Arizona Cardinals: A Current Look at the ILB’s

Dec 15, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) rushes against Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are in the midst of OTA’s and what better time to look at what’s going on position by position?  Here are some battles going on that will carry into training camp and other positions that are pretty well set.  Here is a current look at the inside linebackers on the Cards roster.

Jonathan Brown:   Brown is a guy who may have trouble making the roster.  He is under sized and considered slower for his size but is also considered smart and quick to the point of attack.  Anything can happen with this positional revolving door though.

Glenn Carson: Known as a hard worker and good instincts during his time at Penn State.  He too many have issues making the roster. 

Keenan Clayton: Just signed to a one-year contract a couple of weeks ago.  He has played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders but the fourth round draft pick in 2010 has had trouble keeping a job.  He has 48 career tackles.  Jury remains out on his chances.

Kenny Demens: Spent time on the practice squad for the Cards in 2013.  Its make or break time for Demens.  Given the state of the inside linebacker core he may make the team.  He has work to do in my opinion though.

JoJo Dickson: He is with his fourth NFL team but has yet to make a regular-season roster. He was on the practice squad for the Cards in 2013 for a short period of time before being released in December.  Unless injury occurs, I don’t have high hopes for his chances to catch on now.

Larry Foote: Another former Pittsburgh Steelers player has made his way west.  He provides experience with a fairly inexperienced group of players.  Has 23 career sacks.  He should be a lock to make the squad and provide leadership by example.

Kevin Minter: Minter’s time is now.  With the probability of losing Daryl Washington for an extended period of time he will be counted on to be the enforcer and the vocal leader on the squad.  Minter is a lock and we will be looking for big things from him in 2014.

Daryl Washington: Washington will be around for a long time.  He is the leader of this group but he will most likely miss an extended amount of time in 2014 thanks to his off the field arrest last year.  He has been given his sentence so the law has spoken.  Now Roger Goodell will speak soon and the rumor is Washington could be looking at a lengthy suspension.  Stay tuned.