Kyzir White's season-ending injury left its (negative) mark on the Cardinals last season, in part because the loss of the linebacker stripped the defense of an emotional leader that had been obvious just a few plays into the 2023 season.

You remember, right? White crashed into Commanders quarterback Sam Howell near/at/over the sideline for a huge hit that drew a penalty, the ire of the Washington crowd, and the respect of a Cardinals fanbase and teammates who saw White making a statement for a team that many didn't think much of going into the season.

White was asked this week if the play was perhaps by design, because at that point a statement was needed. White broke into a big smile when the question came.

"Nah man, it wasn't by design," he said. "I saw him, he was still in the field of play from my point of view, I wanted to slow him down from running so I wanted to hit him pretty good. My intention wasn't to hurt him or cheat or be dirty, nothing like that. I just wanted to set the tone a little bit."

There was a reason for that. Setting the tone is part of the job description for a Mike linebacker in White's view.

"You watch Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis, and NaVorro Bowman and all those guys, they ain't just letting the quarterback run around," White said. "They're trying to knock their head off.

"I want to be in that caliber of linebacker."

White, along with Budda Baker, are the leaders of a defense that wants to prove it will not be a weak link. White got off to a good start last year and he is now in his third year of the Gannon/Rallis system, having played with them in 2022 with the Eagles.

If White can become a pseudo-Bowman or Willis, all the better.

"I want to strive to be as good as those guys," White said. "I ain't close yet. I'll get there one day eventually. God willing."