Finally, some starters.
It could be quick for either of the units against the Raiders. As in years past, if the Cardinals carve up Oakland for an 80-yard touchdown drive on the first possession, or the defense forces a couple of quick punts, I could see Bruce Arians sitting down his main guys. To me, this game is important for the offense and the collective confidence. Carson Palmer sat out Wednesday and Thursday practices, so I'm curious to see how that comes together — especially since the receiving crew, beyond Fitz, has been up and down and injured in camp thus far.
Defensively, it sure seems the confidence is there. Robert Nkemdiche is breaking out. Tyrann Mathieu is full-fledged Honey Badger-y. And Palmer and Bruce Arians believe this has been Patrick Peterson's best camp yet.
Peterson, as usual, is thinking big.
"If you want to be remembered somewhere where you can be forever — which is Canton — those are the things I can control, make sure to continue building up my résumé," Peterson said (pictured here with Cardinals Hall of Fame cornerback Aeneas Williams).
Some other things to think about before the Cards get to a second preseason game, and the Raiders play their first:
-- The players in particular I want to watch in the game, even if it is for limited time: CB Justin Bethel, LB Haason Reddick, DT Olsen Pierre, G Evan Boehm, RT Jared Veldheer, WR Jaron Brown and all three QBs: Palmer, Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert.
Some played last week, some did not. Veldheer still hasn't played right tackle in a game. Seeing Bethel under the lights is important. I want to see how Gabbert follows up with his impressive debut and how Stanton responds to all the Gabbert discussion.
-- Arians again praised Stanton all week. I also thought it was interesting to hear Arians speak about Stanton and his hits and misses in practice:
"There has been an interception or two, some are not his fault," Arians said. "Sometimes when you are running with those twos and threes, guys aren't where they are supposed to be and you try to force one. I do like that, see if you can get it in that window and see if you can or can't. No big deal if you throw a pick."
Dunno if that applies to preseason games as well.
-- Punter is something to watch as well. Arians said he wanted to see more from either Matt Wile or Richie Leone (preferably both, but one is enough). I'd guess they will split the punts again. If you can't punt well at University of Phoenix Stadium — where this and next week's games are — that's a red flag.
-- We'll get to see Kerwynn Williams get run as a return man. We know Williams can return kicks OK. How he will do on punts — and whether he could manage that job with T.J. Logan out — is what is in the spotlight.
-- Two weeks of training camp left at the stadium. As of now, seven practices are scheduled to be open to the public: Monday through Thursday next week, and Monday through Wednesday the week after.
-- Finally, for those who are looking for my constant in-game tweeting, that will drop off quite a bit in the preseason. For the next four games, with Paul Calvisi in the radio booth doing play-by-play, I will be on the sideline as the reporter for the radio broadcasts on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. (And for those who don't like my constant in-game tweeting, you win!)
