Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 12

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals were once again in shells Wednesday afternoon, likely saving themselves a bit with the preseason opener just a few days away. No reason to beat yourselves up if you don’t have to, right?

The Good

Carson Palmer made some absolutely outstanding throws.He hit TE Darren Fells for one TD on fourth down in 11-on-11, and then later had a nice toss to John Brown for a score on a third-down play.

The more you watch Fells, the more he looks like a viable option at tight end. He has excellent size and has shown great hands, including a one-handed grab of a Palmer pass early in practice.

Andre Ellington took a screen pass a long way. Now, it may not seem like much (though anyone who has followed the Cardinals since they moved to AZ knows them and screen passes don’t always get along), but the RB showed no signs of hamstring trouble.

Drew Stanton hit Jaxon Shipley for a TD in the corner of the end zone on a really  nice pass. Shipley, by the way, seems to catch pretty much everything thrown his way.

Stanton had a nice pass to roster-hopeful Travis Harvey, who made an equally impressive catch.

The Bad

Logan Thomas didn’t seem to land any of his deeper passes.

Phillip Sims was picked off by Jonte Green early in practice. The pass was a little late and didn’t have enough mustard on it.

The Usual

Tyrann Mathieu had another interception Wednesday, this one on a Drew Stanton pass. I don’t have the actual count, but it seems like the Badger has come up with a turnover pretty much every day in camp.

Notable

One interesting play the Cardinals ran was a shovel pass to Larry Fitzgerald.

J.J. Nelson again got plenty of reps with the first-team. He had one drop, but otherwise has looked pretty good in that role. In four receiver sets, Arizona went with No. 11 (Fitzgerald), 12 (John Brown), 13 (Jaron Brown) and 14 (Nelson). So there’s that.

In offensive line drills, rookie Rodney Gunter was able to get guard Mike Iupati back on his heels on one play. On another, Josh Mauro just blew by Ted Larsen. One O-lineman who seemed to have little trouble was Jared Veldheer. That guy is a wall.

The Injured

Jerraud Powers was back on the field, though he did not participate in any of the 11-on-11 stuff.

Jermaine Gresham, still working his way back from a back injury, stuck to individual drills.

These guys, however, did not practice:

WR Michael Floyd (hand)

RB Marion Grice (hamstring)

CB Darren Woodard (groin)

S Chris Clemons (groin)

RB David Johnson (hamstring)

LB Shaq Riddick (hamstring)

LB Sean Weatherspoon (hamstring)

LB Darryl Sharpton (hip flexor)

OT Cameron Bradfield (unknown)

OT Rob Crisp (knee)

LB Zack Wagenman (foot)

Quotable

“I didn’t think that was going to make it to the media. I’ve been getting called that since OTAs.” – D.J. Humphries, laughing, when asked about Arians calling him “Knee Deep”

“That’s another way to make a million dollars.  That question has been asked for about 50 years in coaching.  It’s just something—he’s mean enough out there on the field.” – Bruce Arians on if Calais Campbell is too nice, and if so, how you make him mean

“No, I don’t think so. Nobody wants to see me and J.J.” – John Brown on if any team could have two faster players at WR than him and J.J. Nelson

Now for Some Highlights

Palmer to @Jwalk_back12 for a TOUCHDOWN!#CardsCamp https://t.co/tmgna31OC4

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 12, 2015

CB Jonte Green jumped the route for a nice interception, see for yourself… #CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/2TjB1DNtee

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 13, 2015

He only needs one…

Darren Fells shines at #CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/71LSrsVVRa

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 13, 2015

Up Next

The Cardinals will have a walkthrough Thursday morning and then take the field at 2 p.m. for their final practice before their first fake game of the season.

Follow @theAdamGreen