Another solid interview with one of the Cardinals keys to the season, ILB Karlos Dansby, today on KTAR with Ron Wolfley.

More insight into the difference on the coaching staff, how the defense is being changed, what Dansby is seeing and what we can expect. A few highlights:

1. Karlos can barely contain his excitement at the potential for big plays in his new position as the weakside ILB in the new defense. Clearly the new staff realized that Dansby has the potential to be an All Pro if he’s in the right situation and with the move to the 5-2 ( thats really what it is in most alignments) he gets to line up behind Bertrand Berry and pretty much run uncovered to the ball in most situations. With his speed, size, hitting ability and nose for big plays this is going to create some incredibly opportunities for sacks, big hits and even INT’s as he gets to start reading the play and use his instincts.

2. Dansby is about 20 lbs of muscle heavier this year then last season. The entire team has reported in excellent shape, which is a real indication of just how little control the prior staff had over this team, and he weighs about 255 lbs this year compared to about 236 lbs last season. He wasn’t able to work out the prior year due to nagging injuries and lack of motivation in dealing with a difficult staff. Now that he’s motivated and in his big contract year he should be an absolute force out there.

3. The defensive scheme is going to be really creative. They have about 80% of the packages in and it will be a multiple front, creative and confusing defense for other teams to get a read on. Berry, Dockett, Watson, Smith and Okeafor have all taken to their new roles with real enthusiasm and if the cornerback questions can be resolved this defense will climb back up in the top ranks compared to last years wretched rankings.

I’ve been predicting that two players are going to really shine in this scheme. Chike Okeafor is one and Karlos Dansby is the other. After this interview and hearing his excitement you can’t help but believe that big things are in store for this defense if they can stay healthy and settle down the cornerbacks.

Original post by Eli Wahlstrom

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