Training Camp Battles
Kurt Warner vs. Matt Leinart
It appeared going into the pre-season that Matt Leinart had a slight advantage but whoever performed better in pre-season we get the job. No matter who gets the start, they will be on a very short leash, if Warner starts think of him as a low end #1 option and if Leinart is the starter he is a mid #2 QB. This battle is also important because both Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin's fantasy value goes up if Warner is behind center. Leinart looked great in the pre-season in the first 2 pre-season games but laid an egg in the third game throwing 3 INTS and because of that terrible performance it appears Warner has the leg up and will start the final pre-season games. Despite earlier rumors that Whisenhunt named Warner the starter, he denies the report and said it's all up to the last pre-season game
Mark's Prediction: Warner starts week 1 and keeps the job throughout the year
Matt's Prediction: Matt Leinart starts all season
DeAngelo Williams vs. Jonathan Stewart
DeAngelo Williams vs. Jonathan Stewart is one of the most intriguing battles of the pre-season. Clearly the Carolina coaching staff isn't too high on the former second rounder DeAngelo Williams because they drafted Jonathan Stewart in the first round of this year's draft after releasing DeShaun Foster. However, Jonathan Stewart has only been practicing once a day so it may be hard for Stewart to pick up the offense as quickly as John Fox would like. This should be a RBBC, and many people expect Stewart to be the starter at the end of the year but for now it appears it's DeAngelo Williams' job to lose after what has been a great start to training camp. After the first two pre-season games, it's clear that Williams has taken this job by the horns and it appears Jonathan Stewart will be no more than a 3rd down back.
Mark's Prediction: Williams starts and gets 85% of the carries
Matt's Prediction: Williams starts and gets 70% of the carries
Lendale White vs. Chris Johnson
This is a big battle for the starting running back job in a run happy offense. The winner of this battle will prosper in the fantasy world. A couple weeks ago people were just assuming that White would be the full-time back and Johnson would be the third down back but things have taken a 180 in the past couple weeks. Lendale White came into camp out of shape and Chris Johnson has looked spectacular in camp. Chris Johnson has been taking first team carries and it appears that at this point, he has the edge on starting opening day. While LenDale White has looked good in the pre-season, Chris Johnson has looked nothing short of spectacular, averaging about 10 yards a carries.
Mark's Prediction: Chris Johnson is a great talent and I think he will be the full-time back for the Titans the whole year while Lendale White will get mop up duty.
Matt's Prediction: Lendale White start first 3 weeks then Chris Johnson becomes full time back and Lendale White turns into a goal line back.
Jabar Gaffney vs. Chad Jackson
Jabar Gaffney and Chad Jackson are battling for the 3rd wide WR spot in New England. The Patriots seem to be very high on Chad Jackson since camp started and is gaining ground on Jabar Gaffney for the spot opposite of Moss with Welker in the slot. New England is looking for the results that they where expecting from Jackson before he got hurt 2 years ago in his rookie season. Jackson is being given every chance to take the job, but he has underachieved so far in the pre-season and it looks like at this point Gaffney has the inside track for the job.
Mark's Prediction: Chad Jackson challenges Gaffney, but Gaffney pulls the job out at the end of the pre-season and both are fantasy worthy
Matt's Prediction: Chad Jackson
will overtake Gaffney for the 3rd spot
Kyle Orton vs. Rex Grossman
Orton appears to be in the lead for the starting QB gig in Chicago. While he is on a very short leash, it seems the Chicago coaching staff values his intelligence and lack of interceptions over Grossman's big play ability and wild throws for now. This battle seems to be over with the Bears coaching staff announcing that Orton is the guy.
Mark's Prediction: Grossman
Matt's Prediction: Orton
Julius Jones vs. Maurice Morris/TJ Duckett
This a really exciting 3 way battle for the starting RB of the Seattle Seahawks. Holmgren referred to Morris and Jones as co-starters which makes it seem like TJ Duckett is a little bit behind. The annoucement by Holmgren was kind of a surprise to fantasy owners who expect Jones to start, Duckett to get the goal-line carries and Morris to be a change of pace back, but it appears Holmgren is not sold on Jones and is leaving this battle up to pre-season performances.
Mark's Prediction: Julius Jones is the starter, Morris is the 3rd down back, and Duckett takes the goal-line carries
Matt's Prediction: RBBC with Jones and Morris
Selvin Young vs. Ryan Torain
With the recent news of Ryan Torain's fractured elbow this battle seems over at this point. Selvin Young seems like the favorite to start unless Mike Shanahan changes his mind and starts one of the other RB's on their roster such as Michael Pittman, Andre Hall or Anthony Alridge
Selvin Young is clearly the starter at this point with Torain out of the picture for 6 to 8 weeks. Keep your eye on Andre Hall if anything happens to Selvin Young because at this point he seem to be the number 2 guy.
Keary Colbert/Eddie Royal vs.Darrell Jackson
This should be a battle for fantasy owners to watch as the pre-season rolls around. With a 3 game Brandon Marshall suspension, the #2 WR spot in Denver should become of interest to all fantasy owners. Jackson is lining up with the first team offense for now and will get first crack at starting opposite (and for) Brandon Marshall. The Denver coaching staff really likes Colbert's upside and that could end up being the ultimate factor. For now, both players are worthy of a fantasy spot but when a receiver is chosen, their fantasy value will skyrocket. The latest news is that it appears rookie Eddie Royal has taken over the #2 job in Denver but Darrell Jackson will start in place of Marshall for the first 3 games alongside Royal.
Mark's Prediction: Shanahan loves Eddie Royal, so I gotta go with him. I think Colbert's all but out of the competition. I expect both Jackson and Royal to be good fantasy contributors this year.
Matt's Prediction: Darrell Jackson seems to be the guy that Denver is hoping to bounce back to his old form, However watch out for Eddie Royal. At this point it seems like they are going to use a group of WR'S until Marshall comes back