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Camp Battles, Part IV: Tight Ends and Place-kickers

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com

Jerramy Stevens has just 32 career catches, including just six last year, and is trying to prove he wasn't a first-round bust. Elsa/Getty Images

Here you have it, folks, the fourth and final installment of this year's position-by-position look at training camp battles. This week the focus is on competition -- mostly of the non-traditional variety -- at tight end, as well as some traditional mano-a-mano place-kicking battles.

Cleveland Browns: Kellen Winslow vs. His Teammates

As The Associated Press reported early this week, Winslow "is already making his presence felt -- for better or worse -- after a week with the Browns."

The newcomer made no apologies for knocking a teammate to the ground during a non-contact drill. In fact, Winslow said the whole team should develop more attitude and play with greater intensity.

"I wasn't here last year, but they only won five games," Winslow said. "I'm not trying to talk them down or anything, but something has to happen."

Browns defensive back Roosevelt Williams called Winslow "unprofessional" after he lowered his left shoulder into him during Monday's practice, slamming him down.

"That's just the way I play. They should all do the same, I think," Winslow countered. "Everybody should go 100 percent every play -- wrap up, tackle. That's how you get better."

Head coach Butch Davis said Winslow brings passion to the team and that's one reason the Browns drafted him.

"I think he just said what was on his mind," Davis said -- with a nod and wink.

And the winner is ... Winslow!

Hey. He's a soldier. Just ask him.

New England Patriots: Daniel Graham vs. Chronic Inconsistency

Graham spent a great deal of energy this offseason working on his hands in an attempt to bring his pass-catching capabilities to the level that many expected when the Patriots traded up to select him with the 21st pick in the 2002 draft.

According to Boston Globe, a change in assignment could also help.

Graham primarily played the "Y" position, the standard tight end alignment, as a rookie. Last year, he was asked to play both Y and H-back (the in-motion blocking fullback/tight end in single-back sets), known as the "F" position in the Patriots' offense.

Because the F involves more responsibility, the Patriots believe the shift of position may have led to hesitation by Graham and contributed to his inconsistency.

And the winner is ... Graham!

As the Globe put it, "By clearly defining Graham's role, the Patriots are trying to take some of the thinking out of his game in the hope that he'll be able to take over games the way he did as a senior at Colorado, when he earned the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end."

By golly, I'm with them.

New York Giants: Jeremy Shockey vs. Tom Coughlin

As the Newark Star-Ledger framed it: "On the surface, the relationship between Giants coach Tom Coughlin and All-Pro tight end Jeremy Shockey seemed doomed to fail."

Hired to replace Jim Fassel, Coughlin is a hard-nosed disciplinarian known for intense preparation and thorough planning. Meanwhile, the Star-Ledger suggested, "Shockey personifies spontaneity and sass, unpredictability and exuberance."

However, Shockey foresees no problems with the new boss.

"I told him right when I met him, 'Whatever you heard about me, I really love to play the game,'" Shockey said. "I really wanted to make a good impression."

The third-year man went on to say: "I like discipline. I like doing things right. I've never been late to a meeting. I think everybody has the mindset around here, 'Hey, Fassel would [chew] you out, [Coughlin] is really going to get in you.' So, I think having that around here is definitely going to make people concentrate harder."

In case you haven't been paying attention the last couple of years, Shockey has generated controversy with inflammatory interviews targeting everyone from fans to homosexuals to Bill Parcells, and with antics such as punting the ball into the stands to celebrate a touchdown.

Coughlin admits some of Shockey's past behavior concerns him.

"We're already talking about some of those things, the grasp of what it truly means to be a professional," the coach said. "He's got to control himself, use better judgment. He's very receptive."

Tight ends coach Mike Pope said Shockey and Coughlin will get along well but added, "a few things like what you do with the ball after a first down or a touchdown, they're going to have conversations about that. But Jeremy's going to be another year older. Even he looks back at some stuff on tape and kind of closes one eye. Things he did as a rookie, he won't do those things again."

Shockey agreed, saying, "I've learned a lot from my mistakes. ... I feel like I've matured." He said he never has been late or failed to work hard. "I like discipline. I like doing things right."

And the winner is ... Shockey -- as long as he stays healthy.

If there's one thing that might keep Shockey from Coughlin's good graces it would be injuries. Fortunately, the former first-round pick, who began practicing lightly last week, will pick up the pace in coming days.

Seattle Seahawks: Itula Mili vs. Jerramy Stevens

OK, one traditional battle here. Mili set the team record for receptions the past two seasons, with 43 and 46 catches, but the team needs Stevens to become the player he was expected to be when he was drafted.

Head coach Mike Holmgren's offense uses tight ends extensively, and Stevens' combination of size, speed and hands would bring a different dimension and more versatility to the offense.

So, Mili's contract-related absence during initial mini-camp workouts this spring becomes more significant because it offered Stevens an opportunity to prove his worth.

The latest word out of Seattle says Stevens might be starting to separate from Mili, but either way the Seahawks plan to utilize both tight ends liberally this season.

And the winner is ... fantasy owners with Matt Hasselbeck on their rosters!

Any development that adds yet another weapon to Seattle's offensive arsenal only makes Hasselbeck that much more dangerous.

Moving on to the place-kickers.

Jacksonville: The Florida Times-Union reports that Josh Scobee remains in the lead in the kicking duel with Jeff Chandler.

Kansas City: Head coach Dick Vermeil said the competition remains open between Morten Andersen, who turned 44 this week, and Lawrence Tynes. Andersen seems to be fending off the challenge at this point

New York: Bill Gramatica's misfortune turned out to be Todd France's good luck. Gramatica experienced back spasms during a training camp practice on Tuesday and was forced out of last night's game, leaving the Giants with just one place-kicker against the Panthers. France helped his case by nailing a 51-yard field goal in the first quarter with plenty to spare. He added another from 42 yards out in the second quarter.

That's all for now. Check back next week when we start looking at my favorite 2004 sleepers.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.