It was a cool day in Flagstaff. The clouds hung low and obscured the Sun for much of the day. The pines sang and swayed to a constant breeze, making it seem like autumn was just around the corner.
Rain had doused the main practice field, much to the chagrin of those who had arrived early enough to camp out a spot. The practice was moved down to the lower field, which was not ready to accomodate the massive throng of Cardinal fans who had braved the ever present threat of ill weather.
Yet despite all of this, there was nary a complaint or an ill word spoken. It was day one of camp for the NFC West Champs. The fans cheered as the players came to the field about a half hour early. They ran mock drills until the official camp started.
Thanks to redforceone, I had distributed about 40 signs that read "Extend 9-0". They were immensely popular, if not confusing. I can't count how many times someone asked what my sign meant. Some questions included "Who is 9-0?" and "I hope we win 9 straight as well!". Yes, the bandwagon is full of new Cardinal fans. I was worried many would have left with Kurt, but here they still stood, waiting to embrace the 2010 team.
Dockett certainly noticed the signs, even taking a moment to point his finger at me and nod. You can tell he wants to stay and be a Cardinal from here forward.
As training camp kicked off, there were several players who stood out to me.
#42 FB Charles Ali. I was close to where the RB drills were. Ali demonstrated a strength and quickness that no other RB/FB could demonstrate when charging a blocker holding a pad. He also blew up some big holes for Beanie. Speaking of...
#26 RB Beanie Wells Wells is already in fantastic shape. He ran today like it was game day, not mearly practice. Hightower has better hands to be certain, but Beanie hits the hole like a freight train and just dares someone to meet him head on.
#11 WR Larry Fitzgerald. He is so talented it is amazing to watch. There was a play where he took a WR screen from Leinart, faked to his left, and then spun right and he was gone.
#60 C David Moosman. I didn't get to see him in drills, but after practice was done, he was running sprints from sideline to sideline on his own. Just looks like someone who doesn't want to squander this chance. Maybe this years Sendelein.
#7 QB Matt Leinart. Leinart easily dominated the footwork drills, keeping his feet and shoulders set even as he bounced from cone to cone. He never went deep on his passes, but showed outstanding accuracy on the 10-15 yard out and slants. Was still throwing passes after practice was over and was one of the last to leave the field.
#19 QB John Skelton. You can see the athletic ability he has. He tossed a 50 yard pass like it was nothing that Onrea Jones just couldn't catch up to. His feet did look slow though. Might be an outstanding QB project.
#30 CB Marshay Green. The Punt Return drills were just brutal. This was the only guy who looked remotely competent. He at least was under the ball, rather than dancing side to side or even backwards like his competition was.
#71 DE Jeremy Clark I didn't have a lot of opportunity to observe the defense. This was a guy who stood out to me. He absolutely attacked the drill where you run through the weighted pylon, hammering each of them to a horizontal position. He may not make the team, but it won't be due to a lack of effort. Which leads me to....
The Bad...
#78 DE Alan Branch. I can't describe him as anything other than lazy. He followed up Jeremy Clark's tour de force run where he appeared like he couldn't be bothered with pushing over the pylons. I tried to watch him when I could and I just never saw maximum effort. He actually was one of the only two Cardinals that elicted criticism from the crowd. The other was...
#3 Derek Anderson. Here is my impression of Derek Anderson after one day. Million Dollar Arm and Penny everything else. He throws it as hard as anyone I have seen and shows great accuracy while standing flat footed in a drill. However, once he is forced to move it all falls apart. Looked clumsy and slow in the footwork drills. Held the ball too long when forced to drop back. At one point he tried to scramble and throw the ball and threw is straight to the DB who dropped an easy pick. Behind a great line and versus zone defense he would look great. A bad o-line or a blitz and he looked like Kent Graham.
#76 G Deuce Lutui. Again didn't see him in drills but had his jersey off and looked he seriously looked like a week 1 Biggest Loser contestant. Wow, not remotely in shape or ready for camp.
#21 CB Calvin Jorrick. For sure a first round cut. Dropped 2 punts and was never in position to run anywhere but sideways.
#12 WR Andre Roberts Looked terrible in punt return drills, dropped a pass, and never showed any top end speed. Very rough first impression.
Rain had doused the main practice field, much to the chagrin of those who had arrived early enough to camp out a spot. The practice was moved down to the lower field, which was not ready to accomodate the massive throng of Cardinal fans who had braved the ever present threat of ill weather.
Yet despite all of this, there was nary a complaint or an ill word spoken. It was day one of camp for the NFC West Champs. The fans cheered as the players came to the field about a half hour early. They ran mock drills until the official camp started.
Thanks to redforceone, I had distributed about 40 signs that read "Extend 9-0". They were immensely popular, if not confusing. I can't count how many times someone asked what my sign meant. Some questions included "Who is 9-0?" and "I hope we win 9 straight as well!". Yes, the bandwagon is full of new Cardinal fans. I was worried many would have left with Kurt, but here they still stood, waiting to embrace the 2010 team.
Dockett certainly noticed the signs, even taking a moment to point his finger at me and nod. You can tell he wants to stay and be a Cardinal from here forward.
As training camp kicked off, there were several players who stood out to me.
#42 FB Charles Ali. I was close to where the RB drills were. Ali demonstrated a strength and quickness that no other RB/FB could demonstrate when charging a blocker holding a pad. He also blew up some big holes for Beanie. Speaking of...
#26 RB Beanie Wells Wells is already in fantastic shape. He ran today like it was game day, not mearly practice. Hightower has better hands to be certain, but Beanie hits the hole like a freight train and just dares someone to meet him head on.
#11 WR Larry Fitzgerald. He is so talented it is amazing to watch. There was a play where he took a WR screen from Leinart, faked to his left, and then spun right and he was gone.
#60 C David Moosman. I didn't get to see him in drills, but after practice was done, he was running sprints from sideline to sideline on his own. Just looks like someone who doesn't want to squander this chance. Maybe this years Sendelein.
#7 QB Matt Leinart. Leinart easily dominated the footwork drills, keeping his feet and shoulders set even as he bounced from cone to cone. He never went deep on his passes, but showed outstanding accuracy on the 10-15 yard out and slants. Was still throwing passes after practice was over and was one of the last to leave the field.
#19 QB John Skelton. You can see the athletic ability he has. He tossed a 50 yard pass like it was nothing that Onrea Jones just couldn't catch up to. His feet did look slow though. Might be an outstanding QB project.
#30 CB Marshay Green. The Punt Return drills were just brutal. This was the only guy who looked remotely competent. He at least was under the ball, rather than dancing side to side or even backwards like his competition was.
#71 DE Jeremy Clark I didn't have a lot of opportunity to observe the defense. This was a guy who stood out to me. He absolutely attacked the drill where you run through the weighted pylon, hammering each of them to a horizontal position. He may not make the team, but it won't be due to a lack of effort. Which leads me to....
The Bad...
#78 DE Alan Branch. I can't describe him as anything other than lazy. He followed up Jeremy Clark's tour de force run where he appeared like he couldn't be bothered with pushing over the pylons. I tried to watch him when I could and I just never saw maximum effort. He actually was one of the only two Cardinals that elicted criticism from the crowd. The other was...
#3 Derek Anderson. Here is my impression of Derek Anderson after one day. Million Dollar Arm and Penny everything else. He throws it as hard as anyone I have seen and shows great accuracy while standing flat footed in a drill. However, once he is forced to move it all falls apart. Looked clumsy and slow in the footwork drills. Held the ball too long when forced to drop back. At one point he tried to scramble and throw the ball and threw is straight to the DB who dropped an easy pick. Behind a great line and versus zone defense he would look great. A bad o-line or a blitz and he looked like Kent Graham.
#76 G Deuce Lutui. Again didn't see him in drills but had his jersey off and looked he seriously looked like a week 1 Biggest Loser contestant. Wow, not remotely in shape or ready for camp.
#21 CB Calvin Jorrick. For sure a first round cut. Dropped 2 punts and was never in position to run anywhere but sideways.
#12 WR Andre Roberts Looked terrible in punt return drills, dropped a pass, and never showed any top end speed. Very rough first impression.
