Jaguars training camp battle: Ingram vs. Greisen

By Krupka  |   Monday, June 26, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Jacksonville Jaguars
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When the Jacksonville Jaguars begin training camp July 28, one position that will be up for grabs is the weak-side linebacker spot. The two 'backers battling it out are four-year veteran Nick Greisen and rookie Clint Ingram.

Greisen was signed as an unrestricted free-agent back on April 29. After spending his first four seasons in the league as a member of the New York Giants, Greisen agreed to a two-year deal with the Jaguars. The 25-year-old made a name for himself for his outstanding play. Time and again when the Giants' defense made a big play, it could be, in part, thanks to Greisen at the point of attack. His propensity for doing the little things right made him a favorite among the "G-Men" faithful.

Not only is Greisen an underrated performer, but he also possesses great leadership skills and character. Although he lacks elite speed, the former fifth-round pick makes up for it with his smarts and technique. He always makes sure to position himself, read the play, then attack, and wrap up.

Greisen's competition is rookie linebacker Clint Ingram, a third-round pick from this past April's draft. Ingram has ideal size (6-2, 244), and here comes the cliché: he plays even bigger.

The youngster is extremely athletic and has first-rate speed, which enables him to shoot like a bullet out of a gun on every snap. At Oklahoma he was a ball hawk, and always seemed to be making big play after big play. The 23-year-old is also fairly good in coverage, and still has plenty of upside.

A few knocks on Ingram heading into the draft included that he played more with his athletic ability, rather than football instincts, which did get him in trouble at times. He plays aggressive a majority of the time and can get caught out of position. In training camp, he will need to show the coaching staff that he wasn't simply a product of the Sooners' system. In order to earn a starting job, he must prove that he can pick up the pro game.

While the two grind it out in training camp, expect the rookie to be nipping at the veteran's heels the entire time; but in this case, experience will likely pay off. Greisen should have another terrific season as a starter, while Ingram learns the system and becomes the understudy to an underappreciated, yet terrific linebacker.

Not a bad competition to watch unfold during the dog days of summer, if you're a Jags fan.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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