Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 7
Aug 7, 2015, 7:20 PM
RB Kerwynn Williams dives on the ground to secure a fumble during Arizona Cardinals training camp Aug. 7. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals followed their first day off training camp with a practice that was uneven, to say the least.
The Good
After having a bit of a rough day Wednesday, tight end Ifeanyi Momah bounced back with some really nice catches — including one that went for a touchdown on a fourth down play.
Darren Fells also made some nice grabs, including one that went for a touchdown on a deep ball from Carson Palmer during the 2-minute drill.
Rashad Johnson picked off Drew Stanton on the final play of practice.
Jaron Brown was solid once again, coming up with a nice two-point conversion on a fade from Palmer.
Palmer hit John Brown on a really nice deep pass during 7-on-7 work, with the receiver beating Jerraud Powers on the play.
Deone Bucannon intercepted a pass that came on a fake field goal.
Calais Campbell recovered a fumble on a 2-point conversion attempt and raced down the field with the ball. He was chased by receiver Trevor Harman on the play, and lateraled the football to Tyrann Mathieu after running about 65 yards.
J.J. Nelson once again fared pretty well, save for one drop.
The Bad
On the very day head coach Bruce Arians praised running back Kerwynn Williams, the second-year pro had a rough time holding onto the ball. He collided with Palmer on one play, resulting in a fumble, and was stripped of the ball on another.
As noted above, for every good defensive play — like a fumble recovery — there is a bad one. Campbell’s recovery came after a bad exchange between QB Drew Stanton and RB Stepfan Taylor.
Cardinals DBs had a few opportunities at interceptions bounce off their hands.
The Interesting
Larry Fitzgerald was on the field and dressed but did not participate in any of the 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 work. There has been no word of an injury and I’m sure Arians will be asked about Fitz Saturday morning, but for now, we can probably assume he was just given the day off.
Noted
Lyle Sendlein, signed earlier in the day, worked with the second-team offense with Ted Larsen, who was competing at center, sliding over to left guard. A.Q. Shipley remained as the first-team center.
With Michael Floyd out injured and Fitzgerald not participating, four-receiver sets included John Brown, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden and J.J. Nelson.
Kerwynn Williams was pulled for a few plays following being stripped of the ball, but returned to be with the first-team offense in the 2-minute drill.
Quoted
“John Brown, I think, is playing faster than he ever played last year because he knows what he’s doing. No hesitation. He sees coverage. He’s sees blitzes and all those things. He’s playing extremely well right now.” – Bruce Arians
“Definitely tough to be at home with that. Praise to all the stay-at-home moms, that’s tough work. I was irritable. Irritable as hell. I don’t know how my family dealt with me, we just knew good things would come if we were patient and stayed working.” – Lyle Sendlein on mostly staying home and picking up diaper duty for his baby after being cut by the Cardinals in March.
Some Highlights
Another @jaronbrown13 TOUCHDOWN! #CardsCamp https://t.co/ZeBcC0DSkb
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 7, 2015
Big man got LEGS!@Campbell93 for the fumble recovery for a TD at #CardsCamp https://t.co/lGscbu5diY
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 7, 2015
Up Next
The big story Saturday will be that the afternoon practice is the annual “Red and White Practice.” What that means as far as what kind of practice it will be remains to be seen, but suffice to say it will not be your normal practice.
