Arizona Cardinals should pass on free agent linebacker

Some fans may want him but the Arizona Cardinals should ignore calls to sign new free agent Vontaze Burfict

The Arizona Cardinals have been on a mission so far this spring to add players who formerly have played football in the Arizona.  Whether it be at Arizona State University, University of Arizona or high school, the Cardinals are creating a reunion of sorts.

First in February they signed linebacker Brooks Reed.  He played at Sabino High School in Tucson and the U of A.  Then last week they double dipped with local talent.

They signed linebacker Terrell Suggs, who played at ASU.  He spent his first 16 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.  Suggs was someone who the Cardinals passed up in the 2003 draft.

Then there was the signing of former Chandler High School quarterback Brett Hundley.  He signed as the new Cardinals backup quarterback, leaving the Seattle Seahawks.

Let’s also not forget the Cardinals re-signed running back D.J. Foster as well.  He played at ASU.  He missed all of the 2018 season however with a torn ACL.

Now another former ASU Sun Devil is a free agent.  The Cincinnati Bengals released linebacker Vontaze Burfict on Monday.

Some took to social media to quickly either say to bring him in or for the Cardinals to forget about it.  You can put me in the forget about it boat.

Burfict, who also played high school football at Centennial High School in Glendale, spent the past seven seasons with the Bengals.  It did not come without controversy however.

In 2016 he was suspended for the first three games of the season thanks to a violation of player safety rules.  Then was suspended again for the first five weeks of the 2017 season for the same reason.

He also received a large suspension of $112,000 last season for a hit on then-Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown and running back James Conner.  The guy is simply a danger on the field.  He plays recklessly.

There is a difference between aggressive and reckless and Burfict crosses that line often.  He played the same way at ASU.

The Cardinals just don’t need this headache on their roster right now.  He would bring too much negative press to a team that quite frankly can’t afford any.  Just say pass Steve Keim.