Arians cuts minicamp short
Posted by on June 10, 2015 – 11:39 amThe offseason is just about over.
After the Cardinals finished their minicamp practice this morning, Bruce Arians declared it to be the last day of minicamp. The work had been good enough over the last month of OTAs and minicamp that he canceled Thursday’s final day (The Cardinals still had meetings and a walkthrough today.) Arians was confident the Cards accomplished what needed to be done, not the least of which was getting Carson Palmer back on the field. No reason to push it, or risk any more injuries.
Some quick notes now that it’s over:
— Tight end Troy Niklas is having a minor surgical procedure on his previously injured left ankle to remove what he described as the “tightrope” in his ankle, which had kept the area tight but also restricted his movement. He said he’ll move much better in training camp afterward. Niklas was sitting out Wednesday with his right ankle sore after rolling it Tuesday.
— Undrafted rookie inside linebacker Alani Fua got a couple of reps in seven-on-seven nickel work, which could be interesting down the line. Fua, at 6-foot-5 with long arms, could be a pain in a rear for opposing passing lanes.
— One defensive look had four safeties on the field: Rashad Johnson, Deone Bucannon, Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson. There was a reason Arians dismissed the idea of the depth chart regarding safety.
— Arians talked again about the Cardinals’ improved team speed and strength. “What the hell is it called now, Sports Science?” Arians said. “I know we’re bigger and stronger and faster.”
— Arians praised the final work of practice for rookie tackle D.J. Humphries, and also said Jonathan Cooper has looked very good all offseason.
— The last practice was spirited. The offense and defense wanted to “win” plays, which is why running back Andre Ellington couldn’t believe he dropped a wide-open TD pass (pictured below.)
Tags: Alani Fua, Andre Ellington, Carson Palmer, D.J. Humphries, Deone Bucannon, Jonathan Cooper, minicamp, Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson, Troy Niklas, Tyrann Mathieu
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- Jun 18, 2015: The difference between NFL OTAs and minicamp? Nothing | neatsports.com
By LadyBird04 on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Haven’t heard or seen anything about Zastidul (sp?). Has he been practicing and how is he doing? We really missed him last year.
By Darren Urban on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
LadyBird —
RE: Zastudil
He’s healthy and has been with the team all offseason.
By Marlin on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
We need another tight end. Free agents remaining are not exciting. Steve may have to make a trade.
By Richard L on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Niklas is injured more than he is healthy!
By Fred on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Troy is hurt, unable to stay healthy he may be one of those guys that are always injured and unable to be counted on week in and week out. I think and hope we are able to pick up another tight end just in case , but I hope troy get healthy and stays that way go cards
By georgiebird on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
The TE situation is serious. BA is too blase about the inexperience at TE. A likely scenario will end up being something like this- A Cardinals TD is called back because the TE was holding and, in turn, the holding had nothing to do with the success of the play.
I think BA should make the TE position his summer priority. A guy like Anthony Fasano (to throw out a name) could be a asset.
By krehbieo14 on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
georgiebird-
Just an FYI, I think the Titans signed Fasano. Most of the elite FA TE’s seem to have been signed with the exception of Gresham who had recent back surgery. Not a pretty picture for the Cards. As Marlin said, we may need to pursue a trade to get some experience.
By clssylssy on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Not hearing much about our secondary which was the guts of Todd Bowles defense. So far most of the information coming out of minicamp focused on the offense, which, for most fans wasn’t a big concern anyway. Can you fill us in on what the defense is looking like and how the holes left by Cro, Dan Williams and Dockett are being plugged and an overall assessment of how our defense is stacking up?
By Darren Urban on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Clssy —
RE: Defense
I think my stories for Thursday and Friday will give you a lot of that information.
By Bruce on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Glad to hear the team is having fun, Carson was in on 11-11. Good stuff. Really like the tid bit about Zastudil. Good one ladybird. Heck yeah we missed him. A couple of years ago a friend of mine made the argument he was our best player, and went and bought his jersey. Awesome punter! All Pro Punter!
By Scott H on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Regarding the TE position, I already see Carlson’s retirement ( sorry, make that his POST-DRAFT retirement ) as a rather ominous off-season loss on the offense. I mean, we couldn’t really consider the loss of ANY of our TE’s to be tragic, given the limited role of the TE as a pass-catcher in this offense, but….Carlson was still the best player we had at that position.
It’s worth keeping an eye on. Most of our BIG losses were on the defense. Carlson was a notable loss for the offense. And the frequent injury issue with Niklas is becoming annoying real fast. He’s becoming the TE equivalent of Jonathan Cooper.
By Scott H on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
OK, play’s over, can someone please help my man Andre up???
By Andre Ellington on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Come on! This picture doesn’t show the yellow flag for pass interference!
By CreditCard on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
I believe the TE situation will be OK. Niklas and Fells will work just fine. Both are big, and can block. Both have big bodies and big hands, tow traits any NFL team is searching for in a TE.
Niklas has had a injuries, but lengthening a ligament is no big deal. He’ll be ready for training camp.
lastly both TEs (Niklas and Fells) are both relatively new to the position. Practice and game time — you will se quantum leaps from both players.
By CreditCard on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Darren,
How is rookie CJ Roberts (CB from CSU Pueblo) doing?
CSU Pueblo was last year’s DII champion, and most teams stayed away from throwing to Robert’s side. Athletic kid, but comes from a very small school — I’m sure everything seems big, new, intimidating for him etc…
By Darren Urban on Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Credit–
RE: Roberts
Honestly, I have not seen enough of him to know.
By William Barry on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
I agree with blogger “credit card”—Niklas and Fells will be just fine…..I really liked how Niklas played last year, and I am looking to both of them to have great seasons!!!!!!!!!
By Cactus jeff on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Yep Fua with long arms. Darren you have learned. You see now why Eric Minter is a bust don’t you? His arms are too short.
Let’s try it again, who passes the eye test among free agents and rookies?
By Coach K on Jun 10, 2015 | Reply
Logan Thomas can convert back to tight end, (his natural position) if asked to do so. I think he could be something special at that position.
By rod on Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Tightrope in his ankle? Sounds to me like he didn’t rehab enough, or waited to long to rehab.
By Scott on Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Cardinal fan for life, not trying to troll, but when will we start calling Niklas a bust? A second Rd pick for a former QB to play TE and he doesn’t even see the field? SK and BA are wizards with picks and FA, so I think the media is giving them a well deserved pass on this one. But seriously, he is going to get passed by MR Irrelevant soon.
By krehbieo14 on Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Scott-
Some Cardinal fans were inclined to call Cooper a draft bust, also. Let’s give these kids and their bodies some time to adjust to the rigors of the NFL. Niklas hasn’t even been to his second training camp. He’ll be fine.
By Realist on Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Butler received 4 game balls from BA. He doesn’t hand them out to just anybody. Butler let the NFL in three putting categories. He had a terrible playoff game like everyone else that night in Carolina. Don’t judge a player on one game it makes us fans look stupid. Let the preseason performance determine the Punter not purchasing a jersey.
By iamtrandon on Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Word is that Tim Wright is being waived by the Patriots. He’s not the strong blocking type of TE that BA likes, but would provide valuable depth and pass catching ability to our weak TE corps.
By Scott H on Jun 15, 2015 | Reply
Realist –
Just pointing out that you referred to Butler leading the NFL in three PUTTING categories. That has to be one of the best typos ever! Made me laugh. 🙂
That being said, if Butler is a golfer, I sure hope his putting game is better than his punting.