Linebacker Karlos Dansby has signed agreed to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Dansby spent one season in Cincinnati, but will now return for a third stint with the team that drafted him.
Cardinals have reached agreement w/Karlos Dansby, pending physical. His third stint with the team
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) March 9, 2017
Karlos Dansby Signs With the Arizona Cardinals
The 2016 season was veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby’s first in Cincinnati. Dansby was acquired to fill a need and did so relatively effectively, although he seemed to have lost a step from earlier in his career. Dansby came to the Bengals from Cleveland where had been cut after two seasons despite having three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2015.
The 2013 season was Dansby’s second stint in Arizona, this one much briefer than his first. That season, he started every game and had four interceptions. Prior to that he spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins from 2010 to 2012. After signing an extremely lucrative contract, Dansby was a consistent player for the Dolphins, but did not make as many big plays as he had in the past.
Dansby was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Not only did he start in his rookie season, but he instantly became one of the most productive linebackers in the NFL. Dansby was fast and athletic and made plays all over the field. As a rookie he forced three fumbles. In 2005 he had three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. Dansby’s production continued and he was such an integral part of the Cardinals’ defense that they franchised him in 2008 and again in 2009.
Dansby, a Woodlawn, AL native, attended Auburn before entering the NFL Draft. In his time at Auburn he totaled 218 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, ten sacks, and seven forced fumbles. He was one of the most dominant players not only in the SEC, but in college football during that period.
