(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Training camp is a time for a team to get ready for the upcoming season. It's a time to mold together a team and build for a championship. It's about fighting through blood, sweat, and tears to become the best you can be.
It's also a time for players to prove they deserve a spot on the roster.
So with Patriots training camp right around the corner, we'll take a look at six position battles to keep an eye on this summer.
No. Three Wide Receiver: Joey Galloway vs. Greg Lewis
When you've got Joey Galloway fighting for the third spot on your depth chart, you know it's a pretty deep position.
With Randy Moss, and Wes Welker the clear-cut No. one and No. two receivers respectively, free agent pick-up Joey Galloway, and new wideout (via trade) Greg Lewis will fight for the third spot.
Galloway, 37, is entering his 15th NFL season. He spent five seasons in Seattle, four in Dallas, and his last five with the Buccaneers.
He has caught 682 career passes, for 10,710 yards, and 77 touchdowns.
Lewis, 29, has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As an Eagle, Lewis racked up 1,699 yards on 127 receptions. He also hauled in seven career touchdown catches.
The 6'0" receiver out of Illinois University caught four passes for 53 yards, including a touchdown in the final minutes against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
After the spring minicamps, it looks as if Galloway has a slight edge over Lewis heading into training camp. At times Lewis looked confused and struggled to pick up the Patriots offensive system.
“Everything is new to me,” Lewis said. “I was in Philadelphia for six years, so I’m used to how everything went about there. Now, coming here, everything has changed. I just have to get used to different things and that nature. But everything is a surprise for me. Everything is new.”
Although Galloway was the only one of the two to see time at punt returner in the spring, both receivers are versatile and can contribute in the return game.
We all know head coach Bill Belichick loves versatile players.
This competition will go on throughout the dog days of summer. Only the best will win the job.
Right Tackle: Nick Kaczur vs. Sebastain Vollmer
This is a very important battle because the offensive line is one of the most important positions in football. The O-line's job is to protect the quarterback and plow holes in the defense for the run game.
Nick Kaczur, 29, is the veteran in the battle and the favorite to win the job.
However, the rookie Sebastain Vollmer will figure into the mix and push Kaczur for the starting position.
The 6'4" 315 pound Kaczur has started 49 regular season games at right tackle and has missed only two games in the last two seasons. He's heading into his fifth year in the NFL.
Volmer, sitting at a beastly 6'8" and 315 pounds, is coming off a great college career.
He was an All-Conference USA tackle while playing at Houston.
The 2009 second-rounder, Vollmer, got playing time at both tackle positions during OTAs and is likely to enter camp as a backup at both positions.
Be sure to keep your eye on this battle of the big boys this summer.
Outside Linebacker: Pierre Woods vs. Shawn Crable and Tully Banta-Cain
With fan favorite Mike Vrabel now in Kansas City, the outside linebacker spot is quickly becoming an intriguing summer fight.
When linebacker Adalius Thomas went down with a broken arm in 2008, Woods got the bulk of the playing time in replacement. He struggled at times, but also showed signs that he could be the future of the position for coach Belichick. But unfortunately Woods himself was forced to hit the injury list after he broke his jaw late in the season.
The 27-year-old Woods has just three years of NFL experience under his belt.
In 36 career games (three starts) Woods has 51 solo tackles and one sack.
Shawn Crable and Tully Banta-Cain will bash helmets with Woods for the starting job.
Banta-Cain spent his first four seasons with New England before leaving for San Francisco for two years.
Over his six seasons he has pasted 106 solo tackles and squashed opposing quarterbacks 12.5 times.
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