New offensive lineman Pat McQuistan (67) and linebacker Jamaal Westerman (57) take part in their first practice with the Cardinals Monday.
Pat McQuistan sat in front of his locker Monday after his first practice as a Cardinal looking a little dazed.
The versatile offensive tackle wasn't just in his first day of a new system with new teammates in a new city. He was given a locker in the middle of defensive linemen.
"Just got to learn how everything runs around here," he said.
The Cardinals added McQuistan and linebacker Jamaal Westerman to the roster over the weekend after both were released following Friday's 53-man deadline. McQuistan was signed to a one-year contract and Westerman was picked up off waivers.
McQuistan can play four of the five positions on the offensive line and will give the Cardinals added depth after the news that tackle Jeremy Bridges was put on injured reserve after tearing a ligament in his thumb Friday against Denver. Tackle Levi Brown is also out for the season with a torn triceps muscle.
McQuistan was released by the Dallas Cowboys and spent last season with the New Orleans Saints, 2010 with the Miami Dolphins and 2006-09 with the Cowboys. Coach Ken Whisenhunt was impressed with McQuistan's intelligence and said the tackle already had a foundation for what the Cardinals are doing schematically.
Westerman spent the preseason with the Dolphins after playing 2009-11 with the New York Jets. He played in all 16 games last season and had career highs of 23 tackles, 3½ sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Last season Westerman spent time at defensive end and linebacker, often dropping back into coverage, similar to what he'll be doing for the Cardinals.
Both players spent their first day preparing for the Seattle Seahawks listening and learning.
"They're speaking French and I'm speaking Spanish," Westerman said. "I just need to get in my playbook and get with the coaches and some of the guys who have been in the system a lot longer than I have."
NO TIME TO CELEBRATE
Offensive lineman Nate Potter was sitting at the team hotel when he was told he made the Cardinals' 53-man roster. On Monday, he said there weren't any words to describe how he felt Friday. So how did the rookie celebrate during the off weekend?
"I didn't," said Potter, a seventh-round draft pick out of Boise State. "I tried to find some place to live. There's a lot to do right now and not a lot of time to celebrate."
Injuries to Brown and Bridges helped make room for the 6-foot-6, 300-pound tackle on the Cardinals' opening-day roster.
"Coming into it, I knew there were no guarantees either way," Potter said. "You just got to do your best. Whatever happens, happens. I just didn't want to have any regrets. That's my attitude going forward."
FILLING OUT THE PUZZLE
Sometimes needs trump wants. Especially when it comes to filling out a roster.
For the first time in a couple of seasons, Whisenhunt decided to keep five wide receivers after Friday's final roster deadline instead of six: Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Early Doucet, Andre Roberts and LaRon Byrd, as the Cards went with nine offensive linemen instead of the eight they carried a season ago.
As a balance, the Cardinals have two receivers on the practice squad. The team brought back Isaiah Williams, and signed former Arizona State standout Gerell Robinson, who had been released by Denver.
Joining them on the practice squad were a few familiar names: DT Ricky Lumpkin, LB Colin Parker, CB Larry Parker and TE Steve Skelton were all re-signed. T Steven Baker and LB Ricky Elmore were new additions.
