Tuesday observations from Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 12

Here’s what I saw and experienced at Cardinals practice on Tuesday (full disclosure, I was about 45 minutes late because I had a late meeting):

JOHN BROWN:

It finally happened. I was actually there to see it. John Brown made a mistake.

During 7-on-7 drills, Palmer threw what appeared to be a slant pattern. I think Brown sat down and curled it to the sideline. I’m not reporting this to mock John Brown. I report in amazement. After attending every practice except one, I’ve never seen Brown make a mistake. Immediately after the pass, Palmer gave Brown the “go that way” signal. Coach Arians was just as fast with his sharp tongue.

Although his mistake cost the team an interception, it’s a great testament to the rookie Brown that these moments are so rare.

DEONE BUCANNON:

Who was it that made the pick? Yeah, another rookie.

DAN BUCKNER:

He hasn’t shown much in camp. He’s been kind of forgotten with how intense the wide receiver battle has been. The only question has been whether Buckner will finish eighth in a five- or six-horse race. Tuesday was his day.

He looked much more athletic and made some great catches. He had one touchdown (notice I said one, Craig Grialou). Didn’t fight the ball as he normally appears to. It would take about nine more practices like that for him to close the gap but you have to start somewhere.

PAUL CALVISI:

Jay Feely is involved in a drag-out kicking battle. He went 7-for-8 on field goals including two from 50+. The one that he missed occurred at exactly the moment Cardinals sideline reporter Paul Calvisi walked under the uprights. The Paul Factor struck.

SCREENS:

Heavy screen day by the Cardinals. Almost every drive had a screen mixed in it. The offense didn’t re-invent the wheel. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary but a very wide variety of screens. It was a very weak area for last year’s offense. An advanced screen game would dramatically help Arizona’s offense reach the much higher expectations for this year.

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