At Cards Camp, the south bridge offers best viewing
Jul 29, 2016, 11:43 AM
Arizona Cardinals players and staff meet on the field at University of Phoenix Stadium at the end of NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
If you want a quick tip for watching Cards Camp, do not underestimate the beauty of the south bridge. Although Darnell Dockett might disagree since he tore his ACL there, for a fan, this is the bridge over beautiful water.
At almost every sporting event, we in the media have an advantage over the average fan in our seats and sight lines. At Cards Camp, you have the advantage. The south bridge is not for the faint of heart. There are no seats so you’re standing all of practice. If you can “stand it,” it’s the place to see everything.
On game day, the south bridge overlooks a section of concessions. As the tray that holds the field at University of Phoenix Stadium is pushed up against the North wall, the bridge simply makes it easier for fans to get from the West side of the stadium to the East and vice versa. At training camp, however, it’s perfect.
The Cardinals lay out about a 47 yard field turf field against the north wall for some of the lineman walk-throughs. That pushes the tray into a different position than gameday: right under the south bridge. You can hear the coaches and see the hits happen right underneath you while having a great down-the-field view of the passing drills. Sure, to protect the grass they move different drills all over the place, but a lot of the contact work happens under the bridge.
If you plan to be a regular at camp, try a day on the bridge and tell me what you think.
