Analyzing NFL Training Camp's Top Five Possible Quarterback Battles

With the news of Brett Favre's retirement today, another possible QB battle at training camp has broken out. The Vikings will either have Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels at the quarterback position.

There are many other NFL teams that have possible QB battles at the beginning of training camp, including the Bills and Cardinals.

One of last year's QB battles was between Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens of the New York Jets. The job was eventually won by the rookie Sanchez, who helped bring the Jets into the playoffs.

This season also has some QB battles between rookies and veterans. For example, the Rams have said A.J. Feeley is already the starter, though Sam Bradford was the first overall pick.

This is just one of the many possible quarterback competitions in training camp this season.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals' QB situation is probably the most publicized of all this season's quarterback competitions.

The Cardinals' quarterback depth chart includes Matt Leinart, a former college star at USC, and Derek Anderson, a former Pro Bowler as a member of the Browns, as well as rookies Max Hall and John Skelton.

The starting spot competition is between Leinart and Anderson. The reason the starting spot is not yet decided is due to the fact that two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner retired after the season last year.

This year's starter is expected to be Leinart, but if I were the Cardinals, I would rather have Anderson start off the season and then give Leinart a chance if Anderson doesn't handle the job well.

Leinart has started 17 games in the NFL, while Anderson has started 36. I think Anderson would be the better choice, but I believe the Cardinals would like to give Leinart a shot at the starting job once again.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers' possible quarterback competition is due to the fact that their usual starter, Ben Roethlisberger, has been suspended for the first six games of the season.

The Steelers' QB depth chart without Roethlisberger includes former Jaguars starter Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon, and longtime Steelers veteran Charlie Batch.

The starter of the first six games is expected to be Leftwich. The Steelers made a trade this offseason to get Leftwich. He was a member of the Steelers in 2008 and played quite well in a Monday Night Football win.

I think Leftwich will play solidly for the Steelers until Roethlisberger comes back. Leftwich could be a starter on many NFL teams.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams' possible quarterback competition is between first overall pick Sam Bradford and longtime backup A.J. Feeley.

The Rams' starter is expected to be Feeley, but I think halfway through the season Bradford will get the starting job. Feeley has been a backup with the Eagles, Chargers, Dolphins, and Panthers, while Bradford was the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner.

I think if Feeley started the season and then the Rams started Bradford later in the season, it would be a good move for the Rams and possibly help Bradford in his transition into the NFL.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' possible quarterback competition is due to the retirement of Brett Favre, but with him you never know.

Last year there was expected to be competition before the Vikings signed Favre between Tarvaris Jackson, a former starter for the Vikings before they acquired Favre, and Sage Rosenfels, an NFL veteran with the Redskins, Dolphins, and Texans.

It is expected that Jackson will be the starter for the Vikings, but if Rosenfels has a good preseason and training camp, I think he could give Jackson a run for his money at the starting QB job. Jackson will most likely be the starter, but Rosenfels could give Jackson some competition for the starting job.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills' possible quarterback competition is between two former Bills starters in Trent Edwards, the starter in 2008, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, the starter last season.

Edwards is expected to be the starter, but this will most likely be one of training camp's most competitive QB battles. Edwards has started 30 NFL games, while Fitzpatrick has started 23 NFL games as a member of the Bills as well as the Rams and Bengals.

The Bills may give both Fitzpatrick and Edwards equal time at the starting job, but expect Edwards to get the starting job in 2010 after his injury-plagued 2009.