Lorenzo Alexander healthy, there's 'no doubt' he could start

All through OTAs, at one outside linebacker position, the starter was veteran Lorenzo Alexander. Perhaps that is a surprise to you, but it shouldn't. He is finally healthy.

After joining the team as a free agent in 2013, he was a starter at outside linebacker. He played well until he hurt his foot, suffering a Lis Franc fracture. It wiped out the rest of that season. Last offseason he was still trying to come back and didn't move around too well.

This offseason, though, is different.

"'Zo' is probably the healthiest he's been," said head coach Bruce Arians, also noting "there's no doubt" he could handle a starting job. "That foot injury has taken a year and a half (to fully heal)."

Arians then went on to describe Alexander's strengths.

"The things about 'Zo' is he can play all four linebacker positions because he's so bright and so dedicated," Arians said. "He can play outside linebacker because he's got a great motor for a pass rusher. He's a heavy, heavy handed blitzer up the middle."

Alexander will be in a battle for playing time. Alex Okafor, who led the team in sacks in 2014, has one side locked up. Then there is Alexander, veteran free agent addition LaMarr Woodley, Kareem Martin (who changed positions) and draft picks Markus Golden and Shaq Riddick.

I don't know if Alexander will end up the starter -- we will see if anything changes in mini-camp and training camp. Perhaps he will start out as the base starter and come off in pass rushing situations. That is the role he played briefly in 2013 before his injury. Will he do more? Will he perhaps end up a salary cap casualty?

Arians thinks Alexander can start. Shoudl we doubt him?