The Cardinals signed veteran linebacker Victor Hobson Wednesday.
With the Cardinals hurting at linebacker, the team signed Victor Hobson Wednesday, to a deal that keeps him under contract through 2009.
Hobson, a six-year veteran from Michigan, spent the first five years of his career with the Jets. He signed with the Patriots in the offseason and was released before the season. Hobson signed with the Bengals earlier this month and appeared in two games before being cut.
"It's been a big adjustment," Hobson said. "To go from basically starting the last five years and then going to free agency … it's one to remember for sure. It's been a long process. Right now, I am just fortunate to get another opportunity."
The Cardinals need help at the position with Clark Haggans going on injured reserve and Travis LaBoy battling ankle injuries. Hobson has experience on special teams and has 11 sacks, three interceptions and five fumble recoveries in his career.
Hobson also has playoff experience, playing in three postseason games with the Jets.
"Right now, it's a chance to get out there," Hobson said. "One thing I knew through this process is that I could still play football. That's stayed in my mind. Right now, I just want to take the opportunity every chance I get to show that."
To make room for Hobson, the Cardinals released veteran tight end Jerame Tuman. With an empty practice squad slot after the promotion of tackle Elliot Vallejo last week, the Cards also added safety Dennis Keyes – who was with the team in training camp before being cut – to the practice squad.
Keyes' highlight of the preseason was an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown in Kansas City.
Tuman appeared in just three games this season, catching three passes for 41 yards. He missed the first five games of the season with a hamstring injury and another two with an ankle sprain. The past five games, however, Tuman was a healthy inactive, unable to get ahead of tight ends Stephen Spach, Leonard Pope or Ben Patrick on the depth chart.
THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Coach Ken Whisenhunt acknowledged he was "hurt" with his team not playing well of late and its corresponding effect on the fans.
"We have worked very hard to build equity with our fans and with this town and we haven't carried our end of the business the last few weeks," Whisenhunt said. "Our focus is to do that this week and the playoffs and if we do that, I think we can get some of those people back."
Quarterback Kurt Warner, meanwhile, was asked about the national perspective of the struggling Cardinals – some of which has suggested the Cards don't deserve to be in the postseason.
"The one thing I know about this business is, you can go up and you can go down every very quickly," Warner said with a smile. "Perceptions can change in a heartbeat. That is why you can't listen to it, that is why you can't worry about it. At the same time, we have a game Sunday to rectify that, we have the playoffs to rectify that, and we can change it as quickly as it has gone the other way."
INJURY UPDATE
The Cardinals' injury list was longer Wednesday than it has been all season, with 12 players. Four players – wide receiver Anquan Boldin (shoulder), defensive end Travis LaBoy (ankle), tight end Stephen Spach (ankle) and safety Matt Ware (calf) didn't practice.
Whisenhunt said Boldin, who sat out the New England game, will hopefully get better as the week progresses. "I think it's important for him to get a little playtime in this game and I know he wants to," Whisenhunt said.
Four players were limited: safety Aaron Francisco (ribs), running back J.J. Arrington (knee), defensive end Kenny Iwebema (concussion) and safety Adrian Wilson (toe). The other four players, all of whom didn't miss any practice time, are cornerbacks Rod Hood (knee) and Ralph Brown (ribs), wide receiver Sean Morey (shoulder) and guard Deuce Lutui (knee).
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 12/24/08. Updated 12/24/08.
