Many fans only watch the beginning of preseason to judge how their team’s starters fare against the other teams’ first-string and then lose interest when subs come in. However, with a little knowledge, watching a few players compete for the opportunity to live out their childhood fantasy of making the final cut of an NFL team can make every minute of the NFL preseason exciting. The next two weeks of practice and the final two preseason games will be critical in the battle for a limited number of open spots on the Chargers 53-man roster.

The fiercest battles are at the wide receiver position. Currently the Chargers have 12 receivers on their 90-man training camp roster that will be trimmed down to 80 by August 30. The final roster will allow for only a maximum of six receivers, guaranteeing a few talented players will be left on the outside looking in. Barring a major injury, three of the receiver spots are already accounted for. Malcom Floyd, Patrick Crayton, and Vincent Jackson are virtually locks to be the starters. This leaves nine others to compete for just a few spots. Typically a team carries only five receivers.

However, there are ways to manipulate the roster to allow for a sixth. For example, carrying two quarterbacks rather than three would make room for an additional receiver. Although third-string quarterback Scott Tolzien (an undrafted free agent) has looked good in camp, the Chargers could place him on the practice squad without a great deal of fear he will be claimed by another team. This would free up space for a sixth receiver. The Chargers may have to do this because SDSU alum wide receiver Vincent Brown, who was drafted this year in the third-round, has missed the majority of training camp with a sore hamstring.

Head coach Norv Turner sees tremendous talent in Brown who is very much in the team’s future plans. Brown will not be ready to make a significant contribution at the start of the season because of the amount of practice time he has missed. Nor would it be safe to put Brown on the practice squad because that would open the door for another team to sign him to their active roster. Therefore, Brown will likely be protected on the 53-man active roster.

The Chargers similarly protected safety Darrell Stuckey (fourth round, 2010) last season. If the Chargers decide to go with six receivers, then that leaves eight men competing for two spots: Seyi Ajirotutu, Richard Goodman, Vidal Hazelton, Cameron Kenney, Travon Patterson, Laurent Robinson, Bryan Walters, and Kelley Washington. Hazelton, Kenney, and Paterson are all rookie undrafted free agents. Though they may provide depth on the practice squad, neither of them have distinguished themselves enough to truly be considered for a spot on the 53-man active roster. Seyi Ajirotutu is the leading candidate of the final five men to make the cut.

Last season Ajirotutu was a rookie undrafted free agent out of Fresno State who started the year on the practice squad. Injuries to other receivers led to a call up and he made the most of it. Ajirotutu helped the Chargers with their first road victory of the year with four receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Texans. He was awarded a game ball and following the game Turner said he plans for Ajirotutu to be on the team for years to come. If Ajirotutu secures a spot then that leaves Washington, Walters, Robinson and Goodman, to compete for the final spot.

Washington, a nine-year veteran, came to the team mid-way through last season to help bolster special teams and Turner did not originally intend to use him as a receiver. Yet due to injuries of other players, Washington finished the season with 13 receptions for 173 yards, many of which came in critical third-down situations. Washington’s experience and performance last season does not guarantee him a job this year. The role he played on special teams is replaceable and he has not distinguished himself as a stand-out receiver in training camp.

Furthermore, Washington sprained his knee in the first preseason game against Seattle. If he plays again it will not be until the fourth and final preseason game. This will likely not leave him with enough opportunity to win a spot. Walters, who returned a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown against Seattle, is a fan favorite to make the team. He has done everything right in camp and has seldom missed an opportunity to catch a pass. Still in all likelihood Walters will return to the practice squad this season. He is not the fastest, tallest, nor does he have the best footwork among those competing for the job. Robinson, a five-year veteran who the Chargers signed to add further competition at the receiver spot has had a career marred with injuries. Robinson only has a total of 1,000 receiving yards through his first four seasons, and despite being healthy, has yet to stand out from the pack and needs at least one spectacular performance this preseason to win a job.

Like Ajirotutu, Goodman was an undrafted free agent in 2010 who started the year on the practice squad and made the active roster during the season. Although Goodman only had one catch and it was a disaster. Following a 25 yard reception in week 7 against the New England Patriots, Goodman set the ball down after he fell to the turf untouched. The lack of judgment resulted in a turnover that arguably cost the Chargers the game and perhaps ultimately even a playoff spot. (Read: Chargers' Goodman Apologizes) Despite this play, Turner sees a lot in Goodman who is possibly the fastest man on the roster. His speed makes him a versatile player who can contribute on special teams as both a returner on offense and a gunner (first man down the field) on defense during kicks. Goodman missed the first preseason game with a minor injury. Against Dallas in game two he was the starting punt returner and averaged 28 yards per punt return with a long of 36 yards. He also had two catches for 11yards.

If Goodman can build on that performance in the final preseason games he will likely secure the final receiver spot if the Chargers decide tocarry six receivers. The only thing certain, is nothing has been decided yet.