Cardinals sign three restricted free agents
Apr 16, 2012, 7:52 PM | Updated: 8:56 pm
On the same day the Arizona Cardinals officially kicked
off their 2012 offseason program, the team re-signed three
of its own restricted free agents.
Safety Rashad Johnson, running back LaRod Stephens-Howling
and cornerback Greg Toler all signed one-year qualifying
offers from the team.
Johnson, a three-year veteran out of Alabama, saw action
in all 16 games in 2011, starting 9 in place of the
injured Kerry Rhodes. Johnson registered 50 total
tackles, good for eighth on the team.
Stephens-Howling, who like Johnson was drafted in 2009,
averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return, and caught 13
passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns – including a 52-
yarder in overtime to beat Dallas on December 4.
Toler missed the entire 2011 season after suffering a torn
ACL in a preseason game against San Diego. The former
fourth round pick out of St. Paul’s intercepted three
passes in his first two years in the league.
The team also announced that four exclusive rights players
– quarterback Richard Bartel, running back Alfonso Smith,
defensive end Ronald Talley and linebacker Brandon
Williams – all signed contracts for the 2012 campaign.
