Theo Mackie
@theo_mackie
Cardinals beat writer @azcsports / @azcentral. Alum @umich. DC native.
During the draft process, Walter Nolen was vaguely labeled as having “character concerns” without much explanation of what that meant. So what’s the real story? I talked to old coaches, teammates and family members to find out: azcentral.com/story/sports/n…
Kyler on the expectations this year: “As a fan or media people, looking at it from the outside, you’re looking at it, this is probably the best unit that we’ve had, primed and ready for a big year. But it don’t work like that. We still gotta go out there and execute.”
Kyler was not pleased with how today went for the offense. Said it was their first bad day of camp: “Felt like one of those days where nothing could go right.”
Eventful day for MHJ day today. Had some awesome reps (like this one) but also two incompletions in team drills where he and Kyler weren’t on the same page.
My goodness, Marvin Harrison Jr
Conner has had three bad snaps working with the second team again today. Growing pains.
Sixth-rounder Hayden Conner has bumped up to the second-string OL today. He’s been at center in camp so far, which Gannon said is to get him comfortable there. He’ll get work at guard later in camp, Gannon said.
Garrett Williams getting a lot of work at outside corner today in the Cardinals first padded practice. Cardinals are getting Dadrion Taylor-Demerson on the field a bunch too.
New voice, but a familiar face 🎙️ We have announced A.Q. Shipley as our new radio color analyst for 2025. Welcome to the team, @aqshipley!
Drew Petzing, talking about Kyler's leadership: "He's transitioning, he's probably one of the older guys in the offensive room and in the team in general — although significantly younger than Calais, as most of us are."
Asked Drew Petzing if he still sees James Conner as a workhorse back: "Absolutely. James has proven that over the last couple years, just the way he carries the ball, what he brings to the offense. I think that's always gonna be the case."
Sixth-rounder Hayden Conner has bumped up to the second-string OL today. He’s been at center in camp so far, which Gannon said is to get him comfortable there. He’ll get work at guard later in camp, Gannon said.
Some interesting names rotating in with the 1s on defense today: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Jordan Burch, Owen Pappoe, Xavier Thomas
Still thinking about the human side of Starling Thomas' injury. Went from being undrafted and cut in training camp in '23 to establishing himself as a key player. Then gets hurt before reaching his FA payday. Gannon: "It's probably the worst part of my job when you talk to him."
We have placed CB Starling Thomas V and CB Jaden Davis to IR We have signed CB Steven Gilmore Jr.