clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Arizona Cardinals Linebackers Ranked Only 20th In NFL

The Arizona Cardinals defense began to flourish in the second half of the 2011 season, springing a recovery from a 1-6 start to an 8-8 season. However, as a unit, the linebacking corps still could improve. In positional rankings, the Arizona group was rated as 20th among all 32 teams by SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber.

He wrote:

Arizona has a centerpiece player in Daryl Washington. Sam Acho, a fourth-round pick, looked like a draft day steal with seven sacks last season. Stewart Bradley was a huge bust as a free agent, and the linebackers around Washington are questionable.

Cardinals fans feel that Washington is a rising star. Sam Acho could become a big time disruption on defense. O'Brien Schofield has potential, but Paris Lenon is aging and Stew Bradley was a big disappointment. They return with Clark Haggans and added Quentin Groves, but Groves epitomizes disappointment in his NFL career.

I fully expect this ranking to be much higher than now, but it is going to hinge on the play of some unproven players.

Get more Cardinals coverage at Revenge of the Birds.

For the latest AZ sports, follow us on Twitter @SBNArizona and "Like" us on Facebook.