A healthy Richard Seymour, pressuring Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley last season, would be a boon to the Pats’ defense.

Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundson

With the New England Patriots beginning training camp tomorrow and thus kicking off the start of the 2008 season, we’ll take a look at the players at each position and questions for each, as well as potential camp battles that will play out in the coming weeks.

•DEFENSIVE LINE

In the mix: Richard Seymour (8th NFL season), Jarvis Green (7th), Kenny Smith (6th), Ty Warren (6th), Vince Wilfork (5th), Mike Wright (4th), LeKevin Smith (3rd), Santonio Thomas (2nd), Steve Fifita (2nd) and Chris Norwell (rookie).

Questions and concerns: Will Wilfork’s contract extension get done during the season? Is Seymour finally healthy?

At the Patriots’ charitable golf tournament last month, Seymour said physically he’s “five times better” than he’s been the previous two seasons, when he battled knee issues.

If that’s true, New England’s defensive line will be the best in the NFL. Wilfork is coming off a Pro Bowl season, Warren should have been there, and Seymour is one of the best in the game when healthy. With the linebacking corps integrating some new faces into the mix, the renewed strength of this unit will be more of a plus.

LeKevin Smith looked good at defensive end last season, but he’s being groomed as Wilfork’s backup; Fifita and Kenny Smith have experience at nose tackle, as well. Wright missed much of last season with an injury, and Thomas saw spot duty as a reserve. Norwell was undrafted but has great size at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds.

•CORNERBACKS

In the mix: Fernando Bryant (10th), Lewis Sanders (9th), Jason Webster (9th), Ellis Hobbs (4th), Antwain Spann (3rd), Mike Richardson (2nd), Terrence Wheatley (rookie) and Jonathan Wilhite (rookie).

Questions and concerns: Is Hobbs healthy? Which two players will be starting at corner? Can Wheatley challenge the veterans right away?

Though he was not a favorite of Patriots fans last season, particularly after having been in coverage on Plaxico Burress when the Giants wide receiver caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII, Hobbs revealed he’d struggled all season with a sports hernia (which often presents as a groin injury) and underwent surgery for a torn labrum, as well. If he’s healthy, he’s assumed to be one of the starting corners.

Bryant, coming off a solid season and with lots to prove on just a one-year contract, is the top challenger to be opposite him. Webster, who missed much of last season with a broken arm suffered in the season-opener, and Wheatley are the top contenders to battle for the third corner spot.

Tomorrow: Linebackers and safeties.

smanza@projo.com