ARIZONA CARDINALS

Logan Thomas solid in Arizona Cardinals’ preseason opener

Aug 15, 2015, 11:27 PM | Updated: Aug 16, 2015, 12:48 am

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Logan Thomas entered this training camp the favorite to be the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 3 quarterback behind Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton, but he was in no way a lock to keep it.

Some uneven performances over the first two weeks of camp left some wondering if he would be able to hold off rookie Phillip Sims, but if his performance in Saturday night’s 34-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason opener is any indication, the second-year pro out of Virginia Tech is well on his way.

Thomas completed 9-of-15 passes for 107 yards and one interception, though the pick came on a ball that bounced off of receiver Jaron Brown’s chest and into the hands of a defender. He also had what appeared to be a touchdown pass to Brittan Golden overturned after a replay.

Did Thomas have a great game? No, but it was a step in the right direction.

“Other than two plays where he had protection issues, I thought he played pretty solid,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said.

Thomas received the bulk of the work in the second and third quarters and also picked up 18 yards on four carries, including one 15-yard run that showed what kind of threat he can be on the ground.

“I feel alright,” Thomas said about his night. “Obviously I want to have a touchdown there. Had a couple good drives. I was really proud of how our offense played. Very physical and ran the ball really well.”

Thomas said he did not feel like he necessarily needed a night like this one. And to be fair, in last season’s preseason opener against Houston he completed 11-of-12 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown, so it’s not like he has never put together a good effort in a game.

But with the way his camp has gone, it was nice to see him play well in live game action. Thomas looked comfortable, moving around while keeping his eyes downfield looking for a receiver.

“He stood in the pocket and threw extremely well,” Arians said.

The key from here, Thomas said, is to build off this performance and stack good days together. He said he’ll leave this one thinking about the things he could have done to make it a great game, but otherwise felt confident and comfortable in putting the ball where he wanted to.

Maybe it’s just one game, and a preseason one at that. Or, it’s possible he is a young quarterback who is slowly improving at his craft. Time will be the real judge, but one preseason game into the schedule, Thomas’ arrow seems to be angled in an upward trajectory.

“The second year from your first year is supposed to be the biggest jump,” Thomas said. “And I feel a lot better, especially within the offense in understanding what B.A. is looking for.”

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer sits on the bench during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs' Chase Daniel (10) throws a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals' Josh Mauro (73) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs' Fred Williams (83) smiles as he celebrates his touchdown catch from quarterback Chase Daniel (10) against the against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs' Fred Williams celebrates his touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs' Fred Williams (83) makes a touchdown catch in front of Arizona Cardinals' Gabe Martin, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Cariel Brooks (35) tips the ball away on a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs' Da'Ron Brown (4) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Logan Thomas, left, twists out of the grasp of Kansas City Chiefs' Dee Ford, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians watches play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs' Chase Daniel throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs' Frankie Hammond, right, celebrates his touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals with teammate Jason Avant, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs' Frankie Hammond (85) makes a touchdown catch as Arizona Cardinals' Jimmy Legree (46) falls down while trying to cover Hammond on the play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) lies on the turf as Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) runs back an interception during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel (10) throws under pressure from the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Da'Ron Brown is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gabe Martin during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Da'Ron Brown celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals linebacker LaMarr Woodley (52) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Line judge Sarah Thomas gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Line judge Sarah Thomas waits for play to resume during the first half of an NFL preseason football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) carries as Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid calls a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) looks to throw against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is hit by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Kenny Demens (54) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Cooper (31) hits Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) as Steven Nelson (20) and Eric Berry (29) defend during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) runs the football against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jamell Fleming during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians talks with line judge Sarah Thomas during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands off to running back Knile Davis (34) against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32), celebrates his interception with teammates Calais Campbell (93) and Rashad Johnson (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) is tripped up by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) after intercepting a pass by Smith during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer warms up prior to the team's NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, right, and Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians chat before an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald warms up for the team's NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals training camp assistant linebackers coach Jen Welter, middle, talks with line judge Sarah Thomas, right, as Cardinals team president Michael Bidwill, left, listens prior to an NFL preseason football game between the Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) lunges into the end zone for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) celebrate his touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) kisses his mother, Carol Berry, prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) is greeted by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) prior to an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith warms up for the Chiefs' NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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