The Cardinals used the Tuesday after Super Bowl XLV to get permission to interview Steelers and Packers assistants to fill their vacant defensive coordinator position, and Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton appears to be their man.

According to PFW correspondent and Arizona Republic writer Kent Somers, the Cardinals requested permission from the Steelers to interview linebackers coach Keith Butler and Horton, as well as Packers assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss.

The Steelers denied the request to interview Butler, who is under contract for 2011 and the apparent next-in-line behind defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

According to Somers, Horton could be named the coordinator on Wednesday following his interview with head coach Ken Whisenhunt. The two spent three seasons together in Pittsburgh.

In Dallas last week, Horton called the Cardinals' job a "heck of an opportunity because they've got the pieces there."

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported that Horton also has an offer to be the Cowboys' defensive backs coach under new head coach Jason Garrett and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

The way we see it

The Cardinals' defense finished 31st in the league in 2010 and did not meet expectations in a weak NFC West. They were also 31st in passing defense, something that Horton will be counted upon to improve with his experience working with the Steelers' secondary.