Tempe, AZ – The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has placed the “non-exclusive” franchise tag on linebacker KARLOS DANSBY.

Dansby (6-4, 250) was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this month. Under the terms of the “non-exclusive” franchise tag designation, Dansby has been offered a one-year tender in the amount of the average of the five highest paid linebackers in the NFL in 2007. The Cardinals can continue to negotiate a long-term contract with Dansby through July 15. If Dansby receives an offer sheet from another team, the Cardinals can match it or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

Arizona’s second-round selection (33rd overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft out of Auburn, Dansby has appeared in 58 games with 51 starts in his four seasons in Arizona, collecting 382 tackles (296 solos), 20.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries.

Dansby moved to inside linebacker in 2007. He started 14 games there and collected a career high 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. Dansby eclipsed 100 tackles for the second time in his career in 2007 after collecting 103 in 2005. His three interceptions last season also tied a career high from when he had three interceptions with two of those returned for touchdowns in 2005. His eight sacks in 2006 were the most sacks by a Cardinals linebacker in a single season since Ken Harvey recorded 9.5 in 1993.   

 The franchise tag was created in 1993 as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement to help teams keep their star players. The Cardinals last used their franchise tag with safety Kwamie Lassiter in 2002.

 

If they can't re-sign him, expect the Cardinals to use the franchise tag to force him to stay.

"Karlos is a valued player and he's recognized as being one of our core players,'' general manager Rod Graves said on Thursday. "It's our intent to do everything we can to try to keep him here.'' READ MORE