Cardinals training camp

[Jonas_steven]

Here is a thread to discuss anything regarding cardinals training camp.

Fortunately, there has been no injuries so far!

 

[Jonas_steven]

While not much of a surprise, P squared has been relieved of all return/receiver duties. I was never in favor of it to begin with. The defense was rarely caught off guard and his return rate has greatly decreased over the last several seasons. This will propel him to become a better corner!

 

[Davis_Mike]

Dan Williams has a swollen knee & was not on the field practicing with the first team D.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Mike Jurecki's Birdseed “Observations” Day #1

Birdseed “Observations” Day #1

Posted Sunday, July 27th 2014 @ 1pm
It was the first look at how the Cardinals lined up yesterday, interesting that Alex Okafor was one of the starters at OLB (John Abraham out for personal reasons). TE John Carlson was also running with the first team.


#1 Oline - #2 Olin
LT Veldheer - LT Potter
LG Cooper - LG Philip Blake
C Sendlein - C Ted Larsen
RG Fanaika - RG Earl Watford
RT Massie - RT Bradley Sowell

#1 Defense - #2
LDE Dockett - LDE Ed Stinson
NT Williams - NT Anthony McCloud
DRE Campbell - RDE Kareem Martin

LOLB Shaughnessy - LOLB Sam Acho
ILB Kevin Minter - ILB Kenny Demens
ILB Larry Foote - ILB Lorenzo Alexander
ROLB Alex Okafor - ROLB Marcus Benard

LCB Patrick Peterson - LCB Justin Bethel
SS Tony Jefferson - SS Deone Bucannon
FS Rashad Johnson - FS Curtis Taylor
RCB Antonio Cromartie - RCB Jerraud Powers

QB rotation Palmer, Stanton, Lindley & Thomas (Logan took more reps than Lindley yesterday)

RB rotation Ellington, Taylor, Dwyer, Hughes, Zach Bauman, Jalen Parmele & Damien Thigpen.

Field Goals:
Jay Feely 33 yd Good, 45 yd Missed, 40 yd Good, 46 yd Good & 47 yd Missed (3-5)
Chandler Catanzaro 33 yd Good, 45 yd Good, 40 yd Good, 46 yd Good (4-4)

Third round pick WR John Brown put a move on Patrick Peterson yesterday that you don’t normally see from a rookie, he’s been impressive through out the off-season leading into training camp. It was be interesting to see Brown take a hit when they put the pads on in camp.

Coaching interns this year former Cardinal Jeremy Bridges, Fred Miller, Daylon McCutcheon, Corey Ivy and O.J. Santiago.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Quick recap of Bruce Arians' presser

By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- As he does every day during training camp, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians addresses the media after the morning walk-through. Here's a recap of what Arians discussed:

-Tight end Jake Ballard will miss Sunday's afternoon practice with a thigh bruise, Arians said. Ballard is expected to return Monday.

-Arians said Bobby Massie and Paul Fanaika have strong holds on right tackle and right guard, respectively, and they are their jobs to lose.

-Patrick Peterson won't be playing offense this season, Arians said, and he'll be only a situational punt returner.

-Arians said the most disappointing part of the Cards' first training camp practice Saturday was the number of mental errors by veterans on offense.

-Arians was pleased with how rookie quarterback Logan Thomas performed in his first practice but said, “He still has to learn when to throw the ball extremely hard and when to throw it accurately. A strong armed, young quarterback has that problem. He gets all jacked up and wants to show it off.”

-When asked if he's seen an arm as strong or stronger as Thomas', Arians said he had in former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre and former Cleveland quarterback Spergon Wynn.

-Arians was impressed by linebacker Alex Okafor starting in the fourth organized team activity of the offseason. That's when Arians started thinking Okafor could have a significant role this season.

-Linebacker Kenny Demens just has to keep playing like he has and he'll make the team, Arians said.

-Arians wouldn't speak about John Abraham's absence but reiterated that the linebacker's absences are excused.

-Arians also said rookie tight end Troy Niklas is “way behind” because of all the time he missed this offseason due to injuries.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Cardinals Camp Report: Day 2

By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Arizona Cardinals training camp:

-Nose tackle Dan Williams was conspicuously absent for the majority of Arizona’s practice Sunday. According to reports, he left practice with a swollen left knee. There’s no word on how serious the injury is. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians addresses the media Monday morning. In his place, however, Christian Tupou took snaps with the first team. Depending on the seriousness of Williams’ knee, Tupou could be Arizona's primary nose tackle because Alameda Ta’amu is also out while rehabbing a torn ACL.

-While working on a side drill, running back Robert Hughes took snaps as a fullback -- the same position Arians said he doesn’t like using. Hughes, who signed with the Cardinals in the offseason after two years in Indianapolis, including one with Arians, is a strong possibility to be the Cards’ fourth back.

-The coaching staff got a good look at Jaron Brown Sunday when he took three straight passes from backup quarterback Drew Stanton. He's part of five players competing for the fourth wide receiver job.

-Without Jake Ballard at practice because of a thigh bruise, Rob Housler was working with the first team. It’s opportunities like these that Housler needs to prove himself after a disappointing 2013.

-Tony Jefferson and Rashad Johnson have been the Cardinals’ first-team safeties.

-When Arizona played its dime defense, nickel back Jerraud Powers and rookie safety Deone Bucannon joined the starting secondary of Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie, Jefferson and Johnson. Often in dime Sunday, Arizona wouldn’t use a nose tackle, opting for two down linemen and two outside linebackers, with just one linebacker, Larry Foote. Bucannon would start the play lined up next to Foote and, if needed, he’d drop back or out wide into coverage.

-For the majority of practice, Arizona played two outside linebacker pairs. Matt Shaughnessy, playing in place of the absent John Abraham, played with Sam Acho, while Alex Okafor and Kareem Martin were usually on the field together.

-Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is playing with the second team.

-Rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro made all five of his attempts Sunday from 33, 40, 45, 46 and 47 yards.

From the reports I've read recently, it sounds like Catanzaro might be winning the kicking battle with Feely.

 

[The Derski]

I wash camp was still in Flagstaff.

 

[Davis_Mike]

I wash camp was still in Flagstaff.

No ty. I like being 10 minutes away. I have already gone to one practice with the family so far & I will likely go to another this week sometime if my schedule permits. It's way more convenient to have camp in town.

 

[johnson]

Love that they took PP off returns. Been calling for that one for a while.

Heard Keim on the radio today. He's really impressed with Jon Brown so far. Reading between the lines, there seemed to be some health concerns about Cooper. Hope I'm reading that wrong though.

They are considering going no-huddle at times. I think they should with the WR corp they have and their RBs.

 

[The Derski]

No ty. I like being 10 minutes away. I have already gone to one practice with the family so far & I will likely go to another this week sometime if my schedule permits. It's way more convenient to have camp in town.

Going up to flagstaff got fans out of the extreme heat and conditioned the players better seeing as how Flagstaff is at 7,000 feet. It brought tons of money to the Flagstaff economy and it was constantly rated as one of the best training camps in the country. Now it is just bland. They used to stand out now they just blend in with the rest. Super lame if you ask me.

 

[Davis_Mike]

They finally have the pads on for the afternoon practice & moving forward. I will definitely have to get back out there this weekend.

Quick recap of Bruce Arians' presser

By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was excited for the start of padded practices, which begin Monday afternoon.

"We were very fortunate yesterday," Arians said. "We were way too active to be in shorts. I was holding my breath a little bit yesterday, but it was an outstanding practice."


• Arians said nose tackle Dan Williams will have an MRI on his swollen left knee. Williams is expected to miss Monday afternoon's practice.

• With pads being donned Monday, Arians won't limit how much his players hit. "With the limited time you can hit now, you can't hit enough, in my opinion."

• Arians said he hopes to keep four tight ends, but the rotation will be "more tailored to what they do best."

• Arians won't "baby" tight end John Carlson because of his history of concussions.

• When it comes to using fullbacks, Arians would rather use a versatile tight end than a true fullback because defenses can't prepare for a tight end that can play both positions as well as they can for a fullback.

• Quarterback Logan Thomas will get more snaps than Ryan Lindley in practice because he's newer, Arians said.

• Arians isn't a fan of training camp fights. He'd rather buy his players boxing gloves -- like Bear Bryant used to -- than see them break their hands. But Arians said he won't fine players for fights, he'll just "cut them."

 

[Davis_Mike]

Let the hype continue.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Cardinals Camp Report: Day 3

By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Arizona Cardinals training camp:

• Another day, another injury. This time it was starting center Lyle Sendlein who was missing for the majority of practice. He suffered a left calf injury and was replaced by veteran offensive lineman Ted Larsen. Sendlein has been durable, missing just five games since his rookie season. Larsen is in his fifth season. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians will address Sendlein's injury Tuesday morning when he meets the media.
• One of the most asked questions leading into the first day with pads was whether or not John Brown would be as fast with pads on as he is without them? He answered that quickly, connecting with Drew Stanton for an 82-yard touchdown pass in which he outran safeties Rashad Johnson and Curtis Taylor.
• A day after announcing he wasn't playing offense anymore, cornerback Patrick Peterson began Monday's practice going through foot drills with the quarterbacks and running short goal line routes during their warm-ups.
• One of the lighter moments of practice came when punter Dave Zastudil hit tackle Kelvin Palmer for a touchdown pass on a fake field goal. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Palmer went airborne for the pass over a defender and came down for the score.
• As the kicking competition continues, Jay Feely went 4-for-5 on Monday, making two kicks from 48 yards, and a kick from 45 and 46 while missing a 33-yarder. Danny Hrapmann made kicks from 33, 45 and 46 while missing a 48-yarder.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Recap of Bruce Arians’ news conference
By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The biggest news out of Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians’ morning news conference was that center Lyle Sendlein will be out about three weeks with a calf injury. In his place, veteran guard and center Ted Larsen will snap to Carson Palmer on the first team.

• Arians said CB Antonio Cromartie will miss four to five days with a pectoral injury. RB Andre Ellington (neck), LB Ernie Sims (back), DT Christian Tupou (groin) and CB Todd Washington (groin) will miss Tuesdays practice.
• When asked whether John Abraham’s DUI in June is the reason the Pro Bowl linebacker isn’t in training camp, Arians said, “No comment.” But Arians said he has known about it and was in Georgia at the time of Abraham’s arrest.
• Arians said rookie WR John Brown looked as fast in pads as he does out of them: “He doesn’t look like he has them on.”
• Rookie S Deone Bucannon laid down some hard hits in Monday’s first practice in pads, but it didn’t impress Arians. “He was trying to show off a little bit. Tried to show that he’s a tough guy. We know that he’s a tough guy.” Arians also pointed out that if Bucannon had been flagged for any of his hits, the offense would’ve end up with prime field position. Arians called the hits “stupid.”
• Arians was impressed with LB Sam Acho and said G Jonathan Cooper, both of whom were injured last season.
• LB Lorenzo Alexander will remain at inside linebacker, Arians said.
• With Arizona’s top two nose tackles out with injuries, Arians said he’ll rotate in players with the first team, including rookie Ed Stinson.
• The kicking rotation during practice will consist of two kickers every day while the third rests.
• Arians said rookie LB Glenn Carson and T Bradley Sowell are working as the Cards’ backup long snappers.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Cardinals Camp Report: Day 4
By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Arizona Cardinals training camp:

• He’s been one of the talks of camp, but Michael Floyd put his offseason improvement on display Tuesday. On one pass, Floyd got a step behind cornerback Patrick Peterson for a touchdown that sailed in just beyond Peterson’s reach. Floyd then hauled in another score over cornerback Justin Bethel. Earlier Tuesday, quarterback Carson Palmer praised Floyd’s size and his ability to overpower cornerbacks, which was the case Tuesday. Bethel is listed as 6-0 and Peterson 6-1, but Floyd played taller and bigger than the 6-2, 220 pounds he’s listed as.

• Arizona got a look at a few backups that were called upon in a pinch. With RB Andre Ellington (neck) and CB Antonio Cromartie (pectoral) out Tuesday, RB Stepfan Taylor and CB Jerraud Powers were inserted into their respective first-team spots. NT Christian Tupou (groin), who was already replacing Dan Williams, was replaced by a combination of players, including Anthony McCloud.

≺ Taylor filling in for Ellington was telling in terms of the battle for the second running back job. It’s between Taylor and Jonathan Dwyer, but with head coach Bruce Arians’ decision to run Taylor with the starters, it appears that he’s leading the backup running back race. The importance of winning the second spot this year is greater than past years because of Arians’ decision to use more two-back sets.

• Arians got what he wanted when it came to adding speed to the offense. On at least two occasions, Ted Ginn and John Brown had to slow down to haul in a Carson Palmer pass. That speed could be a blessing and a curse. Last season, Palmer had a knack for slightly underthrowing receivers, forcing them to come back for passes. Ginn and Brown will have to learn how to time their runs perfectly with Palmer’s passes.

• Rookie safety Deone Bucannon secured an interception that got the crowd riled up.

• Rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro, who Arians praised Tuesday morning for being perfect through camp, missed three kicks in row during the afternoon practice. The three he missed were end-over-end kicks, different from his regular kicks. By my count, Catanzaro went 7-for-10, missing field goals from 41, 47 and 48 yards.

• After Catanzaro came off the field, special teams coordinator Amos Jones pulled his young kicker off to the side for a short talk near a water cooler. By Catanzaro’s body language, it was clear he wasn’t happy with himself.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Cardinals Camp Report: Day 5

July, 30, 2014 Jul 30
8:15
PM ET

By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Arizona Cardinals training camp:

• Justin Bethel's ascent up the depth chart continued Wednesday. With Antonio Cromartie out with a pectoral injury, Bethel was part of the Cardinals' nickel and dime packages. He played wide corner in both schemes, with Jerraud Powers playing nickel back. In base, Powers has filled in for Cromartie at corner opposite Patrick Peterson. Bethel had an interception late in practice and showed his speed weaving between offense players. Bethel might have made the most improvement among his teammates this offseason and it should pay off with more opportunities to earn playing time.
• Even though he’s dealing with a calf injury and didn’t dress for practice, Lyle Sendlein played center for Carson Palmer during 7-on-7 drills. The more Sendlein can continue to work with Palmer during non-contact drills, the more they can keep up the connection they’ve developed over the past year.
• During an early drill, Bruce Arians called over Peterson and discussed arm and hand placement during press coverage. Even though Peterson just signed a $70 million extension, he’s not immune from a little coaching.
• Anthony McCloud played nose tackle with the first team during most of Wednesday’s practice. Dan Williams is expected to return Friday, when the Cardinals practice next.
• All of Arizona’s tight ends have looked good during camp thus far. Rookie Troy Niklas, still playing with a soft cast on his right hand, made an impressive catch for a touchdown through three defensive backs.
• The kicking battle continued, with incumbent starter Jay Feely making all eight of his kicks. By my count, Danny Hrapmann made three-of-four.
• LB Ernie Sims didn't practice Wednesday. Neither did RB Damien Thigpen.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Pete Prisco from CBS sports radio interview on AM910 with Jurecki.



Bruce Arians' Cardinals have sights on making Super Bowl history

July 30, 2014 10:11 am ET

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- No NFL team has ever played a Super Bowl in its home stadium. The only team that can do it this season is the Arizona Cardinals, with a coach who has already publicly said that it's more than possible.

"There's no reason we can't be the first team to play a home Super Bowl," Arians said in March at the NFL annual meeting. "Absolutely no reason."

When pressed on it, Arians didn't flinch or back down. That's why his players love him.

Arians isn't your typical NFL coach. He didn't get his first head-coaching job until he was 60. He does things his way, such as honestly giving out injury information, a rarity in the NFL. So it's probably not a shock he isn't afraid to prop up his football team in public like he did in March.

"He's one of a kind," Cardinals running back Andre Ellington said. "That [saying it] should tell you all about him. He's confident in everything he does. That swagger that he presents rubs off on the team. We play with confidence."

"We believe it can be us," Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson.

Believing it and claiming it are two different things.

"We can do it," Peterson said.

It would mean coming full circle. After years of training up in Flagstaff, the Cardinals now hold their camp at their University of Phoenix Stadium. So it would mean starting the year on the same field they would end it if they were to make it to the Super Bowl.

You get the idea this team really believes it can. It is a team that went 10-6 a year ago, but failed to make the playoffs. The Cardinals went 6-2 down the stretch, and beat the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks, 17-10, in Week 16 and then lost a tough one, 23-20, to the 49ers in the final week.

Those two games will give the team confidence heading into this season because many consider the Seahawks and 49ers to be the best two teams in the league. So to even talk about playing a Super Bowl at home seems illogical when you look at the power of the NFC West. The bullies are in that division, but this is a Cardinals team that thinks it can do some bullying of its own.

The Seahawks-49ers talk doesn't seem to bother this group. When the late victory in Seattle is brought up to Ellington, he said, "We didn't even play a good game."

Last summer, the Cardinals had a new coach in Arians, a new quarterback in Carson Palmer and a lot of questions.
They lost two of the first three and then were 3-4 and seemingly going nowhere before they turned it around.

A lot of the younger players the claim about playing at home in a Super Bowl.

"That's who he is," Peterson said. "We believe in what he says. It's so different here now with him. He is so confident and we feed off that."

Consider Seattle and San Francisco warned. There might be a tough guy ready to take on the bullies of the division.

One thing is for certain: They aren't going to just back down and take it anymore.

 

[Davis_Mike]

5 observations from first week of camp
July, 31, 2014 Jul 31 8:15 PM ET

By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

Thursday was the Arizona Cardinals ’ first day off during this year’s training camp, and it gave me a chance to reflect on what I’ve seen, heard and learned thus far about this year’s team. A quick rundown of the Cards’ timeline last week: They reported Friday for the conditioning test, which second-year safety Tyrann Mathieu was able to shadow alongside his teammates. Camp started Saturday and pads were added Monday.

What I’ve learned since Friday:

• It’s very clear that quarterback Carson Palmer has picked up this offense and all its nuances, even if he’s telling us the same thing. I’ve seen Palmer often pull a running back or wide receiver aside after a play and start motioning with his hands where he should be lined up. He’s done it a couple times with new tight end John Carlson, who’s just learning the offense. Palmer's ability to teach more shows how far he's come, but Palmer's also getting help. His receivers know exactly where they’re supposed to line up, compared to last year, when both often looked confused.
• All the hype about John Brown is looking legitimate so far. He’s been fast off the line and quick once he catches the ball. It’s obvious his time in San Diego with Palmer paid off as the two have a burgeoning connection. While Brown looked just as fast in pads as he did out of them, it will be hard to tell if he’s a true standout until he goes across the middle when a safety or linebacker is actually trying to take his head off. If he can take an NFL hit and bounce back and still be fast, then he might be a star in the making.
• It’s pretty clear that right tackle isn’t up for grabs anymore. Bobby Massie has been running with the first team since camp started and three days into padded practices, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere. However, it’s still early. He’s worked hard at overcoming mental errors and the coaching staff has noticed. But Massie’s downfall earlier in his career was his inability to learn the playbook. If he begins slipping mentally, it sounds like Arians won’t have a problem replacing him.
• Larry Foote has looked better than I expected during camp. At 34 and coming off a season in which he played just one game, Foote would’ve been excused for being a step or two slow. But he’s been steady in the box and is providing the type of leadership needed as his compatriot at inside linebacker, Kevin Minter, is a second-year player.
• Jay Feely’s job might be in jeopardy. It’s plain and simple. The way rookie Chandler Catanzaro has been kicking has to make Feely sweat a bit. Catanzaro missed his first kicks – albeit three of them in a row – of camp on Tuesday but he’s recovered since. The decision on which kicker to start won’t be made until Catanzaro and Danny Hrapmann have kicked in preseason games, but for now, it looks to me as if Catanzaro has a leg up on the other two.

 

[The Derski]

hmmm
Monday Musings: Larry Fitzgerald no longer No. 1 Cardinals receiver - CBSSports.com