While Kevin Kolb and John Skelton continue their competition, rookie Ryan Lindley has quietly improved.

A sixth-round pick out of San Diego State, that's all he can really do at this point, even with limited reps in practice.

"It's been a challenge; I think the biggest thing is it's something new," Lindley told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf about not only not being the starter, but the third string QB. "It's something I just knew on the fly, that I'd have to learn how to take mental reps and watch Kevin and John and see how they do things."

He's apparently doing a good enough job to impress his coach.

"I think Ryan's done a very good job for a rookie and what we've asked him to do," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday. "I think that he's missed some things. He hasn't gotten a lot of reps, so I'd say based on the fact that he hasn't gotten as many reps, for a young guy he's probably ahead of where you would expect a young guy to be.

High praise.

Though going against third-string defenses, Lindley has impressed many with his poise, arm and ability to move the team down the field.

That said, Lindley is a rookie and has much to learn. He's completed 16-of-32 passes for 166 yards with one interception so far, numbers that don't exactly scream "starting quarterback". Then again, no one is expecting Lindley to be that guy so soon in his career.

So for as much pressure as Kolb and Skelton are facing, Lindley is dealing with the opposite. It allows him to just hone his craft, focusing only on improving, not winning a job or even winning games.

The thing he needs to improve on most, he said, is his footwork.

"I think it's something that I've been working on and the coaches have been working with me on, just being solid, being smooth in the pocket," he said.