The Arizona Cardinals and linebacker Karlos Dansby are closing in on a new contract agreement, according to a report in the Arizona Republic.

Dansby’s agent, Kirk Wood, met with Cardinals’ general manager Rod Graves on Friday morning, and both sides came away from the negotiating session optimistic that a new deal could be struck in the near future.

Which is good news for Cardinals fans.

Dansby has emerged as one of Arizona’s top defensive players over the course of the past 2-3 seasons, and is one of the good, young defenders that are key to the Cardinals continuing their recent success.

Arizona placed the franchise tag on Dansby for the second straight year in February, and he will make $9.7 in 2009 unless a new deal is in place by July 15.

Stay tuned Cards’ fans….