Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks: We got better this offseason

TEMPE, Ariz. — Without the pads on, it’s hard to accurately judge what kind of team the Arizona Cardinals will be in 2018. Players can only show coaches so much practicing in helmets and shorts, per the collective bargaining agreement.

Still, head coach Steve Wilks came away pleased with the progress his team made this offseason, which began April 3 and ended with the third and final mandatory minicamp practice on Thursday.

“When you start talking about putting in a new system, in all three phases, I thought the guys really grasped the details, understood the concepts and we got better,” he said.

To prove his point and highlight the team’s improvement in the last three months, Wilks mentioned he played clips from April’s voluntary veteran minicamp prior to practice to show players “how far we’ve come from there to where we are right now.”

The 90-man roster is expected to undergo some minor tweaks between now and training camp, but overall, Wilks likes the personnel.

Of course, that starts with the quarterback.

Starter Sam Bradford closed out minicamp with more on-field reps, according to Wilks.

“Very pleased in his performance, doing some great things out there…getting the offense in the right position, taking control, which I like. Made some great throws, good accuracy,” he said.

The Cardinals chose to play it safe with Bradford this offseason, gradually increasing his workload. Keeping him healthy is the No. 1 goal.

With that said, however, rookie Josh Rosen is waiting in the wings. This week he proclaimed himself ready for the NFL, though, “I don’t know if I’m ready to play a game yet.”

Rosen added his growth as a football player has a lot to with the number of different defensive looks he saw each day.

“I’ve just been exposed to a lot that I’ve never really been exposed to before and it’s exciting to get to solve some new puzzles, solve some new challenges; see some blitzes and coverages that I’ve never seen before,” he said.

Other than running back David Johnson skipping minicamp—he once again was absent Wednesday and now is subject to be fined up to $84,435—it was a very positive offseason for the Cardinals, who are now, with the exception of the rookies, on summer break until training camp.

The rookies will be in the Valley for the next two weeks and then report on July 22nd along with the quarterbacks. The rest of the team reports on the 27th.

Wilks’ final message to the players was simple.

“Be a professional. Number-one, take care of your body. Hydrate. Workout. And most importantly, as well, I gave them their iPads for the offseason. Most teams take the iPads back. Well, I trust the guys to be able to continue to use that information, use it everyday to continue to study and get better,” he said.

“Training camp is not an opportunity to come in and get in shape. That was my other challenge to those guys. Make sure we’re working out so when we hit the ground running on the 27th, alright, we’re taking the next step.”

Expectations high for Chandler Jones

It’s going to be hard for defensive end Chandler Jones to top 2017. In his second season with the Cardinals, he was named first-team All-Pro and to his second Pro Bowl after leading the league and setting a franchise record with 17.0 sacks.

The 2018 expectations for Jones are just as high.

“To what degree, our hope is Pro Bowl, All-Pro, maybe Defensive Player of the Year,” Wilks said. “He has that kind of skill-set. I think the 4-3 is going to allow him to be able to have more opportunities to go to the quarterback. He has a great skill-set; very savvy and he’s shown that over the years, particularly what he did last year with the production.”

Vacation plans

Not long after practice ended, many players began heading to their cars, making sure they take full advantage of their six-week break.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson had a plane to catch. He and his wife, Antonique, are celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary in Monaco. Then, it’s off to Scotland, where Peterson and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald plan to play golf at St. Andrews.

“I want to beat him at the oldest course in the world, that’s my goal,” said Fitzgerald, who added Peterson is paying for the trip “off all the money I’ve taken from him this offseason. I’m appreciative of that.”

Peterson, it should be noted, disputed that vehemently.

And Wilks? Well, his family is still back in North Carolina so his summer will be spent mostly on transitioning everyone to Arizona.

“Put a bid on (a new house) yesterday,” he said. “I’m hoping to get the right offer coming back, so we’ll see. Looking out in Chandler.”

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