Arizona Cardinal Eric Winston looks to keep proving himself

Aug 8, 2013, 12:35 AM | Updated: 12:36 am
LISTEN: Eric Winston, Cardinals OT

Eric Winston’s goal was always to start.

“I’ve never signed up, in any sport, to be a backup and ride the bench and be happy about not playing,” he told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Wednesday. “That’s just always been me.

“When I came here I was looking to win the job. Not be given the job; but I was looking to win the job.”

As of now, it would appear he’s done just that. The former Houston Texan and Kansas City Chief is listed as the starting right tackle on the team’s initial depth chart, and he’s been getting practice reps with the first team in training camp.

That said, Winston said he knows enough about how the NFL works to understand that just because he’s the starter one day does not mean he will be the next, so he has to continue to practice well and then transfer that into games.

“You’re always as good as the last thing you put on tape, so if I go to Green Bay and not play well, it probably opens the door for other guys,” he said. “So I’ve got to consistently stack good practices together and stack good games together.”

Winston added that the mentality is one he’s carried with him his entire career.

“No matter how much money you’re making, you’ve got to go out there and prove to your teammates and prove to everybody else that you’re worthy of your spot, you’re worthy of the place on your team and you have to go out there and do it.”

Arizona Cardinals fans take in the action at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer gives signals during passing drills at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer throws the ball during passing drills at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach Freddie Kitchens, left, talks with quarterbacks including Drew Stanton (5) at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with Rob Housler at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Kevin Minter (51) tips the ball away from a coach during linebacker drills at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Lorenzo Alexander fights off the blocking dummy as he goes after the ball carrier at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch in front of Javon Harris (41) at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch in front of Patrick Peterson (21) at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Robby Toma makes a catch at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Daryn Colledge (71) talks with general manager Steve Keim at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Ryan Williams stands on the sidelines for another practice at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, left, and Rashad Johnson collide as Fitzgerald makes a catch at NFL football training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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