Blogs

Wednesday before the Broncos

It’s an early entry for the “Before” version of the Broncos game, because later today I’ll put out my best guess at what the 53-man roster will look like on Friday. I know — I’m sure you are all waiting with bated breath. There isn’t much to say before the final preseason game. We can talk about the final 53 and fighting for spots, but there are only a couple of roster holes you figure are still being determined (and really, it might not even be that many.)

– I wouldn’t want to have a post without mentioning the quarterback decision. I had one of those crazy thoughts as I was drifting off to sleep last night, a “What if” – as in, “What if coach Ken Whisenhunt decided to announce his QB in the postgame presser after the Denver game?” It won’t happen, I know, but that’d be one heck of a way to do it. Instead, I expect a press conference Friday since final cuts have to be made that day. That makes sense as a time he could do it. (Maybe I’m just wishing and hoping so I get a weekend off.) Either way, the decision is coming, which is good. I’m sure everyone is tired of talking about it. I know I’m ready for it to be over.

– There are three areas where you really wonder if this game will determine some spots. One is reserve offensive line – specifically, whether draft picks Senio Kelemete and/or Nate Potter have shown enough to nudge out a veteran. Another is defensive back, where you have a lot of choices and not a ton of spots. The other is running back, where William Powell gets his shot to play early, and we see if that is enough to unseat Alfonso Smith for a place on the roster.

– Peyton Manning is not expected to play against the Cardinals Thursday night. But the Broncos do have another quarterback that will generate interest, with rookie Brock Osweiler slated to come in after starter Caleb Hanie.

– With Dave Pasch off to be ESPN’s voice for the first game of the rest of Penn State’s life, Paul Calvisi will team with Ron Wolfley for the TV broadcast tomorrow night on ABC 15. It’s like Cardinals Underground, without me.

– The Cards are taking part in a backpack drive again this year, collecting new or gently used backpacks for needy kids. The program benefits the “Hope Endures” organization. Backpacks can be dropped off at UoP Stadium gates before the Broncos game.

OK. I’m off to the annual Kickoff Luncheon with the team. I’ll opine on the roster later. The preseason is almost over.

Preseason dates and times set

The Cards have set their preseason schedule, with the home finale against the Broncos the most notable, with it coming at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30. The team was limited regarding the Denver game because, by rule, Wednesday was not at option since Denver plays the previous Sunday and a later kickoff was necessary to avoid conflicting with network TV coverage of the Republican National Convention’s final night and the nominee’s acceptance speech.

The full Cards’ preseason sked (all times Arizona):

• Sunday, Aug. 5 vs New Orleans Saints at 5 p.m.  in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
• Friday, Aug. 10 at Kansas City at 5 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 17 home against Oakland at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 23 at Tennessee at 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 30 home against Denver at 8 p.m.

The full regular-season schedule will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. Arizona time.

Third jerseys to be worn at preseason finale

For everyone asking, the Cardinals will wear their new black third jerseys for the first time against the Redskins in the preseason finale Sept. 2 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Still no official word what two regular-season games the Cards will wear their alternate jerseys, but this way, it provides a little spark for that normally ho-hum final preseason game.

An impressive turnout and the preseason sked

The offseason workout program is only two days old and with 61 players officially on the roster, 57 of them have shown up for at least one of the two voluntary days (and most have been here both days). Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been in India, but he’s a guy who’ll show up as soon as he is back in town. And I am hearing that defensive tackle Darnell Dockett may also show up next week (the only others who have yet to make an appearance are tight end Anthony Becht and defensive tackle Alan Branch, but I am sure both will be here sooner rather than later). Obviously, that doesn’t include guard Deuce Lutui, the restricted free agent who cannot participate until he signs his tender offer.

On another subject, the NFL is set to announce the full preseason schedule tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon Arizona time. The regular schedule is still another couple weeks away as usual, but at least there will be a taste of what is to come (my bet: The Cards finish the preseason with a home game against the Broncos. I’m not going out on too far of a limb, am I?)