Handing Out Superlatives and Awards For The 2013 Arizona Cardinals

Defensive Player of the Year: ILB Karlos Dansby

Karlos Dansby was released by the Miami Dolphins not because of poor performance, but because he came with a big price tag. With the status  of star LB Daryl Washington uncertain, the Cardinals brought him back to the team that originally drafted him. He was the leader on defense in every way. You can’t beat  122 tackles, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions and two touchdowns. You just can’t. His addition was huge to a defense that was already great, and he led the Cards to the 6th best defense overall and the best against the run. There’s several good defensive players on the roster,  but he was the best defensive player in the desert this year . It’s a darn shame he didn’t make the Pro Bowl

Patrick Peterson checks in as a close second. He had a dozen passes defensed and three interceptions. He is still one of the best corners in the league, but his statistical excellence isn’t as great as Dansby’s.