Arizona Cardinals: Training camp surprises

A few observations as Arizona Cardinals are heading into preseason game number two against the San Diego Chargers

D.J. Swearinger has remained the starter through three weeks of training camp, seems to be holding down the fort for the Cardinals. Everyone expects the Cardinals to have multiple starters in the back-end, but no one really expected Swearinger to be one of them. The hard-hitting safety has finally found his niche, and could be the possible replacement for Tony Jefferson in the future.

This brings me to my next point, Bruce Arians is seemingly very patient with Brandon Williams and will continue to be lenient with him as long as he makes strides. Justin Bethel is expected to return, but Williams seems to be a great piece across from Patrick Peterson. If it works out immediately, Steve Keim and Terry McDonough found another SEC gem.

The most recent depth chart has an undrafted free agent receiver named Chris Hubert ahead of Brittan Golden. This is not coincidence, as Hubert has been showing illusive speed during practice. With his great hands, he could be a surprise on the 53-man roster. J.J. Nelson fumbled a punt return against Oakland.  Look no further than Hubert as a possible replacement on special teams.

At tight end, it could come between Ifeanyi Momah and Gerald Christian for the final tight end spot.  It’s a battle that will come to end of camp. When training camp started, I thought Troy Niklas would be the odd man out, but his performance against the Raiders showed why the Cardinals took him in the 2nd round.

As previously mentioned, the depth chart has a few surprises in itself. One of them is that Chris Clemons is a backup dollar linebacker, not a safety. I’m not sure if Clemons has any legal issues, but his play on the field (strip fumble against Oakland) could make him the primary backup to Deone Bucannon.