Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 20
Aug 20, 2015, 6:46 PM
Cardinals QBs Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas and Phillip Sims go through a drill during training camp Aug. 20. (Photo: Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
(Photo: Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Thursday’s practice seemed to be rather quiet and mild. It’s possible that was due to the injuries suffered over the previous couple of days, or maybe it was due to the fact that the Arizona Cardinals have another preseason game in just a couple of days. At any rate, they were in shells Thursday getting ready for San Diego.
The Good
Carson Palmer looked like his usual sharp self, and had a nice throw for a touchdown to a wide open Larry Fitzgerald during some red zone action.
David Johnson looked healthy and effective, especially as a receiver. He caught a touchdown pass from Drew Stanton early in practice, and then later snagged another one of the QB’s throws over the cornerback.
Stanton connected with Jaxon Shipley on a nice deep ball during 7-on-7. Later in practice, Shipley made a great diving catch on a deep Phillip Sims pass.
Tight end Gerald Christian has had his struggles, but he made a great catch Thursday in which he reached over a couple defenders to snare a Logan Thomas pass.
The Bad
Thomas was picked off by safety Tony Jefferson on a ball that was thrown into some really tight coverage.
There were a lot of dropped passes Thursday, with Shipley and Troy Niklas standing out (especially since Shipley has been so sure-handed thus far). They weren’t the only ones to put the ball on the turf, though.
The Not Good, Not Bad, Maybe Impressive?
Palmer overthrew both John Brown and J.J. Nelson on deep balls. Really.
The Injured
Sitting out practice Thursday was:
OG Mike Iupati (meniscus)
DL Corey Peters (Achilles)
DL Frostee Rucker (calf)
CB Jonte Green (hamstring)
LB Shaq Riddick (hamstring)
LB Sean Weatherspoon (hamstring)
OT Rob Crisp (knee)
Prior to practice, Arians said he was hopeful Riddick, Weatherspoon and Crisp would be ready to practice next week.
Notable
Chris Johnson, who Arians said will get some carries Saturday, saw plenty of action Thursday. Looked fairly explosive when carrying the ball, though it’s not like the teams were going hard in the trenches. Johnson left the field with a wrap on the back of his upper right leg, but seemed to be walking OK.
On the offensive line, Bradley Sowell continued to work as the first-team right tackle while Ted Larsen moved into Iupati’s spot at left guard. The second-team O-line consisted of Cameron Bradfield at LT, Earl Watford at LG, Lyle Sendlein at C, Anthony Steen at RG and D.J. Humphries at RT.
It looked like Jerraud Powers stepped up his work load a bit, seeing some time in 11-on-11.
Logan Thomas is still the third-string QB, by the way.
Rookie receiver J.J. Nelson continues to see a lot of action with the first-team.
Quotable
“Ask Daryl. I’m not allowed to talk to Daryl and the league hasn’t notified me of anything, so I would ask the ‘Birdgang’ to please call Daryl.” – Bruce Arians on what he tells the ‘Birdgang’ when it comes to Daryl Washington
“It’s almost expected now in our training camps, knock on wood, somebody’s going to go down. It’s our motto here, ‘next man up,’ so it’s been holding true the last couple of years. Knock on wood again, hopefully it will hold true this year, too.” – Kevin Minter on previous success withstanding injuries helping the team get through them again
“I’m surrounded by greatness so I have no other choice to be great.” – Rodney Gunter on the team needing him to step up
Highlights are Fun
Yeah, he got that. @dajohnson7 everyone. #CardsCamp https://t.co/2qwIHMBS7W
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 20, 2015
He's turning some heads. He's @jaxonshipley. #CardsCamp https://t.co/gh3XCG4OVo
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 20, 2015
He's hungry. He's @hungry4gr8tness. #CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/aR6xepRIVC
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 21, 2015
Up Next
The Cardinals have Friday off, which means I do too. We’re both back in action Saturday, though, with the Cardinals hosting the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium at 7 p.m. and me co-hosting Arizona Sports Saturday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I’ll also be covering the game that night, so stay tuned for notes as well as post-game stories (and tweets, of course).
