NFL Predictions for 2010 Season: Top NFC South Training Camp Battles

As we are headed closer to preseason games, there are still more battles to determine starting positions throughout the NFC South, home of the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

While Saints QB Drew Brees (left) has nothing to worry about regarding his position on the champions' depth chart in 2010, there are some other players who aren't sure if they will be starting on opening weekend, or if they will even make the roster.

So without further ado, we present the top 10 training camp battles in the NFC South!

9) Who Will Be Tampa's Starting Safety?

Sean Jones vs. Sabby Piscitelli

Importance:  As Tampa Bay heads into Year 2 of the Raheem Morris regime, they are going all out on the youth movement to strengthen their defense in 2010 as the offense grows around QB Josh Freeman. Their young defense needs an anchor in the secondary alongside aging CB Ronde Barber.

Analysis: Right now both Jones and Piscitelli are alternating on the first team defense in training camp.  While it looks as if Piscitelli has the inside track to start, Morris has been pleased with the play of Jones and don't be surprised if Sabby is on the second team come Opening Weekend.

8) Who Will Be the Left Cornerback for the Saints?

Jabari Greer vs. Patrick Robinson

Importance: The SB Champs know that in order to maintain their status on top of the NFL's totem pole they have to get stronger in the secondary under Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams. 

Analysis:  Patrick Robinson was the last pick of the first round and recently signed by the Saints.  The rookie out of Florida State will have a chance to battle Greer for the starting spot.  Greer played only nine games and had two INTs last year.  

7) Who Will Be the Right Guard for Tampa Bay?

Keydrick Vincent vs. Jeremy Zuttah

Importance: Tampa needs to be a running team in order to be effective, and it starts with a strong presence up front.   They will have Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham manning the backfield and a power running game will make life easier for QB Josh Freeman.

Analysis: The Bucs signed Keydrick Vincent from the Panthers in the offseason.  When the Panthers played the Bucs in 2009 they rushed for 702 yards in both games, and Keydrick was a primary reason why. He has started over 79 games in his career. 

Coach Morris has had him play a multitude of positions in training camp, and this recent interview the he had for the official Buccaneers' web site shows his praise as well as his analysis of second year player Jeremy Zuttah:

"Zuttah's an athlete," said Morris. "He might be in the top one or two athletes on our O-Line. He's a guy that can move and pull and do some athletic moves in pass protection. He can play tackle, guard or center. Zuttah brings a lot to the table for us. The only thing with Zuttah is it's a matter of playing. He went out there and started for the first time for us last year and I look forward to him in his second year starting, second year playing, to be even better. I have a lot of confidence in these guys. Then once you create some competition, you bring a guy like Keydrick Vincent in to bring some toughness to the whole group, you start to see better play out of everybody."

6) Who Will Be John Abraham's Bookend in Atlanta?

Kroy Biermann vs. Jamaal Anderson

Importance: John Abraham is getting older, and if last season wasn't merely an aberration (he finished with 5.5 sacks compared to 16 in 2008) then Atlanta needs to have someone on the other end of the defensive line who can bring pressure on the QB.

Analysis:  Jamaal Anderson has been nothing short of a bust since being drafted 8th overall in 2007, and despite Coach Mike Smith's best efforts, Anderson hasn't produced on the field.  Kroy Biermann has been a playmaker since coming to Atlanta from Montana, and they have had Anderson playing as defensive tackle may be an option.  Look for Biermann to win this battle and move the disappointing Anderson to DT as a last gasp effort to get production out of him.

5) Who Will Be Drew Brees' Backup?

Patrick Ramsey vs. Chase Daniel

Importance: People who don't think this is a big deal have never had a QB go down, and in the NFL you are only one play away from having a franchise quarterback go down for the year.  Don't believe me, remember Falcons fans how life was when Michael Vick went down in 2003? 

Analysis:  Former Washington and Denver QB Patrick Ramsey is battling Chase Daniel (of Mizzou fame) for the number two spot in Saints camp.  Ramsey so far is getting the upper hand, which will be needed in the event that Drew Brees ever goes down for any reason.  Ramsey has the height and the strong arm to keep the passing game going.

4) Who Will Be the No. 2 WR in Carolina?

Dwayne Jarrett vs. Brandon LaFell

Importance: Since perennial Pro Bowler WR Steve Smith broke his arm in the offseason, Carolina has been scratching for someone to take the first team reps at WR in training camp. When he returns, however, it will be vital for Carolina to have someone who can make opposing secondaries pay for doubling him, especially with Muhsin Muhammad retired.

Analysis: Dwayne Jarrett has been a disappointment who has only shown a few flashes of his incredible talent over three years.  He is battling third round pick Brandon LaFell, who is another big receiver with the kind of speed that can make him a threat on the outside.

Both will be playing while Smith recovers from his injury.  Whomever impresses more in camp will have the inside edge for the coveted No. 2 receiver slot.

3) Who Will Be the Starting RB for New Orleans?

Reggie Bush vs. Pierre Thomas

Importance:  The Saints offense was pretty simple in 2009 on their way to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy: throw, throw, and then throw some more.  However, they know that there will be times when they need big plays from the running game, and it will be interesting to see who is taking the ball on the ground to complement the passing game in 2010.

Analysis: Although the Saints feature a three headed attack between Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, it will be interesting to see who comes out to start.  As of now Bush has been playing more with the first team while Thomas recovers from a wrist injury.  Not that it has been a big injury, but Bush may finally get the chance to prove he can be an NFL running back instead of a highly paid third option.

2) Who Will Be Carolina's Starting QB?

Matt Moore vs. Hunter Cantwell vs. Jimmy Clausen vs. Tony Pike

Importance:  Now that the Jake Delhomme era is over in Carolina, the time has come to anoint a successor.  Since John Fox is on the hot seat he is going to need someone who can step up and take the mantle of leadership in the huddle.

Analysis: Matt Moore took over from the INT-prone Delhomme and was successful down the stretch, going 4-1 at the end of 2009. If he is going into camp as the unquestioned starter, then why did Carolina draft two QBs in the 2010 draft, including former Notre Dame star Jimmy Clausen with the 48th pick and then former Cinncinati Bearcat QB Tony Pike in the sixth round?

Also, they have Hunter Cantwell playing well in camp, as he has the type of strong arm that Carolina needs to get the ball to WR Steve Smith.  Remember, it's easy for overnight sensations like Moore to become tomorrow's bust once defenses figure him out, and if Clausen continues to improve as he has in training camp, expect him to rise on the depth chart.

1) Who Will Be Atlanta's Second Cornerback?

Brent Grimes vs. Brian Williams

Importance: When Atlanta signed CB Dunta Robinson in the offseason, they automatically strengthened their pass defense. However, it will be imperative that in order for Atlanta to upend the Saints atop the NFC South they must have someone to play well alongside Robinson as the other corner.

Analysis: As of now Grimes has been getting reps with the first team while Williams has been recovering from a season-ending injury.  Although Grimes had six INTs last year, his smallish size made him a target for opposing QBs and tall receivers.  It will be interesting to see if he continues to get first team reps once Williams is practicing in two-a-days.