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Roger Goodell Visits, And Camp Practice Aftermath

Team dons pads for the first time

I'm sure Roger Goodell didn't plan to be at Cardinals camp on the day they first wore full pads, but who knows, maybe we run with that narrative.

"He was here? My bad," defensive lineman Zach Allen said, who noted aloud it didn't sound great when he admitted he didn't notice. "When you're in it you're in it, so I guess good on me for staying focused. Hopefully I don't get fined now."

Allen did say he was thinking about defending the two-minute drill and the pass rush was enough that linebacker Isaiah Simmons got an interception, so there is that.

Nevertheless, Goodell – who arrived with owner Michael Bidwill near the end of practice Tuesday and interacted with the fans for a bit – made his appearance. "It's always good to see him," coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

-- The practice itself? Kingsbury thought it was physical, but he did say the team knows to be smart hitting their own. (Heck, a Panthers defensive back put a teammate in an ambulance Tuesday morning with an unnecessary hit to the head, and Carolina cut the DB as soon as practice ended.) Kingsbury noted teams are only allowed seven padded practices all of camp, so a team better use the time properly.

-- It's clear Kingsbury isn't going to give much in the way of injury information. We know wideout Christian Kirk should be back "soon" with a "minor deal." Guard Brian Winters is out a couple of weeks, Kingsbury said, with something not too serious but something the Cards will be careful with. Again, no hints to what might be wrong. Among others missing Tuesday were wide receiver Antoine Wesley, offensive lineman Justin Murray and yes, defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.

-- I don't know if it was the pads, but the defense definitely looks ahead of the offense at this point. There are times when the offense connects, and other times when it doesn't come together when it should. Early in the work, A.J. Green ran a nice out-and-up on cornerback Robert Alford and had a couple of steps, but Kyler Murray overthrew him.

-- Rookie Marco Wilson had a nice pick of Kyler. Simmons' pick probably should've been caught by KeeSean Johnson, but Johnson couldn't keep control and it ended up in Simmons' hands.

-- With Kirk down and the Cards managing the reps of Green and DeAndre Hopkins, the young receivers are getting lots of opportunities, but it's definitely been hit and miss with the play. JoJo Ward will make one nice catch and then not quite haul in one he should get. Andy Isabella did the same Tuesday.

-- Preseason games will mean a ton for RB 3 between Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward. Benjamin has a chance to do well in that environment, but man, Ward just seems to look good every time he gets a chance in practice.

-- In the two-minute drill, the first time the Cards had a chance to put veteran kicker Matt Prater out there, it was for a 67-yarder. (The NFL record is 64, held by – wait for it – Prater.) "That's not ideal," special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said. Prater's kick came up short in the end zone, but he gave it a shot. He's look good -- with a strong leg -- so far however.

Commissioner Roger Goodell visits with fans during Tuesday's training camp practice.
Commissioner Roger Goodell visits with fans during Tuesday's training camp practice.
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