The Curious Case of Daryl Washington

Linebacker Daryl Washington has missed the last two NFL seasons while on suspension from the league

I’m sure that every Cardinals fan is wondering about Daryl Washington, and the lack of him inside the locker room. I know that he is (or was) the fastest linebacker on the field, and makes the fastest reads on straight-lining a tackle. A proven commodity, he could eventually be reinstated, but should he? That’s what the NFL and the NFLPA are going to need to look at.

The last time Daryl Washington played, he had 75 combined tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions, and a team high 11 pass deflections. He was being considered for a pro-bowl nod, and many Cardinals fans could not be happier with his performance. Now fans are left to wonder, “Is Kevin Minter the future of the inside linebacker position”?

If Daryl were to be reinstated, how out of shape would be in? Well, the fact of the matter is that the Cardinals would need to here word of a possible reinstatement very soon. We are talking about OTA’s, team lifting, and learning the new playbook from James Bettcher, the one that Washington has yet to see.

Another option could be the possibility of cutting your losses, reason why this is the route least common is because the salary of Washington is no longer effective on the salary cap. What about a trade? Not going to happen. The Cardinals would, at most, get a very unproven player, or worse, a player that is too advanced in age. No, no, no, the Cardinals have Washington until his “contract” runs out, which is until 2017. If Daryl Washington has had multiple violations, as reported by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, then we have lost hope on a very talented yet troubled young athlete.

There are still those of us who are holding on hope, wishing that Daryl would clean up his act, begin anew, and come back to the Cardinals. My personal opinion, it would make the Cardinals even more dynamic on defense, being able to put Deone Bucannon back at safety. Realistically, Bucannon is a pro-bowl safety who could use a year with the secondary. Here’s to fingers crossed that Daryl Washington has finally learned what being an athlete is all about.