Camp Battle Roundup
Battles Clearly Won www.tampabaybuccaneers.ws Raiders No. 1 Running Back
Winner: LaMont Jordan
Losers: Dominic Rhodes, Justin Fargas, Adimchinobe Echemandu
A back injury sidelined Jordan for a short spell, but he returned with successive outstanding preseason performances. He'll begin splitting with Rhodes in Week 5, but is a fine RB3.
Cowboys No. 1 Running Back
Winner: Julius Jones
Loser: Marion Barber
The new coaching staff won't fiddle with what Bill Parcells left in place. Jones will start games with Barber the "closer." While Barber is unlikely to score 16 times again, he remains the better fantasy pick.
Steelers No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Santonio Holmes
Losers: Nate Washington, Cedrick Wilson
Wilson started the preseason opener but was quickly replaced by Holmes when the second-year wideout fully recovered from an undisclosed offseason surgery. Holmes will keep the job all season.
Saints No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Devery Henderson
Losers: Terrance Copper, David Patten, Lance Moore
Moore may have pulled ahead for the third-receiver job, but starter's status belongs to Henderson, hamstring injury or not. The speedy LSU product will be worth using as a WR3 in the right matchups.
Broncos No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Brandon Marshall
Losers: Brandon Stokley, Rod Smith
Stokley topped Denver's first camp depth chart only because Marshall was on PUP at the time. He's since rebounded strong and reclaimed his position. Smith will miss the season's first six weeks.
Jets No. 1 Quarterback
Winner: Chad Pennington
Loser: Kellen Clemens
Pennington has lost considerable ground to Clemens, who the Jets will want to give a chance late in the season if they fall out of playoff position. Pennington isn't playing well, so that possibility is growing.
Packers No. 3 Receiver
Winner: James Jones
Loser: Ruvell Martin
Jones has a great chance to be the NFL's most productive third-receiver this year because the Packers' line is good, their tight ends are weak, and the offense will go three-wide frequently.
Falcons No. 1 Running Back
Winner: Warrick Dunn
Loser: Jerious Norwood
Dunn won this battle because he's a veteran, definitely not due to his preseason play. His body is breaking down and the explosive Norwood should easily out-produce him across the board this season.
Chargers No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Craig Davis
Losers: Eric Parker, Malcom Floyd
Davis will start Week 1 in place of the injured Parker, who may miss up to six weeks and not be 100 percent all year. The Bolts will use Floyd's size in the red zone, but he's No. 3 for now.
Jaguars No. 1 Receiver
Winner: Ernest Wilford
Losers: Matt Jones, Mike Walker
Wilford won out because he showed up for every day of camp while Jones and Walker nursed injuries. There is a slight chance Jones could overtake him, but he seems more likely to stay in the slot.
Chiefs No. 2 Running Back
Winner: Michael Bennett
Loser: Kolby Smith, Priest Holmes
Smith couldn't move the ball forward in the preseason, so Bennett retained his job by default. Because
Larry Johnson is such a risk to break down, his owners must continue to track the pecking order here.
Saints No. 1 Tight End
Winner: Eric Johnson
Losers: Mark Campbell, Billy Miller
Campbell recently got hurt and Johnson created separation from Miller after a slow start in pre-camp work. You could do worse than Johnson in a PPR league, though he's no field-stretcher.
Falcons No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Roddy White
Losers: Michael Jenkins, Laurent Robinson
Jenkins is the slot receiver with Robinson nursing a leg injury. White showed he's the same Roddy he's always been by dropping two catchable balls Monday night, but isn't in much danger because Atlanta values his long speed.
Dolphins No. 1 Quarterback
Winner: Trent Green
Losers: Cleo Lemon, John Beck
Green was named the starter two weeks ago despite not playing well in the preseason. With a miserable line in front of him, he's unlikely to play all 16 games. Both Lemon and Beck could see multiple starts.
Texans No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Kevin Walter
Losers: Jacoby Jones, Keenan McCardell
Jones seems to be everyone's "next
Marques Colston" except for coach Gary Kubiak, who confirmed last Sunday that Walter will begin the year starting. Still, expect Jones to pass him by mid-season.
Eagles No. 2 Running Back
Winner: Correll Buckhalter
Loser: Tony Hunt Brian Westbrook made it through camp unscathed, so it seems he's less of an injury risk this year than in any other. But because of his history, know that Hunt will get goal-line carries if Westbrook gets hurt.
Jaguars No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Dennis Northcutt
Losers: Reggie Williams, Charles Sharon
Williams has moved up to the fourth-receiver spot, but isn't close to Northcutt. New coordinator Dirk Koetter prefers a speed receiver opposite
Ernest Wilford, meaning Northcutt's job is safe and sound.
49ers No. 2 Running Back
Winner: Maurice Hicks
Losers: Michael Robinson, Thomas Clayton
Hicks is officially second on the depth chart but Robinson should still see the majority of the work if Gore gets hurt, making the former Penn State QB a better handcuff. Clayton is headed for the practice squad.
Titans No. 2 Receiver
Winner: Eric Moulds
Losers: Chris Davis, Paul Williams
Moulds made an immediate impression upon signing in July and has captured the starting role. Davis seems to have found his niche in the slot. Williams may be destined for waivers.
Jaguars No. 1 Tight End
Winner: Marcedes Lewis
Losers: George Wrighster, Jermaine Wiggins
Wiggins was among the first round of cuts, leaving Lewis atop the depth chart with Wrighster backing him up. The Jags probably won't use both tight ends often, so Lewis has sleeper potential as a TE2.
Chiefs No. 1 Quarterback
Damon Huard v. Brodie Croyle
Croyle played his way out of the job and Huard got the nod. Neither will likely be worth owning during the season in an ultra-conservative offense, but keep in mind that Huard is only keeping the seat warm.
Battles That Are Less Clear Dolphins No. 1 Running Back
Ronnie Brown v. Jesse Chatman
Brown will be named Miami's starter on Monday. Chatman had an exceptional preseason and looks like a fine backup, as he was behind
LaDainian Tomlinson in 2004, but Brown's skills are far superior.
Bills No. 1 Running Back
Marshawn Lynch v. Anthony Thomas v. Dwayne Wright
Coach Dick Jauron didn't formally name a starter, saying only that he plans to use a committee. We expect Lynch's talent to win out and Thomas to play a relatively minor role. Wright is safely third on the depth chart.
Packers No. 1 Running Back
Vernand Morency v. Brandon Jackson
Jackson never won this battle outright, but Morency might not play in the opener anyways. When Green Bay begins showing its real offense and not just a preseason-styled vanilla version, Jackson will have every opportunity to rack up yardage and keep the job all year.
Seahawks No. 2 Receiver
D.J. Hackett v. Nate Burleson
Although coach Mike Holmgren has made nothing official, Hackett started the all-important third exhibition game. It's an indication that the contract-year wideout has formally moved pass Burleson, who should focus on kick returns.
Titans No. 1 Running Back
LenDale White v. Chris Brown v. Chris Henry
The Titans will use a two-man rotation in Week 1, but it's uncertain who will start the game. In the end, White should get more carries overall with Brown playing on third downs. Henry could be inactive.
Patriots No. 2 Receiver
Donte' Stallworth v. Jabar Gaffney v. Reche Caldwell
Stallworth is ahead of Gaffney based on recent preseason games, but we won't know the starter officially until coordinator Josh McDaniels sends out his lineup on opening day. Expect Caldwell to be released.
Broncos No. 2 Running Back
Mike Bell v. Cecil Sapp v. Selvin Young
While a hip injury temporarily opened the door for Sapp, we'll be shocked if Bell isn't the pick. He knows the offense well and is too effective near the goal. Young will have a spot on the practice team.
Panthers No. 2 Receiver
Dwayne Jarrett v. Keary Colbert v. Drew Carter
It'll be Colbert or Carter on opening day, but Jarrett should take over by mid-season. Despite some drops and inconsistency in camp, Carter's role is defined as a speed threat who needs to be on the field.
Bucs No. 2 Receiver
Maurice Stovall v. Ike Hilliard v. David Boston v. Michael Clayton
Stovall's upside is the best but Hilliard has tenure on his side. Clayton could be traded or released, while the results of Boston's urine test are pending. Look for Hilliard to start in Week 1 and catch two passes.
Titans No. 1 Tight End
Bo Scaife v. Ben Hartsock v. Ben Troupe
Even though he's been hurt, Troupe tops the team's official depth chart. Hartsock is a valuable blocker, so his spot isn't in jeopardy. Scaife may be the best player here but is no lock to start in Week 1.
Chiefs No. 2 Receiver
Samie Parker v. Dwayne Bowe v. Jeff Webb
The Chiefs will keep Bowe at flanker (
Eddie Kennison's position), so he almost certainly won't start Week 1. Parker is the apparent favorite, but has negligible value. Webb failed to step up in camp.
Colts No. 2 Running Back
DeDe Dorsey v. Kenton Keith v. Clifton Dawson
Dorsey wasn't fantastic this preseason but remains the slight leader. It would probably take a monster finale from Keith for him to move up a notch on the depth chart. Dawson should go to the practice squad.
Titans No. 1 Receiver
Brandon Jones v. Courtney Roby v. Roydell Williams
In a suspect passing attack, Williams has emerged the favorite to be a deep complement to
Eric Moulds. Jones has fallen behind and can be dropped in re-draft leagues. Roby's camp mirrored his career: quiet.
Browns No. 1 Quarterback
Charlie Frye v. Derek Anderson v. Brady Quinn
The job is almost certainly Frye's to start the year, but he won't last long. Quinn has outperformed both of the players currently listed ahead of him and proven he's ready to play sooner than later.
Eagles No. 3 Receiver
Hank Baskett v. Jason Avant v. Greg Lewis
Because Avant is the slot, he'll get more playing time than Baskett. Baskett will help inside the 20 and when the Birds go four wide. It's uncertain who would start if
Reggie Brown or
Kevin Curtis gets hurt.
Cowboys No. 1 Kicker
Nick Folk v. Martin Gramatica
Gramatica's hamstring injury has given the sixth-round pick Folk a significant edge. While it'd be preferable for a potential Super Bowl contender to have a veteran kicker, Folk's done nothing to show he isn't worthy.
Raiders No. 1 Quarterback
Daunte Culpepper v. Josh McCown v. Andrew Walter
Culpepper has been fantastic considering how late he came in but the job is still up for grabs. If McCown tears it up Thursday, he has a good chance. Every rep
JaMarcus Russell misses decreases the chances he'll start at all this year.
Giants No. 1 Kicker
Josh Huston v. Lawrence Tynes
Tynes hasn't kicked well or stayed healthy and costs about $600,000 more than Huston. We still won't know the winner of this battle until final cuts are processed this weekend.
Other borderline or less-important battle results:
Vikings No. 1 QB:
Tarvaris Jackson >
Brooks Bollinger
Eagles No. 2 QB:
A.J. Feeley >
Kevin Kolb
Bills No. 2 QB:
Trent Edwards >
Craig Nall
Giants No. 2 QB:
Jared Lorenzen >
Anthony Wright
Giants No. 1 RB:
Brandon Jacobs >
Reuben Droughns
Redskins No. 1 RB:
Clinton Portis >
Ladell Betts
Vikings No. 1 RB:
Chester Taylor >
Adrian Peterson
Panthers No. 1 RB:
DeShaun Foster >
DeAngelo Williams
Bears No. 2 RB:
Adrian Peterson >
Garrett Wolfe
Ravens No. 2 RB:
Mike Anderson >
Musa Smith
Vikings No. 1 WR:
Bobby Wade >
Sidney Rice
Giants No. 2 WR:
Amani Toomer >
Steve Smith
Redskins No. 2 WR:
Antwaan Randle El >
Brandon Lloyd
49ers No. 2 WR:
Arnaz Battle >
Ashley Lelie
Steelers No. 3 WR:
Nate Washington >
Cedrick Wilson
Broncos No. 3 WR:
Brandon Stokley >
Domenik Hixon
Bengals No. 3 WR:
Tab Perry >
Antonio Chatman
Browns No. 3 WR:
Tim Carter >
Travis Wilson
Bucs No. 1 TE:
Alex Smith >
Anthony Becht
Dolphins No. 1 TE:
David Martin >
Courtney Anderson
Raiders No. 1 TE:
Zach Miller >
John Madsen
Bears No. 1 TE:
Desmond Clark >
Greg Olsen
Packers No. 1 TE:
Donald Lee >
Bubba Franks
Panthers No. 1 TE:
Jeff King >
Michael Gaines