Arizona Cardinals OTA’s: No show, no problem

The Arizona Cardinals started the first round of OTA’s on Monday

Nothing like trying to stir the pot early but that’s sports writers for you.  The Arizona Cardinals started their first round of OTA’s on Monday in Tempe.

The practices will last through Wednesday this week.  However there were some notable absences on Monday.  Yes, I kid sports writers because the local ones are fun but those not in attendance Monday morning at team headquarters was notable.

Not only did Patrick Peterson not show as he promised last week, also missing was receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Terrell Suggs, and running back David Johnson.  Honestly, no worries with any of them.

First of all, Johnson’s wife just gave birth to their second child.  Fitz, Suggs, Peterson, none of them had to be there.  OTA’s are voluntary.

Now, it has been customary of most players to show anyway to get work in.  There are no doubts Fitz, Suggs, and Johnson will get work in.

Don’t expect to see Peterson at any of the three rounds of OTA’s.  He did say however he will be at the team’s mandatory camp in mind-June.  After all, it’s mandatory.

At this point there is no sense in getting all bent out of shape over absences at a voluntary activity.  Just look at the track record of those that were absent.  I rest my case.

One player who was a participant on Monday was tackle D.J. Humphries.  He is coming off of knee surgery.  It was great to hear he was out there with his teammates.

For his part, coach Kliff Kingsbury didn’t seem concerned with those that were not there.  He said communication was just fine between those players and the team.  So going forward it should be a non-issue as far as all of us are concerned.

Once training camp starts and people start missing time, that’s when it should become notable.  For now, just be excited the team has started preparation for the upcoming season.