All Access with Bruce Arians: Time to put the pads on

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.

“No new injury news. Same people that were out yesterday will be out today. Red Bryant should be one more day, Jermaine (Gresham) about two more days. Other than that, really pleased with where we’re at right now as far as getting out of shorts. A lot of the mental work is done, now it’s time to get the physical part of it started. Making sure we get our pad level down and start playing football.”

Is there excitement about today, any trepidation when you put on the pads?

“No, no, there’s always excitement because it’s time for the big guys to show what they’ve got. This is their time.”

You’ve talked about touches before and how you don’t care if players get a certain amount. Do you ever have to talk to players about that?

“Yeah, our first meeting you check your ego at the door. It’s all about ‘we’, not ‘me’. As long as you can do that, your team is fine. Our guys have bought into that system. It doesn’t force the quarterback to do anything different, as far as getting somebody the football any number of times. And as a coach you design things to make sure your guys are getting off early and are into the game.”

You brought David Johnson along slowly last year, but did he exceed expectations? 

“He was another one of those very, very mature rookies that you knew you weren’t going to overload him but you still didn’t want him to get put into a situation that was going to overload him mentally and hurt somebody else. He’s done a great job of preparing, now it’s like he’s a five-year vet. He’s done it all; he’s still progressing as a receiver, more and more things you can do with him. It’s nice to have all these backs healthy now. It’s nice to see Andre (Ellington) run on two feet for the first time in two years.”

For players to not worry about their touches, is that a tough sell or is it pretty easy?

“It’s real easy because if you get worried about them you ain’t getting any.”

Did Red Bryant surprise you at all last year in terms of what he could do?

“No. He surprised me how he could play 25 plays getting off the couch at Thanksgiving, but having played against him for all those years we knew what he had. Did he still have it? He obviously does. He brings a lot of quality leadership and he’s a hell of a run stopper.”

How hard will the decision to trim the defensive line be?

“It’s going to be really hard, really hard, because the young kids are doing extremely well also. Everybody that’s over there right now could make a roster, and whether we keep seven, eight or nine is going to depend on other positions. But that’s high-quality competition in that room.”

How much will Robert Nkemdiche be hurt by sitting out with an injury?

“It hurts him starting today with pads on because he hasn’t had that part yet. I think the rest of it, he’s OK. It’s not like he’s learning 1,000 assignments. He’s shown that he’s got all the physical tools, so putting pads on, getting hit, double-teamed and those type of things, he’s going to miss that the next two weeks.”

What kind of balance have you struck over the years in terms of going full throttle with pads on yet being concerned about injury?

“You’re never concerned with injuries because they’re going to happen. Most injuries that we’ve had, severe ones, were non-contact. Most ACLs, nobody touched them. As soon as they fall down and nobody touched them, I know exactly what it is. So you always hold your breath that part. But the contact-wise, you very seldom get anybody injured. Nobody’s going to the ground — if you’re going to the ground too often then you’re not a good enough athlete to be out there.”

Are you looking forward to seeing Corey Peters out on the field with pads on?

“Oh heck yeah. It’s been great to see him in shorts. He’s another one I do not want to see hit the ground.”

Do you feel like Corey Peters’ return might be a bit underrated in terms of what he brings to the team?

“Oh heck yeah. That was a big blow to us last year. Thank God Rodney (Gunter) was a mature rookie and could handle it.”

What are you hoping to see when the pads come on?

“More enthusiasm. I want to see both lines of scrimmage run the football and stop the run. That’s where we always start and we’ll have a lively running period today.”

Any early thoughts on Matt Barkley and Jake Coker?

“Yeah, I think they’re both progressing but I’d like to see them progress faster. Matt still has done some things, he can make all the throws — it’s making sure he’s seeing his hot reads and going through his progression properly.”

Would you consider going into the season with two quarterbacks?

“Very much so. Because the competition for that third quarterback, with that fourth tight end and that fourth running back and that sixth wideout, we’re keeping the best 53.”

Seems like every time you look out there Patrick Peterson is making a play.

“He’s having a great camp.”

You think Patrick’s gotten as good as he can get?

“No. He’s still young, that’s the amazing part. He seems like a 29-year-old but gets better every day. Great leadership — what he’s been doing with Brandon (Williams) has been amazing.”

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