Roster analysis: Linebackers

Seventh in a series

Today: Linebackers

Starters: Strong-side linebacker Rashad Jeanty, middle linebacker Landon Johnson, weak-side linebacker Dhani Jones

Backups: Ahmad Brooks, Anthony Schlegel, Corey Mays, Roy Manning, Jim Maxwell, Caleb Miller, Lemar Marshall, Eric Henderson, Odell Thurman

Four linebackers -- Brooks, Miller, Marshall and Henderson -- were lost early in the season to the injured reserve list. Miller, Marshall, Johnson and Jones are all eligible for free agency. The Bengals have made offers to Jones and Johnson that Jones is likely to accept but Johnson reject.

Johnson moved to middle linebacker and led the defense in tackles for the third time in four seasons. Still, he appears to be under-valued by the Bengals. Miller is gone. If Marshall is healthy after tearing his Achilles' tendon, he is a valuable and productive player.

The key here is Brooks, a potential dominating force in the middle who played well in the opener but aggravated a groin injury covering a kickoff in Week 2. He had surgery, and if he can put together a second consecutive strong offseason in the weight room and classroom, the Bengals have a real gem to build around defensively.

As is the case at running back, offseason decisions by the front office and solid, productive rehab programs for the players are vital if the Bengals want to avoid the chaos that afflicted their defense in 2007.

The linebackers have a new position coach in Jeff FitzGerald. Thurman, suspended by the NFL for the past two seasons, received permission to begin working out with the team. That decision most likely will lead to his reinstatement.

Question: Let's say the Bengals are switching to the three-lineman, four-linebacker base. Without adding players, though you can re-sign any of the free agents, who are your four starting linebackers in 2008?