Position Battles Few for Titans Training Camp '09

The start of another NFL season is fast approaching.

With free agency, the draft, and OTA's, all either finished or about to be completed, the teams, their fans, and analysts a like turn their attention to deciding, or speculating as to which players will battle for what positions on all 32 NFL rosters.

The Tennessee Titans, their fans, and analysts like myself are no different, so let's take a look at what positions might be up for a fight in Titans training camp '09.

The Titans enter training camp 2009 having posting an NFL best 13-3 record last season, and an early glance at the returning roster shows very few spots where there is not a veteran starter almost solidly entrenched.

It's a nice problem to have if you are a coach, and that fact is certainly not lost on Jeff Fisher and staff, who used this past draft to add depth at some positions and grab two young players that will hopefully become weapons for an offense that ran well but were pedestrian in the passing game.

On offense, Kerry Collins returns as the starter, while Vince Young will fight with the recently signed, and also former first round pick, Patrick Ramsey for the number two spot on the roster. With Collins, Young, and Ramsey, the Titans might be the only NFL team to have three first round draft picks at quarterback.

Running back is another position where possibly the biggest battle of camp will occur, but again it will be players battling to add depth as the starter and second back have a solid hold on their positions.

Rookie sensation Chris Johnson is clearly the starter and his counterpart Lendale White completes the two headed monster that Titans fans named smash and dash last season.

The "battle in the backfield" for the Titans will include former second round pick, Chris Henry, who has yet to do anything in his three years with the team to make anyone think he will make the roster for season four.

Quinton "Q" Ganther is a solid serviceable back that can play fullback if needed and is a locker room favorite. He some how always seems to make the roster every year. 

Raphael Little was a free agent signee last season that sufferd through injuries but made enough of an impression on coaches that he was kept on the practice squad. The last member in the "battle is this years fifth round pick Javon Ringer, who was an All-American at Michigan State. 

Look for Johnson and White to head the group and Little and Ringer to hold down the third and fourth spots. Although always tough in camp, I think this is the year that  Ganther can't get past the younger legs. Chris Henry, unless a miracle happens, will be the first back out of camp. 

Wide receiver is another psoition where the back half of the group will be up for battle. Justin Gage returns to one starting spot and will be joined by former Steeler Nate Washington on the opposite side.

After the top two is where the fun begins. First round pick Kenny Britt will be looked to for an early contribution and spent his time after the end of the Rutgers season, working out with former Denver Broncos receiver Rod Smith, in hopes of being ready to play right away.

Several players will attempt to land one of possibly four more receiver spots and the Titans generally keep seven on the roster. Paul Williams, Chris Davis, Lavelle Hawkins, all former draft picks who have yet to produce on game day, along with Craphonso Thorpe will battle for those spots.

Former Titans and Rams receiver Drew Bennett was in town for a physical and meeting with the coaches, but as of yet, has not been offered or signed, however, could also be added before camp begins.

The offensive line is set and none of the back-up players are expected to challenge Michale Roos, Jake Scott, Kevin Mawae, Eugene Amano, or David Stewart here.

Tight end could also provide a battle at the back half, where second year player Craig Stevens will battle this year's third round pick, Jared Cook for the number three spot behind Bo Scaife, who was designated the franchise player, and veteran Alge Crumpler. Matthew Milligan is also in camp.

Defense is where the Titans felt the biggest need, both in terms of size and importance, with the defection of Albert Haynesworth to Washington. While Haynesworth's loss is big, the D-Line is very deep and should survive.

Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch are set at defensive end while Tony Brown returns at one tackle spot. Jovan Haye, signed as a free agent, will get the first look at the other tackle. Jason Jones, who started for an injured Haynesworth last season, and played well as a rookie, along with Kevin Vickerson, William Hayes, Jacob Ford, and Dave Ball, will all see time in the rotation along with rookie second round pick Sen'derrick Marks.

LaJuan Ramsey, Derrick Jones,Charles Bennett, Mitch King, Ulrich Winkler, and Larry Birdine will battle, but other than King, who signed as an undrafted free agent, none appear to have much chance of getting into the mix. King will likely be a practice squad player unless injury or something unexpected happens.

Linebacker is set and solid with Keith Bulluck, David Thornton, and Stephen Tulloch as the starters, and Josh Stamer, Ryan Fowler, Colin Allred, Stanford Keglar, and rookie Gerald McGrath providing depth.

The secondary is set with All-Pro's Courtland Finnegan at one corner, and Michael Griffin at free safety, along with former pro bowler Chris Hope at strong safety and Nick Harper at the other corner. Harper, who battled through injuries, last season could be the only one in this group to face a challenge, but that is unlikely given those behind him on the roster.

Christian Morton, DeMarcus Faggins, Cary Williams, Tannard Davis, and rookies Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty will battle for the remaining spots at corner, and Tuff Harris, Donnie Nickey, and Nick Schommer battling for the remaining safety spots. Vincent Fuller is the solid starter at nickel back.

Kicking and punting are solid with Rob Bironis and Craig Hentrich respectively, although Hentrich flirted with retirement and has a history of back problems that affected him towards the end of last season. A.J. Trapasso is the second punter in camp. 

All in all, the Titans have no real battles for starting spots, although it is possible that someone could step up and produce one, but most of the fun should be watching these younger guys battle it out once camp begins in July.