ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ coach Arians: I like where our football team is right now

Jun 13, 2013, 8:05 PM | Updated: Jun 14, 2013, 10:19 pm

School is out for summer.

At least, that’s how it felt as players hustled off the field Thursday morning, ending the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp and offseason work.

“It was an outstanding spring; I thought we got a lot done in all phases,” said head coach Bruce Arians, who kept his players on the field for only a 30-minute practice, rewarding their effort, both on and off the field, over the past ten weeks.

“Right now,” he continued, “it’s very important for us to progress forward from here to training camp, not go backwards or not stay where we’re at. That was the message to the players. We have to continue to improve. We can’t come back and start over. We’ve got to be able to have everything right where it is or better.”

One area Arians wants to see improve is the players’ conditioning.

“We’re not in the best shape,” he said. “We’ve got to get in better condition to play as fast as we want to play, especially offensively.”

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald agreed.

“I don’t think we are where we did to be,” he said. “We still have a lot of things to work on. Once we get to training and guys are really clicking on all cylinders, we’re going to start to get better. Offense takes a little time.”

Defensively, the Cardinals showed an aggressive, attacking-style ,getting their hands on a number of thrown passes, including several interceptions.

“I think we made great progress, as a unit, as a defense,” said Patrick Peterson, who believes the defense under coordinator Todd Bowles can be special. “But like (Arians) said earlier in the team meeting, soccer practice is over. Now it’s time to put the big boy pads on. Now it’s time to see what we’ve really got.”

The Cardinals, because of the collective bargaining agreement, have practiced in only helmets and shorts up until this point. A full padded practice won’t come until training camp.

“I know how good they play soccer right now,” Arians said. “Football is a noise-level game and the noise-level scares some guys. Other guys love it. That’s what we’ve got to find. That’s how we make the football team and that will define us, physicality.”

The Cardinals, who escaped major injury this offseason, are now technically off until all parties reconvene in six weeks in Glendale.

Of course, there is no such thing as being “off” in the National Football League.

“If you’re taking time off, then we’re going backwards,” said Arians, who was pleased to hear his quarterbacks and receivers will continue their work together away from the team’s training facility.

“This is a time to really push forward conditioning-wise and to continue to improve,” he continued. “But other than that, I’ve been extremely pleased with the effort, the participation. I like where our football team is right now.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

8 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

16 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

20 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

3 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ coach Arians: I like where our football team is right now