LB Position Up For Grabs Cardinals Resign Marcus Benard

Dec 1, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Marcus Benard (59) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Cardinals made multiple moves to keep their defense together by retaining linebacker Marcus Benard, the surprise hard hitting Benard that appeared in a few regular season games for the Birds last year and made such an impact that it cause the team to give him another contract. Benard was an undrafted free agent in 2009 and was given his opportunity by the Cleveland Browns out of Jackson State. Benard appeared in games against the 49ers, Seahawks, Titans, and Falcons in the 2013 season and of course his time limited because of the dynamic play of Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington at the line backer position.

In those few games Benard combined for 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks and did a decent job in relief covering as well and on special teams, after losing Dansby the linebacker position just got thiner and the position is up for grabs between 2nd round pick last year Kevin Minter and the resigned Benard.

I think this is another cost effective move that could yield benefits should these players step their game up,and as hard as Benard goes on the field he has the leg up on Minter seeing he has played in more games and Minter has not really seen the field.