Catfish
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While much has been written and discussed about about second chances on this team, (especially this off-season), with the situations involving Daryl Washington, and Tyran Mathieu, that is not what this thread is about. This thread is about Karlos Dansby, and his second chance with the Cardinals.
Almost missing from the enormous debates about the pros/cons of Ken Whisehnunt and the previous regime here in the desert, was what I see as the most telling of CKW's failings as a HC. When push came to shove, concerning the renewal of contracts for Karlos Dansby and Anquan Boldin, Whiz remained stoically, (and silently), by as both players were lost to other teams. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that Whiz either failed to see the huge, on-field leadership qualities of these two players, (or having recognized it), simply failed to see the importance of keeping that quality on the roster. I really don't feel that Whiz felt that it was important enough to stand up and fight for, which in the end, might have made a difference in whether or not the two might have been retained as Cardinals.
But I am not here to talk about CKW's shortcomings. I am here to discuss what Karlos Dansby can bring to the Cardinals.
That leadership quality has certainly not been lost on the current regime. Leadership is the most prevalent quality brought to the current Cardinal's roster by the new regime of Keim and BA. It is present with the majority of the Free Agents brought in this year, and is present in each and every draft pick made by the FO and Staff this year.
Karlos Dansby, with all his shortcomings and misgivings when he was a member of the Cards the first time, was above all, a leader on the field. Anyone who saw his huge forced fumble and recovery for a TD against Green Bay, knows what I am talking about. When it was crunch time, each man on the defense could look into Los's eyes, and know that he was dead serious when he said that it was necessary for each man to 'make a play' or the game would be lost. Each man there, also knew that Los was going to do everything in his power to do what needed to be done.
That kind of leadership has been missing since the passing of the 2009 season for the Cards. It was manifested in Baltimore by Boldin, who became the Ray Lewis counterpart on the offense, and who succeeded in earning his SB ring. It has returned with Dansby as he signed a new, (one year), deal with the Cards.
Also returning was the huge smile that Los wore as he was interviewed by Darren Urban after his signing. It is quite apparent that he is very happy about his return to the Birds. He comes back a wiser Los, who recognizes that he had priced himself out of our market, (both then and now). He told his agent to lower the price. Being part of what is happening here is MORE important than the price, (at least for now). Being a team mate of DD and Fitz is more important than getting rich. Playing for Arians and Bowles is more important than being wealthy. He knows that next year there will be a better opportunity for money than now. He should also know that there is only so much money to go around, and that he may have to settle for less than he would have in the past even then. Maybe he knows already that some things are more important than money, and that he is being given a second chance to get his ring, (just as Q got, and took advantage of in Baltimore). To be able to win one with DD and Fitz as team mates might just be priceless. Who knows, the possibility to retire in Cardinals Red, and own a spot in the "Ring of Honor', (along with DD and Fitz), may be more than worth the difference one can put on money as the 'do all-be all' in ones life?
I, for one, would certainly argue that this second chance bodes well for the possibilities that I have alluded to by the return of Los to the Card's roster. This is one 'second chance' that I will be watching with great anticipation!!!
Almost missing from the enormous debates about the pros/cons of Ken Whisehnunt and the previous regime here in the desert, was what I see as the most telling of CKW's failings as a HC. When push came to shove, concerning the renewal of contracts for Karlos Dansby and Anquan Boldin, Whiz remained stoically, (and silently), by as both players were lost to other teams. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that Whiz either failed to see the huge, on-field leadership qualities of these two players, (or having recognized it), simply failed to see the importance of keeping that quality on the roster. I really don't feel that Whiz felt that it was important enough to stand up and fight for, which in the end, might have made a difference in whether or not the two might have been retained as Cardinals.
But I am not here to talk about CKW's shortcomings. I am here to discuss what Karlos Dansby can bring to the Cardinals.
That leadership quality has certainly not been lost on the current regime. Leadership is the most prevalent quality brought to the current Cardinal's roster by the new regime of Keim and BA. It is present with the majority of the Free Agents brought in this year, and is present in each and every draft pick made by the FO and Staff this year.
Karlos Dansby, with all his shortcomings and misgivings when he was a member of the Cards the first time, was above all, a leader on the field. Anyone who saw his huge forced fumble and recovery for a TD against Green Bay, knows what I am talking about. When it was crunch time, each man on the defense could look into Los's eyes, and know that he was dead serious when he said that it was necessary for each man to 'make a play' or the game would be lost. Each man there, also knew that Los was going to do everything in his power to do what needed to be done.
That kind of leadership has been missing since the passing of the 2009 season for the Cards. It was manifested in Baltimore by Boldin, who became the Ray Lewis counterpart on the offense, and who succeeded in earning his SB ring. It has returned with Dansby as he signed a new, (one year), deal with the Cards.
Also returning was the huge smile that Los wore as he was interviewed by Darren Urban after his signing. It is quite apparent that he is very happy about his return to the Birds. He comes back a wiser Los, who recognizes that he had priced himself out of our market, (both then and now). He told his agent to lower the price. Being part of what is happening here is MORE important than the price, (at least for now). Being a team mate of DD and Fitz is more important than getting rich. Playing for Arians and Bowles is more important than being wealthy. He knows that next year there will be a better opportunity for money than now. He should also know that there is only so much money to go around, and that he may have to settle for less than he would have in the past even then. Maybe he knows already that some things are more important than money, and that he is being given a second chance to get his ring, (just as Q got, and took advantage of in Baltimore). To be able to win one with DD and Fitz as team mates might just be priceless. Who knows, the possibility to retire in Cardinals Red, and own a spot in the "Ring of Honor', (along with DD and Fitz), may be more than worth the difference one can put on money as the 'do all-be all' in ones life?
I, for one, would certainly argue that this second chance bodes well for the possibilities that I have alluded to by the return of Los to the Card's roster. This is one 'second chance' that I will be watching with great anticipation!!!
