Training Camp Standouts at Each Defensive Position

Though the beginning of training camp may seem insignificant to even NFL fans that would call themselves "diehards," remember, every player is being examined by the coaching staff on every play. 

Be smart.

Don't dismiss the start of practices with pads. 

No, they won't make or break your team's season, but they're is plenty to monitor as the preseason approaches. 

NFL training camps yield unprecedented league-wide optimism. But through a week of practices, which defensive players have stood out the most?

Defensive Tackles

Stephen Paea, Chicago Bears

Paea, the 2011 NFL Combine bench press titan, battled injuries in his rookie year and only mustered 14 tackles and two sacks while appearing in 11 games. 

Thus far in Bears camp, he's the front-runner to win the starting nose tackle job. 

According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com, "The 2011 second-round pick took every practice rep with the first team on Thursday, and has garnered positive feedback in camp from the coaching staff for his versatility, speed, strength and athleticism."

If Chicago can receive positive contributions from Paea in the middle of its defensive line, Julius Peppers, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher could be even more productive in 2012. 

In the same article, Paea was quoted saying, "I'm in the best shape of my life before a season."

Anthony Toribio, Kansas City Chiefs 

Theoretically, all eyes should be on 2012 first-round pick Dontari Poe, and he should be the team's starting nose tackle in Week 1.

Anthony Toribio has done enough to divert attention and first-team repetitions away from the mammoth defender. 

The 27-year-old, who went undrafted out of Carson-Newman in 2008, caught the eye of NFL.com's Bucky Brooks when he visited a Kansas City practice.

Said Brooks in a recent column:

"

The unheralded nose tackle has been one of the most impressive performers in training camp. Given the importance of the nose tackle to the Chiefs' version of the 3-4, Toribio could become the most important player on an underrated defensive front. 

"

Derrick Johnson must be happy. 

Aubrayo Franklin, San Diego Chargers

Remember when Aubrayo Franklin was the San Francisco 49ers' franchise player? 

He was hit with the tag after the 2009 season, and unfortunately, has experienced quite the fall from grace since that apex of his career. 

The Chargers took a shot on the 6'1'', 317-pound nose tackle by signing to him a one-year contract on July 20. 

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the move may pay major dividends in 2012:

"

I forgot Chargers signed Aubrayo Franklin until he just crushed that RB. Still a monster. In this system that could work out really well

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2012"

San Diego needs a block-eating anchor on the middle of its defense a la Jamal Williams, and there's a chance they'll get a productive and inexpensive guy in Franklin. 

Defensive Ends

Kendall Reyes, San Diego Chargers

Reyes has drawn rave reviews early in Chargers' camp, especially from ESPN.com blogger Bill Williamson. 

He writes:  

"

While it is early, all indications are the Chargers have potentially found something special in Reyes. The Connecticut product has fit right into camp and does not look overmatched so far. He has a combination of pass-rushing and run-stuffing ability that gives him the chance to be a complete player for a long time. While he has yet to prove anything, I think the Chargers feel comfortable playing him right away. 

"

Reyes flew under the radar during the 2012 pre-draft process because he didn't play at a college football powerhouse (UConn), and 4.5 sacks in 2011 with the Huskies didn't stand out to many. 

San Diego's looking for major contributions from a few defensive youngsters, and if Reyes can be productive from the start of his career, it'll positively affect guys like Corey Liuget and Melvin Ingram. 

Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks took an abundance of criticism from many draft analysts for their first-round selection of Bruce Irvin, but thus far, they seem to have made the correct decision. 

This is what head coach Pete Carroll told the Seahawks' official site regarding Irvin:

"

He got beat on the reverse then came back and took the football out of the guy’s hands because he is so fast. That factor is just obvious. I am really excited about what’s going on. Bruce has made an impression already. 

"

A lot of the skepticism surrounding Irvin and Seattle's decision to draft him so early is the perception that he's merely a situational pass-rusher. 

While that could be the case, remember that "situational pass-rusher" Aldon Smith was picked No. 7 overall in 2011 and registered 14 sacks for the San Francisco 49ers last year. 

Linebackers

Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

The news concerning Lewis is more about his weight than his training camp performance thus far. He came into camp much lighter than he's been in a long time. It could be the lightest he's ever weighed during his NFL career. 

This tweet from Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson touched on the weight-loss and the effect it could have in 2012:

"

The most Ray Lewis has weighed is 250 to 260 pounds. Now, he looks like he's in that 230 to 235-pound range. Very lean. Should be quick.

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) July 25, 2012"

Lewis isn't ready to call it quits yet, and he apparently is looking to be faster than ever before at 37. Good news for the Ravens. Bad news for the detractors that say Baltimore's defense is much too old to contend for a Super Bowl title.

Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati Bengals

Believe it or not, Vontaze Burfict, the draft's biggest free-faller with a multitude of red flags, has been impressing at Bengals training camp. 

This, from CBSSports.com's Jason LaCanfora:

"

Vontaze Burfict criticized a ton around draft, but hes flashing well in camp. More mobile at 238, making plays. Coaches like what they see

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 31, 2012"

Off-field and weight issues are what made the former Arizona State star plummet from first-round lock to undrafted free agent, but when in shape, he has the speed, athleticism and instincts to be a productive linebacker. 

Mike Zimmer's the ideal defensive coordinator to mold Burfict. 

Cornerbacks

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo Bills 

Gilmore, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 draft, has been a flat-out stud early in Bills camp. So much so that he's got the attention of back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver Stevie Johnson. 

Johnson was quoted in a recent NFL.com article speaking about the former South Carolina defensive back:

"

I don't know how to say it, but he's up there with some of the DBs in the league who've been playing for a couple of years, and he hasn't even played one play. Really, I don't want to speak too highly, but it's hard to not speak highly of somebody that can play as well as he has from rookie minicamp all the way up until now.

"

Third-year wideout David Nelson echoed Johnson's sentiments saying. "He's earned our respect already. Every time you go against him, you've got to be ready. You know you're going to get everything he has, and it's going to be that way when the ball's snapped until the whistle."

If Gilmore can continue to seamlessly transition from the SEC to the NFL, with the bolstered defensive line in front of him, he could be in for a fantastic rookie year. 

Cliff Harris, Philadelphia Eagles

With Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Brandon Hughes, Joselio Hanson and Brandon Boykin on the roster, Harris is undoubtedly a long-shot to make the Eagles roster. 

But the former Oregon star has apparently impressed early in camp, according to Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com.

He's reeled in a few interceptions, and, from the article, "new secondary coach Todd Bowles dismissed the idea that Harris is further behind than any of his fellow rookie teammates."

If Harris continue to flash play-making ability, he could be a surprising name on the team's final 53-man roster.   

Safeties

Antonio Allen, New York Jets

Allen inexplicably fell to the seventh round of the 2012 draft, but the Jets were sure to grab him when they saw him available that late. 

It'll be an uphill climb for the former South Carolina standout to crack the starting lineup, but his ball-hawking abilities thus far in training camp will undoubtedly help his cause. 

Bleacher Report featured columnist RC Cos described a sequence of quality plays from Allen at a recent practice: 

"

Allen's name has popped up a few times during training camp for jumping routes to pick off passes. It first happened on Sunday when he picked off passes from Matt Simms and Greg McElroy. Then, on Wednesday, Allen picked off Tim Tebow in 11-on-11 drills.

"

With LaRon Landry a free-agent acquisition that should start and be more of a run defender, Allen's play-making skills in coverage could lead to the rookie seeing more time on the field than initially expected.