LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – The Arizona Cardinals are on the verge of losing one of their best defensive players for the 2014 NFL season.
According to the team’s official website, the NFL suspended Cardinals’ linebacker Daryl Washington for “at least” a year for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. FOX Sports 910 in Arizona had the report first, which has since been confirmed by the league. The suspension is specifically for substance abuse violations and according to the NFL, is “unrelated to Washington’s recent plea bargain for an assault charge.”
This is a massive blow to Arizona’s defense, as Washington is a versatile piece capable of playing sideline-to-sideline while also rushing the passer and blanketing running backs and tight ends in coverage. Second-year player Kevin Minter and newcomer Larry Foote will try to fill the void left by Washington.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Cardinals are 40/1 to win the 2015 Super Bowl and 20/1 to win the NFC conference title. They’re also 7/1 to win the NFC West Division and have an over/under of 7.5 for number of wins in the 2014 regular season. (The odds for the over 7.5 are 2/3 while the odds for the under 7.5 are 6/5.)
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