Cards’ coach Arians: Campbell was best defensive player vs. Panthers

Arizona Cardinals’ defensive back Patrick Peterson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week last Tuesday, following his two-interception performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.

Following the Cardinals’ dominant defensive performance Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, there are a few Glendale-based candidates for the weekly award, which will be given out Wednesday.

Daryl Washington, Karlos Dansby and Calais Campbell all starred in the 22-6 win, each bringing outstanding play to the contest. Linebackers Washington and Dansby had nine and eight tackles respectively, and several for a loss, while each grabbing an interception and a pair of sacks.

But when head coach Bruce Arians was asked whose performance was best while a guest on the Dan Bickley Show with Vince Marotta, the performance of his defensive end won his personal defensive player of the week honors.

“If I had to pick, I’d probably go with Calais ,” he said.

“Both linebackers had a whale of a game but when you have two sacks, one for a safety and two tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble — that’s a pretty good stat line.”

Campbell, meanwhile, lauded Washington’s sensational performance following the game.

“D-Wash is special,” he said. “He’s the best linebacker in the game.”

Though giving his vote to Campbell, Arians was clear that Washington’s performance was outstanding during a different part of the interview.

“He got a game ball,” he said. “Yeah, it was big.”

Washington was suspended for the first four weeks of the season, making Sunday’s start his 2013 debut.

“He’s a whale of a player and it’s great to have him back,” Arians went on.

NFL Week 5 NFC and AFC offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week will be announced Wednesday at 3:00 a.m. MDT on ‘NFL AM’, which airs on NFL Network.