Not So Good Day Two of Cardinals Training Camp

Jul 26, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with head coach Bruce Arians during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals completed day two of live action of training camp, and the day had lots of inside stories. The good news today was there were no injuries to report and that has a lot to do with no contact drills all day

Today the offense just did not look sharp at all; timing routes are an issue with Carson Palmer and all of his receivers at times. After most of the miscues on the passing game Palmer walks to each guy and they discuss the previous route, with hand gestures and a lot of head shaking up and down as if to say “yes I understand” also Palmer did a lot of dropping of his head after every bad throw, he seem to be upset with himself and rightfully so, he just did not look on point today.

Most of the receivers were in the dog house with coach Arians most of the afternoon. I saw coach yelling out instructions after a play was ran and wide out Jared Dillard number 16 ran the wrong route and Arians went off with a flurry of choice words and he was loud. Arians was really animated with top receiver Larry Fitzgerald twice today, did not hear any exploits but a lot of instruction as to a wrong route or not being in the right spot on time, using hand gestures and a pat on helmet afterwards.

The receivers as a whole had a drop ball fest today, balls on the hands and right in the bread basket and it ends up in a drop on the field. Even the big names were dropping balls like Andre Roberts and running back Rashard Mendenhall, and this is to be expected in the first week and hopefully the coaches continue to ride these guys to get focused.

In fact, after the practice was over, all of the wide receivers got a serious talk from receiver coach Darryl Drake and the result of that group talk ended with all the receivers down on hands and toes doing push ups.

The final bad thing was 2 minute drill at the end of practice; the practice went longer because neither group on the offense could finish with a positive play or score. The first team with Palmer and company ended one drive with a failed fourth and goal broken up by Yeremiah Bell in the back of the end zone. The next drive ended with a Carson Palmer pick at the sideline by Antoine Cason, and the boos around the stadium ensued as Palmer left to the sideline.

The defense looked fired up on the other hand, and looked like they had their communication down for the most part, the defense worked in newcomer John Abraham with the first team and he looked really good next to Darnell Dockett, and gave fits to left tackle Levi Brown for the times he was on the field.

Several players had good individual days, Michael Floyd and Rob Housler made some spectacular catches today, Floyd with a jump ball in the end zone and Housler a reaching high with one hand catch on a skinny post. But one player that gets the stand out award today was new right tackle Eric Winston.

I have no doubt that Winston will be a starter soon. He was with the second team blocking for quarterback Drew Stanton and has yet to get to the starting group but after his dominance today it wont be long. I saw Winston get several outside blocks and the guy he engaged with could not move him at all, one of those guys that got stood up at the line by Winston was Sam Acho twice.

Overall the day was a mediocre day that ended with most of the players bolting to the locker room and leaving the screaming fans screaming for autographs and leaving without them. But tomorrow is another day and a great day I am looking forward to, because the team will be in pads and guys will show what they really are made of.