NFL Training Camp Battles: 8 Major Upsets Brewing This Offseason

There are several potential "major upsets" brewing around the National Football League, as players are getting the chance to prove their worth throughout training camp. 

Most of the players that will be dishing out the upsets are young, inexperienced players who were either drafted high, or have a ton of upside after proving that they belonged in the NFL last season. As camps go on, it will be interesting to see if any of these upsets do occur. 

Here are several potential upsets that may happen in the NFL this season. 

John Skelton vs. Kevin Kolb

The Arizona Cardinals have a very interesting quarterback duel brewing in the desert this offseason. 

John Skelton, who went 5-2 during seven games for the Cardinals in 2011, is a young player who has a gigantic arm and some late-game experience. The quarterback developed chemistry with the Cardinals' No. 1 wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and he seemed to improve after each and every start. 

Kevin Kolb on the other hand, was hindered by the injury bug for most of last season, as he only appeared in nine games; posting a 3-6 record. Kolb was brought in last season by the Cardinals to be their franchise quarterback, but there's no indications if he'll be the starter come Week 1. 

It would certainly appear, however, that Kolb's high salary would ultimately give him the edge, but history tells us otherwise. Ken Winsenhunt played the best player available in 2008 when he decided to go with Kurt Warner over Matt Lienart, and that year turned out to be the best season in franchise history.  

The Cardinals still have a few months to decide on a quarterback, but certainly watch for the Skelton over Kolb upset heading into the season. 

Jake Locker vs. Matt Hasselbeck

The Tennessee Titans are another team with a quarterback battle this preseason. 

Titans general manager Ruston Webster says that Jake Locker will have every chance to win the job over veteran Matt Hasselbeck, according to The Tennessean via ProFootballTalk.

This news should not come as any surprise, because even though Hasselbeck had a solid season last season, the team saw some promise in Locker when he did get the opportunity to play.

Hasselbeck, who will be 37 this year, started all 16 games for the 9-7 Titans in 2011. The quarterback tossed 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions with an 82.4 passer rating in his first year with the Titans.  

Locker, however, had the chance to appear in five games, and he made the most of it, as he threw for four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Hasselbeck certainly has the edge heading into the season but don't be surprised if the Titans make a statement by going to their quarterback of the future in 2012. 

Matt Flynn vs. Russell Wilson vs. Tarvaris Jackson

I can almost guarantee that Tarvaris Jackson will not be the opening-day starter for the Seattle Seahawks in 2012, however, the same cannot be said about Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson. 

Flynn signed a deal that makes Jackson the odd man out, even though the deal puts him at the back half of the average salary for starting quarterbacks. The deal was a great one for the Seahawks, because if Flynn does not preform up to expectations or if one of the other quarterbacks wins the competition this training camp, the Seahawks will not be faced with a contract that they will have any regrets about giving. 

Wilson could be the main culprit of the largest upset during training camp, because Pete Carroll told Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times that the rookie will certainly have a shot to be the starter. 

However, I fully expect Matt Flynn to be the starter for Week 1, unless Wilson shows signs that he is the next Drew Brees during training camp and the preseason. 

Jonathan Baldwin vs. Steve Breaston

Jonathan Baldwin's first season in Kansas City did not live up to its high expectations because the receiver was limited with injuries for a majority of the season.

Baldwin appears to be back at full strength heading into camp, and it appears that the sky is the limit for the second-year pro. Baldwin is currently competing for the starting wide receiver position opposite of Dwayne Bowe with Steve Breaston, and while he still needs work, the receiver is improving everyday with increased reps due to Bowe's absence.

Baldwin will not be handed the job based on a few good practices, so it will be interesting to see how much the young receiver can improve in the coming months. 

Paul Kruger vs. Sergio Kindle vs. Courtney Upshaw

Sergio Kindle has yet to be a factor in his first two years in Baltimore, but the second-round pick may be be counted on heavily this season due to the injury of Terrell Suggs.

The Ravens may not have enough depth to overcome the loss of Suggs, but the real question is who will be starting for the Ravens when they take the field for the first time in 2012?

The three worthy candidates for the job are Paul Kruger, Sergio Kindle and rookie Courtney Upshaw, but there's no question that Kruger and Upshaw are leading the pack.

Kindle is still recovering from his offseason accident two years ago, so it's hard to expect much now, but this guy can certainly compete for the job when healthy.  

Vince Young vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick

Buddy Nix has repeatedly stated that the Bills brought Vince Young in to provide competition for the backup quarterback position, but I am not completely buying into it. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick had his fair share of struggles after he signed a lucrative contract extension at the mid-point of the season, and there has to be concern in Buffalo that the signing of the Harvard grad was a mistake. 

If Fitzpatrick goes through some serious struggles this offseason, I could easily see Vince Young receiving a promotion. 

Matt Moore vs. Ryan Tannehill vs. David Garrard

Lets face the facts, nobody knows Mike Sherman's offense better than Ryan Tannehill, but can he translate that superior knowledge of the playbook into superior play on the field? 

So far, the answer is no, but he's going to have plenty of time and television exposure to make sure that he gets it right. Tannehill will be in the competition for the Week 1 starter, but it appears that David Garrard and Matt Moore have the upper hand.

A lot can happen from now until August, so don't be surprised if Tannehill shoots up the depth chart to upset the two proven veterans on the roster.  

Andre Branch vs. Aaron Kampman

Updated: June 7th, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Thursday that they have released veteran defensive end Aaron Kampman.

Aaron Kampman was brought in by the Jaguars to be a force on the defensive line, but that has not been the case since the defensive end joined the team in 2010. 

Kampman has appeared in just 11 games over the past two seasons for the Jags, and he has a whopping four sacks during that span. 

The defensive end appears to be healthy heading into the 2012 season, but he has a rookie by the name of Andre Branch breathing down his neck for the starting job. Kampman should keep the job if healthy, but a strong camp from Branch may push the veteran out of Jacksonville for good.