Predicting Every NFL Team's Most Heated Camp Battle

Predicting Every NFL Team's Most Heated Camp Battle By Ian Wharton May 28, 2015 Associated Press The Titans must decide who to start at quarterback. The NFL offseason is nearly over, meaning training camp is on the horizon. Every team has holes throughout their roster, which sets up for many meaningful camp battles. We will identify and predict the outcome of the most heated camp battle for each team.There are always surprising stars from the preseason. Claiming a starting job or pivotal backup role is an impressive feat, especially when a young player beats out a veteran. Sometimes there are factors that prevent this from happening, though.High-priced veterans and touted rookies will always receive preference when a battle is close. Coaches want “their guys” to play and succeed. This is for various reasons, including trust and politics.Let’s jump in to look at your favorite team. What is the most heated camp battle you’ll be watching, and what will be the outcome? Atlanta Falcons: Starting Running BackJohn Sommers/Associated Press The Atlanta Falcons have made a significant push to improve their woeful run game this season. Adding offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and running back Tevin Coleman are major steps in the right direction. After all, quarterback Matt Ryan needs more balance for this team to succeed.All involved in the race should covet Atlanta’s starting running back position. Incumbents Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith will join Coleman. Each brings a different playing style to the table, but the zone-blocking scheme traditionally favors the more consistent runner.Prediction: Coleman wins the starting job.Carolina Panthers: No. 2 Wide Receiver Jeff Haynes/Associated Press In an effort to finally surround quarterback Cam Newton with adequate weapons on offense, the Carolina Panthers added receiver Devin Funchess in the second round of the draft. Funchess joins 2014 first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin as the two young studs on the receiver depth chart.Funchess will face veteran competition for the No. 2 receiver position from Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery isn’t dynamic, but is consistent with his performance. As Funchess develops as a route-runner, it wouldn’t be surprising for Cotchery to be named starter while Funchess is brought along slowly. Prediction: Cotchery wins.New Orleans Saints: Starting Left Tackle Jeff Haynes/Associated Press It’s impossible to blame the New Orleans Saints for addressing their declining offensive line in the draft. By selecting Andrus Peat in the first round, the Saints now must play a bit of musical chairs. Peat is a pure left tackle, lacking any semblance of versatility.The Saints are able to make some minor moves, though. Terron Armstead should move to right tackle and be more effective there than he was on the blind side, while Zach Strief can move back inside to guard. This would allow Peat to move to his natural left tackle spot, and the entire line would be stronger. Prediction: Armstead moves to right tackle, Peat plays left tackle.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Starting Strong Safety Patric Schneider/Associated Press When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released safety Dashon Goldson, it seemed clear the team wanted a better coverage safety to play. But then they claimed former Texans safety D.J. Swearinger off of waivers. Swearinger’s play style is exactly like Goldson’s, but much less expensive.With Swearinger’s main competition being Major Wright and Chris Hackett, it’s hard to see him losing that battle. He makes more of an impact than those two, despite his coverage limitations. If the Buccaneers want more help in coverage, then Wright may be a slightly better option.Prediction: Swearinger beats out Wright.For every team...link