azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Cardinals linebacker makes two interceptions in first game back
By GREG GLADYSIEWSKI
Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby (right) points out that he has made the second of two interceptions Sunday against Detroit.
Coaches and players often preach the mantra, “One game at a time, one play at a time.”
Cardinal linebacker Karlos Dansby takes it a step further—“One inch at a time.”
Dansby led a record-setting defense Sunday in a 31-21 victory over Detroit with four tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. After just one takeaway in the previous three games, Dansby said the defense focused on creating turnovers against the Lions.
“We came in Monday and said we’ve got to win it inch-by-inch,” he says. “That’s the difference between us being 3-5 and 6-2.”
Dansby, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, returned to the starting lineup and showed why the Cards want to sign him to a contract extension. Dansby was key to forcing five Detroit turnovers (two interceptions, three fumble recoveries), and holding the Lions to minus-18 rushing yards—the second-best defensive rushing effort in franchise history.
“This was a must win,” he said. “It’s November. It’s time to go all out.”
Last week, Dansby sat out a 17-10 loss to Tampa Bay while still nursing the knee injury. But in his return against the Lions, he more than made up for his absence.
Detroit jumped to a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game, and then got the ball back with just under five minutes left in the opening period. But on the Lions’ first play from their own 20-yard line, Dansby stepped in front of fullback Jon Bradley after safety Adrian Wilson tipped a Jon Kitna pass as it left Kitna’s hand.
Dansby’s nine-yard return set up a Neil Rackers’ 23-yard field goal to bring the Cards to within 7-3 with 2:47 left in the first period.
After the Cardinals took a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter, Dansby teamed with Darnell Dockett to stop running back Kevin Jones for no gain on a third-and-1 to force a punt. The Cardinals took the ensuing possession 90 yards in 15 plays for a touchdown and 17-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Detroit drove from its own 18 to a first down at the Cardinal 26. But when the Lions tried an end-around, Dansby sniffed out the play and stripped Shaun McDonald of the ball for a 15-yard loss. Defensive end Antonio Smith recovered near midfield.
Five plays later, Kurt Warner connected with tight end Leonard Pope for a touchdown at 24-7 Arizona lead.
Dansby added an exclamation point to his return in the fourth quarter with a leaping interception of Kitna’s pass for Roy Williams.
“It’s blessed to be back and get an opportunity to play the game,” Dansby said. “I love to play, and to play at a level like this is a blessing.”
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2066
By GREG GLADYSIEWSKI
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Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby (right) points out that he has made the second of two interceptions Sunday against Detroit.
Coaches and players often preach the mantra, “One game at a time, one play at a time.”
Cardinal linebacker Karlos Dansby takes it a step further—“One inch at a time.”
Dansby led a record-setting defense Sunday in a 31-21 victory over Detroit with four tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. After just one takeaway in the previous three games, Dansby said the defense focused on creating turnovers against the Lions.
“We came in Monday and said we’ve got to win it inch-by-inch,” he says. “That’s the difference between us being 3-5 and 6-2.”
Dansby, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, returned to the starting lineup and showed why the Cards want to sign him to a contract extension. Dansby was key to forcing five Detroit turnovers (two interceptions, three fumble recoveries), and holding the Lions to minus-18 rushing yards—the second-best defensive rushing effort in franchise history.
“This was a must win,” he said. “It’s November. It’s time to go all out.”
Last week, Dansby sat out a 17-10 loss to Tampa Bay while still nursing the knee injury. But in his return against the Lions, he more than made up for his absence.
Detroit jumped to a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game, and then got the ball back with just under five minutes left in the opening period. But on the Lions’ first play from their own 20-yard line, Dansby stepped in front of fullback Jon Bradley after safety Adrian Wilson tipped a Jon Kitna pass as it left Kitna’s hand.
Dansby’s nine-yard return set up a Neil Rackers’ 23-yard field goal to bring the Cards to within 7-3 with 2:47 left in the first period.
After the Cardinals took a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter, Dansby teamed with Darnell Dockett to stop running back Kevin Jones for no gain on a third-and-1 to force a punt. The Cardinals took the ensuing possession 90 yards in 15 plays for a touchdown and 17-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Detroit drove from its own 18 to a first down at the Cardinal 26. But when the Lions tried an end-around, Dansby sniffed out the play and stripped Shaun McDonald of the ball for a 15-yard loss. Defensive end Antonio Smith recovered near midfield.
Five plays later, Kurt Warner connected with tight end Leonard Pope for a touchdown at 24-7 Arizona lead.
Dansby added an exclamation point to his return in the fourth quarter with a leaping interception of Kitna’s pass for Roy Williams.
“It’s blessed to be back and get an opportunity to play the game,” Dansby said. “I love to play, and to play at a level like this is a blessing.”
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2066
