Week One Preview - Combines vs. Ramblers

Kevan Barlow (above) could be the key...

Each Friday FightinCombines.blogspot.com will preview the upcoming weekend's game. The preview will consist of a position by position breakdown and rating This week the Combines face Randy's Ramblers in a division showdown of epic proportions.

Quarterback: Peyton Manning (Ramblers) vs. Michael Vick (Inland Empire) - Manning already scored 18 points in the Thursday night game while Michael Vick is certainly a risk. Nobody knows exactly if Vick can stay healthy or master the West Coast offense. Advantage: Ramblers

Runningback 1: Clinton Portis (R) vs. Rudi Johnson (IE) - Portis is a stud who should score big points under Joe Gibbs. However it is his first game on a new team facing a tough Tampa Bay defense. Johnson comes in highly touted after a surprising first season. Will the Jets focus on stopping him and force QB Carson Palmer hurt himself or can Palmer put together a good enough performance to open things up. Time will tell. Advantage: Ramblers, barely

Runningback 2: Steven Jackson (R) vs. T.J. Duckett (IE) - Two guys who won't play full-time. Jackson has to back up Marshall Faulk but figures to see some carries. Duckett on the other hand will play much more extensively and is the main guy on the goalline. Advantage: Combines

RB/WR: Charlie Rogers (R) vs. Kevan Barlow (IE) - Usually you figure the runninback should outperform the receiver, but Barlow is on the worst team in the league and Rogers is the number one receiver on an up-and-coming team. Advantage: Even

Wide Receiver 1: Torry Holt (R) vs. Andre Johnson (IE) - The rules changes for defensive interference should really help Holt and push him into the elite category of wide receivers. Andre Johnson looks to improve on an incredible rookie season with the upstart Texans and should score big points. Advantage: Ramblers

Wide Receiver 2: Plaxico Burress (R) vs. Jerry Porter (IE) - Burress is a very nice receiver but figures to be the second receiver behind Hines Ward. Factor in the dangerous talent of Antwaan Randle-El and Plaxico has some competition for catches. However, Porter is the man in Oakland. Jerry Rice figures to have some catches, but after that, who do they throw to? Advantage: Combines

Tight End: Ituli Mili (R) vs Dallas Clark (IE) - If Jeramy Stevens can play well, then Mili may become a non-factor although he is always dangerous around the goalline. Clark scored six points in the Thursday night game, which is about as much as you can ask out of a tight end. Advantage: Even

Kicker: Josh Brown (R) vs. Kris Brown (IE) - Seattle should score lots of points, Houston might not. Seattle's might all be touchdowns though, while Houston could very well stall in field goal range. Advantage: Even

Defense: Dolphins (R) vs. Buccaneers (IE) - The Dolphins offense is going to be so bad, that the defense will probably play quite a bit meaning lots of scoring but more sacks. What can you say about the Buccaneers? They might be the best. Advantage: Combines

Overall: It should be a very even game. It boils down to how well Michael Vick plays and if Steven Jackson plays. The matchup to watch though is Charlie Rogers vs. Kevan Barlow. Rogers was a mid draft selection while the Combines spent their third pick on Barlow. Barlow could account for 90% of San Francisco's offense, but Rogers is the man in Detroit. Whoever comes out on top will probably mean victory for their team.