Tim Tebow vs. Mark Sanchez and the Best NFL Training Camp Battles in 2012

Competition breeds excellence. Just ask Steve Young.

Despite what you may have heard to the contrary, Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez will battle one another for the New York Jets' starting quarterback position in 2012 and beyond.

Sanchez hasn't been a true leader for the Jets, and Rex Ryan has to love the fire Tebow plays with. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Tebow ends up starting at some point in this upcoming season.

This leads me to wonder about some of the other hotly contested positional battles we are sure to see once NFL training camps start up in the summer.

Who else is in danger of losing their job?

Chicago Bears No. 2 Receiver Battle

Jay Cutler finally has his man. After Brandon Marshall, though, the Bears don't really have a go-to No. 2 receiver.

Devin Hester, Eric Weems and Earl Bennett all have a shot to establish themselves in training camp as the clear-cut No. 2 receiver. 

Per the Chicago Tribune's Vaughn McClure, Johnny Knox will start out the season on the PUP list. Knox has made good progress, and the team is hopeful he will make a full recovery from a spinal fusion surgery. Once he returns, the Bears will have one more contender for the position.

I predict Bennett will end up taking the spot, though this should be a fiercely contested battle all throughout the summer. 

Indianapolis Colts No. 2 Receiver Battle

Reggie Wayne shocked many people when he decided to sign a contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He is going to be the team's No. 1 receiver.

The Colts signed Donnie Avery out of free agency, and he should compete for the No. 2 spot against Austin Collie and a host of other players with names only their mothers would recognize.

They will certainly draft at least one receiver to upgrade the overall talent level of this group for Andrew Luck's sake—if they do end up selecting him.

I look forward to seeing how this battle develops, though my gut tells me Avery will start on opening day.

Mark Anderson vs. Chris Kelsay

The Buffalo Bills signed Mark Anderson to a four-year, $19.5 million contract in free agency to pair with Mario Williams on their defensive line. 

Don't assume that means he'll be starting. 

Chris Kelsay may not be the best pass-rusher in the NFL, but he is a solid all-around defensive end. He will have something to say about whether or not Anderson gets that starting job.

Kelsay is more disciplined and stout against the run, while Anderson is more explosive off the ball. 

The way I see it playing out is that Kelsay and Anderson will split time. Kelsay will be the starter, and Anderson will come in on obvious passing situations to give the team a spark as a pass-rusher.

Joel Dreessen vs. Jacob Tamme

The Denver Broncos didn't waste any time getting Peyton Manning some pass-catching tight ends. 

Within days of Manning's signing, they had landed Joel Dreessen from the Houston Texans and Jacob Tamme from Manning's old team, the Indianapolis Colts.

I'm sure both will end up on the field at the same time throughout the season in two-tight end sets, but I'm not sure which one will end up taking the role as the starting tight end in 2012.

Dreessen is good, but I'll give Tamme the edge here due to the fact that Manning is already familiar with him. 

John Carlson vs. Kyle Rudolph

The Minnesota Vikings are going to be a fun team to watch next year. 

Kyle Rudolph is a spectacularly gifted young tight end. Joining him now in the far north is another gifted young player, John Carlson.

The Vikings shockingly gave Carlson a four-year, $25 million contract in free agency, despite the fact that he missed the entire 2011 season due to a torn labrum.

Rudolph and Carlson will battle it out all summer long to see which one will be the starter in Week 1. It should be fun to watch.

I'm betting on Rudolph.

David Garrard vs. Matt Moore

Stephen Ross hasn't had good luck landing quarterbacks and head coaches.

After missing out on Peyton Manning, Alex Smith and Matt Flynn, Ross finally signed David Garrard.

Matt Moore and Garrard will probably battle this one out until the fourth week of preseason games.

Neither one inspires much confidence, and Dolphins fans are probably hoping to see their team draft Ryan Tannehill as a consolation prize.

Kevin Kolb vs. John Skelton

Ken Whisenhunt hasn't had good luck at the quarterback position since Kurt Warner retired/was "bountied" by the Saints.

He has an interesting battle developing between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton that will come to fruition once training camp rolls around. Skelton filled in admirably for Kolb last year when he was injured.

My money is on Skelton prying the job away from Kolb, despite the fact that the Cardinals will have a backup quarterback who makes over $8 million.

Ugh.

Maybe the Cardinals will get lucky and Kolb will suddenly play like they thought he would when they purchased his services for a king's ransom.

Whatever the end result, this is a battle worth watching.

Dan Connor vs. Bruce Carter

I don't usually agree with what Jerry Jones does personnel-wise, but I think he made a brilliant decision bringing in Dan Connor to compete with Bruce Carter.

Carter has all the physical ability in the world, but he hasn't proven anything yet.

Connor has proven to be a tough, physical middle linebacker, and he would look good playing alongside Sean Lee. 

This is one of the most intriguing battles to me. In the end, Connor will beat out the youngster. I wouldn't be surprised to see Carter take over midway through the season—unless Connor is having a phenomenal year.

Blaine Gabbert vs. Chad Henne

I have no doubt in my mind that the Jacksonville Jaguars will give Blaine Gabbert every opportunity possible to keep his starting job. 

That being said, Chad Henne will be nipping at his heels the entire way. 

I do know that if I were the one making these decisions, I'd let Henne take over for a year or two. 

Gabbert seems to be overwhelmed with how fast the NFL game is compared to college ball. It would do him some good to watch from the sidelines for a while until he can adjust.

Joshua Morgan vs. Pierre Garcon

The Washington Redskins paid a lot of money to a couple of young wide receivers during free agency.

Joshua Morgan and Pierre Garcon will both be on the field for the Redskins, but I'm not sure which one will lay claim to the No. 1 receiver role at this time.

My gut tells me Garcon will end up becoming the first option for Robert Griffin III should the Redskins draft the Heisman Trophy winner.

Garcon is faster than Morgan, and with RG3's incredibly strong arm, I would expect the faster man to become the top receiver. 

One thing I know for sure is that the Redskins are going to be a dangerous team for opposing defenses to face.

Malcom Floyd vs. Robert Meachem

After letting Vincent Jackson chase after fat cash on the free-agent market, the San Diego Chargers brought in Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal to soften the blow.

Royal won't challenge for the No. 1 receiver role, but Meachem will.

Standing in his way will be Malcom Floyd.

Floyd has the edge to start, because he's familiar with Philip Rivers and Norv Turner's offense. 

I believe he will keep that edge and ultimately become the No. 1 option for the Chargers' passing attack in 2012.

Mario Manningham vs. Michael Crabtree

I eagerly await the release of the 49ers' opening day starting lineup to find out who will be the starting wide receiver opposite Randy Moss.

Michael Crabtree has been the team's first option at the receiver position for a few years now. Thankfully, Trent Baalke has significantly improved the unit by bringing in Moss and Mario Manningham. 

My suspicion is that Manningham will beat out Crabtree, though I'm sure we'll see Crabtree lining up all over the field in different situations.

No matter who wins out the starting job, the 49ers now have the ability to attack all areas of the field.

Frank Gore—not Alex Smith—may very well end up being the player to benefit the most from this fact, as opponents will now be forced to account for the possibility of getting beat deep. 

Tarvaris Jackson vs. Matt Flynn

When the Seattle Seahawks landed Matt Flynn, many figured it a foregone conclusion that Flynn would become the starter for Pete Carroll.

Not so fast.

Per CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan:

"

Talked w/Pete Carroll moments ago as he said 'great job by John Schneider to bring Matt here to compete with Tavaris' Pete loves competition

—Pat Kirwan (@PatKirwanCBS) March 18, 2012"

This is going to be a fun battle to watch.

I don't see Jackson keeping his spot, though. Too many times last season, I watched him lock onto receivers and lose track of half the field. 

Flynn is better at seeing the entire field. He gives the Seahawks a better chance to win, and I will be shocked if he doesn't end up claiming the starting job by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Follow @JesseReed78