Who is the Arizona Cardinals top dog?

The Arizona Cardinals have a mix of young and veteran players. There is one thing that is certain, though. The defense rules this team. That is where you have the most talent and the most leadership.

So, if we were to pick one player, who would be considered the top dog, the gatekeeper, the very top of the pecking order.

As much as one would like to say Larry Fitzgerald, I can't see that. He is a leader. He is the heart of the offense. The issue is that the offense isn't that good, making him not that big a dog in that sense. He is at the top of the food chain, but I would not say he is the embodiment of the top dog. He is more of a top dog with emeritus status.

That leaves the defense. There are plenty of candidates. There is Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, Karlos Dansby, Daryl Washington, John Abraham, Patrick Peterson and Yeremiah Bell.

All are very good, all are productive. All are experienced.

Who gets the most respect in the locker room? That's a tough call, as all of these guys command respect for their current production and resume. I still think that the head honcho is Darnell Dockett, with Calais Campbell a close second. Dockett is a defensive captain and the elder statesman of the defense. Dansby is the same, but he left and returned.

Campbell is right there, but it is still big 9-0 that still holds the title of top dog in the locker room.