New England Patriots: A Too-Early Look at Training Camp Battles

3. Moss and Welker Can't Catch Every Ball

Jabar Gaffney surpassed Donte Stallworth last season and came through with a number of big catches, including a nice TD grab in the AFC Championship Game. Ever since the 2006 playoffs, Gaffney has clearly had a good rapport with Tom Brady. Brady trusts him and Gaffney always seems to make plays.

The wild card is Chad Jackson, who looks like he was designed in a factory to be an NFL receiver. He’s fought injuries for two years but now appears healthy and, per reports at passing camp, ready to contribute.

Even if Jackson can’t supplant Gaffney as the starting X-receiver he could prove to be a dangerous option as the fourth wideout. The 2006 second-round pick could be a new wrinkle in the Pats' attack in 2008. Kelley Washington could also be in the mix, though it’s already clear that he will be a top Special Teams contributor, no matter what.

Our probably-too-early prediction: Jackson can’t beat out Gaffney just yet, but makes his share of plays as the No. 4 receiver.

2. Young Patriots Linebackers: I Like the Sound of That

Every offseason, we hear the Pats linebackers are too old, but this year they’ve finally taken significant steps to get younger. Gone is Rosevelt Colvin and entering the fray are former-Jet Victor Hobson and 10th-overall selection Jerod Mayo. Junior Seau’s return is still up in the air, we probably won’t know if he’ll be back until July. Regardless, things will be looking different at the most important position in Bill Belichick’s 3-4 defense.

Versatility is not something that’s lacking. Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel and Hobson can all play ILB or OLB. Tedy Bruschi re-signed for two more years and Mayo is already displaying the speed that the Pats lacked in previous seasons. As always, the Linebackers will be on a rotation, and if Seau returns Mayo can be eased into things a little slower.

Either way, the Pats are looking better at LB than they have in a long time, despite the loss of Rosey Colvin. This will be a defining year for Pierre Woods and Eric Alexander. Rookies Shawn Crable, Vince Redd, Gary Guyton and Bo Ruud are also in the mix. Any of those six could make the team or be cut, neither would be a surprise. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

Our probably-too-early prediction: Vrabel and Thomas start at OLB. Bruschi, Hobson, and Seau rotate in the middle with Mayo working his way in. Of Crable and Redd one makes the team, one gets put on the practice squad.

1. Defensive Backfield Redux

The defensive backfield looks to be this year’s “Throw-it-all-at-the-Wall” experiment similar to how they approached the Wide Receiver situation last season. With the losses of Asante Samuel and nickelback Randall Gay there are starting jobs to be had.

First we begin with our safeties, a solid group consisting of Rodney Harrison, James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather and Tank Williams. There still could be issues with Harrison regarding his contract and how much he’s going to cost; clearly losing Rodney would hurt, though his presence on the practice field and locker room would probably be missed more than it would on game day.

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