LaRod Stephens-Howling Not Likely To Go Anywhere, Could Get 1st Round Tender

One of the free agents, albeit a restricted free agent, that the Arizona Cardinals have is running back LaRod Stephens-Howling. At 5-7, he is still one of the team's best playmakers. And while most believ that he will be coming back, due to the fact that the Cardinals can and likely will tender hims as a restricted free agents, but the tender might be a surprise.

According to Mike Jurecki, he is hearing that the team will use a first-round tender to keep LSH around.

That's not bad for a former seventh-round pick.

A first-round tender will give LSH a salary around $2 million and any team could still sign him, but they would have to give up their first-round pick to do it, and Arizona could choose to match the offer and keep him anyway. The would not, though, get the draft pick.

Essentially, it appears that the team would be willing to let him go if a team gave a first-rounder to get him. Considering LSH plays few snaps on offense, I would doubt any team would even consider making him an offer.

But at least it is good to know that the team is aware of how valuable he is and perhaps it is an indication of a plan to utilize him more in 2012.

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