ARIZONA CARDINALS

No clarity yet in Cardinals’ No. 2 receiver race

Aug 11, 2018, 11:48 PM

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals ...

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Little (18) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The competition to see who emerges as the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald is a familiar one. After all, they just went through this last season, and never really found an answer.

They probably can’t afford to do that again this time around though. Not if they’re serious about making a push for a playoff spot in what will likely be a difficult division to navigate.

New head coach Steve Wilks has said throughout camp that he expects the players to sort this out on their own  – that one or two guys will naturally separate themselves from the pack in a group that includes J.J. Nelson, Chad Williams, Christian Kirk, Brice Butler and Greg Little.

That may very well happen, but it certainly didn’t happen on Saturday night.

In fact, the exact opposite played out. By the end of the Cardinals 24-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona receivers had amassed just three receptions for 57 yards. One of those catches – and 48 of those yards – came courtesy of a pass from Charles Kanoff to Jalen Tolliver in the fourth quarter. With all due respect to Tolliver, he’s not going to be the Cardinals’ No. 2 receiver in 2018.

That means all of the other Cardinal receivers combined for a grand total of nine yards on two catches, both of which went to Kirk in the first half. To put that in perspective, the tight ends hauled in six passes for 60 yards.

“We need to be more productive,” Wilks acknowledged. “That’s obvious right there. We’ve got to do a much better job, and it starts with the protection. You know, giving the quarterback the opportunity to sit in the pocket, step up and go through his reads. I thought Charles [Kanoff] did a tremendous job in there when he came in, commanding the huddle and taking those guys down the field and scoring. For a rookie to come in and have those kind of throws was pretty good.”

Granted, there’s only so much to read into the preseason opener. And there are a lot of factors at play. The first team was on the field for just one series, and the offensive line struggled to keep the Charger defense away from Josh Rosen at times.

But it’s not like conditions are ever going to be perfect, and this could have been an opportunity for someone to take an early lead in the race.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) hugs quarterback Chad Kanoff (6) after a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) loses his helmet as he tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (7) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) watches his throw after being hit against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones (55) celebrates a defensive stop as Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey (53) looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers kicker Caleb Sturgis (6) watches his field goal split the uprights against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Budda Baker (36) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (38) celebrates a stop by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (7) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds stretches the football across the goal line for a touchdown as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyzir White, left, defends during the first half of an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets the pass off as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (58) pursues during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (72) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is pulled down by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) after the throw during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) watches during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver J.J. Jones (89) runs as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Edmond Robinson (58) pursues during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Little (18) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (7) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (72) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals defensive back A.J. Howard, right, commits a personal foul against Los Angeles Chargers tight end Sean Culkin for a 15-yard penalty during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers kicker Caleb Sturgis (6) unsuccessfully attempts a field goal as punter Drew Kaser (8) holds during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget (94) grabs the face mask of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) for a 15-yard penalty during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) hits Los Angeles Chargers tight end Sean Culkin during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) can't make the catch as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Jeff Richards (23) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jeremy Cash (52) celebrates his fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers with defensive back Chris Campbell (33) and defensive back Ezekiel Turner (47) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) has his face mask grabbed by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget (94) for a 15-yard penalty as defensive end Chris Landrum (46) pursues during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Geremy Davis (11) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Chris Campbell (33) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Geremy Davis pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Chris Campbell (33) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Geno Smith (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Edmond Robinson (58) looks on during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jeremy Cash (52) leaves the field after being injured during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Travell Dixon, right, hits Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Geremy Davis (11) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers running back Detrez Newsome (38) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) The Los Angeles Chargers celebrate an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Travell Dixon (27) hits Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Geremy Davis during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Brandon Facyson (36) is hit by Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rashad Ross (15) after an interception during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Bryce Williams (80) scores a touchdown as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker D'Juan Hines (59) pursues during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tripped up by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (25) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (7) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds stretches the football across the goal line for a touchdown as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyzir White, left, defends during the first half of an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) celebrates his touchdown with teammate tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) during the first half of an preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) warms up prior to an preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jeremy Cash (52) runs back a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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