NFC Training Camp Battles
For many NFL fans, training camp is a monotonous time you have to get through before regular season football gets underway. However, for hundreds of players around the league, it could be the difference between earning a starting job, or even making the team.
Here are some of the more intriguing position battles from each NFC team.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Middle linebacker (Rolando McClain vs. Anthony Hitchens)
McClain retired twice before the age of 25 and has a vast history of off-field issues, while Hitchens is a rookie fourth-round pick. Not exactly ideal options, but someone has to replace Sean Lee.
Philadelphia Eagles
Kicker (Alex Henery vs. Carey Spear)
Henery finished 22nd in field goal percentage and 20th in touchbacks last year, so it wouldn't be crazy to think Spear, an undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt, could unseat him.
New York Giants
Kick returner (Quintin Demps vs. Trindon Holliday)
Holliday starred for the Broncos running back kicks until fumbling became an issue in 2013. If he can protect the football in the preseason, look for him to have the edge over Demps.
Washington Redskins
Backup running back (Lache Seastrunk vs. Roy Helu Jr.)
As a rookie, it's going to take time for Seastrunk to learn blitz pickups and become an effective pass catcher out of the backfield. He'll be in tough to take the third-down duties away from Helu, but should have the advantage when it comes to the change-of-pace back role.
NFC North
Detroit Lions
Tight end (Brandon Pettigrew vs. Eric Ebron)
On the surface it may seem like the top-10 pick Ebron is a lock to be the starter, but the Lions gave Pettigrew a big contract in the offseason. Ebron is eventually going to get the job, but he'll have to grasp the offense quickly if he wants to start Week 1.
Chicago Bears
Slot receiver (Marquess Wilson vs. Josh Morgan)
Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are firmly entrenched as the starters, leaving Wilson - a seventh-round pick from a year ago - to duke it out with the veteran Morgan. Wilson is probably the more gifted athlete, but Morgan has experience on his side.
Green Bay Packers
Center (Corey Linsley vs. JC Tretter)
Aaron Rodgers will be getting his fourth different center in as many years and neither Linsley or Tretter have appeared in an NFL game.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater vs. Matt Cassel vs. Christian Ponder)
The Vikings want Bridgewater to step up and win the job, but Cassel will be a decent stopgap until he's ready. Ponder will have to do something miraculous to see the field in 2014.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback (Josh McCown vs. Mike Glennon)
Popular belief is McCown gets the nod because of his relationship with Lovie Smith, but the Bucs had no plans to move Glennon at the draft and the organization gave him a glowing endorsement.
New Orleans Saints
Center (Jonathan Goodwin vs. Tim Lelito)
Lelito saw plenty of first-team center snaps at OTAs but he has never played the position at the NFL level. Goodwin knows the offense, having played with the team from 2006-2010, so expect him to overtake Lelito come Week 1.
Carolina Panthers
No. 2 wide receiver (Jason Avant vs. Jerricho Cotchery vs. Tiquan Underwood)
Somebody has to win it, right? In fairness to Cotchery, he did have 10 touchdowns last year, but that's probably more of an anomaly than a trend. Expect Kelvin Benjamin to get like a thousand targets from Cam Newton next year.
Atlanta Falcons
Left tackle (Sam Baker vs. Jake Matthews)
The Falcons plan to leave Baker at left tackle, but Matthews is NFL ready and he's a natural at that spot. Baker is also coming off knee surgery and Matt Ryan was beat up in 2013, so it would make sense for Atlanta to at least give Matthews a look on the left side.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
No. 3 wide receiver (Ted Ginn Jr. vs. John Brown)
The Cards brought Ginn in on a significant contract in the offseason, but the undersized Brown out of Pittsburgh State may just steal his job. He impressed at OTAs and has big play capabilities.
San Francisco 49ers
Nickel corner (Jimmie Ward vs. Perrish Cox)
The job will eventually be Ward's, but Cox will try and fend off the first-round pick for as long as he can. Ward's athleticism should win out, though, as he's much better suited to defend speedy receivers in the slot.
Seattle Seahawks
Running back (Marshawn Lynch vs. Christine Michael)
Michael's chances of beating out Lynch are close to improbable, but the Seahawks have been raving about him all offseason and have been talking about a committee backfield. With Lynch making plays for a new deal, it will be interesting to see if Seattle tries to work Michael into the offense more frequently.
St. Louis Rams
Cornerback (Trumaine Johnson vs. Lamarcus Joyner)
Janoris Jenkins figures to have one corner spot locked up, but the other side of the field could be up for grabs. Expect second-pick Joyner to push Johnson, who struggled at times in 2013.
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