With OTA’s officially underway we decided to give you what we think will be the starting lineup on the defensive side of the ball once the season begins on Wednesday, September 5.

Cornerback - As far as the two starting corners, you can book it now.  A NFL team does not move up in the first round of the draft and give up with they Cowboys did in order to get a backup corner, so we undoubtedly have Claiborne starting.  Also, after paying Carr a little over $50 million, we are sure he will be starting on the other side.   The only real question is who is going to be starting as the nickel back.  The two obvious options are Scandrick and Jenkins.  Since Scandrick signed the long term deal and Jenkins is refusing to show up to OTA’s, Scandrick should get that spot (even though I favor Jenkins).

Safety - Here, we got to go with the two veterans, Sensabaugh and Pool.  Since Pool has already played under Ryan back in Cleveland, he should fit right in and should already be familiar with the system.

ILB – It appears that the two Penn State linebackers are going to hold down the middle of our defense.  After Lee’s great year, he is a definite and with the signing of Connor, he should be right next to him.  Carter might make a push for Connor’s spot but unless he surprises everyone with some drastic improvements, it should be Connor’s.

OLB - Ware and Spencer.   Ware is, well of course, arguably the best OLB in the game and even though I am not a Spencer fan, he is best on our roster after Ware.

Defensive End – Here we might have a little bit of a competition.  Spears will start on one side but the other is up for grabs.  With Kenyon Coleman starting in that spot most of last year but not showing anything real impressive, that leaves room for the our third round pick-Crawford.  It is going to be an interesting training camp and we think Crawford will end up starting at DE when the season starts.

Defensive Tackle- This spot certainly belongs to Ratliff.

-SC