NFL Training Camp Battles

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 9, 2006

NFL Training Camp Battles

Jets Quarterback

Pennington (right) has the lead on newcomer Ramsey after showing a strong, accurate arm in a scrimmage last Sunday.

Patriots Cornerback

Free agent Warfield (left), a longtime Chiefs starter, vies with an incumbent in the ever-roiling New England secondary.

Bills Quarterback

Is Losman (right), a 2004 first-rounder, the QB of the future? After a 2-7 record as a starter in 2005, he still has plenty to prove.

Dolphins Running Back

With Ricky Williams gone, the Dolphins have some concerns about their second-string running back. Morris (left) is the front-runner to pin down the position, but he struggled last season and the shifty Minor has a chance to earn some playing time.

Bengals Wide Receiver

Henry (left) went a long way toward solidifying the No. 3 spot with a brilliant scrimmage last week, but his discipline problems loom in the background, and the versatile Perry will be fighting to get on the field.

Browns Safety

A pair of former second-round picks, Pool (left) and Jones, are battling it out to get on the field. The winner will start, but the runner-up will be part of nickel packages.

Ravens Free Safety

Reacquired from the Colts, Sapp (left) has bumped Landry, an '06 fifth-rounder who was initially named the starter.

Steelers Free Safety

Carter (right) hasn't started since '03, and Clark started 13 games with the Redskins last year. They're alternating reps with the first-team D.

Colts Running Back

Edgerrin James left big shoes to fill, and his backup, Rhodes (right) (40 carries for 118 yards in '05), has the early advantage over LSU product Addai.

Jaguars Receiver

Williams (right), the ninth pick in the 2004 draft, is being pushed by the improving Wilford, a fourth-rounder that year.

Texans Defensive End

The young Texans, Babin (left) and Peek, are fighting tooth and nail to win the spot opposite No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams.

Titans Wide Receiver

Calico (left) needs to impress in preseason games or he not only might lose the No. 3 spot, he also could be released.

Broncos Fullback

Sapp's (right) blocking ability could push him past Johnson, last year's starter.

Chargers Quarterback

Feeley (R) has the experience and is the front-runner to be Philip Rivers' backup, but Whitehurst's future potential is greater.

Chiefs Safety

The former Pro Bowler Knight faces a serious challenge from Pollard, a rookie out of Purdue who has looked impressive.

Raiders Quarterback

We'll assume Aaron Brooks can hold on to the starting job, which means these two QBs, Walter (left) and Tuiasosopa, will battle for a backup spot that's key, since it's hard to imagine Brooks lasting the whole year.

Cowboys Quarterback

Romo (right) appears to have the No. 2 job to himself, but Dallas will be watching both players closely in the preseason to determine Drew Bledsoe's backup.

Eagles Center

Fraley (right) is coming off a shoulder injury and is doing all he can to hold off Jackson, who did a nice job filling in last season.

Giants Wide Receiver

Carter (right) has had trouble staying healthy but has looked impressive in camp and seems capable of being a threat as a No. 3 receiver. Moss has also shown flashes of brilliance in camp.

Redskins Outside Linebacker

Holdman (right) got a jump on becoming the departed LaVar Arrington's replacement when McIntosh underwent minor knee surgery in June.

Bears Running Back

Coaches had elevated '05 first-rounder Benson (right) over a banged-up Jones, but Benson's out with a shoulder injury.

Lions Wide Receiver

The two former first-round picks, Williams (left) and Rogers, should be battling for the No. 2 spot, although that's not a guarantee as both have been plagued by issues. The Lions have a lot invested in them and will likely start the more consistent of the two.

Packers Receiver

Camp sensation Jennings (left) started the first preseason intrasquad scrimmage in place of Ferguson, who was excused for a family matter, and is ahead of sixth-year man Rod Gardner.

Vikings Quarterback

The Vikings have been impressed enough with the rookie Jackson (right) to say publicly that he could earn the No. 2 QB spot sooner rather than later.

Buccaneers Wide Receiver

Boston (left) appears to be rejuvenating his career and has made a strong push to take over a No. 3 spot that was earlier thought to belong to Hilliard.

Falcons Wide Receiver

It's a long shot that Jennings (right) can displace the veteran Pathon for the third receiver slot, but the rookie out of Fresno State has turned a lot of heads.

Panthers Wide Receiver

Colbert (right) flopped as a starter last year and is now fighting the up-and-coming Carter for the No. 3 spot behind Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Smith.

Saints Running Back

The Saints had said that McAllister (left) was the starter and they'd find a way to use Bush, but McAllister's lingering knee questions may give Bush a chance to move up.

49ers Running Back

Though Barlow (right) has been practicing with the starters, Gore, the team's top rusher in '05, has the north-south style that coach Mike Nolan prefers.