Notes from the Nest: Cardinals run, Nkemdiche is day-to-day
Jul 28, 2016, 8:30 PM | Updated: Jul 29, 2016, 1:10 pm
Kerwynn Williams, Stepfan Taylor, Chris Johnson and John Brown go through the conditioning test at Cardinals training camp July 28, 2016. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The first training camp practice will be Friday, but Thursday the Arizona Cardinals gathered as a team for the annual conditioning test.
To pass, players had to run different lengths of the field at different intervals. Not surprisingly, linemen did not seem to have to go nearly as far as other players, though if we’re being honest, most of us probably couldn’t handle what even the linemen were asked to do.
At any rate, it was the unofficial beginning of 2016 Cards Camp, and while there isn’t really a ton to talk about, there were a few noteworthy things to come from the day.
The Good
Everyone who ran Thursday passed, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
The Bad (or in this case, the injured)
– First-round pick Robert Nkemdiche was spotted in a walking boot, so he obviously did not participate in the run test. Arians said he suffered a sprained ankle a couple days ago, and is viewed as being day-to-day.
– Cornerback Justin Bethel, who was placed on the PUP list Tuesday, apparently suffered a setback in his rehab from foot surgery.
“So it’s just a matter of pain tolerance still,” Arians said.
Notable
Coach Bruce Arians said John Brown will get a look at punt returner.
A highlight (because people running can be exciting?)
Run test ✅
More from today » https://t.co/Hs4MaCnd7c pic.twitter.com/IuPPqKMphw
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 29, 2016
Talk about making an entrance
Cornerback Patrick Peterson arrived at training camp via helicopter. Really, he did.
Arians was asked if he had ever been around a player who used something like that to get to camp, and he pointed to former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne.
“Reggie came in an army truck, tanks — Reggie had a grand entrance every year,” he said. “But that was nice of Michael (Bidwill) to bring Pat in on his new helicopter.”
“That’s big time right there,” running back David Johnson said of Peterson’s ride.
The contract
Tyrann Mathieu’s return to health as well as his contract status will both be big topics throughout camp. The defensive back took some time to address his situation Thursday afternoon, and our own Craig Grialou has the story here.
Expectations? That’s cool
No doubt more will come of this as camp goes on, but it’s hard not to hear all the talk about how the Cardinals are one of the best teams in the NFL and a favorite to reach the Super Bowl.
For Arians, that’s fine.
“That’s great, that’s nice,” he said. “It helps solidify what you’re telling (the players). You’ve obviously earned the right, now, to be considered a good football team, somebody they’re picking in the top five or six.
“Now it’s your job to show up and do it.”
If the Cardinals are a bit high on themselves already, there’s no sign of it so far.
“Basically we aren’t anything right now,” safety Tony Jefferson said. “It’s a new year, everybody’s 0-0. Everybody has the same goal. So, together as a team we’ve just got to build the chemistry again and do what we’ve got to do.”
Bigger or smaller, just play well
Jefferson said an offseason goal of his was to lose weight, which he did.
“Got my body fat down 5 percent as well, so feeling really good,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deone Bucannon said he added about eight or nine pounds. That story can be read here.
David Johnson’s show?
David Johnson is entering camp as one of the most popular players in the NFL, especially in fantasy football circles.
Attention leads to pressure, and that’s fine with him.
“It’s good to hear,” Johnson said. “I’ve always been confident in myself and it’s good to finally hear people are looking at me to help out the team and expecting a lot out of me.
“I like the pressure. I believe I have great coaches and great teammates that are helping me stay level-headed, helping me stay focused on the team. The biggest thing is the team and bouncing back from last year.”
Johnson figures to be the team’s lead running back, though Arians, when asked if the second-year pro is likely to see about 60 percent of the carries, was unwilling to predict that kind of a number.
“That will go game-to-game — if he’s hot, he’s staying in there,” he said. “But there’s no script right now of whose toting the ball and how many times.”
Super Bowl, then gone?
Arians was asked if it would be difficult not to walk away from the NFL if his team won the Super Bowl this season.
“I’ve never even thought about it, but I would probably be more apt to try to get two,” the 63-year-old coach said.
