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Now we know why quarterback Brian Hoyer was released. The Arizona Cardinals made several transactions on Monday, some announced and one that will be at some point, but has not been.
Among what would be considered most important by most is the news that linebacker Kevin Minter, the team's second round draft pick, has been signed to a four-year rookie contract. Minter's signing means that the team has locked up five of their nine draft picks. Running back Stepfan Taylor, receiver Ryan Swope, running back Andre Ellington and tight end D.C. Jefferson all signed their contracts last week.
The still unsigned draft picks are guard Jonathan Cooper, safety Tyrann Mathieu, linebacker Alex Okafor and guard Earl Watford.
In other news, the team announced that they signed a pair of undrafted rookies after successful tryouts in rookie minicamp. They signed quarterback Caleb TerBush and center Adam Bice.
Another signing that the team has not announced was that of undrafted rookie tight end Kyle Auffray. He announced it via his own Twitter account.
Just signed with the @azcardinals. Excited and blessed for this opportunity! #BirdGang #hardworkpaysoff
— Kyle Auffray (@KyleAuffray) May 13, 2013
Here is what the team gives as the player bios:
Minter (6-0, 246) was a Butkus Award finalist as the nation's top linebacker following his junior season in 2012. He also earned first-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated and was a consensus All-SEC first-team pick after starting all 13 games and ranking third in the league and tied for 20th nationally with an average of 10 tackles per game. He led LSU with 130 tackles, the fourth best single-season total in school history, and also had five passes defensed, one forced fumble and an interception.
The Suwanee, GA native finished his LSU career with 206 tackles, five sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 38 games (27 starts) over the past three seasons. He closed out his collegiate career with 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack vs. Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The 19 tackles were an LSU bowl game record.
Bice (6-4, 302) played collegiately at Akron and was a two-year starter on the offensive line. As a senior in 2012, he started all 12 games at right tackle after starting 10 games at center as a junior. A Dresden, OH native, Bice finished his career at Akron by appearing in 36 games with 22 starts.
TerBush (6-5, 225) played in 22 games in his career at Purdue, completing 283 of 476 passes for 3,077 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He started 20 games over his last two seasons, including all 13 games as a junior in 2011 when he set career highs with 1,905 passing yards and 13 TDs on 171-of-277 passing. Last season, TerBush started seven games and completed 108-of-189 attempts for 1,150 yards and 12 TDs while sharing quarterback duties with Robert Marve.
I will have something about Auffray tomorrow.
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