2/23 Arizona Cardinals news: NFL Scouting Combine coverage and analysis

Plenty of Cardinals-centric news today, as well. Their free agent targets are beginning to leak, according to rumor. Arians also had a lot to say during his airtime at the Combine, with insight to QB Carson Palmer and ST/CB Justin Bethel. Finally, it sounds like the Cardinals would consider moving up in the draft but are not likely to.

In Combine news, figure out how the different drills actually translate to performance on the field as well as analysts' takeaways from the first day of field work.

Cardinals:

Cardinals interested in outside linebacker Mike Neal
According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Cardinals are one of the teams rumored to be interested in outside linebacker Mike Neal.

Head coach Bruce Arians: 'I think Michael Floyd is starting to reach his potential'
"He had what I considered a breakout year with over 1,000 yards. He still needs to be a little more consistent each week."

Arians: Bethel ready to make CB move
During the season, Bethel said he felt like he already was ready to contribute on defense. He’s incredibly valuable as a Pro Bowl special teamer. Could he become something similar as a cornerback?

Bruce Arians Says Cards QB Palmer Can Play Til 36, 37
That means another 2-3 years. That would seem to coincide with the idea of drafting a quarterback this year or next to groom to replace Palmer eventually.

Value Of A Running Back
NFL trend says runners get drafted lower because they are easily found.

Moving up in the draft, Sam’s crowd and Sutton’s weight
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim admits he could move up in the draft. But he certainly doesn’t sound like someone who plans on it.

NFL Draft Preview: OT Zach Martin
Let's take a look at a player that might be available to the Red Birds when they're officially "on the clock."

Combine:

Breaking down how each drill translates to the field
So what does a three-cone drill, 40 time and all that other stuff really mean for players and teams?

NFL Draft '14: Offensive tackles to watch at the combine
For fans of the Arizona Cardinals, the 'what to watch for' is easy.

NFL Combine 2014 updates: Greg Robinson, Michael Sam steal the show on Saturday
Tight ends, offensive linemen and specialists highlighted Saturday's events as player workouts began at the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Mike Mayock's takeaways from day one of the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine
Jadeveon Clowney, Greg Robinson, Taylor Lewan and Eric Ebron all got noticed Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine, but Mike Mayock says they stood out for different reasons.

NFL Scouting Combine Day 3 recap: Michael Sam's day and Khalil Mack's motivation
The NFL Draft's first openly gay prospect met the media, and wants people to talk about him as a football player.

Blake Bortles will throw, wants to prove he's No. 1 QB
Of the top three quarterbacks, Bortles is the only one throwing in Indianapolis.

NFL:

NFL expected to penalize players for using N-word on the field - SBNation.com
A rule change could impose a 15-yard penalty for players who use the racial slur on the field.

2014 NFL Draft Prospect Meetings
Cardinals updated meetings so far include Trey Mason, a running back from Auburn.

Michael Sam: 'I just wanna do what I love to do and that's play football' - Outsports
The openly gay draft prospect is calm and collected as he faces the media at the NFL Combine. His focus is on football.

Ravens will wait for NFL decision on Ray Rice, says Ozzie Newsome - SBNation.com
The team's general manager has seen the video and "it doesn't look good."

Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine wants to quiet 'noise' - SBNation.com
There are plenty of negatives with the Browns. Their new coach wants to quiet them.