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The Arizona Cardnals wrapped up their week of practice with their annual Fan Fest. An announced 23, 500 fans were in attendance and cheered on their team, who will open their preseason schedule next Saturday night at home against the Houston Texans.
What were some of the notable events of practice?
1. The big story is that Earl Watford and Jonathan Cooper split reps at first team left guard. Head coach Bruce Arians publicly stated that he is disappointed that Cooper hasn't been better and said that Watford has played well and is pushing him. Then they split reps. Read into that how you like.
2. In the kicking competition, only Chandler Catanzaro kicked. He was 7/8. He hit from 33, 37, 39, 44, 45 and 47 (twice) yards. Then ending a drive, he missed from 49 yards.
3. In the goalline drill, Jonathan Dwyer scored twice and Jamele Parmele scored twice. Stepfan Taylor was stopped short, but it was close enough that it might have needed replay.
4. Kareem Martin saw some time in first team nickel packages at outside linebacker, although he would line up with his hand in the dirt, playing outside Calais Campbell. This offseason I have gushed about the possibility of having him in passing packages -- Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, John Abraham and Kareem Martin...that is a potential sackfest.
5. In what I think was the first time, Robert Hughes got a carry in a short yardage situation, lined up as a fullback.
6. In pretty plays, receiver Kevin Ozier made a beautiful catch at the back of the end zone on a throw from Drew Stanton.
7. Both Walt Powell Jaron Brown made some very nice plays at receiver.
8. As has been previously noted, when Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie have been on the field, Cro satys on the right and Peterson on the left. However, on one play, Peterson lined up next to Cromartie and was covering Ted Ginn. Cro had Michael Floyd, while Jerraud Powers covered Larry Fitzgerald.
9. An interesting observation at the start of practice was that rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro practiced as as holder for field goals as Dave Zastudil watched.
10. There was a play in the dime package on defense where Justin Bethel came in as a fourth corner, rather than Deone Bucannon as the "dollar" linebacker.
That is it for me. I won't be back at training camp practice again -- school starts and I have to teach kids. But I should be at the stadium for the first preseason game.
