NFL Preseason: Five Veterans Fighting for Their Spots

While we are flipping through fantasy football magazines—waiting for Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco to do something crazy, and wondering why can’t every coach be like Rex Ryan—daily position battles are going on throughout NFL training camps.

The preseason is for working in new players and deciding who should start.

And if you’re a veteran player who has been around, that doesn’t necessarily mean your spot is guaranteed. Training camps focus on competition for a reason.

Here’s a look at a few veteran players who may be in jeopardy of losing their starting spot entirely, or sharing it with a younger talent.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks

With new head coach Pete Carroll taking over in Seattle, you know one thing will be a constant: competition. And that goes for everyone.

Carroll prides himself on competing, and that may mean more to Hasselbeck than anyone this fall.

Hasselbeck has had a great career, but his prime is long behind him. Simply put, his last two years just haven’t been very good.

Hasselbeck threw for as many interceptions as touchdowns (17) in 14 games last year and posted a 75.1 QB rating. His 2008 season was abysmal: seven games, five TDs, 10 picks, 52.2 percent completion.

In the offseason, the Seahawks traded for the San Diego Chargers third string QB, Charlie Whitehurst, and gave him a two-year, $8 million contract and the chance to push Hasselbeck.

Both guys have played nice thus far, but it’s clear Hasselbeck has the advantage. If he’s healthy and productive, he’ll be the guy.  Carroll wants him to be a leader. 

Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys selected Marion Barber out of Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2005 draft. Considering where they selected him, they've gotten a great return on their investment.

Barber has been a big, physical, battering back for the Cowboys; a guy they can give the ball to inside the five yard line and let him drive it home.

The problem with Barber is that his skill set is limited. He will score touchdowns if given plenty of red zone opportunities, but he does not have that home run speed that teams covet from their No. 1 backs.

Barber has never rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his career, which is why Dallas owner Jerry Jones wants to see more Felix Jones.

Jones is somewhat of an enigma as he has the physical tools—most importantly, speed—to wow you and make you a believer, but he has had trouble staying on the field.

He only played six games as a rookie in 2008, and was limited in many of his 14 games last year.

If Jones can stay healthy, he should be given more of the load in 2010. And, as you know, what Jerry wants, Jerry gets.

Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos

Orton had a nice year last year in Denver after coming over from the Chicago Bears in the Jay Cutler trade. He threw for 3,802 yards with 21 TDs and completed 62.1 percent of his passes.

But he’s going to have to continue to evolve as a quarterback if he wants to remain the starter in Denver.

His primary target, Brandon Marshall, is now in Miami, and the Broncos traded for Brady Quinn, a former first round pick who, for whatever reason, didn’t find a place in Cleveland.

Some think it’s inevitable that Quinn will be the quarterback of the future, but he has to earn it. He had chances with the Browns and didn’t exactly light it up.

But what Brady has that Kyle doesn’t is all the physical gifts that you would want from an elite QB. Now Quinn just has to put it together. Orton, the more proven choice, will be the guy until he proves he can’t handle it.

Oh, and there’s some guy named Tebow in Denver, too.

Thomas Jones, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

After being released by the New York Jets, the Kansas City Chiefs quickly scooped up Jones.

Jones did well for himself after having a career year with the Jets, rushing for 1,402 yards and 14 TDs.

Jones will be given the starting job, but will share it with Jamaal Charles, a speedy back the Chiefs got out of Texas with a third round pick in 2008.

Charles broke out last year in limited action. He rushed for seven TDs and 5.9 yards per carry.

He has explosive speed—something Jones lacks—and could emerge as one of the upper-echelon running backs if given the opportunity.

He and Jones will both get carries, but Charles may force his way into a full time No. 1 role.

Dallas WRs Not Named Miles Austin

Dez Bryant.

Jerry Jones loves him, and we addressed that earlier in the slide show.

Bryant will return from his high-ankle sprain and it will probably take him a little while to regain his full explosiveness on the field.

The cutting in and out of routes will take some time.

But Bryant has the ability to be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, and many think he will make an immediate impact.

So we’re talking to you, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Sam Hurd.

Better be on your game before Bryant comes back, or else don’t play the fool when he starts stealing your reps.

One For Fun

Ben Roethlisberger.

No, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon aren’t going to force Big Ben to sit when he returns from his suspension, but if Leftwich plays well in Roethlisberger’s absence to start the season, it will be interesting to see if the Steelers kick the tires on Roethlisberger’s trade value.

Roethlisberger has brought two Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh and was an icon before his latest off-field incident.

Maybe he still is.

But it is no secret that the Rooneys have grown tired of Big Ben’s immaturity and don’t appreciate the way their star quarterback has represented their franchise.

Some Steelers fans have stuck with Ben, others have turned on him.

If you’re the Steelers, you would have to at least see what a QB of Ben’s caliber could fetch you via trade, right?

Not likely, but it’s a fun one to debate with your buddies.

Follow Teddy Mitrosilis on Twitter.You can reach him at [e-mail].