ARIZONA CARDINALS

All Access with Bruce Arians: First day of training camp

Jul 29, 2016, 3:21 PM | Updated: Jul 31, 2016, 3:14 pm

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and GM Steve Keim watch the conditioning test at Cardinals training ca...

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and GM Steve Keim watch the conditioning test at Cardinals training camp July 28, 2016. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Head coach Bruce Arians, now in his fourth year with the Arizona Cardinals, meets the media each day during training camp.

Here, in this space, we’ll highlight many of the key topics and personnel conversations he has with reporters following the morning walk-through.

“It went good and nobody got hurt. I don’t know what else to tell you since yesterday. I like where we’re at. There was a very good, business-like approach to the meetings and the walk-through, and I look forward to getting started this afternoon.”

Are quarterback playing later in their careers than they used to

“By far, by far; five to six years because of sports science. Sports science is in a place that we’ve never seen where athletes can play maybe into their 40s now because of health, nutrition, and training aids. There’s so much stuff out there to help them, yeah, I don’t see why some of these guys can’t play in their 40s.”

Has the window you thought Carson Palmer had to play expanded

“Yes, yes; because you never now what a guy’s work ethic is actually. What he does physically training-wise is amazing. I’ve seen him get younger just since his knee injury; all what he did to his core, his entire body, the way he eats and all those things now. He’s adding longevity to his career.”

What struck you in the way Palmer has come back from the NFC Championship Game

“Just the same way he does from any other adversity, any other interception. He comes right back, ‘What do we have to do to win the game?’ His preparation from day one after Carolina has never changed, if anything it’s stronger. The guys, they gravitate to him because of his resolve and the way he comes back and goes after the next play after a bad play.”

Who else is in the mix at punt return, besides John Brown

“Well, he was dynamic in college. At first it was Pat’s job (referring to Patrick Peterson). He’s caught punts since he’s been here. We’re going to look at him a lot harder longer this year, a long with J.J. (Nelson), who we brought in for that same reason. They both came in as punt return guys. We’ll have five to six guys always catching them just in case something drastic happened.”

What about kick return

“We’re going to look at Andre Ellington, J.J. ‘Smoke’ will be back there. Kerwynn (Williams), all the same guys. (Ellington) has returned kickoffs before. As dynamic as he is, you’d like to look for more opportunities for him to touch the ball.”

What about the center position

“There’s competition at every position, but it’s A.Q. (Shipley’s) job to lose. He’s the veteran. I was really pleased with what Earl (Watford) did; anxious to see him play that position in pads and real-live bullets. Evan (Boehm) can prove me wrong; a lot of rookies have.”

What is your situation with right tackle if you have problems with D.J. Humphries

“I don’t foresee problems. He’s going to get beat. They all get beat, but I really like where he’s at physically and mentally right now.”

Do you know what you have in Michael Floyd or is there still some question

“No, there’s no question in my mind. I just know that he can continue to get better. He’s still hasn’t reached his pinnacle yet, but he’s gotten better and better and better each year.”

Can Robert Nkemdiche be an option offensively in short yardage situations

“Oh yeah; he’s done it before and he’s been damn good at it.”

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