The Arizona Cardinals have signed veteran cornerback Robert Alford to a three-year contract, the team announced.
Alford, who will be entering his seventh year in the NFL when the 2019 season kicks off, had been released by the Atlanta Falcons as the team attempted to save money just a few days ago. Alford was in the middle of the four-year contract extension that he signed with Atlanta in 2016; that deal was worth $38 million.
Had he not been released, the former second-round draft pick would have become a free agent following the 2019 season.
“I feel like I’m top 10 [on the list of cornerbacks] in this league. Last year, I was doing my thing. Came into this year, I did my thing. At the end of the day, I just have to get back to my style of play and make those plays that the team needs me to make that I’ve been making in the past.”
Ahead of signing Alford, multiple reports surfaced that indicated the Cardinals were looking to add a talented cornerback to play alongside star Patrick Peterson. They did just that by bringing in Alford.
Alford, 30, started all 15 of the games he played in last season, but was unable to intercept a pass all season long, something that he had never previously done in his career. He defended just 11 passes, which is nearly a career-worst for Alford; he defended 10 passes in 2013, but only started in four games that year.
Alford also made 50 tackles this past season, including 43 solo tackles.
“I feel like I’m top 10 [on the list of cornerbacks] in this league,” Alford told ESPN before he was released by the Falcons. “Last year, I was doing my thing. Came into this year, I did my thing. At the end of the day, I just have to get back to my style of play and make those plays that the team needs me to make that I’ve been making in the past.”
Whether or not Alford is truly one of the 10 best cornerbacks in the NFL is up for debate. But one thing is for sure: the Cardinals have faith that the Southeastern Louisiana product will fit well alongside Peterson as the team tries to turn their luck around.
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