Carson Beck takes another step despite sloppy offensive showing at training camp

GLENDALE — There’s a clear difference between practicing in pads and not at training camp.

For some, that strong showing early on before pads can come on turns out to be a mirage.

For others who may have been slow out of the gates like rookie quarterback Carson Beck, getting closer to the real game of football can be the proper jolt to the system.

There’s no doubt Beck is looking much more comfortable since the pads went on Tuesday. He’s connecting on the deeper throws and, as head coach Mike LaFleur said Tuesday, “not making bad plays worse.”

But it was his finish to the two-minute drill that shined more light on the positives Beck is beginning to show more.

The drill started with a couple of iffy tosses, but Beck quickly settled in, completing 5-of-7 passes, highlighted by a touchdown strike to wide receiver Bryson Green to end the drill and the day of work.

 

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Those are the kind of moments you want to see out of a rookie quarterback still finding his bearings at the NFL level.

Was he perfect? No, but there’s been good progress with camp kicking up a notch.

Is there a laundromat nearby?

Beck looked better Wednesday, and the Cardinals pass catchers did their thing with plenty of separation on display.

Down in the trenches, though, there were plenty of issues.

For one, the run game — save for a few bursts from Jeremiyah Love and Trey Benson — didn’t find much traction beyond a few yards. I know it’s camp practice and glorified two-hand touch, but still.

That, however, wasn’t the most glaring. No, that belonged to the mountain of penalties the offense committed on Wednesday. We’re talking losing count type of miscues.

False starts were a main issue, as was holding. The line already has its question marks. Wednesday’s showing didn’t help change that thinking.

A better day for Marvin Harrison Jr.

All eyes were on Harrison and how he would respond after dropping a couple of balls in Tuesday’s practice.

Well, he kicked things off with a no-doubt touchdown, burning Denzel Burke for the score. Yes, the offense has the upper hand in these drills with no help over the top, but still a confidence builder for Harrison.

He went on to make plenty more catches and was featured more than Michael Wilson on Wednesday. He nearly had the play of the day on a deep touchdown catch but was slightly overthrown by Jacoby Brissett, too.

Still work to be done, but a step in the right direction.

Andrew Wingard outdoing Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson?

Taylor-Demerson may have reeled in the first interception of camp, but that hasn’t stopped Wingard from making his case for the safety spot opposite Budda Baker.

Wingard flashed his speed on a safety blitz during 11-on-11 work to pick up the “sack” and has been getting more consistent looks with the first unit.

Taylor-Demerson is still in there, too, but it’s clear Wingard isn’t going away anytime soon.

Max Melton and Denzel Burke battling for CB2

While Burke looked like the leading CB2 candidate heading into training camp, Melton has quickly closed the gap as they go back and forth between the first- and second-team defense.

Melton was among the early standouts before the pads came on, while also getting in the mix as a special teamer in an effort to expand his role.

Can he keep pushing Burke? Or will the Cardinals’ 2025 interception and passes defensed leader stake his claim soon enough?

Eku Leota continues to stand out

Leota has been a constant problem for the offense this camp.

The pass rusher has made the most of just about every practice so far, picking up “sacks” and pressures left and right.

If he keeps rushing the passer like this, Leota could find his way onto a 53-man roster, either in Arizona or elsewhere.

He’s been that noticeable so far.

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