Cards’ LB Washington has high expectations for defense

Entering his third year with the Arizona Cardinals, inside linebacker Daryl Washington has set high expectations for himself and his defensive corps this coming season.

“The number one goal is to make it to the Pro Bowl,” Washington told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Show Thursday. “Obviously, win a whole bunch of games. I kind of want to smell the playoffs and go real far in the playoffs, but as far as being a top-10 defense, I want to be in that category as far as a whole defense.”

Washington said he has liked what he’s seen so far after the early days of training camp.

“I think the defense is looking pretty good so far,” Washington said. “Obviously we have a lot of learning to do, a lot of stuff we just have to clean up, but it’s coming together pretty well and we’re just learning and working hard every day.”

The Cardinals have been working to integrate their new offseason acquisitions to their system during camp, and Washington doesn’t expect to see any profound changes to a defense that was ranked 18th in the league last season.

“We are sticking with the same scheme,” Washington stated. “Obviously we have some new additions on our team, [cornerback] Willie Gay and some other guys, so we are sticking with the same scheme and the same players and taking the same attitude going into the season and just try to come in and have a good training camp.”

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