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AFC Training Camp Battles: Browns, Bills still searching for starting QBs

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Training Camp Battles
AFC | NFC

Many factors determine the outcome of a position battle in training camp. While the major determinant is a player's performance on the field, things like mastering the playbook also come into play, especially where rookies are concerned.

For some, it's also paramount to erase a coach's memories of past play. Many players find their jobs in jeopardy because of poor finishes to the prior season, and have a little more than a month to create a new perception in a coach's mind.

Here are some interesting position battles to keep an eye on in the AFC.

AFC East

New England Patriots

Running back (LeGarrette Blount vs. Jonas Gray vs. James White)

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is known for rotating his backs frequently and going with the hot hand. With Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley gone, Gray and Blount figure to get first crack, with White and Travaris Cadet hoping one of them falters. The winner may simply be the guy who stays in Belichick's good graces longer. Gray was late for practice following a four-touchdown game last season and fell out of favor with the coach; Blount is suspended for Week 1. Advantage: Gray.

Miami Dolphins

Outside linebacker (Chris McCain vs. Jordan Tripp)

With Philip Wheeler cut this offseason, the door is open for McCain or Tripp to grab the job. Both are second-year players, but McCain received the initial first-team reps during OTAs alongside Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi. McCain also impressed more in 2014 with five tackles and a sack, so he may have the early edge.

New York Jets

Running back (Chris Ivory vs. Stevan Ridley vs. Zac Stacy)

Ridley is coming off a torn ACL and Stacy's been anything but consistent in his brief career, making this Ivory's job to lose. Ivory ran for more than 800 yards in each of the last two seasons while splitting carries in the Jets' backfield, and totaled 10 touchdowns. If he establishes himself as the No. 1 option and stays healthy, expect those numbers to climb this year.

Buffalo Bills

Quarterback (Matt Cassel vs. EJ Manuel vs. Tyrod Taylor)

It's been reported this offseason that Rex Ryan is a Taylor fan, though the head coach may simply be trying to convince himself. It's hard to imagine anyone from the Bills being excited about starting Manuel or Cassel behind center, but Taylor's inexperience should leave this competition wide-open.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

Cornerback (Dre Kirkpatrick vs. Darqueze Dennard)

If you take Kirkpatrick's word for it, the left-corner job is already his. But it's early for bold proclamations, and there's still time for Dennard, a 2014 first-round pick, to prove he deserves more playing time this season. It helps Kirkpatrick's cause that he played well down the stretch last year, but he'll have to back that up in training camp to cement his spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Outside linebacker (Jarvis Jones vs. Bud Dupree vs. James Harrison)

It might seem ridiculous to think the 37-year-old Harrison could beat out one of these two first-round picks, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Jones is coming off a season slowed by a significant wrist injury and has managed only three sacks in two years, while Dupree is a rookie the Steelers will probably start slowly. Harrison always keeps himself in great shape, and he posted an impressive 5.5 sacks in four starts in 2014. All three will see playing time in 2015, but only two can start.

Baltimore Ravens

Receiver (Breshad Perriman vs. Marlon Brown vs. Kamar Aiken)

Torrey Smith's departure left the Ravens thin at receiver opposite Steve Smith Sr. Baltimore spent a first-round pick on Perriman, meaning it's probably his job to lose, but there's never any guarantee that rookies can pick up the offense quickly enough to be trusted in a starting position. Brown and Aiken weren't terrible last year, catching 24 passes each despite lesser roles.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback (Josh McCown vs. Johnny Manziel)

McCown earned the starting spot by default after Manziel looked inept in minimal playing time last season and entered rehab this spring. The 36-year-old isn't the long-term answer at the position, though, and Manziel is the better athlete by far. If Manziel enters camp with the playbook mastered, a greater degree of focus, and his off-field distractions under control, he has a shot to steal the job.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

Center (Khaled Holmes vs. Jonotthan Harrison)

Holmes would have been the starter last year if an ankle injury hadn't sidelined him in the preseason. Harrison managed to hold onto the job until Week 16, when inconsistent play reopened the door for Holmes to finish the season. This role is up for grabs, and it's an important one. Protecting Andrew Luck should be a top priority for the Colts.

Houston Texans

Quarterback (Brian Hoyer vs. Ryan Mallett vs. Tom Savage)

Pick your poison, Texans fans. None of the options here should fill Bill O'Brien or anyone from the organization with confidence. Hoyer probably has the edge over the other two based on experience alone, but as we saw in Cleveland last year, things probably won't end well with him behind center.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Left guard (Zane Beadles vs. A.J. Cann)

Beadles should have a slight edge given his experience, but the fact Jacksonville drafted Cann in the third round this year signifies they weren't entirely convinced with his performance in 2014. Cann's strength may be better suited for the Jags' power running game, so Beadles will have his work cut out for him to retain the starting spot.

Tennessee Titans

Receiver (Justin Hunter vs. Dorial Green-Beckham vs. Hakeem Nicks vs. Harry Douglas)

Hunter seemed poised to start opposite Kendall Wright, but his recent arrest for assault leaves things up in the air. The Titans expect him at camp, though some sort of discipline remains a realistic possibility. Green-Beckham fits the mold of a starting NFL wideout, but he hasn't played since 2013. That opens the door for veterans Nicks and Douglas to make some noise.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs

Cornerback (Phillip Gaines vs. Marcus Peters)

After the three-game suspension to Sean Smith, this battle figures to extend past training camp. Gaines and Peters will likely both see playing time for now, with the more impressive of the two keeping his starting role when Smith returns. Gaines was only average last season in five starts, and Peters, a first-round pick, is a strong tackler who could have a major impact in his first year.

Denver Broncos

Receiver (Cody Latimer vs. Andre Caldwell)

Latimer could have made a big impact last season if he'd picked up the offense faster, but instead Caldwell received more snaps. Latimer is the superior talent, though, and perhaps another offseason working with Peyton Manning will help the second-year wideout make the jump. If Latimer earns the third-receiver role behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, he could be an attractive fantasy option in a Manning offense.

San Diego Chargers

Strong safety (Jimmy Wilson vs. Jahleel Addae)

Wilson started 13 games for the Dolphins last season, while Addae only started five in San Diego. Based on experience, give Wilson an advantage heading into camp, but the gap won't be too wide for Addae to overcome if he impresses in August. The Chargers finished fourth against the pass in 2014, so whoever wins the role will be expected to maintain a high level of play.

Oakland Raiders

Running back (Latavius Murray vs. Roy Helu vs. Trent Richardson)

It's going to take an impressive camp for Richardson to win this job from Murray. Even though much of Murray's 2014 production came in one game, Richardson's play over the last two seasons has been abysmal, and nothing short of a monumental performance will vault him up the depth chart. Let's not forget about Roy Helu either. He probably isn't a threat to win the starting job, but his play as a receiver could steal snaps from either Murray or Richardson.

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