When you hear people talking about who might be in the starting lineup for the Cincinnati Bengals at the linebacker position on opening day, it seems you never hear Rashad Jeanty's name being mentioned. Don't know why.

Jeanty is entering his third season with the Bengals and has played in 22 games with the club, starting 16. Jeanty has a great on-field presence and is even better in the locker room. He's productive and a total team player.

Jeanty is a spark plug on defense and a player who gives his all. Yet the veteran linebacker finds himself in the midst of a heated battle with Darryl Blackstock, Ahmad Brooks and Corey Mays for the starting strong-side linebacker position.

The team is holding an open competition at the strong-side position and Jeanty is planning to make things difficult for those attempting to knock him out of the starting lineup. In other words, the Big Cat is ready to attack the field with a vengeance.

"I'm a firm believer in, 'May the best man win,' " Jeanty said. "It's not necessarily the best man, but the best guy who is going to help make this team a better team. If I were not to start, I wouldn't be upset because I know I'm going to work hard and give my all. If the coaches decide that another guy is best for the team, I'm not going to go walking around Paul Brown Stadium moping and have meetings with the coaches about why I'm not starting. Whoever starts at the SAM linebacker spot, that guy is going to deserve it because I'm working. I'm a guy who likes to compete and it brings out the best in me."

Jeanty has been working with the first team during OTA's and has no intention of relinquishing those duties. Right now, he's the man to beat.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker missed the first five games last season with a lower leg injury and his return to the lineup brought stability to a defense that was on a four-game losing streak.

Jeanty said the leg (shin) is at 90-95 percent and feeling good. He said he has recovered fully and he's looking forward to training camp so he can get to work.

As for the expectations of the defense this season, Jeanty laid it down like a bedtime story.

"We have to play better and more as a team on defense," he said. "We want to play together and win a championship. That's the ultimate goal. Coach says it every day — it has to happen right now. There's no more waiting until next year. It has to happen now. I think that's a positive look at the upcoming season."

Even with all the negative publicity the organization has received of late, Jeanty feels the team is on the right track.