Arizona Cardinals Agree To Terms With Sean Weatherspoon
The Arizona Cardinals have added much needed depth to the linebacking corps, agreeing to a one-year deal with Sean Weatherspoon, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports.
Even though he can’t officially sign until tomorrow, financial terms of the deal have already been released. The one-year deal is worth just under $4 million.
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Drafted 19th overall in the 2010 draft out of Missouri, Weatherspoon has spent the first five seasons of his career in Atlanta with the Falcons.
Injuries have been a concern for the 27-year-old linebacker, however. In his five years in the NFL, Weatherspoon has played in only one full season, 2011, where he had a combined 115 tackles and four sacks.
This past season, Weatherspoon missed the entire year due to rupturing his Achilles tendon during practice in June. He should be 100 percent come training camp.
When he is healthy, Weatherspoon is one of the better inside linebackers in all of football. If it weren’t for his injury history, he probably would have been one of the most sought after defensive players in free agency.
Adding Weatherspoon is much needed for this Cardinals roster, considering all the questions surrounding the linebacker position.
Larry Foote, who was a huge surprise in 2014, is still deciding whether or not he wants to return or retire. He remains on the Cardinals coaching staff while he comes to that decision.
Of course, there’s the question surrounding Daryl Washington, who still hasn’t been reinstated by the league. When he does, he faces a very likely suspension from Roger Goodell and company. How long it will be remains to be seen.
As of right now, you can pretty much lock Weatherspoon in as one of the Cardinals starters at inside ‘backer.
Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) sheds the tackle of Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) en route to a touchdown during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks won 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Okafor Arrested in Texas
While the Cardinals odd another linebacker, another one appears to be in trouble with the law. Alex Okafor arrested after just 3 am Monday morning on a misdemeanor charge of standing in a street and arresting arrest.
Here are the details from ArizonaSports.com.
"According to police, the Cardinals’ 2014 leader in sacks was taken into custody at 3:22 a.m. and was still in police custody as of 10:30 a.m. (Texas time).Police say they were originally called out due to a disturbance, and when they arrived Okafor ran away. He has been charged with evading on foot as well as a previous Class C misdemeanor warrant."
This sounds like just a bone-headed mistake on Okafor’s part. If things remain they are right now, he shouldn’t face any disciplinary action from the NFL.
Okafor was a big part of the Cardinals defense in 2014. Only in his second season in the league, the former Texas Longhorn had eight sacks, which led the team in that category.
The 24-year-old linebacker will more than likely start across from Matt Shaughnessy at outside linebacker once the season gets under way.