by Jeremy Fischer

Training camps have begun.  Shockingly, Bret Favre is in camp.  And even more shockingly, it’s with Green Bay, and not some other organization.  Help Wanted will begin to help you decipher the winners from the losers in the camp position battles.  Here’s a hint:  Aaron Rodgers isn’t feeling too good right now.

1. QB1 position—Green Bay Packers

Candidates:  Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre

The Shakedown:  If this were a political race, then the Packers organization officially became “flip-floppers”.  They said that it was Aaron Rodgers’ team.  They said they were moving on.  They said that even if Favre came back, it would still be Rodgers heading into the season as the number one on the depth chart.  But when Favre was officially reinstated on Sunday, they said it’s now an open job.  May the best man win. 

The Packers may say it’s an “open competition”, but that’s a farce.  They aren’t honestly going to hand Favre the clipboard and have the Green Bay legend stand on the sideline.  Rodgers is the backup.  No matter what is coming out of Green Bay.  And a lot has been coming out of Green Bay recently.  This latest doesn’t smell too good either, especially for Rodgers.

 Prediction:  Favre

’08 Fantasy Implication:  8 out of 10.  Favre couldn’t even be considered as a draftable player before now.

2. RB1—Detroit Lions

Candidates:  Kevin Smith, Tatum Bell, Brian Calhoun

The Shakedown:  Calhoun is a longshot.  He might be able to carve out a third-down role, but that is about all he can hope for.  Tatum Bell still has the upper hand, having run the zone blocking scheme (the new blocking scheme that offensive coordinator, Jim Colleto, is installing) for several years in Denver.  He’s still listed as first on the depth chart at the end of the first week of camp.

However, rookie Kevin Smith isn’t as far behind Bell as when we evaluated this battle in the NFC North Help Wanted.  Apparently, he’s make tremendous strides in the first week of camp.  According to the Lions’ website, he’s already impressing coaches.  They are quite impressed to see that the good things they saw in OTA’s are transferring now that the pads are on.  He’s getting close to forcing us to switch our prediction.

Prediction:  Bell

’08 Fantasy Implication: 9 out of 10.  Fantasy lifeblood strikes again.   

3. RB1—Carolina Panthers

Candidates:  DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart

The Shakedown:  Lucky for these guys, they didn’t pick a fight with Steve Smith.  Otherwise, Mr. Smith might have made the decision for the Panthers.  Williams is listed as first on the depth chart, and took all the first string reps in the first week of camp.  However, Stewart is the one that the Panthers’ brass is being careful with.   He was held out of the Panthers Fan Fest scrimmage on Saturday, though no injury reason was given.  It’s appearing that Williams could be the starter, while Stewart is the workhorse.  Although it’s still early, we like Stewart as the better back to draft, even if Williams is the listed starter come opening day.

Prediction:  Stewart

’08 Fantasy Implication:   9 out of 10.  Fantasy lifeblood strikes again.

4. QB1—San Francisco 49ers      

Candidates:   Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, J.T. O’Sullivan

The Shakedown:  Training camp is usually where teams begin to whittle down their options at various positions.  The Niners have decided to take a different tactic.  They expanded their options, when it comes to the QB position.  According to the Santa Rosa Press, the Niners will begin their second week of camp by dividing the snaps equally between all three.  Each QB will get five sessions with the first, second and third teams each practice.  O’Sullivan has been the best so far, because he has previous experience with offensive coordinator Mike Martz.  This situation has become a complete mess.  We think that Smith still has the upper hand because the organization has a boatload of cash invested in him, and they want to give him every chance to succeed.  However, that could change quickly.

Prediction:  Smith…for now.

’08 Fantasy Implication:  3 out of 10.  The Niners offense still won’t be that good.

5. QB1—New York Jets

Candidates:  Kellen Clemens, Chad Pennington

The Shakedown:  Neither of these guys appears to be very good, which would explain why they alternated so much toward the end of the season.  It would also explain why the Jets flirted so much with the idea of trading for Favre.  Now that the S.S. Favre has sailed, the Jets will have to turn their attention to Clemens and Pennington, who are in camp.  Pennington appears to be the clubhouse leader at this point.  Clemens threw six picks and is telegraphing his passes badly in the first week of camp, while Pennington has thrown no interceptions.  That last sentence is all you need to know about this position battle.  When it’s all about who makes the fewer mistakes, as opposed to who makes the most plays, it could be a long year again for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.

Prediction:  Pennington

’08 Fantasy Implication:  2 out of 10.  You really don’t want a Jets QB as your QB1 (and barely your #2)

 

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