Arizona Cardinals Mini-Camp Top Five Story Lines

The Arizona Cardinals had a great day of mini-camp on Tuesday according to coach Bruce Arians

The Arizona Cardinals are in the midst of day two of mini-camp as we speak.  Day one was considered one of the best days of practice that head coach Bruce Arians has seen so far.  It was described as high energy and why wouldn’t it be knowing these are the last days of practice before training camp?

There was praise to be shared, not great news on others, and interesting tidbits to be discussed after day one of mini-camp.  Day two could be filled with more.

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-These Cardinals are going to be talked about a lot and there were a number of storylines in day one of mini-camp.  The biggest story was quarterback Carson Palmer who is now described at being 100 percent.  Just seven months removed from re-tearing his ACL, Palmer was back in 11-on-11 drills Tuesday.  Now we will wait to hear what happened today in camp.

-Receiver Michael Floyd did not participate in day one.  Espn.com said coach Arians indicated he had a “slight hamstring tweak.”  Arians said they were just being cautious.  The move was a good one.  This is going to be a make or break season for Floyd with the Cardinals.  If he gets injured and is out for any lengthy period of time then that could be it in a Cardinals uniform for him.

-Cornerback Patrick Peterson to possibly return punts again in 2015?  Kyle Odegard of azcardinals.com indicated that the chances of this has not been ruled out.  I guess for me the interesting part is that the Cardinals specifically drafted receiver J.J. Nelson because of his kick return capabilities.  Although not punt returns, on kick returns Nelson averaged 38.3 yards per return in 2014 with the University of Alabama-Birmingham.  Nelson ran the second-fastest ever 40-yard dash at this year’s Scouting Combine at 4.28 seconds.  Only running back Chris Johnson was ever faster at 4.24 seconds.

-Backup quarterback Logan Thomas is still struggling.  Arians said he was still a “work in progress.”  However as I indicated yesterday a work in progress means there is progress.  Based on Arians statement yesterday about his throws, it sure seems like that isn’t the case.

-Rookie running back David Johnson is getting a lot of reps thanks to other minor injuries to other backups.  With starter Andre Ellington practicing and declared 100 percent, Johns was able to show his versatility running and catching the ball out of the backfield.  He’s a bigger version of Ellington.

Day two updates will be forthcoming once Arians has given his press conference.