Most significant move: The one move that raised a few eyebrows was the Arizona Cardinals releasing linebacker Lorenzo Alexander. It wasn’t so much because of his defensive duties. Over the years, his responsibility as a linebacker has decreased as he couldn’t find a steady role inside or outside. And he told ESPN this summer he didn’t want to be a starting linebacker because he wanted to still be fresh and available for special teams, where Alexander built his reputation and made the Pro Bowl in 2012. He was a mentor in the special-teams room, especially for Justin Bethel, who went to the last two Pro Bowls as a special-teamer. Alexander’s most significant contribution, however, came in the locker room. Many Cardinals looked at him as a voice of reason and went to him for guidance and advice.
Cardinals shrink ILB pool: It may be one of the Cardinals’ most pressing needs but they’re apparently confident working with a small pool of inside linebackers. The Cardinals released Alexander, who could play inside linebacker, Glenn Carson, Edwin Jackson and Andrae Kirk. All played inside linebacker. Those cuts left Arizona with five inside linebackers: Sean Weatherspoon, Kevin Minter, Kenny Demens, Gabe Martin and Alani Fua. With Weatherspoon’s hamstring still an issue, Arizona could easily keep five and drop Martin or Fua to the practice squad once Weatherspoon is fully healthy.
Cardinals' moves: LB Lorenzo Alexander, LB Glenn Carson, G Nate Isles, LB Edwin Jackson, LB Andrae Kirk, CB Shaq Richardson, TE Gannon Sinclair, WR Ryan Spadola, CB Darren Woodard, P Dave Zastudil, WR Travis Harvey (waived/injured), T Rob Crisp.
