Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 17

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals were back on the field following their first preseason game of the season. Though they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 34-19, they emerged with plenty to feel good about (and a little to feel not-so-good about).

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said prior to practice he was excited to get on the field because he challenged his team to clean up its mental mistakes and errors. The team was in pads and seemed to have a good amount of enthusiasm.

The Good

There were plenty of touchdown passes thrown by Carson Palmer. He connected with John Brown on a couple of them, and Andre Ellington on another. The Ellington score was contested by the Cardinals defenders, who thought the RB stepped out of bounds before crossing the goal line, but they’re also a little biased so who knows.

Patrick Peterson also had a good pick, chasing down a Palmer pass that was intended for John Brown, but went a bit farther than the receiver did.

Cornerback Jimmy Legree, who had a rough night Saturday, bounced back with an interception of a Drew Stanton deep ball during 11-on-11.

Safety Tony Jefferson isn’t really known for interceptions, but he picked off Palmer by jumping a route.

Stanton connected with running back Kerwynn Williams on a very nice downfield pass.

Logan Thomas threw a nice ball to receiver Jaxon Shipley for a completion.

The Bad

Linebacker Andrae Kirk made a nice play to jump a route, but dropped what should have been an interception. Chances are the coaches will take it, but as a guy fighting to make the roster, coming up with that pick would have been helpful.

J.J. Nelson has shown some pretty good hands, but he dropped one pass early in practice.

The Injured

Running back David Johnson was back on the field and in pads, though he did not participate. Instead, he spent some time running across the field, testing his injured hamstring. Fellow back Marion Grice did the same.

Prior to practice, Arians announced Darren Woodard, Zach Wagenmann, Shaq Riddick, Daryl Sharpton, Sean Weatherspoon, Josh Mauro, Jonte Green, Michael Floyd, Travis Harvey and Rob Crisp would not practice. Also sitting out was Alameda Ta’amu.

Notable

Bradley Sowell was the first-team at right tackle. D.J. Humphries was still with the second-team, with Bobby Massie running third-team. Earl Watford, who got some time at right tackle Saturday, was second-team right guard.

Looked like linebacker LaMarr Woodley got some reps with the first-team, at least in certain packages.

Though Jerraud Powers was back practicing, Justin Bethel — who performed well Saturday — still saw plenty of action with the first-team.

Quotable

“Definitely tough, especially since the injury. But I think it’s something that I need to learn from and grow, and definitely need to be ready for practice. I think that’s the biggest thing, just make sure I come out a little early, stretch, and get my legs warm before practice starts.” – David Johnson on frustration of being sidelined for so long in his first training camp

“She had a striped shirt on. There’s no male/female, it’s just striped shirts.” – Bruce Arians when told it appeared he treated female ref Sarah Thomas the same as every other ref

“I’m excited, man. As many players as we can get in here to help us win a championship, I’m all for it. He’s a legend; he’s a guy I can learn a lot from, so I’m looking forward to it.” – Andre Ellington on the addition of Chris Johnson

Some Highlights

Play of the day!@RealPeterson21 with an over-the-shoulder interception. pic.twitter.com/flub3iom5u

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 17, 2015

Lorenzo Alexander with the SWAT! #CardsCamp https://t.co/OM9IT7M22e

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 17, 2015

Up Next

The Cards will be back at it Tuesday with a walkthrough in the morning and then a regular practice at 2 p.m.

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