There are 19 free agents that dot the Arizona Cardinals roster which includes five exclusive rights free agents. Seeing as how the Cardinals left some things to be desired on both sides of the ball in 2012, some of those free agents may have to fight for their jobs in 2013 or they won’t be back in 2013. Take a look, this list is in no particular order.
1.) QUENTIN GROVES, Linebacker
Why: Is an athlete was tied for third on the team in sacks with 4, and he has pass rushing ability. Yes, the Cardinals have better pass rushing linebackers than Groves but this 5-year veteran linebacker is a solid option to provide pass rush and to play in space. Plus he is cheap as the Cardinals only paid him $700K in 2012. Plus he can be invaluable to the younger outside linebackers on the team as far as his playing style and experience.
2.) GREG TOLER, Cornerback
Why: Mainly for his experience and the fact that he isn’t that expensive (around $1.2 million). To a certain extent, he may have to take a pay cut in 2013 because he wasn’t all that last year. He is a physical corner and is confident and he may be able to push fellow free agent cornerback MICHAEL ADAMS to become a better player or off the roster. The Cards should keep him around for one more year or until the very young JAMELL FLEMING (will be only in his second year in 2013) develops. Fleming has more natural ability than either Toler or Adams, but he is a work in progress in the present. The Cardinals really need a very good complementary No.2 corner beside PATRICK PETERSON who is easily the Cards best all around player on defense. Toler is not a No.2 corner and he is an alternate by nature, but the Cards need somebody who can help take pressure off of Peterson.
3.) PARIS LENON, Inside Linebacker
Why: Lenon was second on the Cards in tackles with 103 last year. At best he is an active and diagnostic linebacker who doesn’t like to stay in one place or engage in blocks with anyone. He has speed, aggressiveness, and the versatility to help at outside linebacker (but he isn’t needed there). He and fellow inside linebacker DARYL WASHINGTON are a good tandem and they need to stay together for as long as they are able to perform optimally in this defense. Lenon doesn’t have the body type to be an every down inside linebacker and that is one of the reasons why the young and active REGGIE WALKER is around and so important to the linebacker corps. Lenon to his credit is a competitor and right for this defense, and the Cards need to summon a better interior defensive line performance to protect Lenon and defend the run (they ranked 28th against the run in 2012).
