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With just about every team drafting a player to come in and fill a need, there are many jobs around the league that are anything but safe.
I’m going to break down the one main camp battle for each club in the league, team-by-team, in a two-part series, starting with the AFC. We’ll find out what rookies can start right away, and who will have to wait their turn.
Click here if you’re looking for the 2008 NFL Training Camp Battles – NFC.
Buffalo Bills:
The Battle: CB: Jabari Greer vs. Leodis McKelvin
The Breakdown: Buffalo drafted McKelvin in the first round as both their Best Player Available and to fill a need. Greer performed admirably last year, considering he came into the league as an undrafted free agent. That’s a great story, but it won’t help the Bills’ defense. McKelvin is going to push for a starter spot.
My Prediction: McKelvin. The coaches love him and he’ll really put on a show in training camp and preseason, and should easily lock up the job.
New York Jets:
The Battle: CB: Dwight Lowery vs. Justin Miller
The Breakdown: Lowery was a third-round pick for the Jets from San Jose State and led the nation in interceptions as a junior in 2006 with nine. Miller wasn’t effective last year, and Lowery is going to give him a run for his money.
My Prediction: Miller. Lowery will easily grab the nickel role, but with Gholston starting on a young defense, Eric Mangini will not want to start another rookie next to sophomore Darrelle Revis.
Miami Dolphins:
The Battle: QB: Chad Henne vs. John Beck
The Breakdown: Henne was a great pick for the Dolphins in the second round. The new management isn’t convinced that John Beck is the savior the old regime thought he was. Henne is going to push to line up behind an offensive line which now features his Michigan teammate Jake Long.
My Prediction: Henne. He is a Parcells type of guy, and he will start. If Parcells were the coach, Beck would probably start purely because he isn’t a rookie. But Parcells isn’t the coach. Tony Sparano is going to make the right decision and go with Henne.
New England Patriots:
The Battle: ILB: Jerod Mayo vs. Junior Seau
The Breakdown: Mayo was a surprise pick for many at No. 10. Me? Not so much. Rumors had been spreading around that the Patriots liked Mayo more than Keith Rivers, and would have taken him if he were there at seven. They moved down to 10 and still got him, so it’s a win-win. He’s a terrific athlete and an absolute monster in the middle – very fun to watch because he is a fierce tackler who plays with intensity. He’s a lot like Patrick Willis was last year.
My Prediction: Mayo. Seau just won’t go away will he? Well, now he will. The 76-year-old Seau is going to get smoked in training camp by Mayo, and once he does, I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls it quits… for now (assuming Seau even comes to camp).
Baltimore Ravens:
The Battle: QB: Joe Flacco vs. Kyle Boller vs. Troy Smith
The Breakdown: The Ravens missed out on Matt Ryan, so they moved down to No. 26 and then up again to No. 18 to ensure they got Flacco. He’s got a cannon for an arm, I’ll give him that, but I’m not going to sugar-coat it: I hate the guy. He is absolutely not NFL material and is going to destroy this franchise. I hoped and prayed for Ravens fans’ sake that Baltimore would take Brian Brohm or Chad Henne, but they went with Flacco. Too bad. Anyone else remember a quarterback who was hyped up in the Ravens’ front office for having a massive arm and a prototype NFL body? Here’s a hint: He came from Cal and is currently having an affair with Brian Billick.
My Prediction: Smith. That’s right. Troy Smith. New Ravens coach Jon Harbaugh knows that Boller is not the answer, and he probably won’t want to rush the raw and untalented Flacco into a starting role, so he gives Smith a chance to prove if he has a case for the future of the franchise.
Cincinnati Bengals:
The Battle: DT: Pat Sims vs. John Thornton
The Breakdown: Defensive tackle was a clear position of need for the Bengals this offseason, and man did they blow it before the draft. With trades falling through for Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson, going into the draft, the interior defensive line remained a position of need. Enter Pat Sims. A monster of a man at 6-2, 310, Sims put up some solid numbers at Auburn last year (37 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks) and should be a solid player at the next level.
My Prediction: Sims. Teamed up with the rising Domata Peko, Sims will help make the Bengals’ defense noticeable again – and not just for arrests this time.
Cleveland Browns:
The Battle: WR: Paul Hubbard vs. Joe Jurevicius
The Breakdown: Hubbard is a big receiver who saw his stock slip due to a few cases of the dropsies. His size is undeniable, and Joe Jurevicius’ skills are not what they once were. Jurevicius is still on the roster because his size (6-5, 232) makes him a red-zone terror. Well, Hubbard’s size (6-3, 218) paired with his speed (4.48 40 time), youth, and much less hefty contract (Jurevicius is being paid $10 million over four years) make him a very appealing alternative. And GM Phil Savage has stated that Hubbard will be given a chance to compete with Jurevicius for the team’s No. 3 receiving spot.
My Prediction: Hubbard. Don’t be surprised if Jurevicius is cut before the season starts. Hubbard will easily provide equal production.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Battle: WR: Limas Sweed vs. Santonio Holmes
The Breakdown: Sweed slipped to Pittsburgh in Round 2, and the Steelers jumped all over the big receiver that Ben Roethlisberger has been asking for. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians must be salivating over the possibility of a three-wide set with Holmes, Sweed, and Hines Ward lining up. Pair that with Rashard Mendenhall offsetting Willie Parker in the backfield, and the Steelers have a scary offense.
My Prediction: Sweed. Holmes is a good receiver, but he is much better suited for the slot. He is a small (5-11, 189), quick receiver who is lethal as a return man and could terrorize defenses as a third option. Sweed is the big guy whom they need out there on every down to go over the middle, or just jump up and rip the ball away from defensive backs.
Houston Texans:
The Battle: LT: Duane Brown vs. Ephraim Salaam
The Breakdown: Brown was a mind-boggling pick at No. 26 overall in the first round. I don’t think the value matched up there, but there’s no denying the Texans needed some offensive line help. Brown can challenge the 31-year-old Salaam for a starting spot right away across from Eric Winston.
My Prediction: Salaam. I think the Texans are going to realize in training camp and preseason that they really reached for this guy. He is not going to wow them like they thought he would, and ultimately he’ll end up sitting.
Indianapolis Colts:
The Battle: RG: Mike Pollak vs. Charlie Johnson
The Breakdown: With the Colts releasing Dylan Gandy and losing Jake Scott in free agency, Charlie Johnson is currently listed atop the depth chart at right guard. That’s not good. Mike Pollak may have been a reach in the second round, but the Colts clearly like him and he’ll get a chance to compete for a starting spot immediately.
My Prediction: Pollak. The Colts are high on him and with the release of Dylan Gandy, I think they just paved the way for him to start. After seeing rookie tackle Tony Ugoh thrive last season, the Colts have no reason to look down on Pollak simply for his lack of experience.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Battle: DE: Quentin Groves vs. Paul Spicer
The Breakdown: We all know Derrick Harvey will start right away. That’s a given. But Quentin Groves is a solid pass-rush prospect who may very well push Spicer out of a job. The 32-year-old Spicer logged just 34 total tackles last year to go along with 7.5 sacks. Not exactly stellar numbers. He also started only 12 games last year. Groves is ferocious and has a tremendous burst off the edge. Spicer better be watching over his shoulder.
My Prediction: Spicer. I think the Jags are going to start out with Groves as a rotational guy. Groves will get his chances to start this year when Spicer gets injured (don’t kid yourself, he WILL get injured), and will impress coaches enough to start him next year. But for this year, he’s a rotational guy. Spicer is going to get the ax next offseason. Count on that.
Tennessee Titans:
The Battle: DE: Jason Jones vs. Jevon Kearse
The Breakdown: Antwan Odom left in free agency, and with his departure a huge void opened in Tennessee’s defensive line next to Albert Haynesworth. Jones is a guy with exceptional skills who was hyped up coming into the draft out of Eastern Michigan. Jevon Kearse is not the player he was when he took his first go-around with Tennessee, but he is looking to revitalize his career after falling out of favor in Philly.
My Prediction: Jones. Kearse is much better suited for a rotational role at this stage in his career. Drafting Jones in the second round will turn out to be a great move for the Titans’ organization, and he will start right away.
Denver Broncos:
The Battle: WR: Eddie Royal vs. Brandon Stokely
The Breakdown: Stokely was brought in last year to be a slot receiver, and he was, until Javon Walker went down. The Broncos realized that Stokely can't really be their No. 2 receiver when he played. Royal can be. There is no denying Stokely is talented, but he is better suited as a great slot receiver than a sub-par No. 2. Royal will need to learn the ropes a little, but should be a great complement to Brandon Marshall in time.
My Prediction: Royal. It's pretty clear that Stokely needs to be a slot guy, and Royal has blazing speed to offset Marshall's terrific size.
Kansas City Chiefs:
The Battle: S: DaJaun Morgan vs. Jarrad Page
The Breakdown: DaJaun Morgan is a guy who was regarded by many as the third-best safety in this class behind Kenny Phillips and Tyrell Johnson. He'll compete for a starting spot with a team that desperately needs someone to play alongside former second-round pick Bernard Pollard.
My Prediction: Morgan. I love the way he plays, and Herm Edwards saying that he expects 75 percent of his starters to be first- or second-year players gives Morgan a much better chance to win the job.
Oakland Raiders:
The Battle: RB: Darren McFadden vs. Justin Fargas
The Breakdown: McFadden was a talent the Raiders' front office simply couldn't pass up on. He and Fargas will split carries, there's no doubt about that, but the question still remains who will get the bulk of them. Fargas proved last year that he can be a reliable back, amassing 1,009 yards on a 4.5 YPC average. But McFadden is an explosive player who can find his way to end zone on just about every play.
My Prediction: McFadden. It's Al Davis, do I even need to go on? He loves his speedy exciting players, and McFadden fits the bill. I think it'll be 65/35 with McFadden getting the bulk.
San Diego Chargers:
The Battle: CB: Antoine Cason vs. Quentin Jammer
The Breakdown: Cason is an exceptional talent, while Jammer is a very solid corner. One of them will get the chance to play across from Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie in a stunning secondary, and it's tough to go wrong with either of them.
My Prediction: Jammer. Cason will take over in a year or two, but for now, there's just no reason to take Jammer out of the lineup. Cason can play the nickel right away, but Jammer remains the starter for now.
Greg Haefner's 2008 NFL Training Camp Battles - NFC
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