NFL Preseason 2010: Five Backups Ready To Take Starting Roles

With training camp and preseason games in full swing, players all over are fighting for starting jobs.

It's often the hot topic among NFL fans, as many wonder who will play where for their teams in the upcoming season.

Who's going to step up this year and make an impact?

These are a few who appear primed to do so.

1. Cameron Wake, LB, Miami Dolphins

Drafted as an unsigned free agent in 2005 by the New York Giants, Cameron Wake has yet to find consistency in his career.

Until now.

Signing with the Miami Dolphins in 2008, Wake agreed to a four-year deal. Since making Miami his home, Wake has worked hard and has shown great progress on the gridiron.

He started his first game last year against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, and his presence was felt.  

Wake accounted for two and a half sacks, four tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble.

Despite his strong performance, Wake didn't see the field much the rest of the year, although he did have a few clutch performances against the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots late in the season.

This year Wake is ready to finally attain consistency and win a starting job for an entire season. So far, he's doing just that.

With the first depth chart released six days ago, Wake made the first team defense.

If he stays healthy and keeps working hard, look for Wake to have a breakout season with the Dolphins.

2. Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints

Despite being behind the talented Reggie Bush on the New Orleans Saints depth chart, Pierre Thomas has managed to make a name for himself.

Thomas signed with the Saints in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. 

Since then he has worked tirelessly to remain on the Saints roster and make an impact.

In both 2008 and 2009 Thomas led the team in rushing yards, even though he was not the everyday starter.

With Reggie Bush being injury prone, the Saints could not be in a better position than they are with Thomas as their dependable backup.

As a matter of fact, they might be better off handing the starting job to their blue collared work horse, Thomas.

Why not if he led the team in rushing for the past two years?

A.J. Feeley, QB, St. Louis Rams

Even if it is only to guide and prepare Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley is in a situation he hasn't been in in a long time.  

Feeley has been a backup quarterback his entire career. This is his chance to shine, as he will enter the season as the St. Louis Rams' starting play caller.

Feeley has also made it well known that while he may have been brought in to hold the spot until Bradford is ready, he is prepared to fight for the starting position and he wants to play.

Last season with the Eagles, Feeley completed 57.3 percent of his passes for 681 yards and five touchdowns.

Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Tavraris Jackson has been ready to start for the Minnesota Vikings for a few years now, but there was this guy named Brett Favre standing in his way last year.

And he could potentially stand in his way again this year.

Jackson is a talented quarterback who was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2006 draft. Over his career in Minnesota, Jackson has completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 3,643 yards and 21 touchdowns.

With Favre still undecided on whether or not he is returning to the Vikings, Jackson has been the main guy in Minnesota.

But how long will that last?

There's only one man who knows the answer to that question and Jackson's future: Brett Favre.

5. Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

While many feel Michael Vick has had his share of chances and doesn't really have a future in the league, Vick himself still thinks he has a shot.

And he means it.

The Eagles' starting quarterback this year will be Kevin Kolb, with Vick behind him on the second team. It is known that Eagles' coach Andy Reid, loves Kolb as a quarterback, but that won't stop Vick.

The Virginia Tech product will still get his snaps, and if he truly is as ready as he says he is he will make some noise.

If Kolb falters at all at any point in the season, look for Vick to step up and possibly take the starting job and keep it for good.

However, only time will tell if Vick really is ready to start again or if he's better off hanging it up.