2012 Atlanta Falcons: 7 Training Camp Battles We're Looking Forward to

Mike Smith has said there will be competition all around the team this year, especially on the offensive line. However, the camp battles that will be the most fun will be the ones where there is no incumbent starter or there is a bunch of competition.

The camp battles that will be the most fun in the 2012 training camp season will be:

Starting Fullback

Starting Left Tackle

Starting Center

Starting Right Guard

Starting Middle Linebacker

Reserve Outside Linebackers

Specialist/Reserve Wide Receiver

Starting Fullback

Bradie Ewing vs. Mike Cox

Bradie Ewing was one of the best fullbacks in the draft and was a bruising blocker and solid receiver at the fullback spot for the Badgers.

Mike Cox is a former Georgia Tech back and is a solid all-around player, but he hasn't been much more than a reserve at the NFL level.

Prediction: Ewing wins this one and is the starter all season.

Starting Left Tackle

Sam Baker vs. Lamar Holmes vs. Will Svitek

Sam Baker is the incumbent four-year starter, but his play has been weak all four years. He needs to be replaced as a pass blocker, but he is a solid run blocker

Will Svitek started the last part of 2011 and looked solid as a pass blocker, but was a bad run blocker and is best relegated as a backup.

Lamar Holmes is a top athlete and has the quickness to be a starter in the NFL at left tackle, but his biggest issues are his technique and footwork. But with the right coaching, he could end up a starter earlier.

Prediction: This is a bold one, but Lamar Holmes will win the job if he improves his technique in camp. Otherwise, Will Svitek, not Sam Baker, will be the starter.

Starting Center

Todd McClure vs. Joe Hawley

Todd McClure is the aging stalwart on the Falcons line and will end up in the Falcons Ring of Honor one day.

Joe Hawley was taken in 2010 as his eventual replacement and could come in this year and start at center as he is too good to keep off the field.

Prediction: Todd McClure wins one last run as the starting center for the Falcons, but if he gets injured or delcines quickly, Hawley will be right there to take his spot.

Notably Missing: Peter Konz will not end up as a center in the NFL. This is a bold prediction, but Konz will be in the next slide.

Starting Right Guard

Peter Konz vs. Mike Johnson vs. Vince Manuwai

Peter Konz was a center in the college ranks, but he is going to compete for guard for the Falcons and provide emergency depth at the center spot.

Mike Johnson was the third-round pick of the 2010 draft and was taken as someone to eventually start at right guard.

Vince Manuwai was a veteran minimum contract flyer for the Falcons, but will likely end up as depth behind both guard spots.

Prediction: Peter Konz wins this job and never looks back and starts at right guard for the next 10 years.

Starting Middle Linebacker

Akeem Dent vs. Lofa Tatupu

Akeem Dent is a very good player and was captain at UGA. Dent has all the tools to end up as Weatherspoon's right-hand man at middle linebacker.

Lofa Tatupu is a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker and was a captain of the Seattle Seahawks defense for his last few years there, but has been battling injuries last year.

Prediction: Akeem Dent wins this one in camp with flying colors, and Tatupu ends up as a super backup and special teamer.

Reserve Linebackers

Pat Schiller vs. Jerrell Harris vs. Rico Council vs. Matt Hansen vs. Spencer Adkins vs. Max Gruder vs. Robert James

Pat Schiller is one of the better undrafted free agents out there. He was a tackle machine at Northern Illinois and could end up being a top reserve and special teams guy.

Jerrell Harris was Alabama's Sam linebacker next to first-round pick Donta' Hightower, and he was a guy who could do it all but didn't have the perfect size for the 3-4.

Rico Council is a big, strong linebacker but is more of a thumper than anything else. He would have to earn his spot on special teams.

Matt Hansen is a converted S/LB hybrid who is great in coverage but needs help in run support. However, he is likely just another practice squad player.

Spencer Adkins is an incumbent in this role and even has experience starting. Adkins was the sixth-round pick for Atlanta in 2009, and it wouldn't surprise to see him keep his job.

Max Gruder was Pittsburgh's middle linebacker in college, but he has the agility and intelligence to play all three spots. He should compete for the job through his special teams play.

Robert James was Atlanta's fifth-round pick in 2008. However it is a shock to many Falcons analysts and fans how this guy seems to always be on the practice squad, but never the 53-man roster.

Prediction: Seven guys competing for three spots will create some fun competition in camp, but it wouldn't surprise to see Pat Schiller, Spencer Adkins and Jerrell Harris win the spots.

Specialists/Reserve Wide Receivers

James Rodgers vs. Cody Pearcy vs. Drew Davis vs. Michael Calvin vs. Kerry Meier vs. Marcus Jackson vs. Kevin Cone

James Rodgers is a talented player and is also the brother of current Falcon Jacquizz Rodgers. He can do it all when asked, and he will definitely be asked.

Cody Pearcy is James Rodgers part two, only he is much faster, a little taller and doesn't have the experience that Rodgers has against top competition.

Drew Davis is a middling talent at receiver, but doesn't offer much in terms of special teams and looks like a camp body.

Michael Calvin was a talent that should have produced more at Cal but never did, and that leaves a lot of questions about why because he is physically superior to both wide receivers ahead of him on Cal's depth chart.

Kerry Meier has been in the NFL for two years, and the only thing he has done of substance is tackle another player out of the game. That's not a good sign for a wide receiver.

Marcus Jackson is a guy who was brought in as much of an unknown. He had a good pro day but isn't looking like much more than practice squad fodder.

Kevin Cone has paid his dues on the Falcons practice squad in 2011 and even got some game action against Tampa Bay. It wouldn't surprise to see him have a role as the fourth WR this year.

Prediction: It's a bit crowded with seven guys going for three spots, but James Rodgers and Cody Pearcy should both be kept for versatility's sake as both can play running back, wide receiver, work as gunners or return specialists and have the heart of lions even though they have the bodies of the average American male. Out of the rest of the players, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kevin Cone win the job as his height (6'2") and speed make him a top candidate for the No. 4 WR role.