Can Colt McCoy Survive Blitzburgh?

Jordan Shipley Returns To Bengals Practice

Michael Huff: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Jammer shutting ‘em down

Vince Young still proving himself

Redding Overcame Jitters To Notch Sack

Cedric Griffin Out For Season With Torn ACL

Brian Orakpo wreaking some havoc for Redskins

Vikings DE Brian Robison suffers sprained ankle

Benson talks running game

Melton knows this is his chance

Explanation:

Earlier we put together a 2010 offense squad comprised of the best current NFL players. This time, we’re looking at the defense.

Our defensive formation is a lot trickier than offense based on personnel. We’re going to do something crazy here and come out of the gates with a 5-2-4 defense, which gets the best players on the field, even though a 4-3 or 3-4 is more typical in the NFL.

Lineup/Formation:

Aaron Ross — — — Michael Griffin — — — Earl Thomas — — — Cedric Griffin

Derrick Johnson — Sergio Kindle

Brian Orakpo — Casey Hampton — Shaun Rogers — Lamarr Houston — Cory Redding

Alternatives worth considering:

• There are a lot of other options here, especially with formations. We’re a little thin at lineback, but Kindle and Orakpo’s versatile ability gives us options. Orakpo could shuffle back to a LB position and Brian Robison could fill in at DE over DT Houston for more of a 4-3 lineup
• With depth at defense back, a 4-2-5 (nickel) formation could be used with Michael Huff or Quentin Jammer seeing the field over Houston.
• There’s also good depth on the defensive line, so Robison, Henry Melton and Roy Miller could rotate in and give the starters a breather.