Training camp battles: NFC North

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The second of our NFC division-by-division looks at training camp battles:

Chicago Bears

Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton, quarterback

This is one of the summer's heavyweight bouts. The Bears did nothing to address the quarterback position in the offseason because they continue to believe they have a legitimate starter in one of these two. Orton took the Bears to the playoffs in 2005; Grossman took them to the Super Bowl a year later. Grossman, benched in favor of Brian Griese last year, signed a one-year deal essentially to prove he can handle the job; Orton was 2-1 at the end of last year and gave the Bears the stability they lacked at the position. Grossman is more talented but more prone to mistakes; Orton is less capable of winning a game but more capable of not losing it. This one is close. You make the call.

Edge: Grossman because it seems like the Bears want him to succeed, which means all tiebreakers point his way. The key for him and Chicago: Cut down on the dumb mistakes.

Opening day starter: Grossman

Detroit Lions

Kevin Smith vs. Tatum Bell, running back

Will rookie Kevin Smith be Detroit's solution at running back? (Getty Images)

Bell is considered the starter here, but do you honestly think the Lions would have invested in Smith if they were satisfied at this position? I think we just answered our question. Smith is a talented, tough and productive back who, if all goes according to plan, should pass Bell on the depth chart sometime in late August or early September. After all, the guy ran for over 2,500 yards last season, coming within 62 yards of the NCAA single-season record set by -- you guessed it -- Barry Sanders. The Lions have all sorts of candidates at this position (Brian Calhoun, Aveion Cason, Artose Pinner), but Smith and Bell are the only significant contenders. Detroit is determined to run the football, with new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto installing a new zone-blocking scheme for his line, and isn't that convenient: It's the same scheme in which Smith operated at Central Florida.

Edge: Smith. The Lions already know what they have in Bell, and they still traded up to take Smith in the third round. Yeah, I'd say that's noteworthy. Smith is resilient and confident, and both qualities should push him to the top.

Opening day starter: Smith

Green Bay Packers

Daryn Colledge vs. Allen Barbre, left guard

As the incumbent, Colledge should have the inside track on this position -- and he does. But his grip isn't strong, with the third-year pro no better than a 50-50 shot to keep the job. That's because Barbre, a left tackle at Missouri Southern, took giant steps with steady work in the Packers' offseason workout program. Colledge spent the offseason working out in Green Bay, too, and has the advantage of starting 28 regular-season games the past two years. But if there's a knock on the guy it's that he didn't hold up against powerful defensive tackles in the run game, which is why there's an opening for the beefed up Barbre. With Aaron Rodgers taking over at quarterback, the Packers can't afford to take chances with their protection. Maybe that's why they had the two alternating with the first-team offense in OTAs. They want to make sure they get this right.

Edge: Colledge because he has the experience at the position that Barbre does not.

Opening day starter: Barbre. Even though he's raw, he's talented, strong and improving with each practice.

Minnesota Vikings

Bobby Wade vs. Sidney Rice, wide receiver

The Vikings need Sidney Rice's vertical element. (Getty Images)

A year ago, Wade was a starter and the team's leading receiver; Rice, then a rookie, led the Vikings with four TD catches. Wade is more of a threat as a short-to-medium yardage receiver; Rice is a potential home run waiting to happen. It's a close call, but the club thinks so highly of Rice it had him, not Wade, running with the first-team offense at the May minicamp. Nevertheless, Wade won't concede his starter's job, saying he plans to push Rice in training camp. Good. You have to admire that attitude. Still, it will be difficult for Wade to succeed. Reason: Rice has something Wade does not -- speed and a lot of upside. If he stays away from injuries and mistakes born from inexperience, Rice should take his place in September opposite Bernard Berrian, the No. 1 receiver the Vikings signed as a free agent.

Edge: Rice because he has the speed the Vikings covet.

Opening day starter: Rice