Fantasy Football Articles:

2003’S Training Camp Battles
by Adam Caplan
NFL Analyst, FantasyGuru.com Magazine
June 19, 2003

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

The Battle: Terry Glenn vs. Antonio Bryant for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: This shouldn’t be much of a battle, since Glenn was brought in essentially because the depth at wide receiver is poor behind Bryant and Joey Galloway, their other starting wide receiver. Glenn also played for head coach Bill Parcells when the two were in New England, so he knows what to expect in the offensive gameplan. At this point in his career, Glenn is best used in a situation in which there is less pressure, and Glenn as the #3 receiver is a good role for him. The team believes Bryant is one of the better young receivers in the league, and they’ll continue to bring him along. Bryant will be their #2 receiver by the time the season starts and looked good during their first two post-draft minicamps.

The Battle: Chad Hutchinson vs. Quincy Carter for the team’s starting quarterback job

The Winner: Hutchinson will open as the #1 quarterback at the start of training camp, was #1 on the depth chart during the minicamps, and he’ll win the battle here. Why? He has a better arm than Carter and it’s more accurate. The coaches reviewed last year’s film and believed Hutchinson, although less experienced, was the more polished of the two. It’s possible the team will sign a veteran quarterback for depth, but unless Hutchinson flops during training camp, he’ll open up as the starter Week One.

The Battle: Tony McGee vs. Dan Campbell vs. Jason Witten for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: On paper, this looks like the dreaded committee situation, and it probably will be for a while until the team says goodbye to McGee. However, it’s not out of the question that Witten, whom the team is really high on, takes over the starting role by midseason or becomes a bigger factor by then. They’ll go with lots of two tight end sets, and that will put Campbell and Witten on the field more than expected. Campbell signed with Dallas believing that he could beat out McGee for the starting job, but with Witten in the fold, that’s not likely to happen. Again, look for a committee situation this season, with Witten’s role increasing as the season progresses.

The Battle: Troy Hambrick vs. Committee for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: It’s Hambrick’s job to lose, although the team may sign a veteran to compete with him. But there isn’t much quality out there to give him a real challenge. The team did already acquire former Lion RB Aveion Cason, who will provide a change of pace. However, Hambrick will win this battle, although he could be in a committee situation in which at least three backs get carries in most games, with Hambrick getting a majority of the carries. Hambrick did show up to their last minicamp around 10 pounds overweight so that will have to be watched.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Battle: Duce Staley vs. Correll Buckhalter for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: With Buckhalter coming back from ACL surgery, Staley is almost a lock to win this battle. However, the upside here is that Buckhalter was injured during their post-draft minicamp in 2002, which means he’s had over a year to recover. If Buckhalter proves he’s 100%, and early indications seemed to show that he is, he’ll narrow the gap for the starting job during training camp. This will likely be Staley’s last year as the starter if Buckhalter continues to show the promise of two years ago.

The Battle: Chad Lewis vs. L.J. Smith for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Smith was drafted because the team believes Lewis has only a few years left and is on the downside of his career. Smith will give the team a downfield option and an across-the- middle option that Lewis can’t give them. However, Lewis should win this battle because he’s got more experience in their offense, but if Smith progresses the way the team thinks he can, he could start at some point this season. They’ll also use a lot of two-tight end sets, which will get Smith on the field a lot more than most rookie TEs.

New York Giants

The Battle: Mike Hollis vs. Matt Bryant for the team’s kicking job

The Winner: Bryant did a decent job last year, but Hollis has been a very accurate kicker over his career, although he struggled late last season. Hollis should win this battle during training camp, but it won’t be easy for him because Bryant has a solid leg.

Washington Redskins

The Battle: Trung Canidate vs. Ladell Betts vs. Kenny Watson for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Speed, speed, speed. That’s what the Redskins wanted this off-season, and they got it with Canidate. He lined up as the #1 back during the team’s minicamps and will win this battle. However, you could see a committee situation here, with Canidate as the first and second down back and Betts, who is a good receiver, as the third down back. Watson is more of a power runner and could see a short-yardage role. One other thing to consider is that Canidate is not a good blocker, and he’ll have to improve in that area to keep the starting job.

The Battle: Patrick Johnson vs. Taylor Jacobs vs. Darnerian McCants for the team’s #3 wide receiver job

The Winner: This will really be a two-man battle through training camp between Johnson and Jacobs. The team likes McCants’ potential, but he really is not as polished as Jacobs, and he’ll likely wind up being their #4 receiver. Jacobs will win this battle because he’s a better route runner than Johnson and played in the same offense in college under head coach Steve Spurrier. Quite frankly, we would be surprised if Jacobs didn’t win this job because he’s a better player than Johnson—period.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

The Battle: Anthony Thomas vs. Adrian Peterson for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Thomas will enter training camp as the starter, and it will be his job to lose. However, the team will not hesitate to reduce Thomas’ role, as they did late last season, if he gets off to a slow start. The most likely scenario is for Peterson to be the team’s third down and change-of-pace back, with Thomas as the starter.

The Battle: Dez White vs. David Terrell for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: The good news is that Terrell is fully recovered from the broken foot that kept him out most of last season. The bad news is that he’s listed as #1 WR Marty Booker’s backup. Also, rookie WR Justin Gage will challenge for playing time behind Booker. Unless they move Booker to the other side, it would appear that White should win the #2 job, with Terrell playing the slot receiver in passing situations. He does have some fantasy value because he should be as solid a red zone option as he was before he got hurt.

The Battle: Desmond Clark vs. John Davis for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Davis was productive last season before suffering a back injury, but the team signed Clark and paid him starter’s money. Don’t forget that Clark was the Bronco starting tight end of the future at one point, so he’ll be given a solid chance in that role with Chicago. Clark should win this battle because he’s more talented and is the more athletic of the two, whereas Davis is seen as more of a journeyman type and was still having back problems as of their May minicamp.

Detroit Lions

The Battle: Charles Rogers vs. Az-Zahir Hakim for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#1)

The Winner: Rogers, the #2 pick in this past draft, will be an immediate starter for the team, even when Hakim is deemed 100% recovered from last year’s serious hip injury. In fact, Hakim was moved as the slot receiver during the team’s first minicamp, so he’ll be the #3 receiver this season. The bottom line is that Rogers won the battle as soon as he was selected.

The Battle: James Stewart vs. Committee for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Stewart will almost certainly start opening day, but once veteran RB Shawn Bryson is completely recovered from his latest knee surgery, he could cut into Stewart’s carries, as the speedy RB Artose Pinner might be able to do once he’s fully recovered from his leg injury. Stewart will win this battle, but he might not get as many carries as fantasy owners are looking for.

Green Bay Packers

The Battle: Javon Walker vs. Robert Ferguson for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Walker bulked up this off-season in order to make a big challenge for the starting job opposite WR Donald Driver. However, Ferguson was ahead on the depth chart during the team’s first two minicamps, and he does have the inside track on the job. Also keep in mind he has more experience in their offense than Walker, so it will be hard for Walker to win the job outright during training camp. We’ll deem Ferguson the winner here, but don’t be surprised if Walker, who is the more talented receiver, takes the job from him during the season because we believe he is the more talented receiver.

The Battle: Tony Fisher vs. Najeh Davenport vs. Lamar Smith for the team’s backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: Fisher showed good speed and explosiveness last season when given the chance, while Davenport was more of a power runner. Davenport’s advantage is that he’s the better blocker of the two, but Fisher has better speed. However, Davenport had the early edge on the job but they signed Smith because he is an experienced back that has been productive in the past. If starting RB Ahman Green were to get hurt, we would expect Smith to be the starter and Davenport to back him up with Fisher seeing an occasional carry or two.

Minnesota Vikings

The Battle: D’Wayne Bates vs. Derrick Alexander for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Alexander was brought in not only to compete for the #2 job last season, but also to win that job. That plan never materialized. First, Bates beat him out soundly, and then he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Once Alexander is 100%, he’ll compete against Bates, but keep in mind he’s on the downside of his career and Bates is much younger. Bates has improved the last two seasons, and unless Alexander finds a fountain of youth, Bates will line up as the #2 receiver once again. Rookie WR Nate Burleson will likely also be in the mix as well.

The Battle: Doug Chapman vs. Moe Williams vs. Onterrio Smith for the team’s backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: The real battle will be between Smith and Chapman because Williams will be given a chance to win the goalline job plus he’s expected to be the third down back and play on special teams. Chapman has the inside edge on the job, but Smith, who may be the more talented of the two, will be given every chance to compete during training camp. We’ll give a slight edge here to Chapman, but it wouldn’t surprise us at all if the two share the role at some point during the season.

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Battle: Michael Pittman vs. Aaron Stecker vs. Terry Kirby vs. Thomas Jones for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Pittman was set to be the starter again before his latest off the field incident. The club signed Kirby and traded for Jones as insurance if Pittman is suspended or they decide to release him. If Pittman is released, we would expect Jones to win the starting job with Stecker coming in as a change of pace and Kirby sharing third down responsibilities.

Atlanta Falcons

The Battle: Warrick Dunn vs. T.J. Duckett for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Duckett was the starter last season for a brief time before suffering a foot injury, and once Dunn got the job, he kept it the rest of the way. However, even if Dunn is #1 on the depth chart to open up training camp, the team’s plan is for Duckett to be the starting back this season and for Dunn to be the third down and change-of-pace back as long as Duckett is healthy. Duckett should win this battle by the end of training camp.

The Battle: Brian Finneran vs. MarTay Jenkins for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Finneran has played in the Falcon offense for a while, but he has one negative—he’s slow. That’s why the team signed Jenkins. While Jenkins is much smaller, he’s much faster and has good hands, so he’ll cut into Finneran’s playing time. However, Finneran will win this battle because of his size and route running, but he won’t see as much playing time as he did the last two years because the team is now deeper at the position. Jenkins should wind up being their #3 receiver.

Carolina Panthers

The Battle: Rodney Peete vs. Jake Delhomme for the team’s starting quarterback job

The Winner: Peete will open up as the starter in training camp barring something unforeseen, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be in that role at the start of the season. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes in camp will be the eventual winner because the team will use a ball-control offense, with new starting RB Stephen Davis as the focus. Although we see Peete as the front-runner, don’t count out Delhomme’s playing this season if the team is out of the playoff race.

The Battle: Shayne Graham vs. John Kasay for the team’s kicking job

The Winner: Kasay is recovered from last year’s season-ending injury and will compete hard against Graham, who hasn’t proven he can be accurate enough to win the job. Look for Kasay to win this battle half way through training camp, even though he’s not getting any younger.

New Orleans Saints

The Battle: Donte Stallworth vs. Jerome Pathon for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Stallworth proved last season that once he touched the ball he could make something out of nothing—a feat Pathon couldn’t perform on his best day. That’s why the Saints drafted Stallworth and wanted him to be their big-play guy. Had he not suffered a hamstring injury, he would have started opening day. That’s something to keep an eye on. Stallworth will win this battle because of his play-making ability, with Pathon being a solid #3 receiver for the team.

The Battle: Ernie Conwell vs. David Sloan for the team’s starting tight end job.

The Winner: Sloan was signed last season to be their starter, and although he was in that role, he was unproductive because of bad knees. The team wasted no time in upgrading the position by signing Conwell, who will win the battle because he’s the more athletic of the two. With Conwell and Sloan under contract, the Saints can use more two-tight end sets, which will give starting QB Aaron Brooks even more to work with.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

The Battle: Emmitt Smith vs. Marcel Shipp for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: This one won’t be much of a battle because head coach Dave McGinnis announced early on that Smith was the starter. However, once the team is out of the playoff picture, look for Smith’s carries to decrease while Shipp’s increase.

The Battle: Bryant Johnson vs. Kevin Kasper vs. Anquan Boldin vs. Marquise Walker vs. Jason McAddley for the team’s starting wide receiver jobs (#1 and #2)

The Winner: There is no doubt that the team drafted Johnson to be the #1 receiver, and he should be eventually. Kasper figures to compete for the #2 job as he did late last year when they signed him. McAddley will likely back up Johnson, with Boldin in the mix for the #2 job. None of these situations is set in stone and there is a lot to be settled, but that’s how we project it playing out, with Johnson winning the #1 job easily and a committee employed at the #2 spot. Walker is a big receiver who struggled learning the West Coast offense last year but he is talented and has good size. We expect him to compete for playing time this year and even more as the season progresses because the opportunity is there for him to play.

San Francisco 49ers

The Battle: Garrison Hearst vs. Kevan Barlow for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Hearst is still the starter, but head coach Dennis Erickson is insistent on increasing Barlow’s role and said as much during their first minicamp. If Barlow can have an outstanding training camp, he could win this battle, but Hearst will likely win it, with Barlow finally seeing more playing time as the season goes on. And don’t forget Barlow’s on the last year of his contract. He should also take over the goal-line role, which is a perfect role for him.

St. Louis Rams

The Battle: Kurt Warner vs. Marc Bulger for the team’s starting quarterback job

The Winner: There won’t be much of a battle if Warner is healthy because head coach Mike Martz said early this off-season that Warner is the starter. He added that the only way he wouldn’t be the starter would be if he was injured and was ineffective when playing, so Warner will win this battle.

The Battle: Lamar Gordon vs. Leon Johnson for the team’s backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: Gordon is still #2 on the depth chart, but that doesn’t mean much. He really needs to work on his blocking and needs to run more decisively. Johnson is the better blocker but isn’t as explosive running the ball as Gordon. Gordon will win the job, but the two might be sharing time unless Gordon really shows a lot of improvement in training camp.

The Battle: Troy Edwards vs. Kevin Curtis for the team’s backup wide receiver job (#3)

The Winner: Edwards is #3 on the depth chart and has a season in the offense, although he really didn’t play. Curtis is a quick study and should give Edwards a good run throughout training camp. Curtis has good hands and can make the tough underneath catches. However, Edwards should win the job because he has more playing experience on the pro level and in this complex system. It’s also possible that Edwards will see playing time in back of veteran WR Isaac Bruce, which will give Curtis a chance at more playing time.

The Battle: Cam Cleeland vs. Brandon Manumaleuna vs. Dan Curley for the team’s starting TE job

The Winner: The Rams view Curley as a developmental project, and the opportunity will be there for him to play because Manumaleuna is seen as more of a blocker and Cleeland is injury prone. Cleeland, when healthy, can be effective, and if he’s healthy, he’ll win this battle, with Curley seeing more playing time as the season progresses.

Seattle Seahawks

The Battle: Itula Mili vs. Jerramy Stevens for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Mili is considered the starter, but that doesn’t mean much because Stevens was projected to be in that role before he got hurt. To give Mili credit, he played better and was more productive than anyone could have hoped for last season, but Stevens gives the team a better downfield option, and he has better size. We see this battle with no clear winner, and both will have different roles, with Stevens having the better upside and fantasy value. The downside for Stevens is that his off-the-field issues that plagued him in college cropped up again in May and his situation is still kind of murky at this time.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

The Battle: Travis Henry vs. Olandis Gary vs. Willis McGahee for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Henry will win this battle before it starts because McGahee likely won’t play this season. However, if McGahee is able to at least play late in the season and if he shows some of the explosiveness he had before the severe knee injury, Henry’s hold on the job after 2003 could be in jeopardy. Veteran RB Olandis Gary will back up Henry this season.

The Battle: Josh Reed vs. Bobby Shaw for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Reed will enter training camp as the starter, but Shaw has good size and hands. This will be a close contest, but Reed should win this battle because he can make plays underneath as well as downfield—something Shaw has trouble doing.

Miami Dolphins

The Battle: Derrius Thompson vs. James McKnight for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: McKnight may have more experience in this offense, but he doesn’t have the size nor the play-making ability that Thompson has. Thus, Thompson should win this battle by the end of training camp and has good late round value. If the team re-signs veteran WR Oronde Gadsden, he would likely also compete for the #2 job.

New York Jets

The Battle: Anthony Becht vs. Chris Baker for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Baker started to see more playing time late last season, but Becht will win this battle because of his experience. However, if he continues to drop passes, which is his biggest problem, Baker will continue to take time away from him.

New England Patriots

The Battle: David Patten vs. Bethel Johnson for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: This shouldn’t be that much of a battle initially because Patten is a veteran receiver who is the more polished of the two. Bethel is a developmental player whom the team is high on, and he will be given a chance at playing time as the season progresses.

The Battle: Christian Fauria vs. Dan Graham for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Fauria was one of the biggest surprises last season. He got his chance after beating out Graham and veteran TE Cam Cleeland. Graham suffered through an injury-plagued season, but now that he’s healthy, the former first-round pick should cut into Fauria’s playing time, but Fauria will win this battle because he’s a solid blocker and a solid red zone threat. Graham will have to have an outstanding training camp to have a chance to win this battle.

The Battle: Antowain Smith vs. Committee for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: Smith will win this battle, but if he gets off to a slow start again, look for 2002 seventh-round pick RB Antwoine Womack to get some carries. Womack is an explosive back, and if he’s recovered from his knee injury from a few years ago, he’ll get a chance to show what he can do. Veteran RB Kevin Faulk will continue to be the third down/change-of-pace back, which is a role he excelled in last season.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

The Battle: Peter Warrick vs. Kelley Washington for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Washington participated in the team’s minicamps (non-contact), but was cleared medically to put the pads on at the starting of training camp in late July and he’ll compete against Warrick for the #2 job. If he doesn’t win it, he should be no worse than the #3 receiver. On third down/passing situations, look for Warrick to move to the slot, with Washington going out wide. We’ll lean toward Warrick winning this battle because of his experience in the offense, but look for Washington to reduce Warrick’s playing time as the season goes on.

The Battle: Reggie Kelly vs. Aaron Schobel for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Kelly was signed to be the blocking option at the position, with Schobel as the receiving threat. Which guy starts really doesn’t matter. It’s all about who will get the passes going his way, and that will be Schobel. The team also wants to use more two-tight end sets, and that will help free up Schobel when he and Kelly are on the field together.

Cleveland Browns

The Battle: Tim Couch vs. Kelly Holcomb for the team’s starting quarterback job

The Winner: In this corner…Okay, it’s not a boxing match, but this probably will be one of the most hotly contested competitions in all of the NFL this summer. Holcomb was terrific when filling in for Couch last season, and some would argue that he’s the better player at this point. It’s Couch’s job to lose, and we see him winning this battle (although we’ll write that in pencil). But if he falters at all during training camp, Holcomb will take over and probably not look back.

Baltimore Ravens

The Battle: Chris Redman vs. Kyle Boller for the team’s starting quarterback job

The Winner: Redman will open as the starter during training camp, and as long as he’s fully recovered from last season’s injury, he should win this battle because he’s been in the offense longer. Keep in mind that Redman was productive before he got hurt. However, Boller has a much better arm and is a better athlete, but he’s more of a developmental project at this point.

The Battle: Frank Sanders vs. Marcus Robinson for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Sanders was signed for starter’s money and should win this battle. Robinson hasn’t played much the past two seasons, which means he should be ready to compete. But there is no telling how much he’s lost and if he’s anywhere close to the player he once was. If Robinson can regain some of his once-explosive play, he could make a serious run at the #2 job, but that’s more fiction than reality right now.

The Battle: Chester Taylor vs. Musa Smith for the team’s backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: Taylor did a nice job as a third down back last season, but Smith is seen as a better option to be an every-down back if starting RB Jamal Lewis gets hurt. However, Taylor should actually see more playing time because of the third down role, and unless Lewis gets hurt, Smith won’t see much playing time.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Battle: Jerome Bettis vs. Amos Zereoue for the team’s starting running back job

The Winner: The team decided to keep Bettis because they didn’t see any better options available elsewhere. He’ll win this battle, but he’s not going to see as many carries as he has in the past due to his age and Zereoue’s development the past two seasons. Any sign of serious wear during training camp and Bettis’ reign as the starter could be in jeopardy. A good sign for Bettis owners was that he showed up to their June minicamp in good shape.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

The Battle: Reggie Wayne vs. Brandon Stokley for the starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Once Stokley recovers completely from his broken foot, he’ll be given a chance to compete for the #2 job. However, Wayne, the team’s former first-round pick, will win this battle because he’s the better receiver of the two. Stokley is better suited to be a #3 receiver because he doesn’t have enough speed to get open consistently.

The Battle: Marcus Pollard vs. Dallas Clark for the starting tight end job

The Winner: The Colts drafted Clark because they want to return to using two-tight ends sets, which will help free up Pollard. They couldn’t use that formation enough last season because of the departure of veteran TE Ken Dilger to Tampa Bay. Pollard will win this battle easily over the rookie who needs to improve on his blocking. If he can do that, he’ll see a decent amount of playing time.

The Battle: Dominic Rhodes vs. James Mungro for the backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: Once Rhodes is completely recovered from last preseason’s knee injury, he’ll compete for the #2 job. However, Mungro proved to be a solid back and good in short-yardage situations. We’ll give Mungro the nod for this battle, but Rhodes could win it later in the season after he gets his confidence back.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Battle: Mark Brunell vs. Byron Leftwich for the starting quarterback job

The Winner: Brunell will win this battle because he’s been assured the starting job, but only for this season. If the team is out of the playoff picture late this season, don’t be surprised to see Leftwich getting in a few starts.

The Battle: Kevin Lockett vs. Donald Hayes vs. J.J. Stokes vs. Matthew Hatchette for the starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Hayes lined up during the first minicamp as the starter but he suffered a knee injury and has been limited ever since. Lockett is fast but is not a complete receiver and is best used in a backup situation. Stokes has proven over the past few seasons that his best days are not ahead of him. Hatchette showed some good flashes with the Vikings but was a bust with the Jets two years ago and was out of the league in 2002. He did well in NFLE this year and was able to find a new home with the Jaguars and could very well win the #2 job but we see it as a committee situation.

The Battle: Kyle Brady vs. Chris Luzar vs. George Wrightster for the starting tight end job

The Winner: If Brady is still on the roster (which would mean he accepted a big pay cut), he’ll still be the starter and he’ll win the battle. However, if he’s released before camp opens, Luzar and Wrightster will compete for the starting job. Both are developmental projects, and we don’t see a clear-cut winner in that scenario.

The Battle: Elvis Joseph vs. LaBrandon Toefield for the backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: Joseph has the inside track on the job now that veteran RB Stacey Mack signed on with the Texans. Toefield has good ability, but he’s had a few knee injuries in the past and may not be the same back he once was. Advantage early to Joseph, and he should win this battle, although he could lose it during the regular season.

Houston Texans

The Battle: Jon Wells vs. James Allen vs. Stacey Mack for the starting running back job

The Winner: Mack was signed because Wells was ineffective last season. Look for Mack, who is a good fit for the Texan offense, to win the battle because he’s the more explosive of the three backs and he is much more experienced in goal-line situations. Allen should wind up being the third down back with Wells as the odd man out. Rookie RB Domanick Davis is a wild card here and could be in the mix later in the season, so keep an eye on him.

The Battle: Billy Miller vs. Bennie Joppru for the starting tight end job

The Winner: Many believe that Joppru, the team’s second-round pick, will challenge Miller, but he’s more of a plodder and has trouble getting downfield. Joppru, who is the better blocker of the two, will enable the team to use more two-tight end sets, and that will help free up Miller, who should win this job fairly easily, get downfield.

Tennessee Titans

The Battle: Drew Bennett vs. Justin McCareins vs. Tyrone Calico for the starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Bennett has the inside track on the job with veteran WR Kevin Dyson signing on with the Panthers. Bennett took over the starting job last year when Dyson was injured. McCareins and Calico are the more explosive among the three, but Bennett is more polished at this point. Calico probably has more upside, and he will be given every chance to win the job, but he has too many flaws (bad hands and route running) to make an impact this season. Bennett should win this battle.

The Battle: Frank Wycheck vs. Erron Kinney for the starting tight end job

The Winner: Wycheck will win this battle, but the coaches want to get Kinney more involved. Look for a reduction in playing time for Wycheck and more playing time for Kinney, although Wycheck will have more fantasy value.

The Battle: Robert Holcombe vs. Chris Brown vs. John Simon for the backup running back job (#2)

The Winner: Holcombe showed some never-before-seen explosiveness last season. Brown also is an explosive runner, but Holcombe will win this battle because he’s been in the offense longer and did a solid job in a change-of-pace role. However, Brown is seen more as possibly a better replacement if starting RB Eddie George were to be out for a while. Simon is seen as a decent receiver out of the backfield and a developmental project.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

The Battle: Ed McCaffrey vs. Ashley Lelie for the starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: McCaffrey will enter training camp as the #2 receiver, and he’ll win this battle. But he’s clearly on the downside of his career, so Lelie will definitely cut into his playing time if not steal the starting job. Lelie is also the faster of the two. He just has to improve his strength and his route running. This will likely be McCaffrey’s last season as a starter for the Broncos.

San Diego Chargers

The Battle: Tim Dwight vs. Reche Caldwell vs. Eric Parker for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Dwight is expected to enter training camp as the starter and will win this battle opposite new #1 WR David Boston. However, Dwight has proven in the past to be too small and should get a stiff challenge from the other two. Caldwell is the most talented of the three and could take over the job as the season progresses.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Battle: Eddie Kennison vs. Johnnie Morton vs. Marc Boerigter for the two starting wide receiver jobs

The Winner: The coaching staff has switched Morton and Kennison to opposite sides so essentially Morton will be the #2 WR and Kennison the #1. The plan is to keep Boerigter as the #3/slot receiver again because they want to exploit mismatches due to his size advantage over nickelbacks.

Oakland Raiders

The Battle: Tim Brown vs. Jerry Porter for the team’s starting wide receiver job (#2)

The Winner: Brown will win this battle without much of a challenge because the team likes to use Porter as the #3 receiver lined up in the slot in order to take advantage of smaller cornerbacks. However, Porter should see a little more playing time than last season because he’s so explosive.

The Battle: Doug Jolley vs. Committee for the team’s starting tight end job

The Winner: Veteran TE Roland Williams is coming back from a knee injury, and his availability for training camp and possibly the start of the season is up in the air. That being said, Jolley should win this battle because he clearly proved to be the better option at the position, although Williams is the better blocker. You could see a committee approach at the position, but Jolley will garner most of the playing time.

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