Running back Laurence Maroney averaged an impressive 4.5 yards per carry last season.

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The Providence Journal /

With the New England Patriots beginning training camp Thursday and thus kicking off the start of the 2008 season, here’s 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.

•QUARTERBACK

In the mix: Tom Brady (9th season), Matt Cassel (4th), Matt Gutierrez (2nd), Kevin O’Connell (rookie).

Questions and concerns: Will the Patriots carry four quarterbacks on the final roster or will Cassel or Gutierrez be packing his bags?

As the reigning NFL most valuable player and coming off a record-setting season, Brady is the unquestioned top dog, not just with the Patriots but around in the league. So the battle will be among backups. Cassel, entering the final season of his rookie contract, hasn’t shown much in his limited chances and will feel the heat from Gutierrez and O’Connell. Gutierrez was a practice star last season, though it’s unknown how that will translate in real-game situations; putting him on practice squad is unlikely also, inasmuch as another team would surely scoop him up on potential alone. O’Connell was drafted in the third round, the highest the Pats have taken a QB since Drew Bledsoe, and at a minimum that buys him some time to prove himself.

•RUNNING BACK

In the mix: Kevin Faulk (10th season), Sammy Morris (9th), Heath Evans (8th), Laurence Maroney (3rd), Kyle Eckel (2nd), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (rookie)

Questions and concerns: Can Maroney stay healthy and have a breakout season? Is Morris at 100 percent after his freak injury last year?

But for the three games he missed in October due to a groin injury, Maroney would have had a 1,000-yard season. However, after Morris’ season-ending injury against Dallas, he was getting the bulk of the carries. Still, the potential is there — Maroney averaged an impressive 4.5 yards per carry, learning to marry his method of getting the ball and sprinting with the coaching staff’s desire for him to be more patient and let the holes open up. With back-to-back 100-yard games before getting hurt, Morris was a revelation and offered a nice change of pace for the offense. Faulk was Mr. Safety Valve, picking up first downs on a regular basis; he and Tedy Bruschi are the only remaining players to predate the Bill Belichick era in New England. Green-Ellis will have a difficult time beating out one of those three, unless he proves to be a stellar special teamer.

Evans, who is more of a fullback, has also shown himself capable of gaining yards, both carrying the ball and as a receiver; Eckel’s role is primarily on special teams.

•TIGHT ENDS

In the mix: Marcus Pollard (14th season), Benjamin Watson (5th), David Thomas (3rd), Stephen Spach (3rd), Jonathan Stupar (rookie)

Questions and concerns: After undergoing ankle surgery early in the off-season, will Watson take part in training camp? Is Thomas’ foot — broken over a year ago — completely healed?

If he’s ready to go, Thomas may have a chance to shine. Watson had surgery in late February/early March and will probably land on the unable-to-perform list to start camp. But even when healthy, Watson still seems to fall short of the potential that came with his being a first-round pick in 2004. Though he was rehabbing for much of last season, Thomas showed sure hands and good speed as a rookie and can build on that with a strong camp. Pollard, who didn’t seem to be moving all that well in the off-season camps, won’t be asked to run many routes but rather stay on the line to protect Brady when necessary. Spach saw some time as a reserve late last season; undrafted rookie Stupar played for former Belichick assistant Al Groh at Virginia.

smanza@projo.com