Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals’ trade for linebacker reaping huge rewards

By Jim Koch

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin KaepGLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers is chased by outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL football game at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)ernick
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin KaepGLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers is chased by outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL football game at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)ernick /
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Last year’s acquisition of outside linebacker Chandler Jones could go down as one of the best trades in franchise history

The Arizona Cardinals, like many other NFL teams, know how difficult it is to acquire premier pass-rushers. During the squad’s 2016 NFC Championship game loss to the Carolina Panthers, it became clear that they needed one. Finding someone who could consistently bring down opposing quarterbacks became a priority for general manager Steve Keim that offseason.

With some help from the New England Patriots, that mission was accomplished.

In what’s shaping up to be one of the finest trades in Cardinals’ history, sack master Chandler Jones was brought to the desert. The price that was paid for the 2015 Pro Bowler was not as steep as one would think. Arizona sent the Pats a second-round draft pick and guard Jonathan Cooper for Jones, a bargain in every sense of the word.

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The Cards’ outside linebacker has been everything the organization had hoped he would be. Jones racked up 11 sacks in his first season with Big Red. His mere presence helped fellow outside linebacker Markus Golden record 12.5 quarterback takedowns, which led the Cardinals last year.

Following up on his successful first campaign, Jones is off to a flying start in ’17. Through two games, he has already tallied three sacks. The former first-round draft pick has also proven to be more than capable run defender, with 10 tackles to his credit.

With Jones scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Arizona slapped him with the franchise tag. Keim wasn’t about to let one of their most-prized assets get away. Realizing he wouldn’t be going anywhere, Jones signed his name to a contract worth $83 million over five years, with $53 million guaranteed.

Jones’ value to the Cards has been two-fold. Besides his prowess on the playing field, he has also become a leader in the locker room.

Investing an enormous amount of money into one player has not always been a great idea. Many recipients of such large sums of cash have failed to impress those who have forked it over to them. Jones has so far shown that he’ll be worth every penny.

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