With rookie camp starting today, and having already looked at the offensive side of the ball, let's take a look at the defensive players that are on the 90-man offseason roster. Of course, this will probably change a little bit after this weekend. They might keep some tryout players and they might add a veteran or two.
Here's how the roster looks as of right now:
Defensive tackle/nose tackle (3):
Corey Peters
Alameda Ta'amu
Xavier Williams
Peters is listed at DT and the other two at NT. Peters will probably be the starting nose tackle and remain in the game as one of the two inside rush linemen for sub packages. That is what is anticipated to start. Unless anyone else is added to the roster, Williams and Ta'amu will battle for the true nose tackle spot.
Defensive end (7):
Calais Campbell
Rodney Gunter
Josh Mauro
Cory Redding
Frostee Rucker
Matt Shaughnessy
Ed Stinson
This is going to be fun to watch. There isn't a way to keep all of these players. Notice the team didn't bring in a single undrafted rookie at the position -- the only one was a nose tackle. Mauro looks like he will be the odd man out, but probably one other player will end up on the outside looking in, barring injury. Will that be Rucker? Shaughnessy -- who just moved from OLB to DE? Stinson? This is as deep a position I can recall seeing the Cardinalss ever have.
Outside linebacker (7):
Lorenzo Alexander
Markus Golden
Kareem Martin
Alex Okafor
Shaquille Riddick
Zack Wagenmann
LaMarr Woodley
How many can the Cardinals keep? Will Alexander end up a cap casualty? There will probably be four -- maybe five -- OLBs they keep. If Martin doesn't show anything in the offseason after not having shown much last season, will the team move on? Or will Woodley simply not have anything left in the tank?
Inside linebacker (8):
Glenn Carson
Kenny Demens
Alani Fua
Edwin Jackson
Andrae Kirk
Gabe Martin
Kevin Minter
Sean Weatherspoon
This list does not include Daryl Washington because he is still suspended. Clearly this position is up for grabs. I think only one player is a lock -- Weatherspoon. Minter should be back, but we will have to wait and see. One or two undrafted rookies coudld find their way onto the roster at this position.
Conrerback (11):
Justin Bethel
Cariel Brooks
Alfonzo Dennard
Jimmy Legree
Patrick Peterson
Jerraud Powers
C.J. Roberts
Damond Smith
Ross Weaver
Eddie Whitley
Darren Woodard
For liking what they have, Bruce Arians sure has a whole bunch of corners. Peterson, Powers and Bethel are the locks. After that, it is up for grabs.
Safety (6):
Deone Bucannon
D.J. Campbell
Chris Clemons
Tony Jefferson
Rashad Johnson
Tyrann Mathieu
This position is more or less set. We know four guys will make the team and play. Will they keep Clemons? Campbell is unlikely.
Specialists (4):
Mike Leach, LS
Chandler Catanzaro, K
Drew Butler, P
Dave Zastudil, P
Butler is around as the "competition." Plus, with Zasty's age and previous leg injury, it wasn't the worst idea to keep Butler around. Butler was inconsistent, but mostly average. He is insurance in case Zasty gets hurt again. Of course, some would say they should sign someone else, but, as they say, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. There you have it -- Butler is the devil.