July 12, 2010

Training camp battles: AFC East

By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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The heat is up, vacations will soon be over and training camp is just around the corner.

That means it's time for our annual look at key training-camp battles from around the NFL.

We will look at one important battle from each team, doing so by looking at each division on a different day, four teams at a time.

We will start with the AFC East.

There aren't as many position battles in camps as there used to be, but all teams, even the good ones, have a handful. Some have many more.

If your quarterback job is up for grabs, it's probably not a good thing.

If you have a lot of position battles, it's also probably not a good thing.

Competition is good, but let's be real: Most coaches would love to go to camp with 22 starting spots decided.

That could mean only one thing.

Talent.

That's dreaming, which is why training-camp battles are a way of life each summer in the NFL.

QB Trent Edwards.

Brian Brohm vs. Trent Edwards vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick, starting QB

Who will open the season as quarterback for the Bills is a great mystery. Some will say it doesn't really matter, considering the candidates. But somebody has to win the job. Fitzpatrick had eight starts last season, but his arm is an issue in Buffalo's weather. Edwards has had his chances, but seemed to tail off the past couple of seasons and injuries have slowed him. Brohm was a second-round pick of the Packers, who couldn't beat out Matt Flynn for the backup job behind Aaron Rodgers. He did get a start last season for the Bills, but was just so-so. New coach Chan Gailey said the competition is open, so camp and the preseason will be what decides this race.

Edge: Edwards. He has the most starts for the Bills and he has the most mobility. Gailey likes quarterbacks who can move.

Opening day starter: Edwards. He is the quarterback with the fewest flaws, but keep an eye on Brohm if he can gain some confidence.

WR Brian Hartline.

Greg Camarillo vs. Brian Hartline, starting WR

The Dolphins traded to get Brandon Marshall from Denver, and he is now the No. 1 guy. This leaves the second job open. It appears Davone Bess will stay as the slot receiver, although the staff said he has a chance to be the No. 2 receiver. But that looks more like a battle between Camarillo and Hartline. Camarillo has great hands, catching nearly everything thrown his way. But he doesn't have great speed. Hartline isn't a burner, but he is faster than Camarillo. A second-year player, Hartline surprised as a rookie when he earned time as a starter. His growth was evident during the offseason.

Edge: Hartline. His speed is an advantage.

Opening day starter: Hartline. It's his time. He will be the perfect complement to Marshall.

LB Derrick Burgess.

Open competition at outside linebacker

Where do the Patriots find a pass rush? That's the big question for this team. In the 3-4, that means outside rushers. It looks like Tully Banta-Cain, who had 10 sacks last season, will get a shot at right outside linebacker. But a young player like Rob Ninkovich could get time on run downs, with Banta-Cain a pass-rush specialist. Veteran Derrick Burgess, a converted 3-4 end, is also a candidate to start. The candidates on the left side are Pierre Woods, Ninkovich, Shawn Crable and rookie Jermaine Cunningham. Crable hasn't had a start in two years, but he does have a lot of athletic ability and got plenty of reps with the No. 1 defense in offseason work. Cunningham is making the move from college defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker. That could be a tough transition, especially in terms of coverage. Two of those six will start, but look for most of them to see action.

Edge: Woods and Banta-Cain. But that's only because they started there last season.

Opening day starters: Burgess and Crable. The former has pass-rush skills and Crable looks the part -- even if he hasn't done it yet.

S Eric Smith.

Brodney Pool vs. Eric Smith vs. Dwight Lowery, starting FS

Coach Rex Ryan never warmed to Kerry Rhodes, who was the starter last season. He didn't think Rhodes was physical enough. He even benched him at times, and Rhodes is now in Arizona. Smith played when Rhodes was benched and offers more in terms of hitting ability. Pool, who comes over from Cleveland, is also a good tackler. He has had some concussion issues, which is a concern. Lowery, who played as a corner his first two seasons, might get a look inside. He has the ball skills to play well back there, but his tackling will decide his fate.

Edge: Smith. He was the starter last season.

Opening day starter: Pool. But look for Smith to see time as a backup. The Jets will be open to using both players.

Photos courtesy Getty Images.