NFL AFC Preseason Player Battles

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens drafted QB Joe Flacco in the 1st round to eventually be their starter but he'll have to beat out QBs Kyle Boller and Troy Smith to get the Week 1 nod. With the retirement of LT Jonathan Ogden, OTs Adam Terry, Marshall Yanda and Jared Gaither will battle for the two tackle spots. WRs Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams will vie for the spot opposite Derrick Mason.

Buffalo Bills - QB Trent Edwards has been anointed the starter but has been slow to pick up new Off. Co. Turk Schonert's scheme, possibly opening the door for J.P. Losman to reclaim his spot. It is hoped that rookie WR James Hardy wins a spot but he'll have to beat out WRs Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed. The secondary features a couple of battles as 1st-round CB Leodis McKelvin is expected to unseat Jabari Greer and the FS battle will feature Ko Simpson, Bryan Scott and George Wilson.

Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals have two established (albeit unhappy) starters at WR and the battle will be for the top backup spots in a potentially potent offense. WR Glenn Holt will battle rookies Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson. Bobbie Williams, Shawn Andrews and Andrew Whitworth will contend for the two guard spots but all three could start if the OTs (Levi Jones and Willie Anderson) aren't healthy.

Cleveland Browns - The Browns have some competition on defense, especially at CB. They hope a duo from the group of Gary Baxter (if healthy), Daven Holly, Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright can hold up. Wright is the most logical to start. ILB will feature a battle amongst Andra Davis, Leon Williams and rookie Beau Bell to start alongside D'Qwell Jackson.

Denver Broncos - The Broncos have a lot of battles but here are the main ones: Selvin Young and rookie Ryan Torain at RB; Keary Colbert, Darrell Jackson and Samie Parker at WR, with WR Brandon Stokley established as the slot receiver; Erik Pears and Ryan Harris at RT and Marquand Manuel and Hamza Abdullah at FS. The PK and P jobs are also wide open.

Houston Texans - For a team fighting for respectability, the Texans have few open spots. RBs Chris Brown and Ahman Green and CBs Jacques Reeves, Demarcus Faggins and rookie Antwaun Molden are the big battles with a few other competitions at LB and OT.

Indianapolis Colts - As expected, there are few open battles here. OL Charlie Johnson and rookie C-G Mike Pollak are the leading contenders at RG. This is the only major battle in camp.

Jacksonville Jaguars - The WR spot is a mess but FA Jerry Porter is a lock to start. Dennis Northcutt, Reggie Williams, Troy Williamson, Mike Walker and Matt Jones (not likely) are all in the mix. Guards Maurice Williams and Uche Nwaneri will fight to replace the departed Chris Naeole. Rookie DE Derrick Harvey will start if he can hold up vs. the run or be a pass-rush specialist behind Reggie Hayward.

Kansas City Chiefs - QB Brodie Croyle is being given the starting job but could lose it to Damon Huard. WR Jeff Webb will battle FA Devard Darling and rookie Will Franklin to start opposite Dwayne Bowe. The O-line has several battles but OL Brian Waters, Damion McIntosh and rookie Branden Albert will start somewhere. DTs Tank Tyler, Ron Edwards and Turk McBride will vie to start alongside rookie DT Glenn Dorsey. KC has four LBs used to starting and that will be quite a contest. CB Patrick Surtain could lose his starting spot or even a roster spot if he doesn't pick up his play. Rookie Brandon Flowers is almost a lock to start at one of the CB spots.

Miami Dolphins - When you win one game and bring in Bill Parcells to run the show, expect massive changes (20 cut players, 20 new players). There will be battles at QB, FB, WR, RG, DE, ILB, OLB, CB and S. With Parcells' track record, you have to figure rookies and FAs he brought in would have the edge over the holdovers.

New England Patriots - Jabar Gaffney and Chad Jackson will vie for the coveted No.3 WR spot. FA OLB Victor Hobson could win a spot and rookie LB Jerod Mayo will be heard from. FA CB Fernando Bryant will have to win a spot but is a big downgrade from the departed Asante Samuel.

New York Jets - QBs Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens will be locked in another tough battle. The Jets have to decide on the better decision making of Pennington or the bigger arm of Clemens. Rookie OLB Vernon Gholston will try to unseat veteran Bryan Thomas but will used in passing situations regardless. P Ben Graham will have to hold off Jeremy Kapinos.

Oakland Raiders - The RB battle will be interesting between Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, LaMont Jordan (no way) and rookie Darren McFadden. Mario Henderson will try to unseat Cornell Green at RT. DTs Gerard Warren and Terdell Sands will compete to start alongside the wildly-overpaid Tommy Kelly. SLB Robert Thomas will try to hold off former starter Sam Williams.

Pittsburgh Steelers - RT will see Willie Colon battle Max Starks again. OLB LaMarr Woodley is slated to start but will have to earn the job. ILB Larry Foote has to hold off '07 top pick Lawrence Timmons. CB Bryant McFadden will again vie for a starting role vs. starters Deshea Townsend and Ike Taylor.

San Diego Chargers - RT Jeromey Clary will try to hold off veteran L.J. Shelton. ILB Stephen Cooper is suspended for the first four games and veteran FA Derek Smith is the favorite to start in his absence or compete for the spot when Cooper returns. As expected, there are few battles on this stocked team.

Tennessee Titans - The Titans expect WR Justin Gage to start and hope someone from the group of Chris Davis, rookie Lavelle Hawkins, Brandon Jones, Justin McCareins, Paul Williams and Roydell Williams emerges. Roydell Williams is the favorite. Eugene Amano, Leroy Harris and Daniel Loper will vie to replace LG Jacob Bell. Jevon Kearse could start at LE but why? The team has two veteran punters in Craig Hentrich and Josh Miller but Hentrich should start.