Arizona Cardinals: Morning Links, News From Around the Web

May 10, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) fends off Cardinals defensive end Everrette Thompson (72) during rookie minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Mothers’ Day, everyone! Mothers’ Day is an important day, but there are other important things going on in the NFL. Rookie minicamps are underway, and it’s time for the newest Cardinals to showcase their skills.

Here, we’ll update you with everything that’s been going on with the Cardinals lately.

On Friday, the Arizona Republic posted an article about minicamps. Arizona’s draftees were taught a lot on Friday, and they had to go out and apply their knowledge in a light physical session. The rookies were taught a new offense and defense, and it’s likely to take some time to settle in. However, coach Bruce Arians appeared happy with the results.

Jonathan Cooper opened with a bang, and the Cardinals signed four rookies. Stepfan Taylor, Andre Ellington, D.C. Jefferson and Ryan Swope were all locked up by the Cardinals, which is great news for the team. All four have the potential to contribute on offense this year, even though none of them were picked in the first four rounds.

Cooper started working out as a left guard, according to Revenge of the Birds. Adam Snyder was recently released at right guard, so he was expected to work out at right guard. Daryn Colledge currently plays right guard, so it’s definitely odd to see Cooper there. Levi Brown will return at left tackle, and he will do a good job protecting the blind side.

As the article mentions, a Brown-Cooper tandem on the left side would be dreadful for opponents. However, you would think that a team with a mess at the line would look to fill any holes they have, which is at right guard. This could be nothing, but it’s going to be an interesting story to follow.

Most people know about the Karlos Dansby signing, and most people know that it will have a big impact on the middle linebacker situation. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report broke down the impact of the Dansby signing, which could even mark the end of Washington’s tenure in Arizona. Washington will miss at least four games in 2013, and Dansby is definitely a serviceable replacement.

If Dansby does step in and play well, we could definitely see him taking over full-time next year and Washington being traded. As the article states, Washington is due a $10 million roster bonus next March, and the Cardinals could definitely benefit from letting him go and locking up Dansby instead. This is another developing story that will be interesting to follow.