Camp Battles: AFC East · NFC North
Dallas Cowboys
Orlando Scandrick vs. Mike Jenkins, right cornerback
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| Domenik Hixon has experience with Eli Manning but must find consistency. (Getty Images) |
Edge: Scandrick, based on last year's results. He seemed more ready to step in and play immediately.
Opening day starter: Scandrick.
N.Y. Giants
Hakeem Nicks vs. Ramses Barden vs. Domenik Hixon vs. Sinorice Moss, wide receiver
I'm assuming that Steve Smith nails down one of the wide-receiver positions, and that's not exactly going out on a limb. He led the Giants in catches last season. But Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are gone, so the door is wide open at the second position. Nicks was drafted to be that guy, and he has the hands and big-play ability to win the position. The problem? He's a rookie, and rookies generally start slowly at wide receiver. The same goes for Barden, who has the size to be an effective red-zone target but comes from a small-school (Cal-Poly) program. Hixon has the inside track because of his play last season, but he's inconsistent. Moss is an outside threat who looked good this spring but can't seem to shake injuries, and I'm not sure what to make of Mario Manningham. Anyway, I think you get the idea. The field is deep, with all capable of filling the position.
Edge: Hixon because he has more experience with Eli Manning in the huddle.
Opening day starter: Nicks. The Giants want a big-play threat to go alongside Smith. Depending on how quickly he absorbs the offense, he could be the perfect choice.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sean Jones vs. Quintin Demps, free safety
For years this position belonged to Brian Dawkins. But when he and Sean Consodine left as free agents, the door was thrown open -- with Demps, who played in the team's dime packages late last season, walking through as the early favorite. That lasted only until the Eagles signed Jones, one of only three safeties with 14 or more interceptions over the past three seasons. "We've always tried to bring in players at all positions to develop competition," coach Andy Reid said, "because competition brings out the best in you." Well, then, count Rashad Baker in the mix and let the competition begin. Demps was the first-team free safety in spring drills, and Jones the backup to Quintin Mikell at strong safety, but we're two months from playing. That's a lot of time to figure this out.
Edge: Jones. He's a veteran. He forces turnovers. He's bigger. The Eagles reached out to get him. And the last time we saw Demps he had a meltdown in the NFC Championship Game.
Opening day starter: Jones. Even though he might be a better fit at strong safety.
Washington Redskins
Stephon Heyer vs. Jeremy Bridges vs. Mike Williams, right tackle
Now that Jon Jansen is gone, right tackle is unresolved ... well, sort of. Heyer is the heavy favorite, primarily because he beat out Jansen last season. But then he lost the job, which means we might as well draw the battle lines again. Heyer has the size and quick feet that Washington's coaches like, and he went through this process a year ago -- so he knows the drill. Plus, Williams is a reclamation project who was a bust in Buffalo, has weight issues and hasn't played since 2006, and Bridges looks more like a starter at guard. In essence, it's Heyer's job to lose ... which, of course, he did last season. I don't see it happening again.
Edge: Heyer. He won the position a year ago against stiffer competition.
Opening day starter: Heyer.
