Camp Battles: AFC East | NFC East | AFC North | NFC North
Houston Texans
Xavier Adibi vs. Zach Diles, weakside linebacker
Diles was leading the Texans in tackles last season before suffering a broken bone in his leg. Adibi played well last season as a rookie before suffering a groin injury in late December. By drafting Brian Cushing in the first round, it pits these two against each other after playing opposite each other for most of 2008. Diles is steady, but Adibi is more explosive.
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| Pierre Garcon has a key speed edge in Indy. (US Presswire) |
Opening day starter: Adibi. It will be a long battle, but in the end Adibi will find a way to win the job.
Indianapolis Colts
Pierre Garcon vs. Austin Collie vs. Roy Hall, No. 3 receiver
With Marvin Harrison gone, it means Anthony Gonzalez moves from the No. 3 receiver to the No. 2, creating an opening in the third spot. Garcon is said to have the inside track, but he is raw. He does have good speed. Collie is a rookie from BYU who was very productive in his college career. Think of him as a bigger Brandon Stokley. Hall is the most impressive looking of the three, but he was hurt his first two seasons and had just one catch.
Edge: Garcon. The speed gives him the edge and he heads to camp in the lead.
Opening day starter: Garcon. But keep an eye on Collie. He's smart and knows how to get open.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tra Thomas vs. Eugene Monroe, left tackle
This is a classic case of a veteran in Thomas facing off against a rookie first-round pick in Monroe. Thomas came to the Jaguars from the Eagles, where he was a quality starter, but his play tailed off the past couple of seasons. Monroe has the skills to step in and be an immediate starter like a lot of recent rookie tackles, such as Miami's Jake Long and Ryan Clady in Denver.
Edge: Thomas. Experience matters and he has worked with the first team all spring and summer.
Opening day starter: Monroe. This is a team rebuilding with young players, so why delay the inevitable?
Tennessee Titans
Justin Gage vs. Kenny Britt, receiver
The Titans used a first-round pick on Britt for a reason. He is big and fast. But to push out Gage he will need a huge camp. Any holdout will prevent him from even getting in the mix. Gage is a steady player who doesn't have great speed. The Titans signed soon-to-be starter Nate Washington as a free agent.
Edge: Gage. He knows the offense, he knows Kerry Collins and he's dependable.
Opening day starter: Gage. But if Britt can learn the offense and learn how to read coverage, he will get more and more time as the season moves along.
