AFC Training Camp Battles
Quarterback battles in training camp get the most attention, but plenty of other positions can be just as crucial. Camp lasts a little more than a month, but how a player performs during that short span can change the outlook of a team's roster for an entire season.
Here are some interesting position battles to ponder for each AFC team.
AFC East
New England Patriots
Running back (James White vs. Stevan Ridley)
Assuming Shane Vereen continues to be used as the passing down back, White and Ridley will battle for the bulk of the carries. Ridley has had ball security issues, while the rookie White fumbled only twice in 754 touches at Wisconsin. Advantage: White.
Miami Dolphins
Defensive end (Olivier Vernon vs. Derrick Shelby)
With Dion Jordan suspended four games, an opportunity exists for someone to play opposite Cameron Wake and get increased snaps. Vernon impressed with 11 1/2 sacks last year, so it's his job to lose.
New York Jets
Quarterback (Geno Smith vs. Michael Vick)
Vick has been a good teammate all offseason, saying Smith is the starter and not ruffling any feathers. But make no mistake: he still wants to start. And if Rex Ryan benched Smith for Matt Simms at one point last year, he certainly wouldn't hesitate to do so again for Vick.
Buffalo Bills
Safety (Da'Norris Searcy vs. Duke Williams)
With Jairus Byrd gone, the Bills have an opening at safety. Searcy played 753 snaps last year and has experience on his side, but Williams is gifted athletically and bursting with potential.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals
Nickel corner (Adam Jones vs. Terence Newman vs. Dre Kirkpatrick)
Leon Hall and first-round pick Darqueze Dennard should be the starters at corner, leaving three guys to battle it out for the important third slot. Newman is 35 and Jones is far from reliable, giving Kirkpatrick, a 2012 first rounder, an opportunity to swoop in and take it.
Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 2 Wide receiver (Martavias Bryant vs. Markus Wheaton)
Wheaton made just one catch last year and Bryant is a 6-foot-4 rookie that can run a 4.4. This one should come down to the wire.
Baltimore Ravens
Backup running back (Lorenzo Taliaferro vs. Bernard Pierce)
This role could become a featured one early in the season with a looming Ray Rice suspension. Pierce struggled mightily last year with a 2.9 yards-per-carry average, leaving the door open for Taliaferro to make a name for himself.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback (Johnny Manziel vs. Brian Hoyer)
Hoyer is the more polished player at this point, but with Josh Gordon likely out for the foreseeable future, the Browns are going to need playmakers and Manziel is just that.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
Running back (Trent Richardson vs. Vick Ballard vs. Ahmad Bradshaw)
Richardson played so poorly last season he actually lost the job to Donald Brown at one point. Ballard and Bradshaw will be champing at the bit after missing most of 2013 with injuries.
Houston Texans
Quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Tom Savage vs. Case Keenum)
Savage is probably not going to be ready to start immediately, but he should be able to push Fitzpatrick in camp. Keenum played well in spurts last year, although he's the third man in this race by a wide margin.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Right guard (Brandon Linder vs. Jacques McClendon)
McClendon has only two starts in his career and Linder is a rookie third-round pick, which makes it a little more clear why Gus Bradley is so adamant about not rushing Blake Bortles onto the field.
Tennessee Titans
Running back (Bishop Sankey vs. Shonn Greene)
Greene underwent offseason knee surgery, while Sankey ran for more than 1,800 yards in his final collegiate campaign. The two will probably complement each other well, but Sankey could end up stealing the majority of the carries.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Slot receiver (Weston Dressler vs. Junior Hemingway)
Hemingway has a distinct size advantage over Dressler, who is coming over from the CFL. Whoever gets the job, though, is going to need to push the field vertically, as the Chiefs' struggles to throw the ball downfield was evident last season.
Denver Broncos
Middle linebacker (Nate Irving vs. Lamin Barrow)
Irving made four starts last year but the rookie Barrow will push him to take over for Wesley Woodyard. Barrow was highly touted and could turn out to be a steal for the Broncos after he slid to the fifth round.
San Diego Chargers
Outside linebacker (Dwight Freeney vs. Jeremiah Attaochu)
Freeney has made a career about getting to the quarterback, but he's 34 and coming off a torn quadriceps. Attaochu is an explosive rookie who posted 12 1/2 sacks at Georgia Tech in 2013 and will get his fair share of snaps rushing the passer.
Oakland Raiders
Running back (Darren McFadden vs. Maurice Jones-Drew)
Both guys were once a featured back, so they aren't going to be too excited about splitting carries. Jones-Drew is more durable and proven, but if McFadden stays healthy, he may have more left in the tank.
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