Undrafted rookie Dan Buckner looking to turn some heads in training camp

Aug 5, 2013, 10:35 PM | Updated: 10:35 pm
LISTEN: Dan Buckner, Arizona Cardinals WR

At 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds, Dan Buckner would be a tough guy to miss.

Yet, the undrafted free agent told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo his goal right now is simply to have his Arizona Cardinals coaches notice him.

And he says they are.

“Coach says I’m getting better every day,” Buckner said. “That’s what you’ve got to do as a rookie guy.

“You’ve just got to get better, try to get some eyes on you and try to get some reps in practice and the preseason games coming up.”

Buckner joined the Cardinals after playing the last two seasons for the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson. As a senior last year, he tallied 61 receptions for 773 yards and five touchdowns.

Obviously the numbers were not enough to get Buckner drafted, but his skill set was intriguing enough to have the Cardinals take a flier.

And he chose them in large part because of the uncertainty facing the team’s wideouts following the top three of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Andre Roberts.

“I had a few places…we have three established guys here and then the rest are in the mix, so it’s the best opportunity for an undrafted free agent receiver,” he said.

Buckner believes he’s made the most of his chances, and heading into his first preseason game Friday against the Green Bay Packers he plans on heeding the words of his head coach.

“One thing coach B.A. says is when you got those plays (in games), ‘Don’t get exposed, get exposure,'” he said. “So that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

Linemen Jonathan Cooper and Mike Gibson run through a drill during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Daryl Washington runs through a drill during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Stepfan Taylor turns the corner during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer drops back to pass while receiver Michael Floyd and defensive back Patrick Peterson battle during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Alfonso Smith runs through the hole during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receivers Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Roberts line up during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald reaches out to make a catch during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The Arizona Cardinals run a play during the Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Patrick Peterson catches a ball during a drill at the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner makes a catch during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass to tight end Rob Housler during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) QB Carson Palmer looks to pass while WR Larry Fitzgerald runs his route during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Andre Roberts turns the corner ahead of defensive back Bryan McCann during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Michael Floyd tries to make an over-the-shoulder catch during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tackle Eric Winston takes a break during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Alfonso Smith turns the corner while Jim Dray blocks during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) QB Carson Palmer gestures before a play during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Carson Palmer looks to pass while Javier Arenas drops back into coverage during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler runs with the ball during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner runs through blocks during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Justin Bethel defends on a pass to Jaron Brown during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Michael Floyd hauls in a pass during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tackles Bobby Massie and Eric Winston in between drills during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald runs with the ball during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Andre Ellington receives the handoff from QB Drew Stanton during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The defense breaks its huddle during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner is tackled by Jonathon Amaya during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Justin Bethel steps in front of a pass intended for Robby Toma during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians chats with team president Michael Bidwill and owner Bill Bidwill during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, left, talks with former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner after the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, right, gives Dan Buckner (85) a high-five after making a catch during the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd (15) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Jonathan Cooper (61) during the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer warms up prior to the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gets help taking off a white t-shirt after Peterson played a wide receiver on offense during the Cardinals Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training camp on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the Cardinals Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training camp on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson walks on to the practice field for the Cardinals Red & White NFL football training camp practice scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer (3) talks with Larry Fitzgerald. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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