The Arizona Cardinals (4-1) defense has been downright dominant so far this season, sitting at fifth in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.0) and ninth in yards allowed per game (332.6) while forcing 13 turnovers, second only behind the Denver Broncos.
The NFC West-leaders have bolstered their defensive attack even further, inking veteran outside linebacker Dwight Freeney to a one-year contract Monday afternoon.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $870,000, with additional money to be earned through incentives for sack totals.
While the Cardinals defense has been astoundingly effective through the first five weeks of the season, the pass rush has been compounded with ease by opposing offensive line units. Arizona has garnered just eight sacks on the season, tied for 23rd in the league. In comparison, the team which boasts the NFL's premier pass rush, the Broncos, have recorded 22 sacks thus far in the season.
Freeney joins a 3-4 defensive front piloted by Arizona Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher, who was a member of the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff when Freeney captured five sacks in his final season with the team in 2012.
The Syracuse product also played under Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians while with the Colts. Arians led Indianapolis to the postseason in 2012 as the interim Head Coach, filling in for current head man Chuck Pagano during his season-long bout with leukemia.
While the tandem of Calais Campbell and Cory Redding currently man the left defensive end position for Arizona and team sack-leader Alex Okafor (two sacks) commands the left outside linebacker position, expect Freeney to receive time at the opposite outside linebacker slot, or potentially with his hand in the ground at the right defensive end spot.
Over 11 seasons with the Colts from 2002-2012, Freeney garnered an all-time franchise-second best 107.5 sacks while earning seven nods to the Pro Bowl (2003-05, 2008-11). The Hartford, CT native pioneered a defensive front which lead Indianapolis to a victory in Super Bowl XLI and the title of AFC Champions in 2009.
Freeney was also named a First-Team All-Pro in 2004 (a year in which he lead the league with 16 sacks, 2005, and 2009, while earning Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2003. He received AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2005 as well.