When NFL training camps begin there are always battles being waged for playing time. JJ Redick Jersey . Some of those battles have been more or less decided -- Michael Vick is the starting quarterback in Philadelphia, Daryl Richardson is set to start at running back for St. Louis, Blaine Gabbert is starting at quarterback for Jacksonville -- but there are other situations that are still to be sorted out over the final couple weeks. Here are some of the more intriguing position battles for fantasy owners to watch: Montee Ball vs. Ronnie Hillman, Denver RB With an offence focused on passing, the Broncos may not place high priority on which of their backs is running more often. Hillman has the early edge, working with the first team, but the second-year back only had 327 rushing yards (3.9 per carry) as a rookie, so hes not anywhere close to secure in that position. Ball was a thundering force at Wisconsin, scoring 61 touchdowns in his last two seasons. The big concern with Ball has to do with pass protection, but hell have to be more effective all around if hes going to knock Hillman from the role. If neither one of these young backs takes hold of the job, Knowshon Moreno could sneak past them into more playing time. Kevin Kolb vs. E.J. Manuel, Buffalo QB The Bills seemed set to make the rookie Manuel their starter, but then he suffered a knee injury and will miss the rest of the preseason, opening the door for Kolb, who had missed time in camp with his own knee injury, to take the starting job. Kolb has 21 career starts and figures to get the starting job for Week One, when the Bills host New England. Even if the expectation is that Manuel will take over the starting job, it will be harder to make the change if Kolb is productive in that starting role. Dallas Clark vs. Ed Dickson vs. Visanthe Shiancoe, Baltimore TE Considering that the Ravens had big plans for Dennis Pitta in their offence this season, prior to suffering his season-ending hip injury, there is an opportunity for at least one of the Ravens tight ends to fill that void. Clark has the track record and a history with offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell; Dickson, who is hurt right now, had a 54-catch season with the Ravens and QB Joe Flacco in 2011, and Shiancoe is 34, but did have 18 touchdowns in the 2008 and 2009 seasons with Minnesota. DeAngelo Williams vs. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina RB Ankle problems continue to plague Stewart, which gives Williams the opportunity to not only be the Week One starter, but a chance to get significant touches in that role. Its been three years since Williams last rushed for more than 1,000 yards, but hes averaged 4.9 yards per carry throughout his career, so if he could get 200 carries, a 1,000-yard season could be achievable. Of course, if Stewart gets healthy, hes sure to get his share of carries too, effectively sabotaging the fantasy value of both backs. Demaryius Thomas vs. Wes Welker vs. Eric Decker, Denver WR There isnt really a battle for position so much as competition for targets from QB Peyton Manning. Thomas and Decker had tremendous seasons for the Broncos last year, with Thomas racking up 1,434 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Decker added 1,064 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. How will those numbers shake out with the addition of Welker, who has at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards in five of the last six seasons? Sure, Welker in the slot can take some touches away from the tight ends in the Broncos offence, and maybe they will pass a bit more with a suspect running game, but dont some of the targets have to get pulled away from Thomas and Decker? Thats my suspicion, but well have to see how Manning chooses to distribute the football. Nate Burleson vs. Ryan Broyles, Detroit WR Coming off injuries, the pair of Lions wideouts are competing for the job across from superstar Calvin Johnson. Burleson hasnt put up big numbers (under 50 yards per game) in three seasons with Detroit, but is a reliable complementary receiver. Broyles is the up-and-comer who had six catches for 126 yards against Houston in Week 11 last season, only to suffer a torn ACL the following week. If Broyles can become the viable second receiver for the Lions, he has a chance to be a productive part of an offence with a quarterback, Matthew Stafford, that has passed for more than 10,000 yards in the last two seasons. Eddie Lacy vs. Johnathan Franklin vs. DuJuan Harris, Green Bay RB When the Packers were bounced from the playoffs by San Francisco last season, without a potent rushing attack, it was a position to address in the offseason. Drafting Eddie Lacy, out of Alabama, in the second round and Johnathan Franklin, out of UCLA, in the fourth round was a clear effort to upgrade the running game and while Franklin hasnt impressed in camp, Lacy looks like he can be the kind of physical runner that the Packers seek. If Lacy isnt up to the job, though, a trio of holdover vets are still pushing for time. DuJuan Harris is a smaller, quicker option, who could be a change-of-pace back if Franklin doesnt improve. Alex Green rushed for 464 yards last season, but only 3.4 yards per carry, while James Starks has run for 934 yards in 22 games for the Packers over the last three seasons. With this cast of characters, Lacy should emerge as the most valuable of Green Bays ball carriers. Lamar Miller vs. Daniel Thomas. Miami RB In some circles, Lamar Miller is getting pub as a breakthrough candidate, following a rookie season in which he rushed for 250 yards (4.9 per carry), but the latest reports suggest that both backs will be getting carries. Since Thomas has averaged only 3.5 yards per carry in his first two seasons, he doesnt seem like a great challenger to Miller but even if Thomas only turns out to be the short yardage and goalline back, that will negatively affect Millers value. Jerome Simpson vs. Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota WR Simpson struggled through an injury-marred season last year, his first with the Vikings after showing promise in Cincinnati, but hes currently ahead of the Vikings first-round pick, Patterson, for the starting spot opposite veteran Greg Jennings. There may not be much appeal for the Vikings No. 2 wide receiver, given their focus on RB Arian Peterson, a still-developing quarterback, Christian Ponder, and an improving young tight end, Kyle Rudolph, who can play a bigger role in the passing game. Nonetheless, it appears that Simpsons lead isnt by a large margin, so Patterson should be expected to challenge for the role throughout the season and its likely just a matter of time before Patterson is in the starting lineup. Darren Sproles vs. Pierre Thomas vs. Mark Ingram, New Orleans RB Having three backs consistently involved in the Saints offence effectively ruins the fantasy value for all three. Ingram has some upside, if the Saints were to ever make him their primary everydown back, but hes averaged 3.9 yards per carry through his first two seasons, so hes not exactly breaking down the door. Thomas is a steady contributor who has at least 800 yards from scrimmage in four of the last five seasons. So long as hes getting touches, that limits Ingrams appeal. Sproles is a different animal, more targeted as a receiver than a runner out of the backfield, but in two seasons with the Saints, Sproles has gained 2,224 yards and scored 17 touchdowns, so hes not going to get pushed aside and that means shared duty in the New Orleans backfield. Chris Ivory vs. Bilal Powell vs. Mike Goodson, N.Y. Jets RB Ivory comes from New Orleans, where he was struggling to find playing time with the other three backs on the roster, and he still has a chance to earn a significant role, but Powell, who has 458 rushing yards (3.7 yards per carry) in his first two seasons, appears to be the leading candidate to start. Goodson is reportedly expected to arrive in Jets camp soon, but weapons charges have derailed Goodons offseason, so now hes more of a player to watch during the season rather than an actual threat to open as the starter. Mark Sanchez vs. Geno Smith, N.Y. Jets QB Not only do the Jets have questions in the running game, there is still the possibility that rookie Geno Smith can unseat Mark Sanchez as the starting quarterback. He is Mark Sanchez, after all. At the same time, Smith actually has to do something to push Sanchez aside and Smith will get a good opportunity to do so when he starts against the Giants this week. David Wilson vs. Andre Brown, N.Y. Giants RB Second-year runner David Wilson may get more carries in the Giants backfield, thanks to higher upside, but the job appears to be a timeshare at this point, which hinders the value of both and even if Wilson gets more carries, Brown could get the short-yardage and goalline work. Jonathan Dwyer vs. Isaac Redman, Pittsburgh RB Rookie RB LeVeon Bell was likely to emerge as the starter for the Steelers, but a foot injury has sidelined him for six-to-eight weeks, leaving Dwyer, who rushed for 623 yards last season, in the lead for carries in the Pittsburgh backfield. Redman rushed for 410 yards last season, with a similarly powerful running style, while LaRod Stephens-Howling could offer a different look as a smaller and quicker option. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Wilt Chamberlain Jersey . Cornet won six straight games to rally from a 2-0 deficit and take the first set. The 25th-ranked Frenchwoman broke back twice in the second set before Bacsinszky saved a match point at 5-4. Wilson Chandler Jersey . -- The Oakland Raiders added a veteran presence to their young receiving group by signing free agent James Jones to a three-year contract Monday. http://www.cheap76ersjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-mike-muscala-jersey . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season.Around the Wheel: Five Thoughts from the Weekend 1. European Hangover: Six Premier League teams played in European competition mid-week. Only one of the six teams won on the weekend, while the group earned a combined five points. Everton lost to Palace, Liverpool to West Ham and Spurs fell to West Brom. Its a storyline to monitor as the season progresses. Fitness and squad rotations are looking to be key, especially coming off a World Cup summer. Advantage to deeper squads and those without midweek commitments. Some criticism of last years top teams is warranted, but credit to greater parity across the league. The approach, commitment and execution of "lesser" clubs have been altogether impressive. Five of the teams currently in the top half of the table were in the bottom half or not even in the top flight a season ago. There is no such thing as a soft week in the Premier League. 2. Rodgers Critique: Two straight league losses and midweek struggles against a European minnow have Brendan Rodgers facing adversity for the first time in his Liverpool tenure. The dip in form is striking from a 4-0 win at White Hart Lane before the international break to where we are today. Rodgers is taking some heat, which seems out of place. The gaffer isnt a passenger in any match. Few are more active, changing tactics and formation to get the most out of his team. Down 2-0 and nothing going their way, Rodgers took off Javier Manquillo after 22 minutes and changed tactics from four at the back to a 3-5-2. Raheem Sterling and Alberto Moreno as wing players paid immediate dividends, as the former scored to bring Liverpool into the match. Rodgerss side ran out of steam, struggled to on the counter and was altogether sloppy in a 3-1 loss. Rodgers showed similar tactical flexibility early last season before settling with a consistent approach. Look for him to do the same. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge saved Liverpool on multiple occasions last season. Rodgers will have to find an alternative approach to compliment the slew of new players in his squad. There are few better managers who play better to his players strengths. Patience, not panic, is required. And better individual performances are a necessity. 3. Clattenburg Strikes Again: Controversy has swirled around referee Mark Clattenburg in recent seasons. He was again a central figure Saturday for all the wrong reasons. Manchester United led Leicester City 3-1 when Jamie Vardy shouldered Rafael off the ball, a clear foul, before diving moments later to earn a penalty through less contact made by the United defender. Clattenburg obliged, pointing to the spot, getting it all wrong in what became the turning point of the game. Choosing to ignore the first foul, Clattenburg had to turn a blind eye to a lesser offence. He did not. The lack of consistency in call is unacceptable. And just as bad, he rewarded simulation. Vardy later knocked Tyler Blackett off the ball in an aerial challenge. No call was made, leading to Blackett being sent off after a desperate challenge in recovery leading to another penalty and the fifth Leicester goal. Uniteds schoolboy defending was plain to see. As were Clattenburgs inexcusable mistakes leading to the improbable 5-3 scoreline. 4. Mourinhos Method: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini was critical of his counterpart Jose Mourinhos tactics in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad. Pellegrini called Chelsea “a small team trying to defend,” after Mourinho predictably put 10 players behind the ball, relying on superior defensive organization and forcing the home side to break them down in the all-important tie. This is how Mourinho operates and shouldnt come as a surprise. Mourinho looks at these negative tactics as the best way to pick up away points against top competition. Chelsea has players as dangerous as any on the counter. So frustrate and sucker-punch proves effective, as witnessed in last seasons 1-0 win at the Etihad. We saw it from Chelsea at Old Trafford last season. And well see it on travels to the Emirates, Anfield and at United this year, as well. Dominate at home and dont lose away, no matter how boring it may be: its Mourinhos recipe for league success. 5. Surging Saints: Onlookers would have been willing to give head coach Ronald Koeman time to bring his new-look Southampton side together. Its all come together remarkably quickly for the second-place Saints. The only loss on the season came opening day at Anfield in a match they deserved something out of. Few teams look more fluid than Southampton, which has seven new key players in the team. Ever more positives, newcomer Sadio Mane has yet to debut and the impressive Jay Rodriguez continues his battle to return to fitness. With over £30 million in summer profit and genuine talent on the field, there is much to like at Southampton. Team of the Week Mannone (SUN) Reid (WHU) – Mertesacker (ARS) – Lescott (WBA) – van Aanholt (SUN) Downing (WHU) - Morrison (WBA) – Ozil (ARS) – Moses (STK) Vardy (LCFC) – Cisse (NEW) Player of the Week: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) – Seventy-nine seconds of magic by the World Cup-winner. A goal and an assist to silence the critics - the same number of goals hes been involved in as he had in his last 11 Premier League games. Ozil showed composure and elite passing ability throughout the 3-0 win at Villa Park. A shift inside to play a more traditional number 10 role was instrumental. Goal of the Week: Angel Di Maria (Manchester United) – The three Manchester United goals in the 5-3 loss were all of the highest quality. The best of the bunch was Di Marias. The Argentine picked up the ball past the halfway line before going on a trademark powerful run with the ball. A give-and-go with Wayne Rooney gave him space to advance inside the 18-yard box before lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for the highlight-reel goal. A thing of beauty: power to precision and creative flair on top of it all. Cheap 76ers Jerseys. Feel Good Moment – Amidst protest and "Sack Pardew" signs around St. James Park, Newcastle support showed unity in backing Jonas Gutierrez. The Newcastle player announced last week he is undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. The stadium joined together in standing ovation in the 18th-minute (Gutierrez number is 18,) putting aside tensions at the club to send a message of togetherness. After all, some things matter more than the future of a manger. Goat of the Week – Wilfried Bony (Swansea City) – Swansea was the better side against Southampton before Bony saw yellow for a second time just six minutes before the break. Both cautions were senseless; the first aimlessly running into Jose Fonte and the clincher a completely unnecessary sliding challenge from behind on Maya Yoshida. It was a boneheaded, needless tackle by Bony. Ten-man Swansea lost their way, lost the game, and the English contingent in the team was unable to impress Roy Hodgson, who was in attendance at the Liberty for the first time in two years and four months. Stat of the Week – Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse scored as many goals (two) in 21+ minutes as he did in 24 games last season. Quote of the Week – "I woke up this morning and didnt know what I wanted today."- Frank Lampard after scoring the equalizer against his former team. Table Talk 1) Chelsea (13pts) – Mourinhos team can beat you many ways, but no better way than on the counter. As long as they remain atop the table, they can dictate proceedings. Its in chasing games that Chelsea struggles. Can Remy and Drogba provide enough cover to avoid over-reliance on Diego Costa to score goals? 2) Southampton (10) – Saints are rolling. Eliminated a decent Arsenal team in the Capital One Cup, as well. Morgan Schneiderlin has been immense. Victor Wanyama became the first Kenyan player to score in the Premier League. 3) Aston Villa (10) – Should have taken an early lead against Arsenal with Ciaran Clark robbed by Wojciech Szczesny. Were up against it with centre-backs Vlaar and Baker out of the starting XI. Team has been hit by sickness and injury. 4) Arsenal (9) – Three goals in 3:12 and 71 per cent possession speaks to how dangerous the Gunners can be. Wenger has serious questions at the back with Mathieu Debouchy out three months after ankle surgery. 5) Swansea City (9) – Were the better side before Bonys sending off. Strength remains down the wings. Fernandez play at centre-back will be key. Rebounded nicely sending Everton out of the Capital One Cup. 6) Manchester City (8) – Had a difficult time breaking down Chelsea. Promising play by James Milner and Eliaquim Mangala speaks to team depth. Red card to Pablo Zabeleta will bring Bacary Sagna into the team. 7) Leicester City (8) – Only Diego Costa (seven) has more goals than Leonardo Ulloa (five). Physical team play suited for Premier League. Drinkwater and Cambiasso make for a nice central partnership. 8) West Ham United (7) – Hats off to Mark Noble. Showed leadership giving it to goalkeeper Adrian after he nonsensically kicked out at Mario Balotelli while up 2-0. Noble kept the team together. The Hammers have turned into a passing team. They have also scored three goals off set pieces. 9) Tottenham Hotspur (7) – Three sub-par performances in a row. Team not using speed and athleticism. Put only one shot on target in home loss to West Brom. 10) Hull City (6) – Stephen Quinn missed a sitter in the 61st that should have put the game out of reach. Didnt do a good enough job commanding the midfield. Second consecutive 2-2 draw was fair result. Nikica Jelavic has found his scoring touch. 11) Liverpool (6) – Liverpool losses with Daniel Sturridge playing: six in 46. Without Sturridge: six losses in 14. Team relies far too much on Raheem Sterling without Sturridge. Neither Fabio Borini nor Adam Lallana possesses the same kind of speed or quality in attack. 12) Manchester United (5) – Defensive mistakes and shape to blame, not personnel. The group should be good enough. Blackett suspended, and Jones/Evans injured leaves defence thin at the back for visit to West Ham. Luke Shaw will get into the team. United is a team of all new players. Cohesion and development takes time. No panic. 13) Stoke City (5) – Unbeaten in last five away matches stemming back to last season. Peter Crouch hadnt notched a goal or assist in his last 10 games: had one of each in 2-2 draw at Loftus Road. Victor Moses was standout. 14) Everton (5) – Predictable let-down game between emphatic 4-1 Europa League victory over Wolfsburg while looking ahead to the Merseyside derby. Leighton Baines remains perfect from the penalty spot (14/14). Have conceded league worst 13 goals. 15) Crystal Palace (5) – A shock 3-2 away win at Goodison gives Neil Warnock his first Palace victory. Campbell and McArthur have settled nicely. Passing percentages need to improve. 16) West Bromwich Albion (5) – Much better from West Brom. James Morrison, the best player on the pitch at White Hart Lane, got the deserved winner. Jonas Olsson was dropped after making crucial mistakes over the opening weeks. 17) Sunderland (4) – Patrick van Aanholt is the real deal. Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton just got a piece of the defenders incredible strike in time added on, denying Sunderland first win of the season. 18) Queens Park Rangers (4) – Pains me to say, but doesnt look like Rio Ferdinand has anything left. Pace is gone and gives far too much room in defending. Mauricio Isla is struggling as well, making for a shaky back-line. 19) Burnley (3) – Still havent scored since the teams first shot on target of the season. Remain well organized and difficult to break down. 20) Newcastle United (3) – Pardew survives another week. Barely. Newcomers Janmaat, Riviere, and Cabella have been slow to adjust. Cheap Steelers Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jerseys Cheap Bills Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Giants Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys Cheap Bears Jerseys Cheap Eagles Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Jaguars Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Lions Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys ' ' '