Kyler Murray came into the press conference room after the first padded practice of training camp on Monday and showed his exasperation.

"We hadn't had a bad day (on offense) until today so it's a little frustrating I have to talk to you after all that," the quarterback said.

How one analyzes Monday's work is a matter of preference. The defense won the day, clearly; one example was the very first play in 11-on-11, when linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. leaped in the middle of the field to intercept a Murray pass. Murray talked about how the Cardinals upgraded on defense, particularly the defensive line, and it was apparent.

"We've been feeling that for sure," Murray said. "We definitely felt that today."

A good defense is often going to be ahead early in camp of the offense. It would be disappointing if this defense in particular didn't flash right away, given everything poured into it.

It also didn't mean the offense had no highlights. It was hard not to notice the first pass of practice, during one-on-ones, where Marvin Harrison Jr. got just enough past rookie cornerback Denzel Burke and made a spectacular one-handed contested reception.

But there was also the "gotta have it" session in the red zone, where the No. 1 offense had the ball inside the 10 on fourth down, and Murray's pass to Harrison was just a touch behind, signaling more work still was needed.

Then again, that's the point of practice. There will be more pads this week, and more chances for Murray and the offense to take back a piece of pride.

-- I've already mentioned it multiple times, but for those wondering about where Garrett Williams falls in the pecking order of the cornerbacks, there is no doubt he is No. 1. Yes, he plays nickel and some safety. But so far, when the Cardinals only have two cornerbacks in the game to man the outside, he is one of them.

"I (played corner) all of college," Williams said. "Really it was nickel and safety that was hard to learn coming here because I never played it. Getting back into it, it's kind of like riding a bike. You just got to keep getting more reps and keep getting comfortable, but I feel good about it."

-- I don't love putting a lot into one-on-ones with pass catchers and defenders because there is such a huge advantage for the offense. But it was hard not to notice the excellent move wide receiver Michael Wilson put on cornerback Kei'Trel Clark right after Harrison's long catch. Even though Clark was trailing the resulting effect was like a basketball crossover, and Clark smiled and patted Wilson on the helmet after, knowing on that one he had gotten got.

-- I thought wide receiver Quez Watkins made a couple of beautiful catches, one deep down the field showing his speed, the other a nice clean pick with the ball thrown low. Watkins may be a long shot for the 53, but he can play.

-- Rookie sixth-round pick Hayden Conner is going to be used at both guard and center, and he's been taking center work this week. Monday wasn't going to be on his highlight reel, with three bad snaps in total.

-- The rotations will continue, but it was noticeable to see Owen Pappoe next to Wilson with the first unit when the Cardinals were using two inside linebackers.

-- There were also times when Zaven Collins found his way into his old inside linebacker stomping grounds next to Wilson, although the way Collins is used that was always going to be possible. He's going to be all over this defense depending on the snap.