NFC Training Camp Competition
Due to the limited amount of offseason moves, this year’s National Football League training camps may not be as competitive as previous years’ ones have been. Still, training camps are all about players proving their worth, and there should still be some interesting contests this offseason. Here are the most exciting potential training camp battles in the Northern Football Conference (NFC):
Washington Redskins:
The Redskins will have an interesting contest at running back. Newly-minted coach Mike Shanahan is perhaps one of the most adept coaches in NFL history at orchestrating a running attack. Shanahan has created success out of low draft choices, castoffs, and downright unknowns.
The Redskins aging running back corps should be an interesting challenge for the Super Bowl-winning coach. Clinton Portis is perhaps the most experienced option, but the 29 year-old has seen a lot of wear through his a career, which includes 2,176 carries and 242 receptions.
Shanahan has also brought in 30 year-old Larry Johnson, and 29 year-old Willie Parker. Johnson has a career total of 6,219 yards, but has struggled with production the last few seasons. Parker has 5,378 yards throughout his career and still has potential to play well.
Rumour has it that Shanahan wants to add 30 year-old Brian Westbrook into the mix as well. It’s uncertain what he may do, but with such a multitude of veteran skill, Shanahan should somehow manage to produce a fearsome running game.
Seattle Seahawks:
Former USC head coach Pete Carroll initially assumed the first-down back position was safely occupied by his USC pupil LenDale White. White has now been cut, and the back-field possibilities for the Seahawks are entirely uncertain.
The current main option is Julius Jones, but the Notre Dame alum has yet to best 700 yards after two seasons with the team. Carroll’s other option as of now is 24 year-old Justin Forsett. The 5-foot-8, 194 pound California alum is renowned for his explosiveness on returns, but might not be a strong candidate to carry the ball on a first or second down.
The two backs will compete for the starting job, but if their performance isn’t enough, Carroll may have to trade for a bigger running back, like the Buffalo Bills’ Marshawn Lynch, to fill the position.
Carolina Panthers:
Few training camp battles are as exciting as ones involving quarterbacks. At Carolina, fourth-year quarterback Matt Moore will be attempting to emerge as the franchise quarterback after the departure of Jake Delhomme.
Competing with Moore will be rookies Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike.
Moore seems to have the clear advantage right now, as it is always smarter to let rookies develop on the sidelines rather than thrusting them right into a starting role.
Additionally, Moore had an impressive showing at the end of last season when he replaced Delhomme, and thus clearly has the ability to pilot an NFL offence. Last season, Moore had five starts and four victories and threw eight touchdowns and just one interception.
Chicago Bears:
The Bears have a very understated, yet interesting battle for the starting tight end position between Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark. Clark, a 33 year-old veteran, has gradually been getting fazed out of the Bears system and has seen his receptions drop from 41 in 2008 to 19 in 2009. Meanwhile, Olsen has had a strong 60-catch, eight-touchdown showing in 2009.
Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals have a strong cornerback in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and need to fill the spot opposite him. Their two candidates are Greg Toler and Michael Adams.
Adams was picked up by the Cardinals in 2007 after going undrafted out of Louisiana-Lafayette. Toler, who played collegiate football at Saint Paul's College, Virginia, was drafted by the Cardinals in 2009.
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