What's frightening — at least to someone that hasn't been on vacation yet — is that the first practice of 2017 training camp is exactly one month away. This is where I'd like time to slow down a bit. But this is also the time, before I take a step away for a bit and with the Cardinals a couple weeks already gone after wrapping minicamp, that I take a too-early shot at what the starting lineups will be Sept. 10 in Detroit.
Today, we'll do defense. Tomorrow, the offense (right here). Most of these are pretty obvious. There are no real titanic battles on the camp docket. These can change if Steve Keim chooses to bring in a vet, but right now, nothing is imminent.
DT — Josh Mauro. Quietly, Mauro a) started almost all last season and b) has become one of the favorites of this coaching staff. No gaudy stats, but DL coach Brentson Buckner said Mauro is always effective when he's on the field.
NT — Corey Peters. Speaking of quietly, Peters too played well in 2016. Came back strong off his Achilles injury. Proving to be a solid 2015 free-agent signing, even if he missed a year.
DT — Frostee Rucker. Always a chance Robert Nkemdiche could slip in, but I'm guessing Rucker — now healthy when he wasn't in 2016 — takes hold of this spot, at least in the beginning. There will be plenty of rotating across the defensive line at all three spots.
OLB — Chandler Jones. No more uncertainly. Jones has his long-term contract, and so you pencil him in.
ILB — Haason Reddick. This is supposed to be Deone Bucannon's spot, and there is still a chance he's ready by the opener. I'm going to guess it'll take Buc a little longer than that to be ready, and so I think the rookie will be the anti-Nkemdiche/Humphries and be in the lineup from jump.
ILB — Karlos Dansby. Dansby is supposed to be a bridge guy to the Bucannon/Reddick ILB lineup. But he still sees himself as "legendary," and to the benefit of the Cards, he'll work as hard as he can to stay in the lineup.
OLB — Markus Golden. Had a breakout second season, leading the team in sacks. Will be an interesting year too, since he (like David Johnson) will be eligible for a contract extension after the season, with 2018 his final year under contract.
CB — Patrick Peterson. A star, and he's earned that title. Sometimes he gives up something, but that happens when you cover the other team's best every week. Most of the time, Peterson makes the play.
CB — Justin Bethel. One of the biggest questions. Wouldn't be shocked at all if Bethel is not the starter against the Lions. If Keim were to sign a veteran on defense, this is the spot I would bet it'd be for. All that said, Bethel looked better than Brandon Williams in the offseason, he is healthy, and if the roster stays as is, Bethel makes the most sense in this role.
FS — Tyrann Mathieu. The Cardinals need full-on Honey Badger. That is all.
SS — Antoine Bethea. There are options at the other safety spot. I don't see Budda Baker in this role, not yet. Tyvon Branch remains an option. But there is a reason the Cardinals signed Bethea, and I think they will want his experience and leadership on the field.
