Preseason Position Battles

Later tonight, the much anticipated NFL Preseason will begin. While the Preseason is usually not very interesting and important from a fan's perspective, it is very important for the players. The Preseason is the time when jobs are won, players will be competing for a higher spot on the depth chart, and others will be fighting just to make the team. I will preview the high profile position battles that will take place in the Preseason.

Kyle Orton V.S. Tim Tebow

Many believed that this one wouldn't end up being a competition on the first day of free agency. NFL sources believed it was a done deal that would have sent Kyle Orton to Miami. However, talks broke down between the two sides and Orton is still listed as the Broncos starting QB. Orton had a career year last season, passing for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns. However, Orton went 3-10 as a starter in 2010 and sustained an injury. This caused Denver to start former Florida QB, Tim Tebow. In 3 starts, Tebow went 1-2 as a starter but showed his versatility, passing for 5 touchdowns and running for 6, producing an astonishing 11 touchdowns in limited action.

Why Orton Will Win: Unless Kyle Orton is traded before the Regular Season, I see him starting for the Broncos Week 1. Orton will start because, not only does he have more experience in the league, he is also a proven player. Orton has shown that he can be consistent for a 16 game season, unlike Tebow who has only started 3 career games.

Jimmy Clausen V.S Cam Newton

Jimmy Clausen was picked by Carolina in the 2nd Round of last year's draft, he was widely thought of as a Top 10 pick in that draft, but slipped to Carolina. Unfortunately for Clausen, he didn't exactly prove the draft "experts" correct. Clausen had a horrific rookie season, passing for 3 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 13 games played. Clausen didn't exactly have a lot of help either, Pro Bowl RB DeAngelo Williams was injured for most of the season. Leaving WR Steve Smith as the only proven offensive skill player on the roster, besides RB Jonathan Stewart who also had to fight injury. The Panthers finished 2-14 and drafted Heisman Trophy winner, QB Cam Newton with the #1 Overall Pick. In Newton's only season at Auburn, he produced 51 total touchdowns, while rushing for nearly 1,500 yards, and passing for about 3,000 yards. Newton won the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship last season.

Why Clausen Will Win:  It may take a while for Cam Newton to adjust to the NFL, running the spread offense at Auburn. Even though Clausen is only going in to his 2nd year in the NFL, he is more experienced, and has seen NFL defenses, unlike Newton. I do however, believe that Newton will start at some point this season.

Blaine Gabbert V.S. David Garrard

This one wasn't really considered a competition until this week, David Garrard injured his back in practice, making Gabbert the starter for the 1st Preseason game. Garrard has spent 10 seasons as the QB in Jacksonville, starting for the past 3 seasons. However, Garrard hasn't been quite the same since the 2007 season, in which he passed for 18 touchdowns while only throwing 3 interceptions. David Garrard has thrown double-digit interceptions for the past 3 seasons, and the Jaguars believed that it would be best to find their QB of the future. After moving up to the 10th pick, the Jaguars selected QB Blaine Gabbert in the 1st Round. Even though he was the 3rd QB taken in the draft, many "experts" believed that Gabbert was the best QB in the draft.

Why Gabbert Will Win: Much like in 2009, when Matthew Stafford won the starting job because of an injury to Daunte Culpepper, I believe this is why Gabbert will win. While many believe that Garrard's injury is not serious, it's serious enough that he won't play tomorrow against New England. If Gabbert plays well against New England, I bet that he will start the following week as well, and if he continues to play well, the Jaguars will have no choice, but to start Blaine Gabbert.