ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals notebook: A competitive training camp comes to a close

Aug 19, 2022, 2:36 PM
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday,...
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)
(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

GLENDALE — With Friday’s walkthrough concluded, Arizona Cardinals training camp 2022 is now just a memory.

All and all, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury came out of the three-week stint pleased with the work his players and staff were able to get in.

“Having the coaching staff back for the fourth year basically intact for the most part, you’re able to continue to expand your playbooks and the players are able … to start at Year 4 and evolve and do new things,” Kingsbury said Friday. “That makes it a lot of fun for us.

“Competitive camp, we had some guys get nicked up here and there. Nothing too serious yet, which is always a blessing and hopefully it stays that way.”

Next up on the Cardinals slate is a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens before a handful of joint practices in Tennessee. Arizona’s preseason concludes with the road game against the Titans.

‘From top to bottom’

The Arizona Cardinals broke training camp Friday, but the answer to the question of who is going to take over the vacant pass rusher spot opposite Markus Golden hasn’t gotten any clearer.

The Cardinals believe that’s not for a lack of talent, though, with a mixture of rookie and veteran candidates still engrained in the battle for starting OLB snaps.

“We got a good group. I feel like this is one of the best groups I’ve been around from top to bottom with all the draft picks we got in and the guys,” outside linebacker Devon Kennard said Friday. “It’s been good. I feel like we’ve been pushing each other and working hard every day.”

There are a lot of ways the Cardinals could go when it comes to the vacant OLB spot.

Dennis Gardeck has already showed his ability to impact games and Kennard brings a wealth of experience entering his ninth NFL season.

But the younger backers on the roster include rookies Myjai Sanders, Cameron Thomas and Jesse Luketa. Second-year pro Victor Dimukeje had a big preseason opener with two sacks.

“I think all of those guys are talented and doing a really a good job,” Kennard said. “Cam had a really good week this week. Jesse Luketa looked good in the game and is doing a lot of good things. Myjai’s rush ability and versatility have shown a lot.

“I think our organization did a good job drafting guys that come in and fit the culture that we have in our room and on our team.”

Revenge game? No so much

When the Cardinals take on the Ravens on Sunday night, a certain offensive player will face his former team for the first time.

No, ex-Baltimore wide receiver Hollywood Brown isn’t playing. Ravens 2019 sixth-rounder and current Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley is.

But if you ask McSorley, who is expected to start against his old team, the shifty signal caller isn’t looking at this game any differently.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there,” McSorley said. “I have nothing but respect for them. They drafted me, gave me a chance in the NFL, so I’m just looking forward to getting out there.

“I’m not going to go out there labeling it ‘revenge game’ or anything like that. Just excited to go out and play and show what we can do for a second week in a row.”

Arizona Cardinals RB T.J. Pledger runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Darrel Williams runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Ward runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals QB Jarrett Guarantano runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Ben Niemann runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals TE Bernhard Seikovits (left) and LB Dennis Gardeck (right) run through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Chandler Wooten runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Joe Walker runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Nick Vigil runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Ezekiel Turner runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker runs through drills during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Byron Murphy Jr. runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Josh Jackson runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals S Tae Daley runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals S Tae Daley runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin looks on during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Ward looks on during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Darrel Williams runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Ezekiel Turner runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals chief of staff and offensive assistant Kenny Bell works with the running backs during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Keaontay Ingram runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Ezekiel Turner runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Jesse Luketa runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner lends a hand during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Dennis Gardeck runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Victor Dimukeje runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Cameron Thomas runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Myjai Sanders looks on during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Byron Murphy Jr. runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals Cortez Davis runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Jace Whittaker runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton runs through drills during training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray walks in between drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury looks on during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals OLB Myjai Sanders runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins looks on during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks on during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Darrel Williams runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Darrel Williams runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Darrel Williams runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Keaontay Ingram runs through drills during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins looks on during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown looks on during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Ward adjusts his helmet during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs through drills during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals LB Joe Walker runs through drills during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Darrel Williams runs through drills during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Ward runs through drills during training camp on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

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