All-Access with Cole Toner — Aug. 22: Running with the ones
Aug 22, 2017, 11:08 AM | Updated: 7:29 pm
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.
One of Cole Toner’s strengths is his versatility.
The second-year player out of Harvard has extensive experience at tackle and guard, where he played in college. This year, Toner is learning a new position, backing up A.Q. Shipley at center.
During Monday’s practice, Toner’s versatility was put to the test. Starting left guard Mike Iupati didn’t participate in 11-on-11 drills after having his arm looked at by the Cardinals training staff. Toner stepped in and ran with the first team.
“I don’t know what happened to Mike because I wasn’t around when he called (trainer) Tom (Reed) over and left practice,” Toner said Tuesday morning. “So, yeah, I just stepped in and I thought I did a pretty good job.”
After working for most of camp with the same guys on the offensive line, Toner admitted there’s a bit of a mental adjustment necessary.
“You’ve kind of got to get ready, get your mind right,” he said. “Yet, I know it’s going to happen and I’m ready for that. No one really told me, I just kind of went there.”
Toner also said, if pressed into duty, he could perform at tackle, although it would be difficult because he hasn’t repped on the end of the line at all in this year’s camp. But he also knows that versatility can lead to great things for his career and his team.
“That’s my job. That’s how I’m going to make this team,” he said. “If I can do well at all those positions and be a jack-of-all-trades, that’s good for me.”
Head coach Bruce Arians should update Iupati’s status following Tuesday’s walk-through at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals are in their last week of camp and will hit the road to face the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday evening.
