Backup tackle/new guard Nate Potter (76) walks with center Lyle Sendlein (63) to practice Wednesday.
Early in the offseason, Bruce Arians said he would work second-year tackle Nate Potter at guard at some point, expanding his worth. That ended up on the backburner in training camp, while Arians wanted Potter to battle Levi Brown for the starting left tackle spot.
With Brown having kept the job, Potter will now get his cross-training.
Arians said learning guard will be an "easy transition" for Potter, who started the process Monday.
"He's got the potential and he's smart enough to be a four-(position) rotational guy," Arians said. "He can play both sides. He already knows how to play both tackles."
The Cardinals were seemingly left short at guard after the final roster maneuvering, but Arians said he had no concerns with the depth behind starters Daryn Colledge and Paul Fanaika, even
though Jonathan Cooper is out for the season. Potter will learn the position, backup center Mike Gibson has also practiced at guard, and the Cards have center/guard Philip Blake on the practice squad.
And Arians has long praised the ability of Fanaika to step into the lineup, after Fanaika played so well filling in for an injured Colledge in training camp.
"This guy gives us a redeeming quality," Arians said. "Whatever deficiency he has, my job is to not expose him."
Potter could give the Cards options down the line, though. He played guard a little bit at Boise State, but acknowledged he isn't ready to step in yet.
"I love it," Potter said. "The more you can do the better. I've got a long way to go because I just started but I am excited to try it."
PALMER'S LAST HURRAH?
Referring to Carson Palmer's attitude heading into the season, Arians said the quarterback is anxious to "go out a winner."
"This is his last hurrah, as it is mine," Arians said.
Palmer was asked about his "last hurrah." He wasn't quite seeing it the same.
"I don't want to feel like it's that," Palmer said. "I want to play this year and hopefully play a bunch of more years. I am a realist and understand that's not possible. But I don't want to think anything is coming to an end. I want to think this season is starting, this new era is starting."
There was no questioning Arians' point that as Palmer goes, so goes his offense.
"We'll be tied at the hip as coach and quarterback, and will make sure we do everything we can do to make his successful," Arians said. "He's doing more than he needs to do to make sure he's successful."
PETERSON A FIRST-TIME CAPTAIN
The Cardinals officially voted on their season captains, which Arians announced Wednesday. Among them were cornerback Patrick Peterson, the first time he has been named captain after making the Pro Bowl his first two seasons.
"To be voted on by your teammates to be a leader and a captain, a guy to wear that 'C' on your chest means a lot to me," Peterson said. "Now I just have to continue doing what I've been doing since I've been here.
"I just need to make sure I'm accountable, make sure I'm going 110 percent each and every time I'm on the field. Because I want to make sure I lead the guys in the right way."
Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was the other defensive captain. Quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald were named captains on offense, while kicker Jay Feely and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander were named captains on special teams.
HOUSLER STILL DAY-TO-DAY
Arians said tight end Rob Housler (ankle) remains day-to-day, and cast some doubt on Housler's availability this week when he noted that the Cards want to make sure Housler is totally healed before returning so his problem doesn't linger. He did not practice Wednesday.
Limited for the Cards Wednesday were RB Rashard Mendenhall (knee), CB Javier Arenas (hip), DT Dan Williams (ankle) and TE D.C. Jefferson (knee).
