NFL focus: position battles
May 26, 2005

Summer will heat up the NFL as players fight for positions on teams' depth charts.

Panthers

Tutan Reyes is the incumbent at right guard, but he will have strong competition from rookie Evan Mathis and veteran Bill Ferrario. Last season, Reyes committed too many penalties and missed too many blocks. The team likes its guards to be quick and athletic, and Mathis has those qualifications but must learn the system quickly. Ferrario isn't very athletic, but he's a nice insurance policy because he's a strong run blocker.

Steelers

The competition to replace wide receiver Plaxico Burress will be the focus. Antwaan Randle El will begin camp as the starter, but the team has concerns about his toughness and durability. Free-agent pickup Cedrick Wilson has the speed to be a good fit at a position designed for big plays and deep throws.

Patriots

Russ Hochstein probably is first in line for the left guard job. Hochstein isn't huge (6-4, 305), but he is technically sound and understands how to work with the players next to him. Ditto for Gene Mruczkowski, whose inexperience could work against him. Logan Mankins has the most power and ability of the three, but he's a rookie.

Cardinals

Rookie J.J. Arrington has the edge over Marcel Shipp for the running back job, though coach Dennis Green hasn't officially acknowledged that. Shipp missed all of last season (leg) and hasn't been cleared to practice. When healthy, Shipp is a tough runner between the tackles, but he lacks big-play ability. Arrington is fast and elusive and has the potential to score from anywhere. Their different styles could cause problems for defenses.

Eagles

Weakside linebacker Keith Adams will enter camp with a slight edge over incumbent Mark Simoneau. Adams, who covers a lot of ground, played well in the postseason in place of Simoneau, who had an ankle injury. Both players lack ideal size but compensate with speed and a knack for being around the ball. In coordinator Jim Johnson's defense, which gets everyone involved, look for both players to get time at the position.

Vikings

Strong safety Corey Chavous' contract gripes -- he's sitting out voluntary workouts -- will give Willie Offord a shot at the starting job. Coaches always have loved Offord's physical tools and hitting ability, and they believe he finally began to catch on to the mental portion of the position at the end of 2004. Chavous is unlikely to be with the team beyond this season.

Falcons

Michael Jenkins seems primed to supplant Peerless Price as the starting flanker. Jenkins caught only seven passes last year as the staff sought to make him earn snaps by excelling on special teams. Jenkins has shown improvement with his hands and route running. Price's vision problems, caused by an inoperable retinal disorder, might end his career prematurely. Price must get better separation and catch more difficult passes in traffic to keep his job.

Redskins

Cornerback Walt Harris relies on his experience, savvy and solid technique to get in position to contain passing games and make plays. Carlos Rogers will challenge Harris. Rogers was drafted with the expectation that he will start at some point in 2005. He has excellent speed, is a big hitter and can play press coverage, but he has a great deal to learn. The likely scenario is that Harris will hold the job through training camp, with Rogers gradually taking over.

Sporting News' NFL correspondents contributed to this report.

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