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Summer position battles: NFC West
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
The sixth of eight division-by-division looks at the key battles for each NFL team heading into training camps.
Arizona Cardinals
Emmitt Smith vs. Marcel Shipp
Emmitt Smith will have the chance to start, Dennis Green says. In a surprise twist, Cardinals coach Dennis Green made Smith the starter heading into training camp. Green mentioned something about how well Smith does running to the left, which is a key part of Green's offense. But Green hasn't watched this Smith run that closely if he thinks he's a better player than Shipp. Smith doesn't get to the hole with the same pop he once did, while Shipp does. Shipp might not be in the elite back class, but he has the tools to be a 1,200-yard rusher. Smith doesn't anymore.
Edge: Smith, in large part because of his name.
Opening-day starter: Shipp. Give Green the preseason to come to his senses and realize Smith is old and slow, while Shipp has the quicker feet.
St. Louis Rams
Sean Moran vs. Bryce Fisher vs. Erik Flowers
When Grant Wistrom signed a free-agent deal with the Seahawks, the Rams lost a key member of their defense, a try-hard player who played the run well and was a decent pass rusher. He was not, however, worth the money Seattle paid him. The Rams are hoping one of the three listed above can give them a quality edge rusher. Fisher had two sacks last season to lead the trio, and he has the speed to come off the corner. Moran, like Wistrom, is an effort player who had 1½ sacks last season. Flowers is a former first-round bust in Buffalo who is looking to re-start his career. None would be considered an above-average player, but somehow the Rams have to produce a pass-rush from the right side from this group.
Edge: Moran. He is the steadier of the three and can hold up better against the run.
Opening-day starter: Moran, but expect to see Fisher getting time in pass-rush situations.
San Francisco *****
Rashaun Woods vs. Cedrick Wilson vs. Derrick Hamilton vs. Curtis Conway
Niners' first-round pick Rashaun Woods adds to the talent pool at wideout.(Getty Images)
When Terrell Owens was traded and Tai Streets left to sign with the Lions, it left a major void at the receiver spot. The top returning receiver is Brandon Lloyd and he will likely start at one spot. The other position will be manned by one of these four players. Woods was a first-round pick in the April draft and has the size and speed the ***** want. He gradually improved in the team's offseason work. Wilson caught 35 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns last season, so he is the leader heading into camp. Hamilton is a long, lean rookie who impressed in offseason work, while Conway is a veteran the team hopes still has something left. The hope is Woods emerges as the starter, but don't count out Wilson just yet.
Edge: Wilson, based on experience. He also showed improvement last year, which is a good thing as he gets more time.
Opening-day starter: Wilson. But watch out for Woods and Hamilton. That includes those two pushing Lloyd.
Seattle Seahawks
Rashad Moore vs. Marcus Tubbs
Seattle struggled to stop the run last year, which is why Tubbs was taken in the first round of the April draft. At 315 pounds, he is a power player who can occupy blockers to free up the linebackers to make tackles. Moore started six games last season as a rookie and was a pleasant surprise. He had 30 tackles and a sack. Moore played hard and that helped his production, but he isn't as skilled as Tubbs. The run defense has to get better, which is why Tubbs was drafted so high. There is a chance one of these two also could push Cedric Woodard to the bench, although Woodard played well last season.
Edge: Moore, based on his playing time. But that won't mean much in this case, not with a high pick trying to take his job.
Opening-day starter: Moore. He'll hold the job for a couple of games, but Tubbs will eventually take it.
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
The sixth of eight division-by-division looks at the key battles for each NFL team heading into training camps.
Arizona Cardinals
Emmitt Smith vs. Marcel Shipp
Emmitt Smith will have the chance to start, Dennis Green says. In a surprise twist, Cardinals coach Dennis Green made Smith the starter heading into training camp. Green mentioned something about how well Smith does running to the left, which is a key part of Green's offense. But Green hasn't watched this Smith run that closely if he thinks he's a better player than Shipp. Smith doesn't get to the hole with the same pop he once did, while Shipp does. Shipp might not be in the elite back class, but he has the tools to be a 1,200-yard rusher. Smith doesn't anymore.
Edge: Smith, in large part because of his name.
Opening-day starter: Shipp. Give Green the preseason to come to his senses and realize Smith is old and slow, while Shipp has the quicker feet.
St. Louis Rams
Sean Moran vs. Bryce Fisher vs. Erik Flowers
When Grant Wistrom signed a free-agent deal with the Seahawks, the Rams lost a key member of their defense, a try-hard player who played the run well and was a decent pass rusher. He was not, however, worth the money Seattle paid him. The Rams are hoping one of the three listed above can give them a quality edge rusher. Fisher had two sacks last season to lead the trio, and he has the speed to come off the corner. Moran, like Wistrom, is an effort player who had 1½ sacks last season. Flowers is a former first-round bust in Buffalo who is looking to re-start his career. None would be considered an above-average player, but somehow the Rams have to produce a pass-rush from the right side from this group.
Edge: Moran. He is the steadier of the three and can hold up better against the run.
Opening-day starter: Moran, but expect to see Fisher getting time in pass-rush situations.
San Francisco *****
Rashaun Woods vs. Cedrick Wilson vs. Derrick Hamilton vs. Curtis Conway
Niners' first-round pick Rashaun Woods adds to the talent pool at wideout.(Getty Images)
When Terrell Owens was traded and Tai Streets left to sign with the Lions, it left a major void at the receiver spot. The top returning receiver is Brandon Lloyd and he will likely start at one spot. The other position will be manned by one of these four players. Woods was a first-round pick in the April draft and has the size and speed the ***** want. He gradually improved in the team's offseason work. Wilson caught 35 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns last season, so he is the leader heading into camp. Hamilton is a long, lean rookie who impressed in offseason work, while Conway is a veteran the team hopes still has something left. The hope is Woods emerges as the starter, but don't count out Wilson just yet.
Edge: Wilson, based on experience. He also showed improvement last year, which is a good thing as he gets more time.
Opening-day starter: Wilson. But watch out for Woods and Hamilton. That includes those two pushing Lloyd.
Seattle Seahawks
Rashad Moore vs. Marcus Tubbs
Seattle struggled to stop the run last year, which is why Tubbs was taken in the first round of the April draft. At 315 pounds, he is a power player who can occupy blockers to free up the linebackers to make tackles. Moore started six games last season as a rookie and was a pleasant surprise. He had 30 tackles and a sack. Moore played hard and that helped his production, but he isn't as skilled as Tubbs. The run defense has to get better, which is why Tubbs was drafted so high. There is a chance one of these two also could push Cedric Woodard to the bench, although Woodard played well last season.
Edge: Moore, based on his playing time. But that won't mean much in this case, not with a high pick trying to take his job.
Opening-day starter: Moore. He'll hold the job for a couple of games, but Tubbs will eventually take it.
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