After a weekend of practices of rookie camp as a tryout player, undrafted quarterback Phillip Sims has made an impression on the Arizona Cardinals staff. He was signed to the offseason roster on Monday and there is some talk he could be a contender for the final roster.
According to reporter Kent Somers, Sims could compete for number three QB spot, currently occupied by Logan Thomas, whom the Cardinals drafted in the fourth round last year.
Head coach Bruce Arians told the media it was possible the team could add one of their tryout QBs as a "fourth or a fifth arm to throw to the rookies in the afternoon" of OTA practices. With Carson Palmer likely being held out of all offensive drills at OTAs, it would allow Drew Stanton and Thomas to handle all the reps on the main field, while Chandler Harnish and Sims would handle all the second field reps.
But Somers' tweet tells us the team might see Sims as "more than a camp arm." He impressed the staff with his arm and with his ability to learn the system.
It is early and pads haven't gone on, but it does make you think.
Is this report more about Sims and his ability, or is it more about Logan Thomas perhaps not having shown enough. We know Arians loves Thomas' arm talent. If he is still struggling with offensive concepts while Sims is thriving, that could be trouble.
It isn't anything to really raise red flags...yet.
As long as Thomas stays on the first practice field during OTAs, there isn't much of a story here. Thomas will be given a lot of reps this offseason. The team wants to see if there is a future for Thomas as a QB in the league. Carson Palmer is getting older and Drew Stanton will be a free agent after this season. Arizona needs to find out if Thomas could be even the team's backup in 2016 and perhaps their franchise guy at some point after that.
Based on roster numbers, it would be a surprise to see Sims be on the offseason roster once Carson Palmer is ready to take reps on the field. Sims would have to pass up Chandler Harnish to even make it through the offseason and then would have to, in limited reps, show he can be better than Thomas.
It certainly could happen, but it still seems like a longshot, especially after only having seen him with shorts on.
What do you think Sims' real chances are of replacing Thomas on the roster?