situation is settled, but Faulk getting up there for RB.

Washington (7-9)

Open camp: July 28, Ashburn, Va.

Last year: Steve Spurrier, facing steep learning curve as rookie coach, realized castoffs from Florida can’t make his offense go in NFL. Five starting QB changes.

Strengths: Team speed, OL, LB.

Weaknesses: Safety, DL line depth; RB.

Additions: WR Laveranues Coles, G Randy Thomas, G Dave Fiore, RB Trung Canidate, KR Chad Morton, DE Regan Upshaw, K John Hall. Plus WR Taylor Jacobs, another Florida player, who was No. 1 draft pick.

Subtractions: Workhorse RB Stephen Davis.

Prospects: Season hinges on second-year QB Patrick Ramsey. Owner Dan Snyder spent freely again, but says he’s structured contracts so team can stay together for three years.

Seattle (7-9)

Open camp: July 26, Cheney, Wash.

Last year: Injuries all season, but offense flourished and defense improved in closing weeks. After season, Mike Holmgren relinquished GM duties, stayed as coach.

Strengths: QB Matt Hasselbeck averaged 476 yards passing in final six games; WR Koren Robinson emerged; RB Shaun Alexander had team-record 18 TDs; LB Anthony Simmons.

Weaknesses: Defense allowed NFL-high 152.6 yards rushing per game; OT Walter Jones could hold out for second straight year.

Additions: Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes; GM Bob Ferguson; LB Randall Godfrey; DE Chike Okeafor; DT Norman Hand. G Steve Hutchinson, QB Trent Dilfer and LB Chad Brown return from injuries.

Subtractions: P Jeff Feagles; K Rian Lindell.

Prospects: Holmgren has been no better or worse than predecessors. Seahawks have finished between 9-7 and 7-9 in seven of last eight seasons and 11 of last 15.

Carolina (7-9)

Open camp: July 25, Spartanburg, S.C.

Last year: Under new coach John Fox, the defense improved to No. 2 overall in the NFL and helped Panthers rebound from the 1-15 season of 2001. Struggled on offense.

Strengths: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Julius Peppers is back after missing the final four games of the season while on suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He’ll anchor one of the DLs in league with Brentson Buckner and Mike Rucker.

Weaknesses: Aging Rodney Peete heads into training camp as the starting QB. OL still needs upgrading.

Additions: QB Jake Delhomme, WRs Kevin Dyson and Ricky Proehl and RB Stephen Davis. OT Jordan Gross, C Bruce Nelson and TE Mike Seidman all promising rookies.

Subtractions: Dyson, who tore his Achilles’ tendon in spring workouts and will miss the entire year. Veteran TE Wesley Walls.

Prospects: Continued improvement with a goal of reaching the playoffs. But NFC South is tough division.

Minnesota (6-10)

Open camp: July 25, Mankato, Minn.

Last year: Stumbled under first-year coach Mike Tice, but rebounded to win last three games and finish second in underwhelming NFC North. Hoping momentum carries over.

Strengths: If QB Daunte Culpepper cuts down turnovers, Doug Chapman or rookie Onterrio Smith can replace injured RB Michael Bennett and WR Randy Moss keeps head in games, can be one of league’s top offenses.

Weaknesses: Defense under new coordinator George O’Leary. DT Kevin Williams, first draft pick, should help free Chris Hovan to do more, and free agent LB Chis Claiborne was solid addition.

Additions: Williams, Claiborne, CBs Denard Walker and Ken Irvin, OT Mike Rosenthal.

Subtractions: P Kyle Richardson, K Gary Anderson.

Prospects: Division remains weak, but without Bennett, still recovering from foot surgery, .500 looks like best bet.

Dallas (5-11)

Open camp: July 26, San Antonio.

Last year: Third straight 5-11 season prompted owner Jerry Jones to replace Dave Campo with Bill Parcells, the first Dallas coach willing to take on Jones since Jimmy Johnson left nearly a decade ago.

Strengths: Defense, especially in secondary led by safeties Darren Woodson and Roy Williams, plus No. 5 overall pick Terence Newman at cornerback.

Weaknesses: RB, where Emmitt Smith was cut for cap reasons and went to Arizona; QB, where Chad Hutchinson and Quincy Carter have shown little.

Additions: Parcells; Newman; TEs Dan Campbell and rookie Jason Witten; P Toby Gowin; FB Richie Anderson; WR Terry Glenn.

Subtractions: Smith; DT Brandon Noble; WR Raghib Ismail; FB Robert Thomas.

Prospects: At his three previous stops, Parcells made playoffs in second season. He’ll spend his first in Dallas figuring out who deserves to be around in ’04. Improved discipline and conditioning could push Cowboys past five wins.

Arizona (5-11)

Open camp: July 25, Flagstaff, Ariz.

Last year: Decimated by injuries, especially at WR, lost nine of last 10 in first season in NFC West. Offense ranked 27th, defense 29th. GM Bob Ferguson, offensive coordinator Rich Olson and DB coach Kevin Ramsey were fired.

Strengths: OL. It will try to clear way for RB Emmitt Smith, star signing in offseason. RB Marcel Shipp is coming off good year, rushing for 834 yards and averaging 4.4 per carry.

Weaknesses: WR. David Boston, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins left. Jason McAddley is top returning receiver. Ranked last in sacks, 30th against run and 29th against pass.

Additions: Smith; QB Jeff Blake; S Dexter Jackson; FB James Hodgins; WR Marquis Walker; rookie WRs Bryant Johnson and Anquan Boldin; rookie DE Calvin Pace.

Subtractions: Top three WRs; QB Jake Plummer; S Kwamie Lassiter. RB Thomas Jones, a major disappointment, was traded to Tampa Bay. FB Dennis McKinley made most spectacular exit: His contract was terminated after he was arrested for allegedly operating a marijuana smuggling ring.

Prospects: Another long, losing season, but Smith should draw fans to mostly empty Sun Devil Stadium.

Chicago (4-12)

Open camp: July 25, Bourbounais, Ill.

Last year: Staggered to 4-12 after a 13-3 season. RB Anthony Thomas was ineffective behind banged-up OL. Couldn’t stop the run with NT Ted Washington out because of an injury most of the season. Playing home games in Champaign while Soldier Field was being redone didn’t help.

Strengths: All-Pro LB Brian Urlacher; overall defense, although loss of LB Rosevelt Colvin will hurt.

Weaknesses: Offense, unless line perks up and QB Kordell Stewart comes through.

Additions: Renovated Soldier Field; QBs Stewart via free agency and Rex Grossman (draft); DE Michael Haynes (draft)

Subtractions: QB Jim Miller, Colvin, S Damon Moore, WR Marcus Robinson; OT James “Big Cat” Williams.

Prospects: Stewart must move the offense and be the creative and not erratic QB of his Steelers days. The new digs will be a boost.

Detroit (3-13)

Open camp: July 27, Allen Park, Mich.

Last year: Ran win total to five in two years with Matt Millen as president and failed to win on road for second straight year. Coach Marty Mornhinweg was fired when Steve Mariucci became available after being let go by San Francisco.

Strengths: Off his record, Mariucci is best Lions coach in years. OTs Jeff Backus and Stockar McDougle provide protection for second-year QB Joey Harrington.

Weaknesses: Slow offense with no-big play running back, inexperienced QB and too many questions at WR. LB corps consists of rejected players.

Additions: WR Charles Rogers, second overall pick in draft, and LB Boss Bailey, second-round pick. Free agent cornerback Dre’ Bly; LBs Earl Holmes and Wali Rainer; and WR Shawn Jefferson. None of free agents are impact players.

Subtractions: LB Chris Claiborne.

Prospects: If Lions approach .500, it will be surprising. However, Mariucci and pitch-and-catch combination of Harrington and Rogers provide hope for Detroit fans for the future.