In what appears to be one of, if not the, toughest divisions in the NFL the season, there will be plenty of competition to go around as players jostle for playing time as teams jostle for an advantage.
Outside of the atrocity that is the Buffalo Bills quarterback situation, there isn’t many “feature” position battles, but plenty of defensive struggles that could mean the difference in one of the better defensive divisions in the league.
New England Patriots
Julian Edelman vs. Tory Holt vs. Brandon Tate
There is no question that Randy Moss and Wes Welker are ingrained into the starting two receiver spots for Tom Brady this upcoming season. However, in such a pass-laden offense with Brady utilizing every weapon he’s got, the 3rd and 4th receivers could be more than just solid fantasy options, they could be 700-800 yard receivers.
As of now, it looks like last year’s surprise “Wes Welker” type of player, Julian Edelman, is the favorite to assume the slot position. However, Tory Holt is the kind of crafty veteran that the Patriots love to use and Holt could find a solid niche on this team. Then you throw in the ultra-talented Brandon Tate, who fell on draft day two years ago thanks to a devastating injury, and this battle could come down to the wire.
I don’t see where TO might fit in to this unit, so those dreams of his appear not worthy of substantial comment, and with last year’s surprise, a recovered talent, and a veteran fighting for two spots, look for Brady to be eyeing up who he wants in the slot come Week 1.
Jermaine Cunningham vs. Shawn Crable vs. Derrick Burgess
In what looks like a lackluster battle to be one of the 3-4 outside linebackers in the Patriots system, the outside linebacker spot in crucial in the Patriots system.
As of now, it looks as though Derrick Burgess, who got the most playing time of the three last season, is the favorite. He played well enough last year to start, and has enough athletic ability to get by as a starter. However, New England is obviously looking for a more talented upgrade. Shawn Crable has always been a favorite of mine, and while he’s not like pass rushers Lamar Woodley and Brandon Graham, this other Michigan alum has the tools of former Wolverine pass rushers. He could surprise in camp in his 3rd season in the league.
Also, rookie Jermaine Cunningham will be in the mix at outside linebacker. The Patriots somewhat over-drafted Cunningham, so he has fairly high expectations set on him early, but the Patriots must feel confident that he can be at least a rotational guy early in his career. The Patriots are known for utilizing mid-rounders as starters early in their careers.
Darius Butler vs. Devin McCourty vs. Jonathan Wilhite
For the past four seasons, the Patriots have been loading up on cornerbacks in the draft, and now it’s about time for one of those players to step up. The years of Ty Law and Asante Samuel are gone, and the Patriots need someone to lineup opposite, and hopefully soon take over at the number one cornerback spot, Leigh Bodden.
The favorite now is Darius Butler, last year’s 2nd round pick and a great athlete who has loads of potential. Coming out of college, Butler looked like he was two good years of coaching away from being Pro Bowl worth, so we’ll see if he has caught on yet on playing in the NFL. His main competition will be with this years first rounder Devin McCourty, who Coach Belichek was rumored to be enamored with after a film session together. McCourty doesn’t have the athletic potential of Butler, in my opinion, but can be an instant starter if he gets the system as well as rumored to be.
The final competitor is another Belichek favorite from a few years back, Jonathan Wilhite. A mid round pick a few years ago, Wilhite has been solid in Nickel and Dime roles for the Patriots, and is the longest tenured corner on this list. He’ll likely be odd man out, but anything can happen in training camp.
Miami Dolphins
Greg Camarillo vs. Davone Bess vs. Brian Hartline
With Brandon Marshall on one side and the steady improvement of Chad Henne, these three guys will be fighting hard for playing time this season because of their likely solid statistical success.
All three of these players had success last year and in years past without Marshall and even without Henne, so they all have been viewed highly in the minds of the coaching staff. All three might also be best suited for the slot position, but the one who shows the ability to separate from defenders on the outside will get the job.
Davone Bess was a surprising success after coming from Hawaii, and his improvements in route running since he joined the league has been encouraging and he shows signs of getting even better. Camarillo has been a quite contributor, but injuries and the need to play younger guys has hampered his possible great success. Finally, Hartline was brought in last season from the draft, and he played well towards the end of the season and may be assumed to be the future.
It looks as though Bess and Hartline are the hoped winners because of their youth and potential, and they are my favorites to win the job. However, Camarillo is like a poor man’s Wes Welker, and his consistency and work ethic will lead him to get on the field, even if he loses this battle.
Cameron Wake vs. Charlie Anderson
Another 3-4 outside linebacker battle that doesn’t look encouraging for the team, both players may not be the future barring one shows great potential this season.
Wake played well last year in quite a few starts, and with a young defense that added even more pieces, Wake will have to prove that he wasn’t a one year wonder and that he can improve with this team opposite Koi Misi, this year’s 2nd rounder, for the long haul.
His main competition, Charlie Anderson, hasn’t got quite the production that Wake has, but is a favorite of Tony Sparano’s and should jostle for reps in training camp. It looks as though Wake has this battle all but locked up, but his lack of dominance leaves the door open if Anderson plays well enough.
Randy Starks vs. Paul Soliai
These two have been rotating in with former starter Jason Ferguson for a few years now, but with Ferguson out at nose tackle, one of these two need to step up.
Starks is the more experienced player and has had the better career thus far. However, I’m not sure that even if Starks wins he’ll be able to hold the job long term, not even last the season as getting more than 70 percent of the snaps.
However, Soliai was drafted three years ago to be the stable force at nose tackle for years. Although, he hasn’t quite showed the development or the consistent motor to be handed the starting job now that Ferguson is out. Still, I’d give the edge to Soliai thanks to youth and sheer size.
New York Jets
Bryan Thomas vs. Jason Taylor
With the offense rather easy to predict, especially the starters, on offense, the defense has the bulk of the intriguing battles to watch for the Jets. The first is one of a player who has blossomed in the right system and a player who has blossomed over his entire career, and looking to prove he’s still got the ability.
Bryan Thomas has played increasingly well since Rex Ryan placed him as the starter at the outside linebacker position, and held off the guy the coaches were hoping would win, Vernon Gholston. He is a solid option to start for the Jets, and with a defense that features Bart Scott, David Harris, Shaun Rodgers, and the best secondary in the NFL, all he has to do is win some one-on-ones.
There in lies the problem, though, with battling with Jason Taylor. The days of Taylor having both the size and quickness to shake any defender and occasionally two defenders are slowly dwindling, and no question that he’s not longer a 90 percent of the snaps kind of guy. But in a defense that has so many studs that an offense has to plan for, Taylor could reek havoc on the unsuspecting defense. I’d still give the edge to the younger Thomas, but I wouldn’t rule out at the very least, a lot of guest appearances from Jason Taylor.
Antonio Cromartie vs. Kyle Wilson
Maybe it doesn’t seem like quite a battle yet, it could be looming in the not so distant future.
The Jets traded for Antonio Cromartie, and the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year has the size, athletic ability, and ball skills to consistently be a Top 5 cornerback in the NFL. The only problem is, and why they got him relatively cheap, is that he hasn’t been playing like it the past few years. So poorly in fact that the Chargers were heavely shopping him.
And then, who falls into their lap but the number one rated cornerback on many boards in the 2010 draft, Kyle Wilson from Boise State. Close to being at the top of Optimum Scouting’s board (at NFLHouse.com) at the cornerback position, Wilson plays alot like Darrelle Revis in that his speed, quickness, hips, and insticts could make him a shut down type of player.
As of now, Cromartie is the guy and the Jets are likely hoping he wins. But, if Wilson plays as well as I think he’s capable of, Cromartie better quickly watch his back, or he could be moved to a safety or backup role very quickly.
Eric Smith vs. Brodney Pool
Likely the weakest point in the Jets defense, they are hoping that one of these players really emerges. Like most of this defense, they will be greatly helped by the number of impact defenders and guys that need extra attention.
Eric Smith is the starter for now, and likely will remain the starter throughout training camp. He has been in the system for a while now, and the coaching staff likes him enough to use him in many situations.
However, Brodney Pool has always been a player who didn’t play well enough to his potential. And if there’s one defensive thing that Rex Ryan is known for, it’s maximizing a defensive players potential and make him succeed. If Pool shows signs of improvement and front-line potential, look for Coach Ryan to give him every opportunity to produce this season.
Buffalo Bills
Trent Edwards vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Brian Brohm
Not a battle Bills fans are anxious to watch, Chan Gailey passed on drafting Jimmy Clausen in the draft twice, and in my opinion, they could pay a hefty price for it.
All three got playing time last year, with Trent Edwards the favorite in the locker room, Fitzpatrick having the best record, and Brohm being a coaching and potential favorite. All three did not post a winning record as the starter and all three had more interceptions than touchdowns last season.
The loss of TO hopefully won’t hurt that much with James Hardy, a guy I loved three years ago from Indiana, reportedly looking solid and a possible starter this year. However, the lack of an offensive line (see later) and depth at receiver could be a huge uphill battle for this team and the quarterbacks.
Brian Brohm is likely the favorite, but keep in mind that the Bills signed Brohm mid-season last year because the Packers CUT him. Take that for what it’s worth. Edwards has proven before that he can be a solid starter, so I wouldn’t rule him out either.
Demetrius Benn vs. Jamon Meridith vs. Ed Wang
As mentioned above, the offensive line is not a strength for the Buffalo Bills. While they passed on Jimmy Clausen, they also passed on a possible left tackle, even with guys like Mike Iutapi, Bryan Bulaga there in round one and Charles Brown there in round two.
With last year’s starting left tackle, Brad Butler, surprisingly retiring, that leaves the names above the possible starters. Demetrius Benn is the projected starter right now, but I have a feeling that if he lost that quickly, fans and coaches wouldn’t be surprised or notice all that much of a difference.
Jamon Meridith is better suited as a right guard, but played tackle in college and in practice in the pros, so he’s a possible short term option, especially if they plan on being a very run heavy team. And finally, Ed Wang, this year’s mid round draft pick, has an outside shot at the left tackle position. Another projected guard into the NFL, he might have to be asked to do too much and play a crucial position for the likely to struggle Bills.
Terrence McGee vs. Ashton Youboty vs. Drayton Florence vs. Leodis McKelvin
A four way battle for two spots for the second year in a row, the projected starters may change from week to week leading up to Week 1.
Terrence McGee has been a solid contributor and starter for many years now in Buffalo, and is likely the only one who I could almost pencil in to be the starter. He’s consistent, rarely gets beat deep, and has improved in run support, although that still a major weakness for him. Drayton Florence won the job last year after coming over from Jacksonville, and has the physicality that the secondary needs.
But, with former 1st rounder Leodis McKelvin showing signs of brilliance at both corner and as a kick returner, the coaching staff will be pressed to get him on the field. He has number one cornerback potential, and I’d imagine that the defensive coaches will give him every opportunity to shine. As for Youboty, he’s been a project for three years now for the defense, and if he can’t show at least some signs that he deserves meaningful time, he could be on his way out in Buffalo.
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