Daryl Washington looking to elevate career to all-pro level

Arizona Sports News online

Ever since Daryl Washington put on a Cardinals helmet for the first time since being a second round selection out of TCU, he has done nothing but be as solid a linebacker the team has had.

But now Washington is looking to take his career to the next level.

“I set a lot of goals for myself and I want to be that pro bowl guy,” said Washington. “I think training camp is going to allow me to do that. This defense is going to allow me to make a lot of plays so I can reach my goals.”

In Washington’s first two seasons in Arizona he has accumulated a total of 185 tackles, six sacks and five interceptions in playing all but one Cardinal game. The start of last season was a big adjustment for all of the players on the defensive side of the ball under then new defensive coordinator Ray Horton. But now with a season under their belt, both Washington and Horton have built trust in each other to have a lot of success.

“Ray Horton has trusted me to do a lot of things with this defense,” Washington explained. “He has allowed me to be flexible…and I plan to take full advantage of it.”

A lot of the success that the Cardinals have on the defensive side of the football will rely on the play of Washington, as he is one of the most versitle players on the team. And it seems he believe he is more than ready to take that big next step both for the team and for his career individually.