Arizona lost Karlos Dansby, the all-pro linebacker who put on quite the stats last season and provided the leadership, to free agency. Signed by Cleveland to a 4 year, 24 million dollar contract, Dansby was to be replaced by 2nd year man Kevin Minter from LSU, who played a total of 2 defensive snaps in 2013 due to the sheer depth on the roster.
Then, Pro-Bowl linebacker Daryl Washington was lost to the season to a suspension against the leagues Substance abuse policy. Washington, the guy who was suppose to teach Minter, is out. The Cardinals signed Larry Foote from Pittsburgh to hopefully close that gap.
Now, Darnell Dockett is out from a Monday practice with torn ACL and MCL's. Frostee Rucker is expected to play for him effectively. The Cardinals are in a little bit of trouble, missing 3 key defenders from last season.
I talked on twitter with the guys at NFL Fantasy Talk (@NFLFantasyTalk), and asked them what they thought of the Cardinals defense from a fantasy standpoint. "They lost the King of Nasty on their line for sure," they stated. "(A) huge blow. (They are) still a top 10 defense." They went on to say that Dockett is "a big part of that line, (the Cardinals) can't replace (him)."
Let's think about that for a moment. Is Arizona still a top 10 defense with the loss of key players opening up the middle of the field? Well, we can start be looking at their defensive line.
They haven't lost Calais Campbell... Not yet, at least. This big 6-8 man is the stronghold of the Cardinals defensive line and pass rush. He's a demon, collecting 23.5 sacks in the past 3 years. He's missed 3 games in that span, in 2012, and the Cardinals felt it. Next to him is Dan Williams. The 6-2, 314 pound man who's not too much of a pass rusher, but an efficient run stopper. He guards the dead middle of the line, and is a physical player, but health is an issue. He's missed 9 games in the last 3 years.
Then, there's the secondary. Patrick Peterson is now playing opposite Antonio Cromartie. Whoa... Think about that for a moment. 2 shutdown cornerbacks, playing on the same defense. That rivals Seattle. The safeties, starting with Tyrann Mathieu and Tony Jefferson rotating with Deone Buccannon at the Strong Safety spot. That is one hell of a secondary.
The outside linebackers are strong in depth too. Alex Okafor plays behind the aging John Abraham, who is most likely on his last stand. Matt Shaughnessy, the former Patriot, plays on the left side, with Sam Acho backing him up. Acho played a lot in 2011, and was extremely impressive.
Yes, the Cardinals do have a top 10 defense. Who would you put in front of them besides Seattle and San Francisco? Carolina, yes... Perhaps Saint Louis. Anyone else? That really still puts them at a top 5 defense.
The other question, how big is Dockett to that defensive line?
Well, as Calais Campbell, the teams starting DE put it, "We lost a general..." He's missed a total of 2 games in his career, that goes back to 2004. He's a pass rusher and a run stopper, and he's good at both. He is a demon on that line, and the NFL knows it... Now, he's sitting and watching. He's a leader, and the coaching staff decided they'll use him to inspire from the sideline.
It's incredible. Arizona is still a top 5 defense, missing 3 key players. Yes, it'll be tough and noticeable, if you get the chance to draft this defense, jump on it. Don't count them out yet!
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