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The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up mandatory minicamp and now the players have five weeks to themselves before returning for the start of training camp on July 22.
Before they began going their separate ways, coach Jonathan Gannon discharged them with one simple challenge:
“Become better football players,” he said. “You can say, ‘Well, they’re not with you,’ but there’s a lot they can work on when it relates to their development as players on and off the field. That’s the expectation. I don’t want these guys to show up the same that they are now. If you do, you’re going to be behind.
“They know that, and they all have plans to do that.”
Take second-year running back Trey Benson, for instance. The Cardinals’ primary backup to veteran James Conner, Benson has spent this offseason training and working out relentlessly to improve his worth to the team and expand his future role.
He’s added seven pounds, bulking up to 223, and thanks to his work with Kyle Sammons, the Cardinals’ sports science coordinator in the strength and conditioning department, has increased his speed, power and explosiveness.
“I’m in a mode right now,” Benson said, “so I wish we could keep going. But I’m going to stay over here next week doing my same routines. … I’m not excited it’s over with.”
For Benson, Arizona’s third-round pick out of Florida State a year ago, the hard work is only beginning. When you have designs on pushing a stalwart such as Conner for more carries and a larger share of the workload, you better make sure you’re up to the task.
Conner is coming off back-to-back, 1,000-yard rushing seasons for Arizona. Only one other Cardinals’ running back has been able to accomplish that in the past 40 years – Edgerrin James in 2007-2008. Benson, who gained 291 yards on 63 carries as a rookie, seems convinced he’s ready for a breakout season.
“I feel like I’ll get more opportunities and help James out more,” he said. “I feel like we can have two RB1’s on this team, and that’s my mindset this year is two RB1’s.”
That might be wishful thinking, but what if it isn’t? Dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to run more this year, and if the situation warrants it, it’s plausible that Benson can split more time with Conner as the Cardinals’ featured back.
Conner basically predicted it at the start of organized team activities when he told reporters to watch out for Trey Benson in 2025.
“Focus. Just everything. His approach to it,” Conner said when asked why Benson could shine in Year 2. “He’s worked unbelievably this offseason. Showed up every single day, working out together and yeah, he wants it. He wants it bad. That’s because he knows the type of player he can be. We all know that.
“He’s been working his butt off, and it’s been awesome to see. He’s super, super dedicated.”
Conner went on to note how Benson has reshaped his body and improved his strength and conditioning under the guidance of Sammons, saying, “He was already a freak athlete before, but now … He’s a grown man out there.”
Arizona sports: 5 things we learned from Cardinals offseason workouts
Benson acknowledged that he’s come a long way in a short period. Last year at this point, he was mostly a bundle of nerves with no sense of direction.
“I was (having) anxiety and panicking and stuff, but now you can see the difference between this year and last year,” he said. “I’m more confident and just ready to work.”
Why was he so stressed?
“It was my rookie year and the defenses, the whole NFL, is just way quicker than college,” Benson explained. “I think that’s what it was, and my mind was just racing. I only played two years of college, so that was basically my third year of playing for real.
“I just needed to be more decisive. I was thinking too much at the beginning of the season trying to hit the home run every time. It helped with James being in my ear telling me, ‘Just take what I can get,’ take what they give me and just be a better runner.”
Now that he’s bigger, faster and stronger, Benson hopes to add a punishing style to his game, something that has become Conner’s trademark.
“I ask him about it all the time,” Benson said. “He’s one of the best runners I’ve ever seen, and I feel like the people in the media don’t give him credit. He’s one of the top running backs in the league – he’s top five to me – and I’m always telling him that. He proves it each and every day.
“Even though he’s what, 30 years old now? He’s still running like he’s 22. I’m 22, so he’s still running like he’s my age. … He’s a bruiser back, and I want to be a bruiser back this year for sure. But also with the speed.”
Benson has five weeks to continue his quest before the start of training camp, when progress and evaluations get serious.
“Í really can’t wait,” he said. “I’m itching for it. I can’t wait to show everybody what I’ve got.”
Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals' Trey Benson is bigger and better, just like his confidence
Continue reading...
Before they began going their separate ways, coach Jonathan Gannon discharged them with one simple challenge:
“Become better football players,” he said. “You can say, ‘Well, they’re not with you,’ but there’s a lot they can work on when it relates to their development as players on and off the field. That’s the expectation. I don’t want these guys to show up the same that they are now. If you do, you’re going to be behind.
“They know that, and they all have plans to do that.”
Take second-year running back Trey Benson, for instance. The Cardinals’ primary backup to veteran James Conner, Benson has spent this offseason training and working out relentlessly to improve his worth to the team and expand his future role.
He’s added seven pounds, bulking up to 223, and thanks to his work with Kyle Sammons, the Cardinals’ sports science coordinator in the strength and conditioning department, has increased his speed, power and explosiveness.
“I’m in a mode right now,” Benson said, “so I wish we could keep going. But I’m going to stay over here next week doing my same routines. … I’m not excited it’s over with.”
For Benson, Arizona’s third-round pick out of Florida State a year ago, the hard work is only beginning. When you have designs on pushing a stalwart such as Conner for more carries and a larger share of the workload, you better make sure you’re up to the task.
Conner is coming off back-to-back, 1,000-yard rushing seasons for Arizona. Only one other Cardinals’ running back has been able to accomplish that in the past 40 years – Edgerrin James in 2007-2008. Benson, who gained 291 yards on 63 carries as a rookie, seems convinced he’s ready for a breakout season.
“I feel like I’ll get more opportunities and help James out more,” he said. “I feel like we can have two RB1’s on this team, and that’s my mindset this year is two RB1’s.”
That might be wishful thinking, but what if it isn’t? Dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to run more this year, and if the situation warrants it, it’s plausible that Benson can split more time with Conner as the Cardinals’ featured back.
Conner basically predicted it at the start of organized team activities when he told reporters to watch out for Trey Benson in 2025.
“Focus. Just everything. His approach to it,” Conner said when asked why Benson could shine in Year 2. “He’s worked unbelievably this offseason. Showed up every single day, working out together and yeah, he wants it. He wants it bad. That’s because he knows the type of player he can be. We all know that.
“He’s been working his butt off, and it’s been awesome to see. He’s super, super dedicated.”
Conner went on to note how Benson has reshaped his body and improved his strength and conditioning under the guidance of Sammons, saying, “He was already a freak athlete before, but now … He’s a grown man out there.”
Arizona sports: 5 things we learned from Cardinals offseason workouts
Benson acknowledged that he’s come a long way in a short period. Last year at this point, he was mostly a bundle of nerves with no sense of direction.
“I was (having) anxiety and panicking and stuff, but now you can see the difference between this year and last year,” he said. “I’m more confident and just ready to work.”
Why was he so stressed?
“It was my rookie year and the defenses, the whole NFL, is just way quicker than college,” Benson explained. “I think that’s what it was, and my mind was just racing. I only played two years of college, so that was basically my third year of playing for real.
“I just needed to be more decisive. I was thinking too much at the beginning of the season trying to hit the home run every time. It helped with James being in my ear telling me, ‘Just take what I can get,’ take what they give me and just be a better runner.”
Now that he’s bigger, faster and stronger, Benson hopes to add a punishing style to his game, something that has become Conner’s trademark.
“I ask him about it all the time,” Benson said. “He’s one of the best runners I’ve ever seen, and I feel like the people in the media don’t give him credit. He’s one of the top running backs in the league – he’s top five to me – and I’m always telling him that. He proves it each and every day.
“Even though he’s what, 30 years old now? He’s still running like he’s 22. I’m 22, so he’s still running like he’s my age. … He’s a bruiser back, and I want to be a bruiser back this year for sure. But also with the speed.”
Benson has five weeks to continue his quest before the start of training camp, when progress and evaluations get serious.
“Í really can’t wait,” he said. “I’m itching for it. I can’t wait to show everybody what I’ve got.”
Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals' Trey Benson is bigger and better, just like his confidence
Continue reading...
