Arizona Cardinals Mini Camp Update: First Day Edition

by Andrew602 on Apr 30, 2010 5:10 PM MDT

The Arizona Cardinals officially kicked off their first mini camp of the 2010 offseason on Friday as a complete success. The second day takes place tomorrow(Saturday), which is also the Cardinals annual "Fan Fest". You can view the information on it here. Some notes on the first day:

The turnout for the Cardinals first mini camp was very encouraging. Every player but guard Deuce Lutui(who has yet to sign his tender offer) was on duty for the 90-minute practice. Matt Leinart commented that they want Deuce to show up but must keep moving whether he's there or not.
Leinart also commented on his first practice, stating that his "accuracy wasn't there" but that it was only the first day and he liked how things felt other then that.
Darren Urban posted a rookie reporting video with Bryan Robinson speaking to rookie Dan Williams. Robinson explained that he wanted Williams to win the starting nose tackle job and he'd do everything he could to help him.
We saw the first glimpse of the offensive line. The starters were (T)Levi Brown, (G)Alan Faneca, (C)Lyle Sendlein,(G)Reggie Wells), Brandon Keith(T). Most of us predicted a line up similar to this but it's very early and things can change quickly.
This mini camp will take place till May 2nd, while the OTAs will be May 18-20, May 25-27, June 1-4, and June 7-10.

On defense, Bryan Robinson was the starter at nose tackle but Dan Williams saw plenty of snaps with the first team defense. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was able to practice despite recovering from a knee injury and Michael Adams started across from him at cornerback. Whisenhunt commented that Greg Toler needs to earn the starting position.

The only players that sat out were linebackers Gerald Hayes(back) and O'Brien Schofield(knee). The fact that Gerald Haye's back is still bothering him from last season should be a concern. There hasn't been any NFL action for three months.

Darnell Dockett was at practice after missing camps last year with a hamstring injury.

Adrian Wilson showed up to practice with a #9 jersey to commemorate the retiring of his high school jersey that takes place in early June.

Paris Lenon and Monty Beisel were the starting inside linebackers with Daryl Washington getting most of his snaps with the second team.

According to Darren Urban, new defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson "had no problem getting his points across" with veteran players. My guess is that he's firm and disciplined and will let every player know his thoughts regardless of their tenure with the team.

Finally, Larry Fitzgerald joked with rookie tight end Jim Dray saying "I see you, Q!", due to Dray's jersey number(81).

So far it sounds like the first day of mini camps were very productive and just what Ken Whisenhunt was looking for. It also makes Saturday's Fan Fest even more intriguing. Any thoughts on the first day?

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Comments

Leinart better fix that accuracy problem and quick

or he’ll be watching Anderson’s accuracy problem from the bench.

by hadrarius on Apr 30, 2010 5:17 PM MDT reply actions

Nice

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Apr 30, 2010 7:13 PM MDT up reply actions

sorry but that's a bit off as anderson is the quintessential poster boy for horrid accuracy!

by az78true on May 1, 2010 4:17 AM MDT up reply actions

Yeah, that was kinda my point.

by hadrarius on May 1, 2010 1:34 PM MDT up reply actions

I got it

by tw3kr on May 2, 2010 7:26 PM MDT up reply actions

I want to hear what they mean by accuracy problems.

If he was still throwing a little high, or if he was just plain missing everything.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Apr 30, 2010 5:26 PM MDT reply actions

I asked Urban on his blog if he noticed anything.

He said that he didn’t, and it is just what Leinart thought. So, it sounds like it isn’t too bad.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Apr 30, 2010 5:51 PM MDT reply actions

Much more concerned about Hayes than Leinarts accuracy at this point

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

by sc464 on Apr 30, 2010 6:18 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

Agree

He should be 100% by now

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Apr 30, 2010 7:14 PM MDT up reply actions

I was listening to The Big Red Rage on the team website and Leinart was talking about his accuracy.

He said that he normally doesn’t do well on the first day and he felt like he got better as the day went along [same with me when throw a football, it takes me a few throws until I get comfortable], and he feels like he has gotten better with his footwork and that he still needs to work on his footwork when he is in the shotgun more.

He did sound more mature, and like he was willing to be more critical of himself now.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Apr 30, 2010 8:50 PM MDT reply actions

Bryon Robinson

He is everything u could want out of a veteran knows he can do the job even though he has lost a step but does what he is supposed to do when a rookie comes in teaches him not be selfish I love that and I know we don’t do that but we should do an honor second to the main page and nominate players to receive the RotB veteran reward or something like that my votes go to edge, warner, and bryon robinson

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on Apr 30, 2010 9:46 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

With the lingering injury to Hayes

I hope Reggie Walker is ready to play. Between him and Beisel we should be ok for a little while. Yeah its only camp, but what if he gets injured during the reg season. These are our two options right now.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Apr 30, 2010 10:26 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

Well

There’s still Daryl Washington, who I’m sure will move to the middle. Then Ali Highsmith.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Apr 30, 2010 11:50 PM MDT up reply actions

Same problem with Washington + Lenon as there would have been with Hayes + Foote

Finesse + Finesse vs. Brute + Brute

In my estimation, Walker > Highsmith at this point. Remember who was demoted to the practice squad for sucking it up late last year. Hopefully Highsmith was still working off some of the rust from his knee injury and will be re-invigorated now, because he no longer qualifies for the practice squad. Walker does, however, which could make things interesting… Beisel’s still in the equation too, right?

by tw3kr on May 1, 2010 3:08 AM MDT up reply actions

Yeah, but

Hayes is the strong side ILB. He is the run stuffing ILB. KD was the weakside ILB. He was the coverage ILB. Washington and Highsmith are on the weakside. That leaves Walker and Beisel on the strongside as our only two options.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on May 1, 2010 4:49 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Day 2 of mini camp

There are 4000 people here

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on May 1, 2010 12:12 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

Go Birds!

I wish I could be there. Actually, I will go there. They are in Flagstaff right?

They are who we thought they were!

by Jesse Reynolds on May 1, 2010 1:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Tempe now, Flagstaff comes later.

by hadrarius on May 1, 2010 1:43 PM MDT up reply actions

I wish I could have gone

Stuck at school from 9:00 until 12:15. I tried going by the facility but I got there at the same time they started letting everyone out….

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on May 1, 2010 2:16 PM MDT up reply actions

will davis #59 gave me his practice gloves and signed them

On his twitter page he said the person who had the best sign would get em so my wife and kids made a we love davis and he gave them to us

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on May 1, 2010 1:47 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

Lucky.........

were they still sweaty? lol

by cardsfanforlife24 on May 1, 2010 3:03 PM MDT up reply actions

did kerry rhodes work with the 1st or 2nd team?

by az78true on May 1, 2010 3:29 PM MDT reply actions

1st team he looked good

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on May 1, 2010 5:10 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

no but he took them right off his hands

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on May 1, 2010 3:30 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

Lienarts throwing...

Lienart still seems to be having a problem with the high throw! I noticed that when he throws to the right he fades back as he turns his body, instead of stepping into the throw. This was particularly obvious when he was taking the snap and throwing into the net. Step into the damn pass, Lienart! His anticipation is quite nice though, and he threw several beautiful pass to the left side, one over the top to Fitz. Fitz dropped it, but it was clear that wouldn’t have happened if it was a game situation.

by quienestupapi on May 1, 2010 3:35 PM MDT reply actions

Urbans blog said that Leinart threw a beautiful 40-45 yard pass to Fitz and he dropped it

Was it that one?

And the blog said that Monty got a leaping interception of Anderson too.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on May 1, 2010 4:23 PM MDT up reply actions

Third Reciever

Roberts is a very smooth reciever, and has a speed I don’t think Doucet has. He’s gonna be a very productive performer even in his first year.

by quienestupapi on May 1, 2010 3:37 PM MDT reply actions

when they were throwing at the still net

Skelton and max hall looked the best during 7 on 7 matt looked great while anderson through an INT to beisel skelton looked un certain of where to go and used his check down guys hall looked pretty good as well but he will probably be a practice squad guy.

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on May 1, 2010 5:16 PM MDT via mobile reply actions