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Summary from the Final Week of Camp
Quarterbacks
The Cardinals' final preseason game was canceled, but it didn’t matter for Kyler Murray as he wasn’t scheduled to play anyway. “He’s a very good quarterback, he made the Pro Bowl last year, and I feel confident in his abilities this year,” Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. Veteran Colt McCoy is the backup, while youngster Chris Streveler got valuable experience in the preseason. He flashed occasionally and likely sticks on the final roster as the No. 3 quarterback.
Running Backs
Entering Week 1, Chase Edmonds and James Conner will share the load. While many hoped Conner’s signing didn’t signal a true committee, that’s what happened. “We expect both guys to share the load for the most part,” said Kingsbury. “Chase can be an everyday guy, and so can James, and so we want to make sure when they do get their touches, we’re getting them in a situation they can be successful and be fresh and healthy.” Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward both had solid camps and have fought hard for the No. 3 role. “They understand the pressures and what they’re trying to do and fulfill a lifelong dream,” Kingsbury said. “And that’s a common bond those two share.” However the snap count gets divvied, the running back stable has depth and talent.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green has always been the No. 1 receiver on his team but is embracing his new role as a complementary player. Green explained, “You’ve got [DeAndre Hopkins] on one side, you’ve got me on the other, and you’ve got [Christian] Kirk working the middle. It creates a lot of matchups, and that’s why I picked this place.” With Hopkins lined up on the other side, Green should see plenty of one-on-one matchups, something he rarely enjoyed as a Bengal. Kingsbury added, “He’s always drawn the doubles and the coverage over the top and the best corner. He’s looked great, and he’s excited for this opportunity.” Hopkins is also happy about the addition of Green, “Obviously, having someone who can go get any kind of ball, run any type of route. He’s tall, but he still can play underneath and go in there with the linebackers. So, for me, I think it will help me out a lot. You can’t just focus on me, having someone like that who can win the one-on-one nine times out of 10. I think he’s at the peak of his career. It makes me better to see him go out there and make catches and make plays. He makes me want to go out there and start competing, and I love it. I definitely think it will help drive the safety away from me sometimes.”
Tight Ends
Maxx Williams sits atop the depth chart, but that’s not saying much, with Darrell Daniels, Ross Travis, and Demetrius Harris offering little in the way of competition. It looks as if Williams and Daniels are the No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
Defense
Defensive lineman J.J. Watt returned to practice last week for the first time as a Cardinal. Watt had been dealing with a hamstring injury. “Someone asked me how it felt,” Watt said. “You’re like a dog chasing a tennis ball. Wherever it bounces, you want to get it, you are excited to be out there, and it doesn’t matter if you are supposed to be where it bounces, and that’s what if felt like.” Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is being used at multiple spots and adding additional value to the defense. “He’ll be where we want him to be,” Kingsbury said. “Week in and week out, where we can maximize him versus that opponent, we will use him accordingly.”
Returners
Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella are listed as the top punt and kickoff returners, with Rondale Moore backing up both. Despite this, none of the three have been active on returns in the preseason, as Eno Benjamin and Greg Dortch have gotten most of the reps. The coaches were likely evaluating Benjamin and Dortch for roster spots, not because they’ve displaced the listed starters.
Summary from Week 3 of Camp
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray saw his first snaps this preseason, but it was evident Kliff Kingsbury sees little value in giving his superstar quarterback an extended preseason look. He played nine snaps against the Chiefs before giving way to Colt McCoy and Chris Streveler. Those nine snaps were discouraging, as Murray took two sacks and only completed one pass. But it’s a tiny sample size and Murray isn’t sweating his performance. "(The preseason) is not real," Murray said. "I see it as, you go out and play well – it's not real. You play bad, you have a bad taste in your mouth. But at the end of the day, it's live reps. You take something away from it, but it doesn't count. That's how I feel about it." McCoy looks locked in as the No. 2, with Streveler making a case for the team to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
Running Backs
There is buzz that both Chase Edmonds and James Conner could be on the field simultaneously. Kliff Kingsbury said this week, “We like getting two guys that can run it, catch it, do different things. Particularly, you have a quarterback (Kyler Murray) that can run; there’s endless possibilities. You get those three guys in the backfield, and so we have to do a good job building different packages and then utilizing all three of those guys on the field at one time.” With Chase Edmonds and James Conner locked in as the RB1 and RB1A, the compelling camp battle has been between Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward for the No. 3 position. Benjamin looked locked into the role after the first preseason game and continued to play well in Week 2, seeing five touches for 34 total yards. But Jonathan Ward is showing well, too. It could be possible all four running backs make the 53-man roster. Whatever happens, it is encouraging to have depth at the most injury-riddled position.
Wide Receivers
Rookie Rondale Moore continues to be used in various ways. The coaches are manufacturing touches for him – on the ground, through the air, and more recently on kickoffs and punt returns. Moore saw five targets and one carry in nine snaps against the Chiefs. Seven of Moore’s nine snaps were from the slot. Earlier expectations that Christian Kirk would be the primary slot receiver have given way to Moore handling the role. Larry Fitzgerald continues to say he isn’t retired but doesn’t have the urge to play. The Cardinals are leaving the door open for Fitzgerald, but the ball is in his court. ESPN’s Louis Riddick is beating the drum for A.J. Green. “What I saw from A.J. Green at Cardinals practice today looked like the 2015 version,” Riddick tweeted. “He was on fire. Arizona has the potential to have top-five wide receiver group with DHop, AJ, Rondale Moore, and Christian Kirk.” The Cardinals have lots of depth now at the wide receiver position with the additions for Green and Moore this offseason.
Tight Ends
The tight end position remains one of the big question marks. Maxx Williams sits at the top of the depth chart, but it is muddied with Darrell Daniels, Demetrius Harris, Ian Bunting, and Ross Travis. Ross Travis made a splash with two receptions, 37 yards, and a touchdown against the Chiefs. Williams missed the game due to an illness, but he still has an inside shot at the No. 1 role. Darrell Daniels has a slight edge on the pack for the backup role.
Defense
Linebacker Zaven Collins is locked in as a starter as he is brushing off any concerns about whether he would be ready to play every down and quarterback the defense. He has put in solid performances against the Cowboys and now the Chiefs. He’s handled coverage responsibilities with aplomb, disrupted opposing backfields on blitzes, and has been fearless defending the run. J.J. Watt came off the PUP list and immediately stepped back into individual and team drills. "Someone (in the locker room) asked me how it felt," Watt said. "You're like a dog chasing a tennis ball. Wherever it bounces, you want to get it, you are excited to be out there, and it doesn't matter if you are supposed to be where it bounces, and that's what it felt like."
Offensive Linemen
The first team only played nine snaps against Kansas City, and it was not a reassuring performance. Left tackle D.J. Humphries gave up a sack to defensive end Chris Jones on an inside swim move. With guards Justin Murray out and Justin Pugh on the Reserve/COVID list, Sean Harlow and Josh Jones got starts. Ignoring the woeful performance this week, the Cardinals line projects as a middle-tier unit.
Summary from Week 2 of Camp
Quarterbacks
The Cardinals played it safe and sat Kyler Murray for the team’s first preseason game. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury explained, “Really want to get some of the new pieces working with some of the veteran guys that have been in this offense. Have a new center, have some new wideouts, new DBs, young linebackers, new D-linemen. Really to get those guys meshed and just get a feel for each other’s speed of the game and kinda go from there.” It makes sense for the team to rest Murray in that situation, especially with some second-stringers in the game. It was Colt McCoy and Chris Streveler getting the reps in against the Cowboys. McCoy is likely locked in as the backup, but Streveler had a decent showing and gained 55 yards on the ground.
Running Backs
Eno Benjamin was inactive for most of his rookie season but is doing better this summer. He has a solid hold on the No. 3 job behind Chase Edmonds and James Conner. “I kind of took it more as a redshirt year,” Benjamin said. “Mentally, I’m just coming back more prepared. Physically as well.” Coach Kingsbury also backed up Benjamin’s offseason, “We’ve always known what he can do when the ball is in his hands. He’s a dynamic runner, has great vision, great feel, exceptional for the position.” James Conner didn’t play against Dallas because he was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Both Edmonds and Conner are still considered “RB1 and RB1A.” “We’ll play to their strengths,” Kingsbury said. “James is obviously a bigger back. Chase, when he had an opportunity, did some great things, and we want to make sure we’re calling plays that both those guys are comfortable with when they’re in and kind of tailor to them.”
Wide Receivers
Rondale Moore made the most of his NFL debut, raking in three of four targets for 23 yards and rushing twice for 16 yards. The stats don’t tell the story. “We see it when he goes against our first defense,” Kingsbury said. “We had a feeling he was going to be hard to cover at times. He’s an elusive, dynamic player, and that’s what he’s been. Hopefully, that continues.” After the first glimpse of how the Cardinals plan to use Moore in the offense, it looks as if they will manufacture touches for him each game as he has dynamic playmaking ability. Christian Kirk is healthy and played against Dallas, making a 34-yard catch. Kirk has been up and down during camp battling minor injuries, and now with Rondale Moore having a solid camp, he is being pushed. Kirk and Moore are fighting for the slot role, with DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green on the outside.
Tight Ends
The team’s quest for depth continues with the addition of Demetrius Harris. He’ll bring added pressure to both Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels. It remains to be seen if the coaches intend to involve the tight ends more this year. “It’s problem-solving,” Maxx Williams said. “I think it will come down to coaching, and that’s not for me to say. That’s not for any of us tight ends to say because we’re just here to do our job, and whatever they ask us to do, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Defense
Linebacker Markus Golden continues putting it all out on the field. “I’m living a dream,” Golden said. “You can’t come out here and not go hard. If you do, you’re not getting better.” Golden spent half of last season with the Giants and Cardinals and came away with 4.5 sacks. He is looking to put a full year in with the Cardinals as an integral part of the front seven.
Returners
Rookie receiver Rondale Moore may eventually be named the top return specialist, but Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella have been in the top spots during camp. "Rondale is...an inside guy, punt returner, kick returner, trick-play guy, get the ball to him in space in as many ways as you can," said coach Kingsbury.
Summary from Week 1 of Camp
Quarterbacks
“[Kyler Murray] is the most athletic quarterback I’ve ever played for, for sure,” said newly acquired center Rodney Hudson. “I don’t think that’s a question. He has a big arm and, like I said, keeping plays alive and extending plays. Just continue to block and get him free.” Both coach Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray are entering year three in Arizona, and their rapport “gets better and better,” Murray said. “Our conversations now are more about philosophical things, team-oriented things, what do we need to do as a team to get better, to get this fixed,” Kingsbury concurred. “He’s really taking ownership of that.” Murray’s on-field growth and development have been noticeable. “The entire place feels it, the whole organization,” Kingsbury said. “When a guy steps in, you can tell that it’s his team.” “A lot of growth, a lot of growth,” receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. “I would say the biggest thing is just him communicating with us outside of football and just trying to get to know his teammates.” Backup quarterback Colt McCoy looks comfortable in the offense and has moved the second unit well in team drills.
Running Backs
The starting running back job is one of the camp’s more critical questions. Chase Edmonds has been waiting for his chance for a few seasons, but the team also signed James Conner. Edmonds hates the term “RB1” and believes “you have to earn your role” in an offense that should have room for both players. Conner agrees, telling reporters: “Football is competing. We’re both going to play a lot this year, we’re both going to make players, so “RB1” really don’t mean much.” Kingsbury said the coaches would “make sure we are calling plays both those guys are comfortable with when they are in and kind of tailor them: to who is in the game at the time.” The team signed Ito Smith this week to compete against Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward.
Wide Receivers
DeAndre Hopkins is one of the NFL’s best receivers. Outside of mildly controversial comments related to the COVID-19 vaccine, Hopkins has had a quiet, productive few weeks. The rest of the depth chart is unsettled. Christian Kirk remains in search of a breakout season, but a minor injury has kept him off the practice field. Former All-Pro A.J. Green has an encouraging early connection with Murray; the pair have gelled during 7-on-7 drills. Rookie Rondale Moore has been impressive. Kingsbury said, “Since day one, he’s acted like he belongs here.” Look to upcoming preseason games for clues on the receiver pecking order beyond Hopkins. Beat writers are divided on the fate of Andy Isabella, but either way, he’ll be at the tail end of the depth chart if he makes the 53-man roster.
Tight Ends
The tight end position is a potential problem after losing Dan Arnold in free agency. Maxx Williams, Darrell Daniels, Ross Travis, and Ian Bunting are vying for snaps. Williams is healthy and atop the depth chart after an injury-filled 2020 campaign. “It’s great just to finally feel good, have a good actual offseason of training, a good summer, and come in and feel good about this camp,” he said. Daniels has the edge over Travis and Bunting for the No. 2 job, but the situation is fluid.
Defense
Only 25 years old, Budda Baker signed a massive contract and looks to become a much-needed leader on defense. “I feel like I have grown into a different place myself,” Baker said. “Throughout my whole career, throughout my whole life, I’ve always been that lead-by-example type of guy. Guys see how I play and want to play like that as well. But this year, I definitely feel like I have grown into a better person, a better man. Just being an open book for anyone that has questions and players at any position. Wanting to be the best.” Isaiah Simmons looks poised for a second-year breakout; he’s been making plays nearly every session as the team’s new defensive play-caller. Rookies Zaven Collins and Marco Wilson are getting serious looks with the first-team defense.