Cardinals’ Andre Roberts: Quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receivers gaining confidence

Aug 10, 2013, 4:33 AM | Updated: 2:46 pm

Despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks in 2012, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts set personal career highs in catches (64), receiving yards (754) and touchdowns (5).

But after being the recipient of Carson Palmer’s longest pass from scrimmage — a 38-yard touchdown strike — in the Cardinals’ 17-0 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers Friday night, even the fourth-year wideout out of The Citadel could sense something was different with No. 3 behind center.

“He’s doing a great job,” Roberts said. “You can see that. We didn’t have many plays in this game, but he’s doing a great job for us. We can’t wait to see what this season entails.”

From Palmer’s small sample size in the team’s 17-point win, the season could entail plenty of positives potentially. The two-time Pro Bowler was efficient (4-of-6 for 77 yards), went down field multiple times and spread the ball evenly to his three top receivers (Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Roberts).

It might have only been nine snaps, but Roberts can feel the group is gaining momentum in the confidence department.

“That’s the big thing me, Carson, Larry and Mike have been working on in training camp, just instilling that confidence in Carson to throw the ball down the field to us,” said Roberts. “He has to understand that every time, we want him to know that we’re going to go get the ball for him. Just like we know he’s going to go down field and place it perfectly like he did tonight.”

One preseason game down, and already as Roberts hinted at, the team’s top offensive weapons are building a much-needed level of trust with their quarterback.

It never hurts when part of that equation features a seasoned veteran like Palmer.

Kevin McGinnity jumps on a pogo stick in the parking lot of Lambeau Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to throw during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts can't handle a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Green Bay Packers' Johnathan Franklin (23) stiff arms Arizona Cardinals' Lorenzo Alexander (97) on a punt return during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Arizona Cardinals' Andre Roberts can't catch a pass with Green Bay Packers' Jerron McMillian (22) defending during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy talks to quarterback Graham Harrell during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Green Bay Packers quarterback Graham Harrell throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews lines up during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer and Andre Roberts (12) celebrate a touchdown reception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Arizona Cardinals' Andre Roberts (12) catches a touchdown pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Davon House (31) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Arizona Cardinals' Andre Roberts reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talks to Drew Stanton (5) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Arizona Cardinals' Jaron Brown catches a touchdown pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Micah Hyde during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton scrambles in front of Green Bay Packers' James Nixon during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn) Arizona Cardinals' Jaron Brown catches a touchdown pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Micah Hyde (33) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Arizona Cardinals' Ronnie Yell tackles Green Bay Packers' Alex Gilett during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Green Bay Packers quarterback Vince Young scrambles away from Arizona Cardinals' Tony Jefferson during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals' owner Michael Bidwill, left, new head coach Jonathan Gannon center, and general ...
Tyler Drake

NFL dates to remember and how they relate to the Cardinals

As Arizona's new regime gets to work on rebuilding the organization, a look at the key dates of the offseason to circle on the calendar.
15 hours ago
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Zach Pascal (3) warms up during Super Bowl LVII between the Kansa...
Wills Rice

New Cardinals WR Zach Pascal hungry to take whatever role necessary with team

New Cardinals WR Zach Pascal reunites with Jonathan Gannon for the third time and is ready for whatever role he's needed to play in 2023.
15 hours ago
Josh Woods #51 of the Detroit Lions celebrates during the second half against the New York Jets at ...
Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals agree to terms with LB Josh Woods on 1-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals and former Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Woods agreed to terms on a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.
2 days ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals catches the game-winning touchdown pass ...
Arizona Sports

Report: Bills headlining Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins’ trade market

The Buffalo Bills are looking into a potential DeAndre Hopkins trade with the Arizona Cardinals, per report.
2 days ago
Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona keeps the No. 3 pick

Trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That's the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will answer soon enough.
15 hours ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the...
Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees logical landing spot for Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

The trade speculation surrounding Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins rolls on with each passing day of the offseason.
3 days ago
Cardinals’ Andre Roberts: Quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receivers gaining confidence