Cards Camp: Bird Droppings

With so many different story lines to follow and things to watch over the comings weeks here at Cardinals Camp in Flagstaff, I decided to periodically give you my observations on some things I see from here at NAU.

These blogs will consist of on the field notes, as well as random stuff I think you would find funny.

Thursday, June 26th

*After watching my first practice, it’s apparent every throw Kevin Kolb and John Skelton make this pre-season will be put under the microscope by coaches, fans and to some extent teammates, as well. Talked to someone on the Cardinals staff and we both feel that has to be something that’s going through both quarterbacks minds each time they release the ball. Both quarterbacks made nice deep throws in the afternoon workout.

*Speaking of fans, the Bird Gang was well-represented today with the bleachers filled around both practice fields and several hundred more staked out to get post-practice autographs. Can you imagine what a zoo this place would be if some guy named Peyton Manning was wearing a #18 practice jersey up here? Speaking of that, approximately 4,500 fans showed up for the Broncos first workout this morning. Apparently fans started lining up at 5:30AM. The gates opened at 9:00.

*Running back Beanie Wells, who was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, took a couple handoffs in the early part of the afternoon session with a noticeable limp. I’m not certain Wells will be 100% healthy for opening week which would be a big blow. He is effective when healthy. The key word there is when.

*Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton is expected even more production from third-year linebacker O’Brien Schofield who registered 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles last season. He made one of the more impressive plays when he bull-rushed 6’6 rookie tackle Bobby Massie and threw him face-down into the turf during individual drills. Schofield looked extremely quick coming off the edge.

*The one-on-one drills between Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson are really entertaining as both players try to constantly one-up the other. Fitz and P2 were “chatting” after several plays this afternoon. Competing against one of the best receivers in football can only help Peterson’s technique and confidence as he continues to learn the position at the NFL level.

*Somebody please remind me to close my laptop the next time we have Fitzgerald on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ Fitz decided it would be funny to send out a tweet from my account asking “where all the hot girls are” in Flagstaff. He and Cesmat were both amused when I started getting tweets from my friends asking why I would send out such a random tweet.