Arizona Cardinals new alignment beneficial to linebacker
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals transition to a 4-3 alignment will result in some increased playing time for linebacker Josh Bynes
Winds of change are sweeping the Arizona Cardinals defense. New head coach Steve Wilks confirmed something at the NFL Owner’s Meetings that many of us had already assumed. Those who believed that new defensive coordinator Al Holcomb would be changing the Cards’ alignment to a 4-3 have been proven correct.
At least one Cardinals’ defender is set to benefit greatly from the switch. The new defensive setup means that linebacker Josh Bynes is now a starter. A promotion that the veteran greatly deserves.
Arizona’s two starting linebackers of the past two campaigns are now defensive ends. Both Chandler Jones and Markus Golden will now have their “hands in the dirt”, if you will. Last year’s first-round draft pick, Haason Reddick, will be taking one of the open spots, with Bynes lining up on the other side.
Bynes turned out to be one of the pleasant surprises of 2017. The 6’1″, 235 pounder arrived as a free agent last August on a one-year “prove-it” deal. And prove himself, he did.
The former Detroit Lion and Baltimore Raven tallied 36 tackles, a sack, three passes defensed and an interception. Most of those numbers were accomplished in a reserve role, though the 28-year old did make one start. Bynes got himself noticed, making plays all over the field when his number was called.
Bynes’ projected expanded role apparently helped him out at the bargaining table a couple of weeks ago. The veteran earned a modest $775,000 salary in ’17. Bynes’ new three-year contract, signed on March 16th, could potentially be worth upwards of $10 million.
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If the Cards can solve the dilemma they continue to have at the number-two cornerback spot, Holcomb’s defense has the potential to be special. The transition to the 4-3 appears to be a very good fit for the squad’s current personnel. It’s fair to assume that Bynes would agree with that assessment.