Arizona Cardinals: Key Position Battles to Watch in Cards' Training Camp

There are four teams in the NFC West, so we’ll look at the top four position battles for each team in the division. The Cardinals have more than just four position battles going on. In fact, the team lists 10 camp questions on its website.

For the purposes of the four-in-four setup, we’ll examine the quarterback, running back, right tackle and cornerback positions.

Quarterback

Kevin Kolb was brought in last year from Philadelphia to be the starter. As he faltered and battled various injuries, John Skelton stepped in and led the team to six of the team’s eight wins. While Skelton’s quarterback rating was a below-average 68.9, he did go 5-2 as a starter and owns a 7-4 mark over his two-year career.

Kolb’s QB rating was 81.1 last year and his career rating is 76.7. That’s better than Skelton, but those aren’t exactly great numbers. Couple an average rating with a 3-6 record as a starter, and Kolb has placed himself in a precarious position entering the 2012 season.

Should the team keep three quarterbacks, as is the norm around the league, the final roster battle will be between Richard Bartel and rookie Ryan Lindley.

Running Back

Beanie Wells is coming off his best season as a pro. He topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his three-year career and scored 10 touchdowns to give him 19 for his career. So why is Wells in jeopardy of losing his starting job? There are a couple reasons.

The first is that the Cardinals think highly of Ryan Williams, who the team selected in the second round of the 2011 draft. Williams got off to a promising start before a patella injury during a preseason game ended his rookie year before it really began.

Wells has also begun training camp on the physically unable to perform list (Rotoworld) following a scope of his knee. He had surgery on the knee in January to repair a damaged meniscus.

With both of their top running backs hampered by injuries to open camp, the Cardinals should give added reps to speedster and return man LaRod Stephens-Howling and Alfonso Smith.

Right Tackle

Levi Brown should continue to be the team’s left tackle, but the other side could be filled by rookie Bobby Massie, Jeremy Bridges or maybe even veteran journeyman D’Anthony Batiste.

Massie was one of the draft’s top tackle prospects, but slipped into the fourth round, where the Cardinals believe they got a steal. While Massie may be the favorite to win the job, Bridges started five games last year filling in for the now-departed Brandon Keith. Bridges has 55 career starts, including 16 for the Cardinals over the last three seasons.

Cornerback

Patrick Peterson is a dangerous return man, as he proved last year running back four punt returns for touchdowns during a record-breaking rookie season. As he enters 2012, Peterson wants to prove that he can be just as good as an NFL cornerback.

Peterson had moments of superb play on defense, but also made some rookie mistakes. His goal now it to become more consistent. But Peterson’s spot as a starter is secure. It’s the other side that’s up for grabs.

Last year’s starter, A.J. Jefferson, is back, but the Cardinals signed free-agent William Gay from Pittsburgh and also lured Crezdon Butler away from the Steel City. Greg Toler wants to prove that his ACL has fully healed and hopes to be in the mix opposite Peterson. Toler was a starter prior to his injury.

Throw in Michael Adams and rookies Jamell Fleming and Larry Parker, who had seven interceptions in his final season at San Diego State, and it could be an ongoing competition throughout the season.