Arizona Cardinals Tender Running Back Alfonso Smith

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: NFL referee Terry McAulay breaks up a fight between Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas (97) and Arizona Cardinals running back Alfonso Smith (29) at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are going to hold on to running back Alfonso Smith for another season. The team announced that they have signed Smith to an exclusive rights deal worth $ 555,000.

Alfonso Smith last season played in 11 games for the Cardinals serving as the back to Ryan Williams, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Chris Wells for a short period of time. In 11 games for the Arizona Cardinals Smith did not get the chance to run the bowl but was to catch the ball when the chance came. Alfonso Smith caught 2 passes for 21 yards last season.

In 2013 Alfonso Smith is going to be competing against Ryan Williams to determine on who will be serving as the Arizona Cardinals backup running back to new-comer Rashard Mendenhall.