Preseason Thoughts

After two weeks of the preseason, there are two things that stick out to me:
1) There are a lot of positions up for grabs...more than usual.
2) Injuries.

Doesn't it seem as though every time a player makes a play, all you hear is "That guy just nabbed himself a roster spot with that effort." It just seems as though no position is safe in the NFL anymore. Now with All-Pro QBs Peyton Manning and Tom Brady having injury trouble, it brings guys like Jim Sorgi and Matt Cassell to the forefront.
Plus, add guys like Brett Favre, Jeremy Shockey and Jason Taylor all trying to get acquainted with their new teams, and this preseason is very interesting.
Right now I will take a look at 5 of the most intriguing position battles to watch over the next 2 weeks.
1) Patriots backup QB: With Tom Brady's status up in the air, it is up to three guys who you probably have never heard of. First, you have Matt Cassell. Cassell has literally been a career backup, as he didn't even start in college at USC. He has decent arm strength and accuracy, but has looked lost in the pocket so far this preseason. Word is he could be taking the first train out of town later this month. Second, there is third round pick Kevin O'Connell. O'Connell has been the sharpest of the three, and you have to think his job is safe, as they don't want to have wasted a third round pick on a guy they cut a few months later. Third is Matt Gutierrez. Gutierrez has also looked sharp, and it appears the odd man out, as stated above, will be Matt Cassell. Now the Pats should be looking to add a guy like Chris Simms or Daunte Culpepper, because I don't know how safe they can feel with these guys holding down the fort come week one. Advantage: Kevin O'Connell
2. Buccaneers RB: This is even more interesting because all of the combatants aren't even in the race at this point. Last season, Earnest Graham stepped up and produced when they needed a threat. With good power running skills and decent speed, Graham earned himself a nice contract extension. Now, he is battling with Warrick Dunn for the starting role. Dunn comes back to the team that drafted him, and he brings veteran leadership and solid abilities. Dunn isn't the back he once was, and could be better suited for a role similar to that of Patriots RB Kevin Faulk. Michael Bennett is another veteran in the mix, as he has blazing speed and solid hands out of the backfield. Bennett has struggled in the past to hang onto the football, however, and could be let go as a result. Now, everything depends on the health of Cadillac Williams, who was the starter last season before suffering a knee injury. As of right now, the Bucs say he will be back sometime this season, so this just throws a wrench into everything. Advantage: Earnest Graham
3. Colts backup QB: Similar to the situation in New England, the Colts are apparently trying to prepare for life without Peyton Manning. The backup in previous years has been Jim Sorgi. Sorgi has showed solid abilities during brief playing stints in the past, but hasn't shown anything to say he could lead this team for long periods of time. Quinn Gray was brought in to provide some game experience, as he started a handful of games last year in Jacksonville. Gray has a great arm, and is the most mobile out of all the Colts options at QB. Jared Lorenzen also brings some veteran skills, but he really hasn't shown anything to get excited about. Advantage: Quinn Gray
4. Chargers backup RB: With LT again opting out of Preseason (an angry blog in itself), the Chargers have had to fill the void with two very different RBs. They have always liked the speed and agility of Darren Sproles, but now they get to see if he can carry the load. Very small for the position, Sproles uses his elusiveness to break away. I don't believe Sproles could be called upon for long periods of time, and neither do the Chargers. So, they drafted ex-fullback Jacob Hester from LSU. Hester has looked amazing in his Preseason time, and I think they may have found another threat around the goal line. Hester has good size (5'11, 225) and strength to pound the ball up the middle, and he has shown enough speed to break away. Advantage: Jacob Hester
5a. Bears starting QB: As of today, Kyle Orton has been named the starter for week one. Orton showed little during hsi starting stint a few years ago other than his ability to win games. His arm strength and decision making skills are below average, but he mustbe doing something right that the average blogger doesn`t see. It appears that Rex Grossman is out of chances to take this job. Grossman has been nothing but inconsistant in the past, but I still believe that a terrible running game and dropped passes were things that convicted him. Grossman does have a good arm, and the Bears have never shown anything in the way of commitment, so expect to see him at some point if Orton struggles. Advantage: Kyle Orton
5b. Ravens starting QB: As of right now, no one has jumped out for this job. Kyle Boller was given the oppourtunity in week one of Preseason to take the job and run away, but he has struggled so far. The knock on Boller has always been his decision making, and his inability to manage the game. He does have great arm strength and can move around very well in the pocket. Thos exact intangibles are what second year player Troy Smith brings to the game. Doesn`t have great size for a QB, but Smith makes up for it with his mobility. Joe Flacco needs to perform to prove the Ravens made the right move in trading up to get him in the first round. He has great size and a big arm, but needs to prove he can translate his game from Division 1AA to the NFL. Advantage: Kyle Boller

Watch those play out, as well as QB battles in Miami, Kansas City, San Francisco, Green Bay and Minnesota.