If the Cardinals added anything with quarterback Gardner Minshew II and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, it was limitless energy. They manifest differently -- Minshew a bit more chill, Bourne a bit more contagious -- but it is an important add, especially given how close both are to the spotlight on the team's quarterback situation.
Minshew is expected to back up Jacoby Brissett. Bourne is expected to be WR3 behind Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. (and that's not even counting tight end Trey McBride.) But their optimism reigned on Thursday as both signed officially, and that can't be discounted.
"Stepping in any room and bringing a positive attitude and energy, I think that's always needed," Minshew said. "And work ethic. I'm excited to get to work. There is a lot of work to do here and I'm excited to be a part of it."
Bourne played with Brissett with the Patriots, and while he just met Minshew in passing for the first time on Thursday, he has long felt Minshew is the kind of competitor that helps any team.
Bourne also began his career with new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur, who was the reason Bourne wanted to come to Arizona. LaFleur was Bourne's first wide receivers coach, and Bourne's belief bled through every word the wideout said about his coach.
Bourne was asked about the QB situation, and said every team, is trying to find the guy if they didn't have him.
"My biggest thing was Mike, in the space that I was at," Bourne said. "'I trust you Mike, I don't care if you don't have a quarterback, I don't care if you don't have an O-line. I trust you and I know what you're going to build and if I can be a piece to that, add me now.'"
He said he has faith.
"I was with (Jacoby) in New England," Bourne said. "He showed great poise last year. Gardner, his competitive spirit. I'm always talking about competitive spirit because you know who has it and you know who don't. Gardner got that."
Minshew has been on the move, having gone from the Eagles to the Colts to the Raiders to the Chiefs the past four seasons before landing in Arizona. Those travels, and the role he played, can only help the Cardinals.
"I think there are things you pick up everywhere you go," Minshew said. "Every season has different challenges that you learn from, all the successes you learn from as well. I feel grateful for the experiences I have had. It's made me who I am, the player I am, and to be able to bring that experience and share that with guys and bring that perspective, that's something that can be a benefit to us."
