LenDale White rushed for 1,110 yards on 303 carries, with seven touchdowns, in 2007. Bill Frakes/SI Ross Tucker's Mailbag Ross Tucker will answer your questions every Friday in his mailbag. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Ross Tucker on Twitter

AFC EAST

1. Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots: You know you have a good thing going when the only player who really needs to produce early in training camp and the preseason in order to keep his job is the back-up quarterback. Cassel will have third-round pick Kevin O'Connell anxious for the opportunity should he falter.

2. Kellen Clemens, QB, New York Jets: The Jets are hoping Clemens shows the ability early to give them the best chance to win. Eric Mangini, however, will be hard-pressed to maintain his patience should Clemens show a lack of progress and could elect to turn back to old faithful, veteran quarterback Chad Pennington.

3. Trent Edwards, QB, Buffalo Bills: The Bills believe Edwards is their quarterback of the future and present after his performance last year as a rookie. They do have J.P. Losman on the roster, however, and will not hesitate to play him should Edwards hit a sophomore slump. The Bills believe 2008 is their year to break the playoff drought and can't let anything get in their way.

4. John Beck, QB, Miami Dolphins: Just like the tie goes to the runner in baseball, a tie goes to the player brought in by the current regime in the NFL. That could spell trouble for Beck if he doesn't have an outstanding preseason as the Dolphins signed Josh McCown and drafted Chad Henne.

AFC SOUTH

1. LenDale White, RB, Tennessee Titans: Though White ran for over 1,000 yards in his first extended playing time, he still averaged less than four yards a pop, prompting the Titans to draft speedster Chris Johnson in the first round.

2. Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans: Schaub was ordained as the Texans starter given the trade that was made and the compensation that he was given a year ago. Yet his health issues in year one and the success of Sage Rosenfels leads some to speculate coach Gary Kubiak may go with Rosenfels should Schaub struggle early in 2008.

3. Kenton Keith, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Keith's fate might already be sealed with the Colts decision to re-sign Dominic Rhodes and the selection of Mike Hart. He needs to be extremely productive in the preseason to maintain a roster spot.

4. Matt Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jones was taken in the first round by the Jaguars for a reason. Unfortunately, they still don't know what that reason was. Jones stature took a hit with the signing of Jerry Porter and trade for Troy Williamson, though the departure of Ernest Wilford helps his cause towards being their red-zone threat.

AFC NORTH

1. Sean Mahan, C, Pittsburgh Steelers: Mahan was less than stellar in year one after taking over the reins from Jeff Hartings. Justin Hartwig was brought in to provide competition and to step in should Mahan continue to disappoint.

2. Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns: It doesn't matter how well Anderson played in 2007 or what the numbers are on his new contract. If he doesn't play well early, on a team with high expectations and primetime games galore, fans will call for local boy Brady Quinn.

3. Rudi Johnson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: Though Johnson's 2007 season was ravaged by a rash of injuries, there are some out there that believe Johnson is already on the downside of a productive career in Cincinnati. Kenny Watson, Kenny Irons and Chris Perry should be available to pick up the slack.

4. Kyle Boller, QB, Baltimore Ravens: This one is a little too obvious. Boller is likely just keeping the seat warm for Joe Flacco unless he produces in a Derek Anderson-like fashion to begin the season.

AFC WEST

1. Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver Broncos: Marshall is not in danger or losing his role in the Broncos offense but he is in danger of losing the trust of his quarterback if he doesn't get his act together early. QB Jay Cutler has been critical of Marshall's work habits and attitude and these two must get in sync for Denver to have a chance in 2008.

2. Lamont Jordan, RB, Oakland Raiders: Jordan is an expendable part at this point and probably hopes to leave Raiderland as soon as possible given the contract given to Justin Fargas and the selection of Darren McFadden with the fourth pick. Jordan's career is currently stuck in neutral.

3. Craig Davis, WR, San Diego Chargers: Davis allowed himself to take a back seat a year ago to Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers. The Chargers need him to step up and provide an additional viable threat for Phillip Rivers.

4. Brodie Croyle, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: Croyle probably has four games, if that, to show some progress or get a win under his belt before the Chiefs will see what Tyler Thigpen can do. Croyle is the prototypical player when identifying guys that need to produce early or else.

Ross Tucker played for five teams in his seven-year NFL career. He has joined SI.com as a regular contributor on the NFL beat.