Cardinals Ink Lenon to 3-year Deal

Although it may not have been the free-agent signing the Cardinal faithful were hoping for, Arizona did manage to lure at least one linebacker to the desert. Paris Lenon started 10 games for the St Louis Rams a year ago and joins a Cardinals linebacking corps in desperate need of depth.

The Arizona Cardinals remain active in free agency, signing former St. Louis Rams LB Paris Lenon to a 3-year contract. Lenon appeared in 15 games for the Rams last season, starting 10 of those contests. He finished last year with 40 tackles and three forced fumbles on a St. Louis defense that ranked 29th in the NFL allowing over 370 yards per outing.

Lenon began his eight-year career in a reserve role for the Green Bay Packers before developing into a starter with the Detroit Lions. During his three seasons in Detroit, Lenon accumulated 310 tackles including a career-high 121 tackles in 2008. Lenon went on to be released by the New England Patriots during training camp before joining the Rams for the 2009 campaign.

Larry Foote
(AP Photo)

While Lenon will make his way to the desert, LB Larry Foote will not. Foote decided on returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent his first seven years in the league. Foote was with the Lions last season where he totaled 99 tackles. Foote was expected to make more of an impact than Lenon but isn’t a dominate force at this point in his career.

Another former Steeler linebacker remains a target for Arizona as Joey Porter is still unsigned. The Cardinals have yet to offer Porter a contract but he's a possibility to join Lenon in filling the voids left by Karlos Dansby and company. Other possible destinations for Porter include the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers.


Questions or comments? Contact Brad Wilbricht at
or click here to access the AZRedReport.com message boards.