Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 11

Aug 11, 2015, 5:39 PM

Carson Palmer goes under center during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 11. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Arizona Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz. — There appeared to be a more sparse crowd than usual at Tuesday’s practice, though that can be attributed to a lot of things including bad weather and this sort of being the dog days of training camp. Because while the team still hasn’t necessarily beat itself up, there is a definite feeling of it being time to actually hit someone wearing a different team’s jersey. It will happen soon enough, as the preseason opener looms.

Until then, however, it’s more training camp. So let’s get into what went down in an afternoon where the players were in shells.

The Good

Right tackle D.J. Humphries was back on the field after dealing with a knee injury for the better part of the last week. Given what’s going on with Bobby Massie, the team’s starting right tackle, Humphries’ return did not come a moment too soon.

Andre Ellington was also on the field again, though he did not take part in any of the 11-on-11 work.

Carson Palmer connected on a really nice deep ball to Larry Fitzgerald during 11-on-11, beating safety Rashad Johnson in the process. Drew Stanton did the same (minus Rashad Johnson) with Jaron Brown.

In 7-on-7, Palmer hit Jaron Brown deep. During the two-minute offense, Jaxon Shipley made a great catch on a Stanton pass in ripping the ball away from the defensive back at the goal line.

Also in two-minute offense, Stanton hit Brittan Golden for a deep pass.

Ifeanyi Momah also made a couple of nice grabs on Stanton passes.

The Bad

Practice ended with Logan Thomas being picked off by C.J. Roberts. Thomas made a few nice throws, but this did not seem to be his best afternoon.

There were a few deep balls that may have been completed but would have been sacks if the defense was allowed to hit the quarterback. That went for both the first and second-team offenses.

It didn’t look like the secondary made too many plays. This would be alarming if not for the fact that Arizona is very talented in that area and there have been many, many times this camp where the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson and Rashad Johnson have come up big. Just not Tuesday.

Notable

Though Massie has been suspended by the league (a suspension he is currently appealing), the fourth-year pro still worked with the first-team offense at right tackle Tuesday. Humphries was running with the second-team, with Earl Watford — second-team right tackle Monday — was in that spot for the third group. Watford also saw time at left guard with the second-team.

Though Thomas has not exactly been special, it still seems like the third QB job is firmly his. Phillip Sims is receiving very little work outside of the regular drills.

Troy Niklas, who has been hurt most of camp, was on the field with the second-team for a few snaps in 11-on-11.

Arizona’s four-receiver sets included Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson and Brittan Golden.

Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon did not practice, but was seen sprinting across the field at various times.

Quotable

“It’s one of those things you hate to hear, you hope that the appeal process goes in our favor, but it’s one of those things you have to deal with. It’s one of those things that when something happens you look him in the eye, he has to be accountable to his team. Tell him ‘we need you back, make sure you’re ready if you do have to miss games,’ and somebody else gets the opportunity to step up.” – Calais Campbell on Bobby Massie being suspended by the NFL

“You try to avoid that. It hurts you. It hurts you all around. It hurts you individually, it hurts you as a team. So it’s something you don’t want to do, but stuff happens and people make mistakes.” – Ted Larsen on Massie

“A knee in his ass every day. A foot wasn’t going to do it, so I nicknamed him ‘knee deep.’” – Bruce Arians on what it takes to motivate D.J. Humphries

The Injured

The Cardinals got a little healthier Tuesday, but are still fairly beat up. Out of practice Tuesday was:

WR Michael Floyd (hand)

RB Marion Grice (hamstring)

CB Jerraud Powers (oblique)

CB Darren Woodard (groin)

RB David Johnson (hamstring)

LB Shaq Riddick (hamstring)

LB Darryl Sharpton (hip flexor)

OT Cameron Bradfield (unknown)

OT Rob Crisp (knee)

A Larry Fitzgerald Highlight