ARIZONA CARDINALS

Karlos Dansby a Cardinal because other teams ‘didn’t feel right’

May 10, 2013, 10:03 PM | Updated: May 11, 2013, 12:06 am

When Karlos Dansby left the Arizona Cardinals in March of 2010, he didn’t actually leave the Arizona Cardinals.

Sure, he signed a five-year, $43 million with the Miami Dolphins, and yes, that’s where he would productively spend the next three years of his career.

However, the linebacker whom the team originally selected in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft always thought about eventually returning to the place where he had amassed 623 tackles, 25.5 sacks and 10 interceptions, 27 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.

“It was always in the back of my mind when I left,” Dansby told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Friday. “Make sure I left on good terms, didn’t burn any bridges because I knew, at the end of the day, when I first came into the game all I wanted to do was be a legend.”

Dansby, who signed a one-year deal to return to the Cardinals Friday, said that is what he told then-Cardinals coach Dennis Green before he was drafted out of Auburn. He wanted to get a yellow jacket (NFL Hall of Fame) and be a legend.

“That’s what I want to do, and everything that comes under that would get accomplished if I could play at a high level, play at this level, and do it the right way,” he said. “So it was always in the back of my mind.”

That may be, but it’s unlikely Dansby planned on returning to the desert so soon. At 31 he’s not old by any stretch, yet the Dolphins decided it would be best to cut him rather than continue paying a large salary. This, after Dansby was in on a career-high 134 tackles last season.

It worked out, though, as Dansby was available and the Cardinals had a need. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the team had been talking about adding Dansby for over a month.

“Adding him back to our mix because of the type of player he is, the type of person he is, the type of leader he is,” the coach said. “We’re extremely excited he’s back being a Cardinal.”

The coach added the move made his day.

It also makes the roster look much, much better. Already somewhat thin at linebacker, the team is dealing with the uncertainty surrounding Daryl Washington’s situation. The Pro Bowler is already going to miss the first four games of the regular season due to a league suspension, and may miss more time depending on the results of a pending domestic abuse case.

Enter Dansby, and all of a sudden things don’t seem so bad.

The linebacker said he saw former (and now again) teammate Darnell Dockett in Miami, and the two talked about how great it would be to get back together and try to make another postseason run.

“It just stuck with me,” he said of the conversation.

That may be why Dansby turned down overtures from the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, among others. He said those options “didn’t feel right,” but when Cardinals GM Steve Keim came calling it all started to fall into place.

“I was like ‘let’s make something happen,'” he said.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals P Blake Gillikin took home NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his play in Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Blake Gillikin named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday for his play in Arizona's 29-9 win over Chicago.

59 minutes ago

Aaron Rodgers, Budda Baker...

Alex Weiner

Aaron Rodgers throws respect toward Budda Baker ahead of Cardinals-Jets

Aaron Rodgers shared a glowing review of Cardinals safety Budda Baker, comparing him to some of the best defensive backs in recent memory.

2 hours ago

Trey Benson, cardinals...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals RBs Emari Demercado, Trey Benson credit James Conner’s leadership

The Cardinals dominated on the ground against the Bears on Sunday, and young running backs Emari Demercado and Trey Benson credited James Conner's leadership.

20 hours ago

Darren Hall...

Damon Allred

Waived Cardinals DB Darren Hall claimed by Colts, WR Chris Moore released from practice squad

The Arizona Cardinals waived cornerback Darren Hall on Monday after he had played in four of the last five games.

21 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis and WR Michael Wilson chat during training camp...

Tyler Drake

‘It’s greatness:’ The true meaning behind Nick Rallis naming son after Cardinals’ Kyzir White

Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis opened up Tuesday about the true meaning behind naming his son after team captain Kyzir White.

21 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: NFL Network reporter Omar Ruiz believes Cardinals have a ‘franchise’ quarterback in Kyler Murray

NFL Network reporter/anchor Omar Ruiz joined Bickley & Marotta to talk about the growth and maturity of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

1 day ago

Karlos Dansby a Cardinal because other teams ‘didn’t feel right’