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Day two of the two-part series is here, and it’s time to take a look at the jobs up for grabs in the NFC.
Click here if you’re looking for the 2008 NFL Training Camp Battles – AFC.
Dallas Cowboys:
The Battle: CB: Mike Jenkins vs. Anthony Henry vs. Pacman Jones
The Breakdown: The Cowboys traded for suspended corner Pacman Jones in hopes that Roger Goodell will reinstate him. I wouldn’t bank on it. With the new allegation that Jones payed someone to shoot up a night club, his luck is running on empty. Mike Jenkins was the second of the Cowboys’ two first-rounders, and moving up to No. 25 overall to secure him was a great move. With Anthony Henry and Terence Newman having injury-riddled pasts, Jenkins will without a doubt get at least a couple chances to showcase his starting talent.
My Prediction: Henry. Anthony Henry’s experience gives him the nod, but that doesn’t mean Jenkins won’t start. It simply means he won’t start right away. He’s played three full seasons in his seven years, and I wouldn’t count on his durability this year. Jenkins will get a couple starts under his belt before season’s end.
New York Giants:
The Battle: WR: Mario Manningham vs. Amani Toomer vs. Steve Smith vs. Sinorice Moss vs. David Tyree
The Breakdown: In what may be the most open battle of any in the league, the battle for the No. 2 receiver spot in New York is going to be a fun one to watch. Mario Manningham slipped from a first-round talent all the way to the third. Amani Toomer has been a Giant his whole life, but his skills are slipping in the twilight of his career. Steve Smith impressed many last year as a rookie, and who could forget David Tyree’s outstanding Super Bowl catch? The dark horse here may be Sinorice Moss. The younger brother of current Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss, Sinorice was drafted in the second round of the 2006 Draft, only to watch his team take another second-round receiver in 2007. He may be more of a slot guy.
My Prediction: Manningham. He smoked pot and lied about it. That’s bad – but not the worst thing anyone’s ever done. The fact is he can straight up ball. Tom Coughlin will have a tough time benching him.
Philadelphia Eagles:
The Battle: WR: DeSean Jackson vs. Hank Baskett vs. Kevin Curtis vs. Jason Avant
The Breakdown: Kevin Curtis was brought in from St. Louis last year, and performed admirably (1,110 yards, 6 TDs), but he is much better suited as a super-slot Wes Welker type guy. Hank Baskett has also impressed some, but not enough to lock down a starting job. DeSean Jackson was my pick to go to the Eagles in the first round, but them being able to snag him in the second was terrific for this team.
My Prediction: Jackson. While Kevin Curtis did play quite well last year, he is not used to the double coverage he got across from Reggie Brown. Jackson was the No. 1 guy at Cal and saw constant double teams throughout his college career.
Washington Redskins:
The Battle: WR: Devin Thomas vs. Malcolm Kelly vs. Antwaan Randle El
The Breakdown: Well, Jason Campbell must have peed his pants when he saw what his team did. There is nothing a quarterback likes more than big weapons, and he’s got ’em. Devin Thomas was widely regarded as the top receiver in this year’s draft class, and Malcolm Kelly was once considered a first-round prospect before his poor 40 time. Antwaan Randle El has been nothing but a disappointment since he left Pittsburgh, and likely will have to battle for the No. 3 spot.
My Prediction: Thomas. Randle El has fallen way out of favor in Washington, and Kelly has talent but he’s just a little behind Thomas. Those two may split time at the No. 2 spot, coming in on different situational downs.
Chicago Bears:
The Battle: LT: Chris Williams vs. John St. Clair
The Breakdown: Williams was a great pick at No. 14 overall in the first round this year, and he will immediately push John St. Clair for the starting left tackle spot. John Tait manned the spot last year, but is expected to shift back to right tackle this year, leaving it a battle between the two. St. Clair played in all 16 games for the Bears last year, and was satisfactory. Nothing more, nothing less. Williams is pretty raw, but has a lot of talent and upside to go along with his massive 6-6, 315-pound frame.
My Prediction: Williams. St. Clair is not a competent starter, and Williams can help revitalize an offensive line that did very little to protect Rex Grossman and support Cedric Benson. He will be a staple of this line for years to come.
Detroit Lions:
The Battle: RT: Gosder Cherilus vs. Jonathan Scott
The Breakdown: Gosder Cherilus is a pick that Lions fans will never forget. Whether it’s for a good reason or bad, we don’t know yet. What we do know is that Detroit passed on Rashard Mendenhall to pick up Cherilus at No. 17 overall. He was a good player in college, but in my opinion, not that good. He should compete immediately, however, with Jonathan Scott at the starting right tackle spot across from Jeff Backus.
My Prediction: Cherilus. There has to be a reason they drafted him so high, and over a guy like Mendenhall. I’m intrigued to see what exactly they expect from him.
Green Bay Packers:
The Battle: TE: Jermichael Finley vs. Donald Lee
The Breakdown: This is gonna be fun to watch. The Packers have been missing a true receiving tight end since Bubba Franks tanked, and these two are going to battle it out for the starting spot this year. Donald Lee performed well for the Packers last year, notching 575 yards and six touchdowns. While Jermichael Finley may be the tight end with the most upside that came out of this draft, his pure athleticism makes him capable of pushing for a starting spot his rookie year.
My Prediction: Lee. Lee just barely edges out Finley here because of the experience factor to help out Aaron Rodgers. Look for Green Bay to use a lot of two tight end sets this year to take advantage of defenses. It was tempting to put Rodgers vs. Brian Brohm here, but Mike McCarthy said Rodgers is their starter, and I believe him.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Battle: S: Tyrell Johnson vs. Madieu Williams
The Breakdown: Tyrell Johnson was skyrocketing before the draft, and on many draft boards he soared himself ahead of Kenny Phillips for the top safety spot in the class. Well, with Dwight Smith no longer on board, the Vikings need someone to play next to Darren Sharper. Madieu Williams was once a promising prospect in Cincinnati, but has seen his career decline because of numerous injuries.
My Prediction: Williams. For now – I’m willing to bet he gets hurt during the season, opening the door for Johnson.
Atlanta Falcons:
The Battle: LB: Curtis Lofton vs. Stephen Nicholas
The Breakdown: Perhaps the more intriguing question here is where will everyone play? Michael Boley has an outside linebacker spot locked up. That's a given. The Falcons have stated that they plan to keep Keith Brooking inside. But then why draft Curtis Lofton, a natural inside linebacker? It makes no sense to me. So the way I see it, if Lofton loses out, then Brooking starts inside and Stephen Nicholas starts outside. Then if Lofton impresses, he starts inside and Brooking shifts outside. It's tough to tell in Atlanta.
My Prediction: Lofton. Brooking is more natural outside, and I wouldn't be surprised if we find out that he let the coaches know that prior to the draft, prompting them to draft Lofton. Either way, Lofton is a better talent than Nicholas, and would make their linebacking corps much better than Nicholas would.
Carolina Panthers:
The Battle: ILB: Dan Connor vs. Landon Johnson
The Breakdown: The Panthers have a plethora of linebackers with Dan Connor, Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Na'il Diggs, and Landon Johnson on the roster. Only Dan Connor is a natural inside linebacker. If the Panthers don't like Landon Johnson, they can move Jon Beason to the weakside position.
My Prediction: Connor. He broke almost every record at Linebacker-U with a monstrous 419 tackles for his career. He will be a terrific pro for years to come.
New Orleans Saints:
The Battle: CB: Tracy Porter vs. Jason David vs. Randall Gay
The Breakdown: I am a firm believer that the only way the Saints' defense could've sucked more last year is if they started Paris Hilton. That being said, Jason David was a total liability. He was burnt on just about every play, including a couple brutal touchdowns right out of the gate against Reggie Wayne on opening night. Randall Gay came over from New England and has a legitimate case to start opposite Mike McKenzie. Meanwhile, Tracy Porter is a solid rookie who picked off six passes during his senior year at Indiana.
My Prediction: Gay. His experience is going to give him the edge over Porter's raw talent. David should just go bag groceries somewhere.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Battle: CB: Aqib Talib vs. Phillip Buchanon vs. Sammy Davis
The Breakdown: The Bucs took a chance on a good player in Aqib Talib in this year's draft, and now the battle begins for who replaces the recently departed Brian Kelly. Phillip Buchanon was a bust in Oakland and has tried to revitalize his career with both Houston and Tampa Bay, while Sammy Davis hasn't been a starter since the 2004-2005 season with the Chargers. It should be an interesting competition between these three to decide who plays next to Ronde Barber.
My Prediction: Talib. There's a reason why Buchanon and Davis fell out of favor with their other teams: they weren't very good. Talib should be a solid player in Tampa Bay's secondary.
Arizona Cardinals:
The Battle: CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Rod Hood
The Breakdown: This past offseason the Cardinals brought in Rod Hood from Philadelphia to compete for a starting job across from Antrel Rolle. With the emergence of Eric Green and the reported move of Rolle to safety, there is now a competition between Hood and the newly acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. DRC's stock was soaring leading up to the draft, and Arizona couldn't be happier that he fell to No. 16 overall. He will challenge immediately for playing time.
My Prediction: Rodgers-Cromartie. Hood was not what the Cardinals were hoping for this year, and DRC can shore up the secondary instantly. He is going to be a stud.
San Francisco 49ers:
The Battle: CB: Reggie Smith vs. Walt Harris
The Breakdown: This is an intriguing battle. I was not sure where Reggie Smith would play in the NFL, and I thought if he did have the chance to start, it would be at free safety over Mark Roman. However, head coach Mike Nolan has gone on record as saying that the 49ers are "counting on Reggie Smith to play cornerback." Nolan also went on to state that while Smith lacks ideal speed for the position, he will get the chance to start opposite Nate Clements, which means he will fight to push Walt Harris into a battle for the nickel role with Shawntae Spencer.
My Prediction: Smith. While Smith may not have the ideal speed you look for in a cornerback, he has more speed than Harris does at this stage in his career. He's got a lot of skill and his slipping to the third round is going to prove very valuable for the 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks:
The Battle: DT: Red Bryant vs. Brandon Mebane
The Breakdown: This is going to be a tough battle. Red Bryant is a defensive tackle out of Texas A&M that a lot of people liked coming into the draft. There's no lack of size at 6-5, 328, and he is the definition of two-gap run-stuffing defensive tackle. He will compete with Brandon Mebane for a starting spot next to the deceptively quick Rocky Bernard.
My Prediction: Bryant. He is the perfect complement to a quick-penetrating tackle like Bernard and will pair with him nicely. He may be taken out in favor of Mebane on passing downs.
St. Louis Rams:
The Battle: CB: Justin King vs. Fakhir Brown
The Breakdown: The Rams need help in their secondary. Tye Hill is developing into a good corner, but here's a news flash for the Rams: You have to start TWO cornerbacks. Fahkir Brown was the starter last year, and registered 47 tackels and four interceptions in 12 games. Not the worst numbers, but certainly not the best. Enter Justin King, a guy from Penn State who probably should have stayed for his senior year, King is a good cover corner who clocked a 4.31 at the combine and plays bigger than he is.
My Prediction: King. Brown simply should not be starting and Justin King could really help a Rams secondary which ranked 21st in pass yards allowed per game at 225.8.
Greg Haefner's 2008 NFL Training Camp Battles - AFC
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