The BRB writers come together to discuss which positions they are most intrigued to watch battle it out.
Training camp is underway at NRG and many storylines are already playing out. Joe Mixon’s health was worse than expected and he will be a non-factor this preseason. The offensive line is a true jigsaw puzzle and is completely up for grabs. The defense is primed for an amazing season with Pro Bowl and All Pro candidates at every level.
The storylines which are still developing are the camp battles that won’t be decided in the first week. I asked the other Battle Red Blog writers which camp battles they were most looking forward to unfolding.
What is everyone’s top training camp battle they are most looking forward to playing out?
L4Blitzer:
Aside from the offensive line, I feel like the TE room is one that is going to be interesting (also reference VBall’s work). Schultz did not live up to his contract, and the rest were injured or played at a J.A.G. level. (Nick) Caley did work with strong TE groups in his previous stops, so there exists potential. Schultz was the second leading receiver for the team last season, but his stats felt so empty. The attention is on other groups, but if the TEs can improve even slightly, then maybe things will look up, especially in red zone/3rd down offense.
VBallRetired:
I did mention the tight ends but I think everything begins and ends with this offensive line. Can they be mediocre? A mediocre line could be the key to getting to an AFC Championship if Nick Caley can cobble together an offense that maximizes that. A bad offensive line can’t be overcome. It could be a season killer.
Patrick.H
Until we get some kind of resolution on the matter, my eyes are going to be fixated almost exclusively on the offensive line. This team will only be as good as the offensive line they put around Stroud and as we learned last year, that wasn’t a recipe for success. Plus with all the turnover during free agency and drafting Ersery, there’s still a ton of questions left to be answered so that’s where I’m focused this year.
Kenneth.L:
I am immensely curious how the defensive interior line plays out. Houston decided to run it back with veterans Sheldon Rankins and Foley Fatukasi. They added rookie Kyonte Hamilton who appears to be holding his own out there. Then there are injuries to Fatukasi and Kurt Hinish, both contributors last season. Tim Settle went from backup to starter last season, but can he maintain his starting role? Plus, Denico Autry is 34, injured, and highly paid; where does he fit into the equation?
There are 4-5 roster spots for eight potential options. There is no clear starting pair nor lock, which makes this entire position intriguing.
FizzyJoe:
The offensive line will the be big intrigue this summer, particularly the interior line positions. I’m assuming Patterson is the starting center from now on, which means both guard positions will probably be an open battle between Scruggs, Tomlinson, Engram, and maybe Tytus Howard. At tackle, it’ll probably (should) be Howard at RT, then a battle between Cam Robinson and Aireontae Ersery for the LT position, and Blake Fisher and Trent Brown will be the wildcard swing tackles.
Besides the line, I’ll be interested to see how the depth charts for the RB and WR rooms shake out. Nico Collins and Tank Dell will be the top two…but then what? Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Christian Kirk, Xavier Hutchinson, and John Metchie will all get a crack at that third spot, and I’d say two of those five receivers probably won’t be on the final roster. And who will be Mixon’s backup? I would like to say Dameon Pierce, but I think the jig is up on him at this point. It might be an open battle for that backup spot between Woody Marks, Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale, and even British Brooks. That position could be a mess if struck by the injury bug during the season.