Karlos Dansby and His Future with the Arizona Cardinals

Since his introduction to the Cardinals in 2004, Karlos Dansby has been the go-to linebacker for the team. With 444 tackles, 24.5 sacks and 9 interceptions, Dansby has become a key, if not integral, part of the Arizona defense.

But with the date to sign franchise players looming on July 15, neither Dansby nor the Cardinals' franchise has come to a agreement on whether or not to extend the defensive linebacker's contract.

With a reported $9.7 million salary guaranteed for the 2009 season, Dansby will become a unsigned free agent in 2010 unless the Cardinals again franchise him as they did in 2008 and 2009.

Without a deal in place by July 15, he will be unable to sign a long-term contract with the team until the end of the regular season.

In April, amidst changing agents, Dansby stated to the media that, "I am trying to maximize what I am worth, and I’m not sure I’m going to have another opportunity like this[...] It’s the ideal position to be in the position I am in right now. I want to make the most of it.”

Since acquiring a new agent, Dansby has declined to talk about the contract negotiations and only recently spoke about the contract agreements as, "as business deal for both sides that a deal would not be reached."

“My understanding is they have already made their business decision,” Dansby said during a radio interview on XTRA 910 AM on Monday. “I’ve already made my business decision. We’re not going to get anything done right now. […] I wish we could have gotten something done.”

Both sides of the deal are dealing with the situation with money signs in their eyes. Dansby wants to stay on a Superbowl-caliber team while hoping that the NFL will play without a salary cap in 2010.

The Arizona Cardinals website reports that the chances of coming to a contract agreement by the Wednesday deadline is unlikely. General Manager Rod Graves that Dansby, "is one of the most talented linebackers," and that, "Karlos is one of our core players [...] Our efforts will remain trying to reach a long-term contract resolution with him."

With Dansby and the Cardinals unable to reach a decision on future contract agreements, the only other contracts that need to be resolved are the unsigned draft picks from the 2009 draft- first-round running back Beanie Wells and second-round linebacker Cody Brown.

Sean Ahern Writes for SportInformant.com