Training camps: AFC West position battles
Denver Broncos
Chris Kuper vs. Montrae Holland, right guard
One of the keys to the Denver success over the years has been the running game. The offensive line is a big reason why. This year's unit is solid across the board, but there should be a nice battle at right guard.
With Cooper Carlisle gone, it means second-year player Kuper will battle veteran Holland for the starting spot. Kuper is a player who the Broncos have high hopes for in the future. The question becomes whether he's ready or not. Holland is a mauler who started in the past with the Saints.
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| The Chiefs seem to favor young Brodie Croyle as their QB. (US Presswire) |
Opening-day starter: Kuper. There's nothing wrong with putting in a young player at guard.
Kansas City Chiefs
Brodie Croyle vs. Damon Huard, quarterback
Huard came in for an injured Trent Green last year and played well. He went 5-3 as a starter and showed a good command of the offense. Huard isn't flashy, but he knows where to go with the football most of the time. He threw 11 touchdown passes and just one interception last season.
But the coaching staff appears to be leaning to Croyle as the guy they want to start. The second-year player from Alabama isn't a big guy, but he understands the passing game. His arm isn't great, but it's good enough. He is the future of this franchise.
Edge: Huard. Experience means something.
Opening-day starter: Croyle. If Herman Edwards wants it, he will get it. And he appears to want Croyle as his starter.
Oakland Raiders
Josh McCown vs. JaMarcus Russell vs. Andrew Walter, quarterback
| NFL camp battles | ||
| Date | Division | |
| July 16 | AFC East | |
| July 17 | AFC North | |
| July 19 | AFC South | |
| July 21 | AFC West | |
| July 20 | NFC East | |
| July 23 | NFC North | |
| July 24 | NFC South | |
| July 25 | NFC West | |
McCown is an average quarterback, but he will be able to adjust to the new system much better than Russell. Experience is a big part of playing quarterback. As for Walter, he was erratic in his eight starts last year and he's coming off an injury that kept him out of some offseason work. Like the other two, he is learning a new system.
Edge: McCown. You get the feeling that the Raiders want him to start the first game.
Opening-day starter: McCown. But how long does he keep Russell on the bench?
San Diego Chargers
Eric Weddle vs. Clinton Hart vs. Bhawoh Jue, strong safety
The Chargers traded up in the second round to get Weddle, an athletic player who played a lot of corner at Utah. He is an active playmaker who isn't afraid of contact. But he will have a tough time beating out the two veterans.
Jue started in 2005, but missed a lot of time with injuries last year. Hart filled in and played well. But you don't give up four picks to move up to draft a player without having big plans for him -- even right away.
Edge: Hart. It's his job to lose.
Opening-day starter: Weddle. He has that knack for making plays, and he will flourish playing behind San Diego's fierce pass rush.
