Training camp battles: AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Fabian Washington vs. Lardarius Webb, starting corner

Fabian Washington is coming off a knee injury and in a fight for a job. (Getty Images)

Both of these corners are coming off bad knee injuries that could limit them early. Webb is said to be far ahead of schedule. If he's healthy, he will be the guy. He impressed as a rookie, but tore up the knee late last season. He has nice cover skills. Washington is a veteran who had some tough times early in the season -- he was beaten a bunch. But the Ravens play an aggressive style of defense that puts a lot of pressure on their corners. If one of these two isn't on the field, veteran Walt Harris, who was signed as a free agent, might be. He is an insurance policy. Chris Carr is also in the mix.

Edge: Webb. He's their best cover player when he's on the field.

Opening day starter: Hard to say. It all depends on health.

Cincinnati Bengals

Jordan Shipley vs. Andre Caldwell, third receiver

The Bengals have Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant as their two top receivers. But the battle for the third spot is big for a team that uses a lot of three-receiver sets. Caldwell held that job last season and did a nice job, but expect Shipley, who has impressed already, to push him. Shipley has been compared to New England's Wes Welker, who is the best receiver in the slot. If Shipley, who has more speed than Welker, can come close to that, he will win this job. Caldwell has a good working relationship with Carson Palmer, which will help.

Edge: Caldwell. He's done it already on the NFL level.

Opening day starter: Shipley. I really think he can add a nice dimension to the offense. Palmer will love him.

Cleveland Browns

Jerome Harrison vs. Montario Hardesty, starting running back

Harrison exploded onto the scene in the last five games of 2009, showing he could handle a big load of carries. He isn't big, so that was a concern, but he ran for 600 yards in the final five contests. Is that proof enough? Not quite. Hardesty, who the Browns traded up to get in the second round, has been the talk of the offseason. With Harrison missing some OTA work, Hardesty stole the show. He also had some wondering if he also stole his job.

Edge: Harrison. Let's face it, he saved coach Eric Mangini's job with the way he played down the stretch. That has to mean something.

Opening day starter: Harrison. But they will split carries more as the season moves along and Hardesty will have the job by November.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Trai Essex vs. Jon Scott vs. Ramon Foster, starting right tackle

When Willie Colon went down in June with a torn Achilles tendon, the Steelers suffered a big hit to their offensive line by losing their best lineman last season and will be missed. The Steelers brought in former Cowboy Flozell Adams for a workout, but didn't sign him. They will instead open up the competition to Essex, Scott and Foster. Essex started 16 games at right guard last season, but he has tackle experience and first-round pick Maurkice Pouncey is expected to take his job. Scott started eight games for the Bills last season, and was coached there by current Steelers line coach Sean Kugler. Foster played right tackle at Tennessee, and backed up at four line spots last season.

Edge: None. But Essex will likely get the first crack.

Opening day starter: Foster. I just think he's more of a right tackle than the other two.