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What's worse than a month of two-a-days in heavy, 100° heat and a bunch of rabid coaches barking orders in your face? How about all of that pain and suffering plus having to look over your shoulder at some punk who wants your job? Sadistically, though, what's trouble for players is just more useful info for dialed-in gamers like us. Here are some fantasy-fruitful battles about to be waged-and that you should watch-in upcoming camps:

Saints QB:
Either Jeff Blake or Aaron Brooks will be a top-10 QB in your draft. But which one? Blake's a known quantity (adequate). But Brooks? His tool chest is as loaded as McNabb's, so his ceiling is as high as the Superdome's. Blake thinks the brass favors the other guy. So do I. Prediction: Brooks.

49ers backfield: To quote Poison, "Give me something to believe in." Will the TB by the Bay be injury-prone Paul Smith or injury-ravaged Garrison Hearst? Prediction: Only one will be standing by the end of camp. Call me Citizen Gamer. I believe in Hearst.

Bears backfield: James Allen got 1,000 yards in '00. But the fickle Bears got Anthony Thomas in the second round and free agent Skip Hicks. Prediction: Hicks has size, speed and experience. Experience rules.

PackerS backfield: Ahman Green's 1,175 rushing yards, 559 receiving yards and 13 TDs earned him MVFP (most valuable fantasy Packer) last year. So who can dim his bright future? Dorsey Levens, who put up big numbers before his knee blew up. Prediction: Green. Levens is 31 and, well, his knee blew up.

E-mail The Gamer at GamerRules@go.com.