Position battles in the NFL can be one of the most interesting subplots in all of sports. Fans get to watch two or more of the most skilled football players in the world battle it out to claim a starting job, and the results - no matter who wins the battle - can be discussed by analysts for months or even years to come.
Every team in the NFL has at least one or two of these position battles every year, and 2012 is no exception to the rule. The 2012 NFC has a number of teams with position battles that could extend all the way out until September, with the potential that they won't even be resolved by the time the regulars season kicks off.
One of the position battles that is going to keep most of the Pacific Northwest buzzing is the quarterback position for the Seattle Seahawks. The position belonged, almost by default, to Tavaris Jackson last season. The Seahawks looked like they were set to replace Jackson during this offseason when they signed Matt Flynn to a three-year contract worth almost $20 million.
Flynn's stock saw quite a boost in January when he threw for six touchdowns against the Detroit Lions, but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has maintained that the position is up for grabs. With Tavaris Jackson quietly putting together one of his best seasons in 2011 and having experience on his side, the position battle could go either way. Flynn's upside is obviously higher, but Jackson's veteran status is valuable in a league like the NFL.
Another interesting battle is happening in the NFC, but this one is set in Chicago. The Bears are heading into 2012 looking very rejuvenated. Jay Cutler will be back from injury, and Chicago has reunited him with an old favorite target in Brandon Marshall. The team is set at running back with Michael Bush and a re-signing of Matt Forte on the horizon, and their two starting wide receivers are basically etched in stone. The position battle on the Bears to keep an eye on is for the slot receiver role.
There are two key players who might serve as the team's third wide receiver: Longtime Bear Devin Hester and newcomer Eric Weems. Hester has the advantage of being experienced with the Bears personnel and offense, as well as being one of the fastest players the league has ever seen. Weems, though, was a borderline Pro Bowler in 2011 and was a solid contributor for the Atlanta Falcons in seasons gone by. Loyalty favors Hester being the starter, but objectivity favors Weems taking the role. It will be interesting to see how things play out in
Chicago during training camps and the preseason.
The third position battle in the NFL that's going to draw enormous amount of attention is the starting running back job for the Washington Redskins. Unlike the Bears, the Redskins aren't expected to be in contention for a Super Bowl this season. They do, however, have Robert Griffin III - one of the most hyped quarterbacks the league has seen in some time. That's going to bring even more national attention to the team, and many of those following the team will immediately look to the running back position.
There are three players expected to compete for the job: Tim Hightower, Roy Helu and Evan Royster. Helu looks like the favorite for the job, as he led the team in rushing last season. However, blocking and protecting RG3 is going to be a major point of importance. That alone might tip the scales in favor of Tim Hightower, who has several years more experience than either of his two competitors. Coach Mike Shanahan's tenure in
Washington has been underscored by constant shuffling at the position though, and for that reason it won't be surprising if the position is still up in the air when the preseason ends.
These battles are close to being resolved. The regular season kicks off on September 5th, giving teams less than two months to figure out who their starters will be and let their starting units develop chemistry together. For fans of teams with starting jobs still up in the air, now is a very exciting time to be an NFL fan.
Be sure to check out the top position battles in the
AFC heading into 2012.
