Arizona Cardinals Create Cap Space, Release Brinkley

Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Jasper Brinkley (52) laughs before the game against the Houston Texans at University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

When the Arizona Cardinals signed Jasper Brinkley last season it was thought to be a step in the right direction for the linebacker core after the suspension of Daryl Washington.  Well, at first it seemed that way but after others played well and he played sparingly after September, his days as a Cards linebacker were numbered and today his number was called.

Brinkley had come off a decent 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings when he had 99 tackles.  He only had 27 in 2013 after seeing spare time in just four games after September.  You had to think the Cards were going to pare down the linebacking core with the emergence of Karlos Dansby and the young Kevin Minter on the roster.  Plus, don’t be surprised if they try to get younger through the draft.

In the end I just think it became a numbers game, both on and off the field.  The Cards save about $200,000 in cap space by releasing him.  I’ve got to believe that was just a small part of the decision though.  He just never really saw the field after his injury.  He’ll find a backup job somewhere.  I would not be surprised to see this as the only player movement before free agency starts in a couple of weeks.  They may have gotten a $10 million boost by the salary cap being raised on Thursday but they guys they are targeting will cost a lot.