ARIZONA CARDINALS

Confidence, questions and concerns from Week 1 of Cardinals camp

Aug 6, 2015, 1:22 PM

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Thursday is the first off-day of Cards Camp. Taking a look back at the first week of fall, here is what I’ve seen that should bring confidence, questions and concerns to Arizona Cardinals fans.

CAMP CARDS CONFIDENCE

1. Palmer’s knee

After the 2014 season spiraled due to Carson Palmer’s torn ACL, the next concern became the Cardinals quarterback’s return from his second ACL rehab. Although signs looked great in OTA’s and mini-camp, there was no way to know what the future held. Then, in the first week of camp, defensive back Tyrann Mathieu completely blew-up running back Kerwynn Williams in team drills. Both players fell into Palmer’s left leg. Carson went down. Carson got up slowly. Carson realized he’s fine — and so did we.

2. Tyrann is back

He’s everywhere. He’s everywhere, fast. He can’t get enough football. He thrives on competition. The element he brings is “Troy Polamalu-esque.”

3. The DB’s as a group

The Cards offense went five-wide. Five-wide works in the NFL because few teams have five cornerbacks that can match five NFL-quality receivers. The Cards defense lined up Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers, Mathieu, Tony Jefferson, Deone Bucannon and the brains of the operation, Rashad Johnson. I’ll take that dime package against anybody.

CAMP CARDS QUESTIONS

1. Michael Floyd’s health

If I wrote this two days ago, the wide receiver would be in the previous category. He was having a great camp. His intensity haad improved. The way he went about his job improved. His route-running was far more precise. Floyd blocked downfield like it was his passion and not because it’s his job.

Now, after he required hand surgery Thursday, it’s two questions that we don’t know the answer to: When will he return? And how rusty will he be when he does?

2. LB Sean Weatherspoon

Everyone in the NFL knows the guy can play, yet the question is, “Can the guy play?” It sounds the same but it’s not. When healthy, Weatherspoon isn’t an elite MLB, but he’s pretty high up in the next tier. The guy can play. Weatherspoon never seems to be healthy, so the answer to “Can he play?” becomes “not today.”

CAMP CARDS CONCERNS

1. The Center

Wolf was right to bring it up. It appears Ted Larsen and A.Q. Shipley are quality NFL back-ups. If either starts, that really creates stress for both of the guards, Palmer, the coaches, the fans and the rest of Western Civilization.

2. DC James Bettcher

Bettcher is only here because there’s been no game action for him to be evaluated upon. Any rookie coordinator in the NFL is a concern. Bettcher did say at practice Wednesday that team drills at Cards Camp aren’t scripted like most teams, so he’s calling a defense just like he’d do in a game. If he’s trying to match wits with Bruce Arians and then getting feedback from him after the fact, Bettcher will be fine, in time.

3. QB Logan Thomas

OPINION: Logan Thomas had a good practice on Monday.
FACT: The Cardinals have had five practices.

I didn’t see what Arizona saw in Thomas while he was at Virginia Tech. I didn’t see what Arizona saw last year. I haven’t seen what Arizona saw this year. I want to be wrong. I’m pretty sure I’m not.

Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer (3) passes during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' quarterbacks Carson Palmer (3) and Chandler Harnish (4) participate in an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' Rodney Gunter (95) works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' D.J. Humphries (74) works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (21) works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals training camp coach Jen Welter works with players during work outs during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals training camp coach Jen Welter works with players during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Carson Palmer (3) works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Carson Palmer (3) works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' Ifeany Momah (80) makes a catch as Deone Bucannon (20) defends during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals' LaMarr Woodley (52) works out during an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) The video board greets fans at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Defensive end Calais Campbell readies for the snap at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Wide receiver John Brown at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer delivers a pass at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Receivers Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown get ready for the snap at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Chandler Harnish looks downfield after throwing a pass at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Stepfan Taylor (30) carries at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Running back Paul Lasike gets ready for a play at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hauls in a pass on the sideline at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) QB Carson Palmer calls out the signals at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Tight end Ifeanyi Momah makes a catch at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Jerraud Powers looks on at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in Glendale Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports) Harold Jones-Quartey tries to track down receiver Brittan Golden during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Brittan Golden runs an reverse during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals QBs Carson Palmer (3) and Drew Stanton (5) talk with head coach Bruce Arians during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Kicker Chandler Catanzaro tries to get his field goal attempt pass a rushing Justin Bethel during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Fullback Paul Lasike tries to fight through Edwin Jackson's tackle during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver John Brown holds up the football after scoring a touchdown during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cornerback Patrick Peterson tries to cover Jaron Brown during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Jaron Brown makes a catch while Larry Fitzgerald sets up to block during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cornerback Justin Bethel tries to stay with WR Jaxon Shipley during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) QB Chandler Harnish drops back to pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Gerald Christian leaps to make a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Darren Fells makes a catch in traffic during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Logan Thomas throws a short pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 5. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

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