The Arizona Cardinals had plans for a mandatory minicamp slated for June 8-10, but things took a different turn. Head coach Mike LaFleur abruptly canceled the final day of camp on Wednesday.
Now comes the long layoff before training camp begins, which will be sooner for the Cardinals this year because they play in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on August 6 at 8:00 pm (Eastern). Their opponent is the Carolina Panthers.
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Most players delay their vacation time and wait for these six weeks of off time before hitting the sleds and focusing solely on football and the playbook.
Arizona already has had several OTAs which were offered as voluntary. With a new head coach and numerous assistants, plus installing a new offense, the practice time was viewed as a stepping stone for both players and coaches.
What did we learn about this minicamp?
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis and head coach Mike LaFleur (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis and head coach Mike LaFleur (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Coach LaFleur cancelled the final day
The new coach stated he has always despised the mandatory camp right before the break. He wanted nothing better than to break and have all of his players intact without any injuries, which a lot end up as non-contact. LaFleur stated he had seen enough, and canceling the final practice was a good way to eliminate the potential for injury. Apparently, he felt that there would be enough action and hitting at training camp, and one more day wasn’t going to be that beneficial. Especially since they have to report early on July 22.
LaFleur reasoned:
“We got 10 quality days of practice in. When you look at the amount of reps and what these guys are used to … these guys got quite a bit more reps in terms of team compared to what they’re used to during this time. The fact that we got out 100% clean yesterday was (our) first and foremost priority. We came out of this predominately healthy.”
It’s your football, coach. When you go home, the rest can no longer stick around.
Mixed bag on the injury front
LaFleur announced that CB Garrett Williams is ahead of his recovery period from a torn Achilles. The prognosis and hope are that he could be available in Week 1. The coaching staff will place him on a very short leash in training camp as far as when the rough stuff begins. Williams has been penciled in at slot with Sean Murphy-Bunting as his backup. We will see. An Achilles injury is almost a death blow to a defensive back if he is brought along too quickly. Too many plays that require cutting and acceleration.
LaFleur stated:
“We got great news on Garrett. He’s put so much good work in. What a special human being that is.”
Fourth-round draft pick DT Kaleb Proctor could miss his entire rookie season with a meniscus tear. Just happens that Proctor still hasn’t signed his rookie contract. Rut-row. Whatever happens from here, it is a reminder that this is three consecutive years that the Cardinals have lost a rookie defensive tackle to a major preseason injury.
No longer concerned about naming a starting QB
In a rare twist, LaFleur seemingly has reversed his stance when he named Jacoby Brissett as the team’s starting quarterback. Now, the head coach is wanting to wait until training camp to decide that.
In a post-practice media huddle, he was asked if Brissett was still his starter. He stated:
“Not really concerned about QB1 right now. I’m concerned about these guys all reporting on July 22nd. Naturally and physically, the intensity picks up because they have pads on. You can actually play football, but (it’s) too early.”
All righty then. With Brissett holding out with every team function so far, and when he did show up, he did not take any snaps or participate in what has been described as a “hold-in,” LaFleur knew the questions would come about the QB1 job.
LaFleur was also a very obvious question if Brissett will have a new deal by the time training camp kicks off. LaFleur gave the standard Hollywood statement that the negotiations were continuing.
Gardner Minshew II #15 of the Arizona Cardinals practices (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Gardner Minshew II #15 of the Arizona Cardinals practices (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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Will the QB room become a competition
All throughout OTAs, the conversation has been about how good veteran Gardner Minshew has looked and how much rookie Carson Beck has progressed. The coaching staff alone has told all of us this. Could the quarterback position be up for grabs now and continue to be ramped up for the job?
LaFleur answered:
“Shoot, I think it’s been ramped up. Every single day has been a day to compete. The intensity should not change from OTAs to training camp. The only thing that happens is, naturally, physically the intensity picks up because they have pads on. You can actually play football.”
Thoughts on playing the Hall of Fame Game
This annual game gives the Cardinals an extra exhibition game this year, held in Canton, Ohio. That could be beneficial with a new head coach and a new offense. It does mean the entire roster must report earlier than other clubs, though. Their final preseason game will be the “LaFleur Bowl” as Arizona will face Green Bay, which is coached by LaFleur’s older brother, Matt.
Coach mentioned his feelings on the Canton game:
“We’re going to be able to put our pads on, and some teams are just going to be reporting. That’s going to be awesome and a positive for the Cardinals.”
The mentality of his roster so far
When a team loses 14 of 17 games, there is a lot of change that occurs in the aftermath, as well as a decline in confidence for the players and assistant coaches who carried over. LaFleur had his thoughts:
“I do believe (it’s) just like in any other sport, when you’re confident, and you take the field confident. I don’t know if they didn’t last year, but I do believe this team is going to work and believe. You’ve got to play tough. You’ve got to show up and find a way within the three and a half hours.”
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What his opinion of what this team is about
LaFleur and his coaches have spent quite a bit of time with whoever has been in OTAs, and has taken small steps in showing how this new offense will finally gel into place. What have the coaching staff seen from this roster in such a short time, even if it’s only in shorts and helmets?
LaFleur surmised:
“What I have learned about them is, I think they’re a mature team. They’ve put in a lot of work. I think there’s been a good foundation set.* *They know there is a lot of work to be done. Every team leaves this final session feeling pretty good, then adversity hits. That’s when we will really find out about ourselves.“
What LaFleur has taken from his former successful team to apply to a club that has struggled
The Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets are often identified as NFL clubs who are perennial bottom feeders. LaFleur came from successful programs such as the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. He has been taught their system, and now is charged with installing their scheme and infuse some success into his new team.
How does he plan to close that gap? He stated:
“These guys know how to work. There’s not as big a gap between teams in this league as you may think. You got to play the right way. You can’t play bad football. You got to play tough and show up and find a way to win every Sunday. When you’re confident and take the field confident, you build belief. And with belief comes confidence.”