QB – Kevin Kolb vs. John Skelton. Coach Ken Whisenhunt insists third-year QB John Skelton will have a fair shot to win the job, but Kolb was brought here to start. He was brought here to take the Cards back to the playoffs. He was brought here to continue what Kurt Warner started in his final two seasons as a pro. Whisenhunt lobbied hard to get him, tying his fate to Kolb, the franchise’s current lightning rod. The Cardinals gave up CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a second-round pick and a lot of money to get Kolb. The job is his to lose.
RT – Jeremy Bridges vs. Bobby Massie. Bridges is the wily veteran who has filled in all over the Cards’ line the past couple of years. Massie was the team’s fourth-round selection –- a player many had pegged to go as high as the second round. O-line coach Russ Grimm has said this will be an open competition and the Cards would love for Massie to take the giant leap to starter. But taking into account Whisenhunt’s penchant for bringing rookies along slowly, we find it hard to envision Massie in the starting lineup in Week 1. Add to that the difficulty of mastering this position and we’re almost certain Massie will need more time.
ILB: Paris Lenon vs. Stewart Bradley. Lenon’s intelligence, sound positioning, technique, low-key, veteran's approach and coachability have made it impossible to pry him from the starting lineup. Reporters have been predicting Lenon's demise for the past two seasons, but he's played too well to let that happen. He was second on the team last season in tackles with 93. Bradley signed a five-year, $30 million deal last season then couldn’t find his way on the field as he struggled to master the mental side of Ray Horton’s defense, including calling plays. He took a 50 percent pay cut this year but he’ll have to show very well in camp to unseat a coaching favorite.
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