The Cardinals began Phase Three of their offseason program on Wednesday, the first of six organized team activities in which players can now wear helmets and have offense v defense work. (Still no contact, per the CBA.)
Teams can have up to 10 OTA sessions in addition to their three-day mandatory minicamp. That has been what the Cardinals have done every year, until this one. Coach Jonathan Gannon chose to trim the OTAs down to six -- three this week, three next week -- until the three-day minicamp arrives June 10-12.
Then, players are on their own time for the summer, until they have to report to training camp in late July.
"I kind of look at the global view of that and the nine practices I feel like we can get done what we need to get done," Gannon said of eliminating the four potential OTAs. "You guys will see some different things that you haven't seen in two years ... but we tweaked some things and hopefully for development and health. That's the teeter-totter I live on, health and development. But we feel good about the plan in place."
Only a couple of OTAs will be open to the media, and only a small part of those will be open to report upon.
The minicamp will be mandatory but the OTAs remain voluntary. Among those not present on Wednesday -- none really a surprise given their veteran status -- were Calais Campbell, Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Kelvin Beachum. But the vast majority of the roster was on hand and working (or at least rehabbing injuries on the side.)
Gannon emphasized the voluntary nature, noting that he just asks guys to communicate when they will and won't be around so he can plan the workouts. "Our guys have done an excellent job communicating with me," Gannon said.
The offseason program has been going on since mid-April. This stretch run is just a reminder that the season is getting closer, and that expectations are lofty in this, the third year of Gannon taking over.
"I'm ready," running back James Conner said. "We ain't doing this forever.
"The sooner the better. I'll put it like that."
