Arizona Cardinals bubble players on brink of being popped

Kerry Taylor, Andre Ellington and Tony Jefferson seem to have got the memo that you need to make plays if you want to cash in on your opportunities to make the Arizona Cardinals final roster last afternoon in the Cards second preseason game versus Dallas.

Jamell Fleming and D.C. Jefferson conversely, evidently didn't read their emails.

For the guys on the "bubble" of wanting their NFL careers to succeed they have to show some prowess and potential on why they should be inclusive of the NFL paternity - otherwise they take a seat next to me on the career reality train.

Some "Bubblicious" observations to chew on when watching the game yesterday:

- Kerry Taylor could be the 4th WR the Cardinals have talking about. He had 4 catches for 85 yards and showed flashes of brilliance. With Jaron Brown and Charles Hawkins also making plays, head coach Bruce Arians has to be pleased about the depth of WR, after GM Steve Keim had alluded to looking to waiver wire for depth.

- Andre Ellington, in my eyes, had the elusiveness that Ryan Williams had/has - loved the change of direction. I'm guessing he moved up on the depth chart while pushing Williams closer to the PUP list.

- Jefferson came up with two interceptions after being quiet during the first preseason game. The UDFA from Oklahoma may have moved ahead of the injured Jonathon Amaya.

- Anyone else notice much -maligned (at least by me) TE D.C. Jefferson was the starting TE? It was only one play, but he still has one more catch (1 for 3 yards) than than more heralded, and I hope just lurking-in-the-shadows Rob Housler. (And BTW, can't let this go by -- Cards analyst Ron Wolfley described Jefferson as "a flagpole with eyebrows". Loved it.) But he did have a false start and was overthrown at least once. Practice Squad is looking more and more likely, even with the injuries to Jeff King and Kory Sperry.

- Fleming was as apparent as Casper the Ghost. If he played or made a statement, I was either getting a beer or in the bathroom. Uphill battle, IMO, on making the 53.

- Liked the performances of LBs Zach Nash and Ken Rowe. Going to be harder than I thought in cutting down this position. In fact, the whole defensive side is going to be a crapshoot on who makes the roster. Tough decisions.

- K Will Batson didn't see the field. Not with the 4th quarter FG late in the game, nor the ensuing kickoff. I think his bubble has officially popped. Not to say that Jay Feely is safe, either though. Missed a chipshot and has the double dirty of being overpaid for position and getting on in age. Something that may be watching.

- The NT slot. David Carter, Padric Scott and Ronald Talley seemed to be nondescript in a place- well, basically you fly under the radar. However, Keim has pointed it out as a position of need. Nothing caught my eye.

This gum is getting stale and harder to blow the bubble. Anyone else you see possibly breaking the bubble before it bursts after next weeks game's cutdown?