Camp Battles: NFC East · NFC North
Open competition.
NFL coaches love throwing that phrase around at the open of training camp. But do they really mean it?
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| Don't count on Mark Sanchez doing much observing once the Jets' season begins. (US Presswire) |
Most of the NFL jobs are already determined, with little change expected in training camp. The good teams have fewer jobs open, the bad ones many more.
Twenty-five years ago, training camp truly did decide jobs. But with NFL football now a year-round thing, with plenty of on-the-field work, it's not quite what it used to be in terms of sifting out starters from backups.
Don't let the coaching cliché fool you. Most positions aren't up for grabs in an open competition.
But we've found some that are. We'll focus on one expected training-camp battle from each team, doing so division by division, starting with the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
Bryan Scott vs. Jairus Byrd vs. Ko Simpson, safety
Scott was the starter last year, but is he anything more than a stopgap player? The Bills thought Simpson would be their starter for a while but after a 2008 injury, his play slipped. Byrd was taken in the second round of the April draft as a corner, but he will get a look at safety. He is more athletic than the other two.
Edge: Scott. He knows the defense and he's the incumbent.
Opening day starter: Scott. But don't think for a minute he can get comfortable.
Miami Dolphins
Eric Green vs. Sean Smith vs. Vontae Davis vs. Jason Allen, cornerback
Will Allen is in as one starting corner, but the other job should be up for grabs. Green, who lost his starting job in Arizona last year to rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, will have to fend off two more this time around. Davis was Miami's first-round pick in April and Smith came in the second. Both have good cover skills, but Davis might be the better tackler. Smith got some work with the first team in the summer workouts. At 6-feet-3, he is a big corner. Allen has played both corner and safety -- neither one well. If he doesn't play well in this camp, he could be cut.
Edge: Green. Being a veteran gives him a big advantage.
Opening day starter: Green. But how long does he stay?
New England Patriots
Fred Taylor vs. Sammy Morris vs. Laurence Maroney, running back
It's likely all three of these players will get significant time, but who starts and who gets the most carries? The guess here is Taylor wins the job. Even at 32, he still has more game-breaking ability than the other two. Morris is a grinder who gets the tough yards. He led the Patriots with 727 yards last season. Maroney missed most of last season with injuries and his desire is in question. He has the ability to be a quality starter, but does he want it?
Edge: Morris. He has been there and the Patriots like his determination.
Opening day starter: Taylor. He's better than the other two. You wait and see.
New York Jets
Kellen Clemens vs. Mark Sanchez, quarterback
Sanchez is clearly the quarterback of the future, but when does that start? The Jets traded up in the first round to get him. But he wasn't spectacular during the two months after the draft, which is why camp will decide the winner. Clemens spent most of the offseason working with the first team and he impressed the coaches. His three years of experience will help in this battle.
Edge: Clemens. The experience is valuable.
Opening day starter: Sanchez. They didn't trade up to wait. The kid has poise and played at a big-time program. New York won't faze him.
