Training camps: AFC East position battles

Patriots

Corey Dillon vs. Laurence Maroney, running back

The veteran Dillon is a coming off a disappointing season in which he struggled with an ankle injury. He didn't have the same pop he had the year before. Dillon has vowed to return to his pre-injury form, but the question is whether age is starting to catch up with him since he turns 32 in October. In Maroney, the Patriots got a steal at the back end of the first round. He is a glider who has the speed to break the big play. At some point this season, he will take Dillon's job. A potential holdout would cripple his chances of doing so early in the season. If Maroney's there on time, and has a good preseason, he might take the job sooner than we expect.

Edge: Dillon. He's been there and the coaching staff knows what he can do. But it doesn't take long for rookie runners to assimilate into the NFL ways. There's also been some concern about Dillon's weight.

Opening day starter: Dillon. But Maroney will play. And it's only a matter of time before he takes the job.

Dolphins

Donnie Spragan vs. Sedrick Hodge vs. Derrick Pope, strongside linebacker

The Dolphins didn't do a good job of finding a player in the offseason to take over this position. Junior Seau opened 2005 as the starter, but injuries forced him out. That allowed Spragan to start nine games. While he isn't bad, he just doesn't bring a lot to the defense. He is limited athletically. Hodge comes over from the Saints, where he was a major disappointment. He doesn't seem to have the instincts for the position. If these guys flop, the team could turn to Derrick Pope, a third-year player from Alabama, although he's a little small and more suited to the weakside spot. On a pretty good defense, this is a spot that seems to be a glaring weakness.

Edge: It has to be Spragan, since he was the starter last season. But any of a handful of players can assume this spot.

Opening day starter: Take your pick. But for now it appears Spragan is the guy. Whoever it is, this spot is a weak one on a good defense.

Bills

J.P. Losman vs. Kelly Holcomb vs. Craig Nall, quarterback

Losman, the former first-round pick, will head into camp as the No. 1 guy -- but not a solid No. 1. He has loads of athletic ability and has a rocket for an arm; if he can learn the cerebral side a little better, he has a chance to be a solid starter. The previous coaching staff soured on Losman and turned to Holcomb, who is little more than a journeyman passer. He played well in spurts, but is he really the long-term answer? The new coaches have to find out of Losman is. If he isn't, they need to draft another passer. Nall, who comes from Green Bay where he played little the past four seasons, was expected to be more in the mix. But he was said to be unimpressive in the offseason. Maybe a good camp can change that.

Edge:

Losman. He has more tools than the other two. The new coaching staff is also said to be giving him a clean slate.

Opening day starter: Losman. New offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild did some good things with the Rams passers. Maybe it will rub off on Losman, too.

Jets

Chad Pennington vs. Kellen Clemens vs. Patrick Ramsey, quarterback

Pennington is coming off major shoulder surgery, so the concern is whether his fastball -- OK, that's pushing it -- has lost anything. Two surgeries in two years is tough for any passer to take, but even worse for a passer who didn't have a big arm to begin with. Ramsey does have a big arm, but he never lived up to the first-round hype with the Redskins. He's not an accurate passer. That shows up in a big way. Even so, it's hard to just look at that powerful arm and think he can't get it done. Clemens is the intriguing one here. The Jets used a second-round pick on him and he impressed in his on-field work since joining the team. He's athletic and he has a good arm. All three have received work with the No. 1 offense in the offseason, which hints at an open competition.

Edge: It has to be Pennington because he's the veteran of the group, but that arm strength has to be a major worry.

Opening day starter: Clemens. This is a team building for the future, so why not throw the kid in? It's either that or see Pennington's ball flutter or Ramsey throw it all over the place.