Yeah, I know, I said I would do Wide Receivers next, but I just moved and forgot to transfer my files onto my laptop before I left.  I will get that one up soon, but in the meantime, this will hold all you Fantasy athletes over.

Every year, battles ensue in training camp and in the pre-season that if predicted right, can be the steal of a pick that leads to a Fantasy title (i.e. Thomas Jones).  Every team enters the pre-season with a gridlock that could pay dividends in the form of a backup (Marion Barber III) to the emergence of a surprise starter (Reuban Droughns).  Let's see what this year has to offer.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Starting QB:  J.P. Losman vs. The Field

This has all the appeal of a Gigli sequel (the return of Bennifer).  Losman, the former 1st round pick, is the frontrunner, but the current coaching staff has no loyalties to him.  Newcomer Craig Nall is his main competition, although the race is wide open.  Bottom line:  Losman will in the starting job, just don't start him yourself.

Miami Dolphins

#2 WR:  Marty Booker vs. Derek Hagan

These two are very similar; both have great hands and are primary possession receivers, a perfect complement to #1 Chris Chambers.  New addition Daunte Culpepper will bring a new dimension to the passing offense, but is not known for spreading the ball to multiple receivers.  Bottom line:  Booker has another year before the rookie beats him out and will be a decent backup towards the end of the draft.

New England Patriots

#2 WR:  Troy Brown vs. Reche Caldwell vs. Chad Jackson

In New England's spread offense, being the #2 WR doesn't have the same value as it does in other offenses.  Caldwell showed promise while in San Diego prior to a knee injury, although Brown has a lot of familiarity with Tom Brady and the offense.  Bottom line:  All will see significant time in 3 and 4 WR sets, but none are worth drafting unless Deion Branch decides to hold out during the season.

New York Jets                                                                   

Starting QB:  Chad Pennington vs. The Field

Putting the offense on Pennington's shoulders may not be a good idea, seeing that he has had surgery on his shoulder twice this year.  Patrick Ramsey is the dark horse here, needing to have a good season before his contract is up.  Don't count out rookie Kellen Clemens, who is seen as the future starter.  Bottom line:  Pennington is likely to get the nod based on early reports, but Clemens is the keeper league option.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Starting QB:  Steve McNair vs. Kyle Boller

McNair will likely start the season at QB, but the "Air" has since come out of his tires, making his position very shaky.  Boller came on at the end of the season, showing signs of progressing at QB.  Between injuries and consistency issues, this situation is far from resolved.  Bottom line:  McNair is the QB to draft, but strictly as a late round backup.

Cincinnati Bengals

#3 WR:  Antonio Chatman vs. Chris Henry vs. Kelley Washington

Henry is a bit preoccupied to be worried about this race, but he is the best for the job.  Chatman came over from Green Bay and is as raw at WR as he is fast on the field.  Washington is a long shot that the Bengals were shopping during the offseason.  Bottom line:  If Henry sorts out his troubles, he'll be the starter and a good backup; otherwise it will be Chatman, who won't provide the same value.

Cleveland Browns

#1 WR:  Braylon Edwards vs. Joe Jurevicius vs. Dennis Northcutt

Edwards is trying to recover from a devastating knee injury and would be the #1 if not for his questionability for a Week 1 return.  Jurevicius, on the other hand, had a career year in Seattle and cashed in coming to Cleveland.  Northcutt will most likely be a #3 unless either of the other two falter.  Bottom line:  Jurevicius will begin the season as the #1 and the top red zone threat until Edwards returns, who will get the majority of the looks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

#2 WR:  Santonio Holmes vs. Cedrick Wilson

Holmes was given the position on draft night and has done nothing but break the law (3 times) to celebrate it.  That has given Wilson a chance to steal it away even if he is the less talented of the two.  Bottom line:  Whoever wins won't have much value with Pittsburgh's conservative offense, but Wilson gets the early season nod.

AFC South

Houston Texans

#2 RB:  Antowain Smith vs. Vernand Morency

This doesn't have the value of the other position battles.  Starter Domanick Davis isn't exactly the model of good health, routinely missing games due to nicks and dings.  Smith has shown stretches of success in the past while Morency has been slow to catch on to the offense.  Bottom line:  If you are into handcuffing backups, then Smith is the choice for you Davis owners.

Indianapolis Colts

Starting RB:  Joseph Addai vs. Dominic Rhodes

We go from one of the worst battles to the one most highly regarded.  The winner of this job stands to see a lot of open holes to run through and the best at the position handing the ball off to him.  That being said, Addai is physically more suited to handle the load and provide the necessary tools for the job.  Rhodes is familiar with the offense, having success in the past.  Bottom line:  Addai will be getting the majority of the carries and is worth a look as your #2 RB, but Rhodes may cut into his carries or somehow take over the job if Addai is ineffective.

Jacksonville Jaguars

#1 and #2 WRs:  Matt Jones vs. Ernest Wilford vs. Reggie Williams

With Jimmy Smith's retirement, Byron Leftwich is looking for anyone who can catch the ball on a regular basis.  Last year, Jones and Wilford found themselves at the receiving end of 87 catches and 12 TDs.  As for Williams, he has been unable to live up to his 1st round status, never developing a rapport with Leftwich.  Bottom line:  All three will see time on the field, but Wilford and Jones will be the starters due to their early success.

Tennessee Titans

#1 WR:  Drew Bennett vs. David Givens

The question isn't over which one will start, it is over which one emerges as the top target for the Titans.  Bennett thrived when Volek was last the starter, putting up #1 Fantasy WR numbers.  Givens has had moderate success in New England as their #2 and is willing to go over the middle.  Bottom line:  Bennett is the likely choice for #1 and will make for a solid #3 WR on fantasy teams.  Givens will be a good backup in the later rounds.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

#1 WR:  Rod Smith vs. Javon Walker

Another case of who comes first.  Walker was a #1 in Green Bay, but is coming back from injury.  Smith's only downside is his age (36), but has eight 1,000 yard seasons in his career and has developed a good relationship with Jake Plummer since his arrival 2 years ago.  Bottom line:  Smith will be targeted more, making him a borderline #2, but it will be Walker who gets the looks in the red zone, so I'll do a cop-out and call it a tie.

Kansas City Chiefs

#2 RB:  Michael Bennett vs. Quentin Griffin vs. Priest Holmes

I know, I know, Larry Johnson is the starter.  However, you have to handcuff any elite back's backup just in case (how did Larry get where he is again?).  Bennett was just brought over, providing lots of speed and little else.  Speaking of little, Quentin Griffin doesn't have the frame (5'8") to ever handle a full-load.  As for the Priest, it's hard to say if he even has a future in football at all.  Bottom line:  Bennett wins by default, so target him as your 4th or 5th running back.

Oakland Raiders

#2 WR:  Ronald Curry vs. Doug Gabriel vs. Jerry Porter

If Porter learns to shut his mouth and play, this isn't even a battle.  Nevertheless, Ronald Curry may get the call; he has the talent, but injuries have derailed his last 2 seasons.  Doug Gabriel performed well at times when Randy Moss was injured, but isn't the answer.  Bottom line:  If Porter decides to stay, he is a top 30 WR.  Otherwise, Curry will get the call unless he is unable to come back soon enough.  Then it falls to Gabriel.

San Diego Chargers

#2 WR:  Vincent Jackson vs. Eric Parker

Rashaun Woods was supposed to make a push, but his release last week ended that.  Parker received a contract extension with the thoughts of him being the frontrunner.  However, he is small; something that Jackson isn't (6'5").  Bottom line:  Rivers lessens their value, but the nod goes to Parker, with Jackson stealing some red zone looks.

 

NFC battles will be up quicker than Ken Jennings 15 minutes of fame.