Ann Heisenfelt / AP

Tarvaris Jackson must beat out Sage Rosenfels to be the Vikings' starting quarterback in 2009.

New York Jets

The contenders: Kellen Clemens, Mark Sanchez.

The chase: If Sanchez picks up the offense, the job will be his. Rex Ryan hinted at as much last weekend, and has experience winning with a rookie QB. Plus, this is a good situation for a neophyte, like Atlanta and Baltimore were last year.

"I have an opinion on how it's going to go," Ryan said. "But I'm not going to share it with you. I'd be lying if I said I had no idea how it's going to work out. I assume it's going to work out a certain way, but you have to earn the job."

Miller's take: "It's Mark Sanchez. It's slanted already. I don't think Kellen Clemens has much of a shot. It's Rex's commitment in trading up to get the guy, too. He feels like he can manage Sanchez with the run game and defense, and he really likes Sanchez's moxie. The stage of New York doesn't faze him."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The contenders: Josh Freeman, Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown.

The chase: McCown looked shaky early this spring, making Leftwich the likely bridge to Freeman. And the assumption of most is that Freeman will take some time to adjust to a conventional pro offense.

But coach Raheem Morris was quick to note that at last week's minicamp Freeman "delivered the football, controlled the huddle and made some nice throws."

Miller's take: "I believe that Leftwich will win that job, particularly if McCown continues to falter. I don't think Freeman's ready, but if they start losing, they might throw him in there. If you're 3-7, and you think he's tough enough to take it, maybe you put him in."

More news

NBC Sports

What's up with Alex and Cam?

  SportsTalk: 49ers quarterback Alex Smith rips on Panthers' second-year QB Cam Newton.

NBC Sports

Sanchez looking over his shoulder at Tebow?

  SportsTalk: Is Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez concerned about being benched for Tim Tebow? It's possible.

Headlines

• Label

PFT: Giants' confidence in Randle is growing

PFT: Bears have doubts about Forte's knees

PFT: Jeff Garcia still wants to play in the NFL

PFT: Ex-Dolphin testifies in bizarre murder case

PFT Live: Top picks bring QB competitions

PFT: Williams tape may hinder 'Hard Knocks'

PFT Live: Cardinals' DB Campbell is excited

PFT: Polamalu thinks kids should play football