Cardinals’ Training Camp Winners on Offense

August 24, 2007 by Walter Mitchell

In recent blogs I have pointed out the question marks with regard to the Cardinals’ play this pre-season. However, now it’s time to accentuate the positives (starting with the offense–the defense and special teams article will follow next week), of which there are many. The fact is that numerous Cardinal players came ready to go this training camp and thus deserve tremendous credit for the efforts they are making to turn this much maligned franchise’s fortunes around. These players are providing all of us fans more than a modicum of hope as we anticipate the prospects of the upcoming season. And as Andy Dufresne wrote to his pal Red in The Shawshank Redemption: “Hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, because no good thing ever dies.” Here are the players who have crawled through five football fields of foul sewage (the throes of training camp, for sure!) and have come out smelling sweet on the other side!

Quarterbacks:

Matt Leinart, following an unimpressive performance in the first pre-season game, responded very well to Ken Whisenhunt’s challenge by throwing 7 for 7 for 70 yards and 1 TD in the last pre-season game. Whisenhunt wanted 10 for 10 and might have gotten it, had he trotted Leinart out for another series. The hope is: Leinart will continue to rise up to the challenges and play with the moxie and precision he’s capable of.

Meanwhile, Kurt Warner has shown a near perfect command of the offense in two games. Cleary, he is embracing his role as the backup QB and is showing that he remains a capable performer if needed. Yes, Warner has only won three games as a starter in two years, but one gets the sense that he’s far more comfortable with the new coaching staff…so…The hope is: that was then, and this is now!

Shane Boyd, the #3 QB, has dazzled with his feet. The hope is: he can show much greater decision making and accuracy in the passing game.

Running Backs:

Edgerrin James caught a nice TD last game and apparently has endeared himself to the new coaches with his attitude and work ethic. The hope is: he will hit the holes hard when the season begins.

Marcel Shipp is, well, being Marcel Shipp. His attitude and hard-nosed approach continue to shine. The hope is: that his quiet and steady leadership will pay handsome dividends for the Cardinals this year.

J.J. Arrington has been running like he is in a contract year, only he isn’t in a contract year, he is in a “I want to impress the new coaching staff” year. His fine play has been one of the most pleasant surprises in camp. The hope is: he will become the RB lightning option for the Cardinals off the bench.

Wide Receivers:

Anquan Boldin looks loaded for bear. He is in top condition, is playing in the perfect role for his talents, and is also throwing the ball in excess of 50 yards. The hope is: Boldin will be the most dynamic Z WR in the NFL.

Larry Fitzgerald also looks aggressive, lithe and strong. Like Leinart he bounced back with a vengeance in the second pre-season game. The hope is: with the coaching staff pushing him, Fitzgerald will climb into an elite class of NFL WRs.

Bryant Johnson, like Q and Fitz, looks like a physical dynamo on the field and is the fastest of the three. He has been playing like a star…and, like his pal Kurt Warner, appears very comfortable in the new offense. The hope is: BJ has a stellar season and loves being a part of the turnaround in Arizona so much that he decides to re-up with the Cardinals this off-season.

Steve Breaston has turned heads with his ability to bolt and weave through open spaces in the return game, something the Cardinals have lacked in several years. He has also been a factor in the passing game. The hope is: the Cardinals now have a legitimate homerun threat on punt and kickoff returns.

Kudos to Ahmad Merritt who was turning in a first-rate performace last week (4 catches for 61 yards) before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. The hope is: Merritt will rehab well and make another strong run for a roster spot in 2008.

Tight Ends:

Leonard Pope is getting a much stronger push at the point of attack this season. The hope is: he will continue to improve as a blocker and now become a consistent threat in the passing game.

Troy Bienemann shows little ill-effects from his past knee injuries and is displaying some promise as an athletic contributor. The hope is: he can improve his blocking and gain a command of his assignments, while making a splash in the passing game.

Ben Patrick made a stunning one-handed catch over the middle last week and looked like Ben Watson (Patriots) doing it. Good rebound game from a poor debut. The hope is: Patrick will keep improving every day and begin to realize his impressive talents.

Offensive Line:

T Mike Gandy has had a great camp and has been a stabilizing force on the left side. The hope is: he can maintain his strong play and continue to provide stability, veteran leadership and talent.

LG Reggie Wells was another player who bounced back from a poor first game, playing what looked like his best football at LG since he’s played that position. The hope is: Wells will evolve into a solid LG and be productive in the system.

C Al Johnson has been solid as a rock at center thus far. The hope is: he will stay healthy and productive in the middle for the entire season.

RG Deuce Lutui has dropped weight and is playing perhaps at the highest level of all the Cardinals’ offensive linemen in just his second year. He is also providing the unit with much needed leadership. The hope is: that he and rookie first rounder Levi Brown will provide the Cardinals with a physically imposing right side of the line, the likes of which Cardinal fans have not seen in quite some time.

RT Levi Brown played very well in his debut as a starter. Brown is displaying not only physical prowess as a rookie, but good setups and feet in the passing game. The hope is: Brown will emerge as a stalwart at RT and as one of the real leaders on the squad for years to come.

LG Elton Brown has turned in two solid performances on the second team. He too has lost a significant amount of weight. The hope is: Big E will give the Cardinals the necessary depth they need at guard, particularly should Wells falter.

RG Brian Johnson has been solid in two games and looks to be a legitimate roster candidate as an undrafted college free agent. The hope is: Johnson makes this roster and contributes well on special teams for now, while he hones his skills to become a contributor at guard down the road.

Kudos too to T Oliver Ross who shed weight and came to camp ready to attempt to stave off Levi Brown for the starting RT spot before succumbing to a season-ending triceps injury. The hope is: Ross can bounce back next season and prove that he can still be a starter in the league, whether he’s in Arizona or elsewhere.

C Lyle Sendlein has made some noise in this camp as an undrafted college free agent. This local product and Texas stalwart has shown potential. The hope is: that with Nick Leckey in a contract year that Sendlein will develop (at least on the practice squad) and challenge for the #2 center role next year, and be ready to assume that role this year should Leckey remain injured.

All A’s for the Cardinals’ offensive coaching staff thus far…Coach Whisenhunt runs a diverse, unpredictable offense that keeps opposing defenses guessing. His run calls have not been nearly as predictable or perfunctory as last year’s or the year before. The run plays serve a purpose this time around. Russ Grimm is doing a first-rate job with the offensive line and has given the coaching staff a real boost with his presence, expertise and enthusiasm. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has not allowed Q ,Fitz, BJ or any WR to become complacent and is pushing all of them to reach new heights. QB coach Jeff Rutledge is doing a good job with Leinart and Warner, but still has his work cut out for him with Shane Boyd. It will be interesting to see whether Boyd will progress well enough in the remaining two games to warrant a roster spot. If so, Rutledge will deserve even higher praise. And one would be remiss not to offer high praise and credit to the Cardinals Strength and Conditioning Coach John Lott. This is the strongest and fittest Cardinal team since the teaching of Darwinism was being challenged by the Supreme Court!

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