Cards sign Freeney to 1-year deal

Linebacker Alex Okafor is the team leader with two of those sacks, but is now battling a calf injury and, per multiple reports, he’s expected to miss several weeks while recovering.

Plus, he’s joining a team that’s pretty good so far.

While the Cardinals have escaped, mostly, this season without any significant injuries that brought the “next man up” motif into the public eye, that isn’t to say there hasn’t been injuries. Palmer has been consistent in his play, due in part to efficient play from his offensive line and a strong running game.

According to ProFootballFocus (subscription), Freeney received the 7th best pass rushing grade among all 3-4 OLB’s last season with a +16.3 advanced grade. And the team does have 11 interceptions, most in the NFL.

At his regular Monday session with reporters, Arians wouldn’t comment on the Freeney reports. While his best days are clearly behind the 13-year veteran, he still can prove to be useful as a situational pass rusher.

One area that the Cardinals were in need of improving during this past offseason was their pass rush.

-Arians downplayed returning to Pittsburgh this Sunday to play the Steelers.

It wasn’t the first time the two had talked about the possibility, only the most important. “I’ve been in both those locker rooms, so it’s no big deal”. He received AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2005 as well.

-The Cardinals are staying and practicing this week at The Greenbrier, a luxury resort in West Virginia.

“But the young guys came around”, Arians said. “We knew coming in here that it was going to be an outstanding facility, that we could get our work done and it wouldn’t be any kind of distraction”.

Demens, who tore his ACL, was put on injured reserve to create the roster spot for Freeney. He also is a solid special teams player.

And then there’s Carson Palmer, who had as many incomplete passes as touchdown passes.