Mueller's positional battles
By Randy Mueller
ESPN Insider
Now that teams have added to their rosters through the NFL draft, they must actually find playing time for some of them. Some like Braylon Edwards (Browns) and Adam Jones (Titans) are expected to start immediately. Others, like Aaron Rodgers (Packers), should expect to sit and watch as a backup. But in a few instances, other rookies could find themselves needing to win training camp battles to play or start.
Insider analyst and former general manager Randy Mueller takes a look at a handful of potential positional battles involving first-round picks.
49ers QBs: Alex Smith vs. Tim Rattay
It's not "if Alex Smith will be the starter with this one?" … it's when. The 49ers need to change their perception in the huddle and locker room and Tim Rattay is just a backup in this league. They have to have them compete, but I'll be shocked if Rattay is the starter at the beginning of the season. I'm afraid that Smith will fail in the first couple of years because of the lack of talent around him. That's the only reason why it might be a good reason to have Smith sit for a little while and continue with Rattay for the short term.
Bears RBs: Cedric Benson vs. Thomas Jones
There's no comparison here because Cedric Benson is a guy who can carry the ball 25 times a game. In addition to being a great pick for the offense, this was also a great pick for the defense because he's going to help them control the ball. He's going to pound the football and set the tempo because he's a punishing inside runner. Meanwhile, Thomas Jones is an evasive runner who doesn't really run downhill between the tackles. Coach Lovie Smith wants to play field position and control the clock and Benson gives them that.
Bucs RBs: Carnell Williams vs. Michael Pittman
This is the first actual battle on the list. These two guys both have nifty feet, speed and can break a big play at any time. I think Michael Pittman will start initially because he knows the system, but Cadillac Williams will start to take some carries as the season wears down. Also, durability is a big deal here for both players so Williams may find himself in a similar situation as when he was at Auburn. These two guys will share time for a while.
Lions WRs: Mike Williams vs. Charles Rogers
Mike Williams is the perfect receiver for this offense. He's built like T.O. and will play a lot of slants and run routes that will put his body between him and the cornerback or safety. That big body of his will be an issue for opposing teams to have to deal with because it's going to be difficult for corners to get around him to get to the ball and to quickly bring him down when he does catch the ball. I think this is a wide open job, but coach Steve Mariucci will try and find a way to have all three guys on the field for a lot of the time. The problem is that this team just went out and signed tight end Marcus Pollard and they have running back Kevin Jones. You can't play all these guys! This team has officially become a fantasy owner's nightmare.
Redskins QBs: Jason Campbell vs. Patrick Ramsey
Patrick Ramsey is going to be the starter, but Jason Campbell will get his work in and will eventually take over the job. The Redskins don't want to turn it over to a new quarterback right now, but Ramsey isn't the final answer for this team. Within two years Campbell will be the starter, but for now coach Joe Gibbs is committed to Ramsey and Ramsey is committed to this team.
Randy Mueller, former GM of the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, is a regular contributor to Insider.
By Randy Mueller
ESPN Insider
Now that teams have added to their rosters through the NFL draft, they must actually find playing time for some of them. Some like Braylon Edwards (Browns) and Adam Jones (Titans) are expected to start immediately. Others, like Aaron Rodgers (Packers), should expect to sit and watch as a backup. But in a few instances, other rookies could find themselves needing to win training camp battles to play or start.
Insider analyst and former general manager Randy Mueller takes a look at a handful of potential positional battles involving first-round picks.
49ers QBs: Alex Smith vs. Tim Rattay
It's not "if Alex Smith will be the starter with this one?" … it's when. The 49ers need to change their perception in the huddle and locker room and Tim Rattay is just a backup in this league. They have to have them compete, but I'll be shocked if Rattay is the starter at the beginning of the season. I'm afraid that Smith will fail in the first couple of years because of the lack of talent around him. That's the only reason why it might be a good reason to have Smith sit for a little while and continue with Rattay for the short term.
Bears RBs: Cedric Benson vs. Thomas Jones
There's no comparison here because Cedric Benson is a guy who can carry the ball 25 times a game. In addition to being a great pick for the offense, this was also a great pick for the defense because he's going to help them control the ball. He's going to pound the football and set the tempo because he's a punishing inside runner. Meanwhile, Thomas Jones is an evasive runner who doesn't really run downhill between the tackles. Coach Lovie Smith wants to play field position and control the clock and Benson gives them that.
Bucs RBs: Carnell Williams vs. Michael Pittman
This is the first actual battle on the list. These two guys both have nifty feet, speed and can break a big play at any time. I think Michael Pittman will start initially because he knows the system, but Cadillac Williams will start to take some carries as the season wears down. Also, durability is a big deal here for both players so Williams may find himself in a similar situation as when he was at Auburn. These two guys will share time for a while.
Lions WRs: Mike Williams vs. Charles Rogers
Mike Williams is the perfect receiver for this offense. He's built like T.O. and will play a lot of slants and run routes that will put his body between him and the cornerback or safety. That big body of his will be an issue for opposing teams to have to deal with because it's going to be difficult for corners to get around him to get to the ball and to quickly bring him down when he does catch the ball. I think this is a wide open job, but coach Steve Mariucci will try and find a way to have all three guys on the field for a lot of the time. The problem is that this team just went out and signed tight end Marcus Pollard and they have running back Kevin Jones. You can't play all these guys! This team has officially become a fantasy owner's nightmare.
Redskins QBs: Jason Campbell vs. Patrick Ramsey
Patrick Ramsey is going to be the starter, but Jason Campbell will get his work in and will eventually take over the job. The Redskins don't want to turn it over to a new quarterback right now, but Ramsey isn't the final answer for this team. Within two years Campbell will be the starter, but for now coach Joe Gibbs is committed to Ramsey and Ramsey is committed to this team.
Randy Mueller, former GM of the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, is a regular contributor to Insider.
