National Football League

Cards looking to extend Washington

Published Jul. 30, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Darryl Washington enters his third season with the Arizona Cardinals as a critical cog at the heart of a defense that is supposed to be the team's strength.

He is also the next target for a contract extension by the team's front office. General manager Rod Graves says Washington is the kind of player the team wants to have around for a long time. Washington also wants an extension and says his agent and the Cardinals have talked, although no offer has been made.

Washington was the Cardinals' runaway leader last season in tackles with 107 and solo tackles with 95. Paris Lenon, Washington's fellow inside linebacker, was second with 93 tackles. Cornerback Richard Marshall, no longer with the team, was second in solo tackles with 69, 26 fewer than Washington.