1 Question Left Unanswered from Each NFL Team's Minicamp

With NFL training camps about a month away, players are getting their final rest and vacations done while teams are preparing for camp and conducting early roster analyses. 

Each and every team has plenty of question marks heading into training, which is a given considering that a single snap of live football has yet to be played.

Some teams don't know who their starting quarterback is while some teams are up in the air on who their starting offensive line is going to consistent of. 

With that being said, let's take a look at one question left unanswered from each NFL team's minicamp. 

Arizona Cardinals: Who Is Going to Start at Quarterback?

Kevin Kolb or John Skelton—who is going to be the starter?

Neither player has much of an edge in this quarterback competition for the Arizona Cardinals as they both have their fair share of weaknesses.

For starters, Kolb is by far the superior one when it comes to talent, but this past season Kolb struggled and Skelton was able to rally off a few wins. In fact, Skelton posted a 5-2 record for the Cardinals compared to Kolb's very mediocre 3-6 record.

All I can say is that the winner of this battle will be the player that can get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald on a consistent basis. 

Atlanta Falcons: Who Will Replace Curtis Lofton?

With Curtis Lofton now a member of the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons have a hole to fill in the middle of their defense: the middle linebacker position.

As of right now, the Falcons have Lofa Tatupu and Akeem Dent as the team's top two options for a replacement. There is no clear favorite because Tatupu spent all of last season out of football due to knee injuries while Dent had a solid rookie season with 20 tackles in 16 games. 

We'll just have to wait and see who comes out on top in this training camp battle. 

Baltimore Ravens: Will Ray Rice Holdout?

Hopefully Ray Rice won't holdout at all this season, but the unsigned franchise player hasn't made any real indications on what he plans on doing.

However, according to Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun, the 25-year-old has been staying in shape despite missing all of OTAs and minicamp. 

I'm sure that the Baltimore Ravens won't let Rice's contract situation result in a holdout, which leads me to believe that the team should eventually reach out for a long-term contract offer—something to Rice's pleasing. 

Buffalo Bills: Can Ryan Fitzpatrick Bounce Back in 2012?

This is a question that we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Ryan Fitzpatrick started off the 2011 NFL season rather impressively, but then once he signed his massive seven-year, $62.195 million contract in October, his level of play started to take a significant fall.

Fitzpatrick finished the season with a putrid 23 interceptions compared to 24 touchdowns while recording a 79.1 quarterback rating. 

Fitzpatrick is going to have to do something huge in the preseason to regain the team's faith as the team's franchise quarterback. 

Carolina Panthers: Who Will Be the Team's No. 2 Wide Receiver?

The Carolina Panthers have a long list of possible players that could start opposite of Steve Smith as the team's No. 2 wide receiver.

We could see Brandon LaFell, David Gettis, Kealoha Pilares, Joe Adams or Armanti Edwards.

If you were to ask me who I think would be the team's starting No. 2, then I'd have to go with LaFell or the rookie Adams out of Arkansas. 

Chicago Bears: What's Going to Happen to Matt Forte?

With Matt Forte choosing not to sign his franchise tender, the Chicago Bears and Forte sit in a sticky situation as a whole great deal of negotiating is going to have to happen if a new deal will be worked out.

There is no real chance that Forte will sign the franchise tender, but according to ESPN Chicago, there is a "slight" chance that he'd miss any games in 2012—but a holdout is still possible. 

This situation is really up in the air, but the Bears still have about a month left until training camp to get a new deal done and get Forte onto the field. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Who Will Start Opposite of A.J. Green?

Much like the Carolina Panthers, the Cincinnati Bengals don't have a real idea on who will be their No. 2 wide receiver but they do have a list of young talented players to fill that hole: Armon Binns, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Brandon Tate and Jordan Shipley. 

There really isn't any clear-cut answer to who will fill this role, but as of right now it appears that Binns is the team's projected starter, according to their depth chart posted on Yahoo!. 

Cleveland Browns: What's Going to Happen to Colt McCoy?

There's no question that Brandon Weeden is the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback, but there is a question about whether or not the Browns will be able to trade their former starting quarterback, Colt McCoy.

According to Mary Kay Cabot via Twitter, there is really no chance that Cleveland will be able to pull a trigger on a deal to send McCoy packing prior to training camp. 

However, with possible injuries happening in the preseason, there might be some teams that are in the need of a quarterback and McCoy should sit atop that list for a possible replacement. 

Dallas Cowboys: Is This the Year for the Dallas Cowboys?

Year after year, we always find ourselves wondering if this is the year for the Dallas Cowboys to make a deep playoff run—and we'll just have to wait and see if it is finally the year.

The Cowboys are loaded at talent at nearly every single position, as they revamped their entire secondary with the likes of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne and have one of the NFL's top-tier passers in Tony Romo.

It's just a matter of executing on the field and then making some noise in the playoffs for the Cowboys—but that has been a huge struggle for the team over the years. 

Denver Broncos: Is Peyton Manning 100 Percent Healthy?

In all honesty, we won't known an answer to this question until Peyton Manning actually takes some major blows in some real NFL action.

Manning's neck injury is a serious one and could very well come back to haunt to him if he's hit by enough teams and his neck is impacted enough. 

Hopefully the Denver Broncos will he able to protect Manning and keep him as healthy as he can be, as Manning isn't reportedly 100 percent quite yet (h/t Nate Davis, USA Today).

Detroit Lions: Will Reily Reiff Start at Right Tackle?

As of right now, it's either going to be rookie Riley Reiff or Gosder Cherilus to start at right tackle this season for the Detroit Lions. 

I don't see Reiff playing much left tackle this season, however, there has been a report from the Detroit Free Press that Reiff could be used as a swing tackle in 2012—which means he would be the sixth man for the offensive line and sub in at either left or right tackle when necessary. 

Green Bay Packers: Will the Defense Improve in 2012?

Over my years of watching and covering the NFL, I have never seen a defense so putrid as the 2011 Green Bay Packers—it was as bad as anyone could ever imagine.

The Packers have had some key additions this offseason such as adding rookie Nick Perry as well as possibly moving All-Pro cornerback Charles Woodson to safety, according to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert.

On paper, Green Bay does look improved on the defensive side of the ball, but we'll just have to wait and see how this team fares against some of the top offenses in the NFL.  

Houston Texans: Who Will Replace Mario Williams?

The Houston Texans had one of the most productive defenses in the NFL in 2011 as they finished at No. 2 in team total defense.

However, Houston has lost one huge part to their defense in Mario Williams via free agency to the Buffalo Bills.

So who will step up and replace the big shoes that Williams once wore?

As of right now, it appears that Brooks Reed is the likely candidate to not only take over for Williams but to also replace his production—as Reed racked up six sacks and 45 tackles as a rookie in 2011. 

Indianapolis Colts: Is Andrew Luck the Real Deal?

I sure as hell hope that Andrew Luck is the real deal or the removal of Peyton Manning will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of not only professional sports but in mankind. 

We simply won't learn if Luck is the real deal from just training camp, the preseason or even Week 1 of the regular season—it's going to have to take some time. But let's just hope he doesn't have as awful of a season as Blaine Gabbert did with the Jacksonville Jaguars a year ago. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Can Blaine Gabbert Turn It Around?

A 65.4 quarterback rating, a 50.8 completion percentage with 12 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions is not the way that anyone would want to start their NFL career—and that's exactly how Blaine Gabbert started it in 2011.

Gabbert is technically the franchise quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's going to have to prove a lot in 2012 and show why the Jags decided to trade up in last year's draft to select him with the 10th overall pick. 

Kansas City Chiefs: How Long Will Dwayne Bowe Holdout?

Who knows how long Dwayne Bowe will decide to holdout. However, the Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli has publicly come out and stated that the team will not be looking to trade the All-Pro wide receiver (h/t sportsradiointerviews.com).

With that being said, it could mean that Bowe will engage in a lengthy holdout, unless the Chiefs decide to give him what he wants.

If you're a Chiefs fan, all you can hope for is that both sides can be flexible and ultimately agree to a new deal. 

Miami Dophins: Can Chad Ochocinco Contribute in 2012?

Newly signed Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was a complete bust in 2011 with the New England Patriots as he appeared in 15 games making just 15 receptions for 276 yards and only one touchdown. 

Some might say that Ochocinco never understood New England's offense or that the 34-year-old's skills are simply diminishing.

With the Dolphins lacking talent at the wide receiver position, they can only hope that Ochocinco has something left in the tank and can contribute at a high level in 2012. 

Minnesota Vikings: What's Going on with Percy Harvin?

With Percy Harvin still playing under his rookie contract, there were reports of the wide receiver complaining about his contract—but that might not be that big of an issue right now.

Judd Zulgad of ESPN 15 Twin Cities reported June 26 that the Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier "fully expects" Harvin to report to training camp next month.

With that being said, this is still going to be an ongoing issue for the Vikings as Harvin will most definitely be looking for a new contract or a possible trade if he's not happy. 

New England Patriots: Who Will Be the Team's Lead Running Back?

With BenJarvus Green-Ellis signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, the New England Patriots are now left with Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Joseph Addai and Danny Woodhead in their running back stable.

Who will emerge as the lead-back?

For starters, it won't be Woodhead as he's the team's third-down, change-of-pace running back. Also with Addai likely being brought in for a veteran presence, that ultimately leaves it up to Ridley or Vereen—who were both rookies a year ago. 

Ultimately it's going to come down to whoever can produce at the highest level during preseason—but I see Ridley and Vereen splitting carries in 2012 for the Patriots. 

New Orleans Saints: Will Drew Brees Report to Training Camp?

There are simply far too many questions that need to be answered for the New Orleans Saints—but there is one that comes to mind and that's the situation with Drew Brees.

Will the All-Pro quarterback look to hold out if he doesn't get the contract that he's looking for?

According to Ryan Jones of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Brees stated in an interview on ESPN's Outside the Lines that he'd "never sit out the season."

As of right now, we'll just have to wait and see if Brees will actually stick to his word. 

New York Giants: Can They Move on Without Brandon Jacobs?

I sure hope that the NFL's worst rushing attack in 2011 can improve without Brandon Jacobs; wouldn't you hope so? 

Jacobs is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers while the Giants decided to replace him with rookie David Wilson out of Virginia Tech.

Wilson is now paired with Ahmad Bradshaw, and if you ask me, I am every excited about this tandem—they could potentially shred a ton of defenses to pieces in 2012. 

New York Jets: Is Tim Tebow Really the Backup Quarterback?

I really don't care how many times Rex Ryan comes out and publicly says that there's no quarterback controversy, I'm not going to buy it until I see Mark Sanchez play an entire game at quarterback for the New York Jets (h/t ProFootballTalk).

That means Sanchez can't start the game at quarterback and then have to split reps with Tebow as the Jets use some sort of Wildcat package. 

All I want to know is if Tebow is actually the backup or if is he something more than that? Or will he ultimately be the starter of this team? 

Oakland Raiders: Can Carson Palmer Rebound in 2012?

Carson Palmer wasn't all that impressive in 2011 as he threw 13 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions.

If you ask me from just watching Palmer play, I would have assumed that the Oakland Raiders starting quarterback is old and washed up. 

Until I see him actually perform at a high level at a consistent basis for the Raiders, I will continue to say that Palmer is washed up and has nothing left in the tank. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Who Will Be the Team's Backup Quarterback?

It sure as hell won't be Vince Young—he is long gone and now a member of the Buffalo Bills. Good luck, Buffalo.

With that being said, it now comes down to either Mike Kafka, Trent Edwards or Nick Foles as the backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Kafka might be listed as the backup right now but Edwards has the most NFL experience and Foles might be the most talented.

We'll just have to wait and see. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: How Long Will Mike Wallace Hold Out For?

Out of all of the possible holdouts and contract situations in the NFL today, I feel like the one with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Wallace was the ugliest one. 

Wallace and the Steelers have made no reported progress and there are now some doubting if Wallace will even show up to the team's training camp in a month.

However, there was a report from the team's cornerback Ike Taylor via Albert Burford of the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is expecting Wallace to show up to training camp.

San Diego Chargers: Who Will Replace Vincent Jackson's Production?

The loss of Vincent Jackson's 60 receptions for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns will certainly hurt the San Diego Chargers in 2012—unless someone steps up and emerges as Philip Rivers' go-to man.

As of right now, Malcom Floyd is slotted in as the team's No. 1 wide receiver while Robert Meachem lines up as the No. 2 with Eddie Royal in the slot.

With those three wide receivers right there, the Chargers not only have a dangerous wide receiver corps but one of the most athletic ones that the NFL has to offer.

I have no concern about San Diego's passing attack in 2012. 

San Francisco 49ers: Will Alex Smith Continue His Progression as an NFL QB?

Alex Smith really turned around his career in 2011 with the San Francisco 49ers as he showed why the 49ers decided to select him with the first overall pick in 2005. 

Smith didn't necessarily make the sky rain with his passing attack, but he was extremely efficient and turned the ball over only a total of seven times. 

Smith threw for 3,144 yards and 17 touchdowns while posting a 90.7 quarterback rating. Smith definitely has the tools to succeed in San Fran, as the team will welcome Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and A.J. Jenkins to a receiving corps that already consists of Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. 

There's no excuse for why Smith cannot perform at a high level this upcoming season. The talent is there for him to use. 

Seattle Seahawks: Who Will Be the Team's Starting Quarterback?

Who's it going to be? Tarvaris Jackson, Matt Flynn or Russell Wilson?

In all honesty right now, I have no clue who I think is going to be the team's starting quarterback in 2012.

The Seattle Seahawks definitely don't have a problem with the quarterback position, as all three guys are definitely talented enough to start at the NFL level. It will just be a matter of who can be the most productive.

Ultimately, it's going to come down to Matt Flynn or the rookie Russell Wilson out of Wisconsin.  

St. Louis Rams: Will Sam Bradford Get His Career Back on Track?

Sam Bradford has been dealing with change ever since he was drafted first overall in 2010 by the St. Louis Rams. Bradford played in Josh McDaniels' offense a year ago and now will have to learn Brian Schottenheimer's offense.

Bradford struggled to stay on the field in 2011 as he played in just 10 games, posting a 70.5 quarterback rating while tossing just six touchdowns and six interceptions. 

There's no doubt that Bradford has what it takes to be a top-tier quarterback, but we'll just have to wait and see if he can bounce back after his pathetic sophomore season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: How Will Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount Play Together?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have drafted Doug Martin with the 31st overall pick in this year's draft, but the team still has a defined role for LeGarrette Blount, according to Stephen F. Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.

I am looking forward to this running back tandem operating for many years to come, because I feel both running backs bring different strengths to the table and both can be a very productive force in the NFL for the Bucs. 

Tennessee Titans: Who Will Start at Quarterback?

As of right now, this question is still lingering with the Tennessee Titans. Is it going to be the veteran Matt Hasselbeck or the second-year pro Jake Locker?

According to Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean, head coach mike Munchak plans on splitting the reps at quarterback 50:50 until the team names a starter. 

My early prediction for this quarterback competition is Jake Locker. He's young and ready to go—there's no need to waste any more of his career on the bench. 

Washington Redskins: Who Will Be the Team's Starting Running Back?

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN's NFC East Blog, there is no assumed starter for the Washington Redskins running back position.

The team's running back corps consists of Roy Helu, Tim Hightower, Evan Hoyster, Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris and Antwon Bailey.

Helu ran for 640 yards in 15 games while averaging 4.2 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns in 2011 for the Redskins as a rookie. I am going to project him as the team's starter in 2012. 

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Be sure to check out Tony Santorsa's blog: PatriotsPlus.