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http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2312

The Cardinals expect linebacker Karlos Dansby, who was given the franchise tag by the club, to sign his tender offer worth a little more than $8 million soon and begin working out at the team facility.

The status of defensive tackle Darnell Dockett is more murky.

General manager Rod Graves said Dansby’s agent, Kirk Wood, informed him that Dansby planned on signing the offer sheet. The Cards had been hopeful Dansby would sign and begin working out before talks for a long-term deal began in earnest. (EDIT: Dansby signed the tender Thursday.)

Graves said it is still the team’s intention to sign Dansby to a long-term contract.

“It has to be one that the club feels comfortable with,” Graves said. “As I said to him, we both have expressed points that are important to us in getting a new deal but I think we both agree he is an excellent football player and an important part of our football team. We want him here for years to come.”

The Cards have until July 15 to get a new deal done. Otherwise, Dansby must play 2008 under his one-year contract and the two sides cannot consummate a multi-year pact until after the season is over.

Dockett, meanwhile, is also looking for a new deal. Graves declined to make a connection between Dockett’s absence from the voluntary workouts and the desire for more money, but he did say he has been contacted by Dockett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and been told of Dockett’s wishes.

“Our position is he is under contract,” Graves said. “We took the initiative back in 2006 to address his contract early (Dockett signed an extension in October of that year).

“Darnell has essentially been into that contract one year, with four years remaining. He has expressed a desire for a new contract, but that’s not going to happen. If he continues to play at a high level then that is something we can look at later, but I don’t believe the consideration is now.”

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