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Linebacker Sirmon turns down Cards offer
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The latest Cardinals’ attempt to add a free agent fizzled Tuesday when veteran linebacker Peter Sirmon declined the team’s contract offer.
Sirmon, who has played seven seasons with Tennessee, is considering retirement.
The offer was reportedly for the league minimum.
The Cardinals want to add depth at the position. They are not expected to bring back free agent Orlando Huff, who started much of 2006, or veteran backup James Darling, who is also a free agent.
Darling said Tuesday he had heard from the Cards early in free agency, but the minimum contract offer came without a signing bonus, and Darling turned it down.
Darling, who will likely not sign anywhere until just before training camp, said he could land in New Orleans or Kansas City.
Meanwhile, Darryl Blackstock — the 2005 third-round draft choice who will head into minicamp this weekend as a starter — is unproven. Veteran Monty Beisel is a candidate to eventually unseat Blackstock, or the team could still use Calvin Pace as a starter along with Karlos Dansby and Gerald Hayes.
The team is expected to address the position in the draft later this month.
SCHEDULE TODAY
The 2007 NFL schedule will be released today at 10 a.m. The Cardinals already know their opener, which will come on Monday night, Sept. 10, at San Francisco.
The Cards have also already announced their preseason games — at Oakland, home against Houston and San Diego, at Denver — although the specific dates and times for those games will be also revealed today.
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