ARIZONA CARDINALS

All-Access with Cole Toner — Aug. 14: Guard or center ‘fine’ with him

Aug 14, 2017, 10:22 AM | Updated: 10:39 pm
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LISTEN: All-Access with Cole Toner

During training camp, Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Cole Toner will join Doug and Wolf every morning on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station, to give an inside look at the daily grind of camp and a personal view of how his 2017 preparation is coming along.

The Arizona Cardinals actually played some starters in their second preseason game last Saturday night, but not for long.

Offensive starters played just one series, since it was a 14-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to start the game. Reserves would go the rest of the way in Arizona’s 20-10 win over the Oakland Raiders at University of Phoenix Stadium.

That meant a lot of reps for second-year center Cole Toner. Toner, along with fellow offensive linemen Tony Bergstrom, Ulrick John and Kaleb Johnson, played 54 snaps against Oakland — the second-most on the team.

So how did Toner feel about his play?

“I think I played pretty good,” he said Monday morning. “It was good to get guard and center reps. I think I started a little slow at guard because I didn’t play any guard in the game in Canton, but once that first drive was done, I felt really comfortable there and I feel I played well.

“I was happy with my performance.”

Toner’s versatility should serve him and the Cardinals well, and realistically should mean he’ll be able to nail down a spot on the 53-man roster. He can play anywhere on the line, but his newest position, center, could be his calling card for years to come.

“I think the more I get comfortable there in dealing with guys who play nose guard and dealing with inside techniques — those are techniques I’ve never used before. Some of the techniques at guard and tackle are similar, but at center it’s different with how you approach blocking different guys,” Toner said. “So when I get comfortable with that, I feel good at playing center, but either way, it’s fine with me.”

Toner should see more extensive duty Saturday night when the Cardinals host the Chicago Bears in their third preseason game in Glendale.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) and linebacker Josh Bynes (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquis Bundy (18) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive back Anthony Cioffi (37) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) scrambles against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, right, greets Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio prior to an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu warms up prior to the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) pulls in a touchdown pass as Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson and free safety Reggie Nelson (27) defend during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch walks along the sidelines prior to the team's NFL preseason football game agains the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James after throwing a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws under pressure from Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) watches his missed field-goal attempt during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hugs teammate Brittan Golden (10) after Golden scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) pulls in a touchdown pass as Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws for a touchdown as Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) closes in during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates a defensive stop with Robert Nkemdiche (90) against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Marshawn Lynch talks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio watches during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) carries teh ball as Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski sits on the bench after missing a field-goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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