Cardinals DC happy with OLB depth despite youth, inexperience

Nick Rallis says he would be comfortable with any of his young OLBs starting.

The Arizona Cardinals have a pretty inexperienced group of outside linebackers. However, it would appear they are good with the players they have.

Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, as a good DC would say, is happy with the group so far.

“It’s a great competition,” he said on Thursday. “I feel great about the depth. There’s a lot of guys in that room that if we had to go out and start with them, I’d feel great going into that game.”

That depth is mostly untested.

Right now, the starters are Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck. Collins is playing the position for the first time full time, having played off the ball for his first two seasons in the league.

Gardeck has been in the league since 2018 but has only played 476 defensive snaps in five seasons, compared to more than 1,600 on special teams.

Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders enter their second season after being drafted in the third round in 2022. Jesse Luketa is in his second season. BJ Ojulari is a rookie second rounder.

Victor Dimukeje enters his third season.

David Anenih has yet to play in an NFL game.

There is certainly nice potential among most of them.

Rallis would never say that he is concerned about the depth. That said, between Collis, Thomas, Sanders and Ojulari, the Cardinals should have a very nice, young, high upside group of edge defenders.

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LOOK: Cardinals close out minicamp with community work

Teaming up with United Way, the Cardinals filled 1,000 hygiene kits to benefit families affected by domestic violence.

The Arizona Cardinals held their final day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday, wrapping up four days of the only mandatory part of the offseason program.

While they surely has some classroom work and meetings, they finished with some community work.

Cardinals players and coaches teamed up to fill 1,000 hygiene kits for the UMOM New Day Center in Phoenix to benefit families that have been affected by domestic violence.

The United Way donated the kits, which include hand cream, washcloths, cooling towels, soap, hand wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb and lip balm.

Players added handwritten notes of encouragement as well.

The Cardinals’ rookie class will deliver them next week.

Founded in 1964, UMOM is an innovative provider of shelter, housing and services for people experiencing homelessness. Every night they provide safe shelter and supportive services for nearly 700 individuals experiencing homelessness – 155 families and 130 single women. They also offer over 550 units of affordable housing across the Valley.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Photos from the Cardinals’ final practice of mandatory minicamp

The Cardinals wrapped up on-field work for the offseason program on Wednesday. Here are the last photos we will have until training camp.

The Arizona Cardinals were on the field to practice for the last time before training camp on Wednesday. Mandatory minicamp goes through Thursday but not with full practices. The last one was Wednesday.

Safety Budda Baker was on the field but didn’t practice.

Many did practice though.

We have some photos from that final practice. No more are coming until they start training camp at State Farm Stadium at the end of July.

Enjoy them!

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Photos from Cardinals 1st practice of minicamp

We have some photos from the first of two practices for the Arizona Cardinals during mandatory minicamp.

The Arizona Cardinals held two practices for mandatory minicamp, closing the offseason program for veterans.

Below are a few photos from Tuesday’s practice.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Cardinals release 2 players ahead of final practice of minicamp

The Cardinals announced the release of offensive lineman Julien Davenport and safety Josh Thomas. Thomas appeared in two games last season.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a pair of roster moves before they took the field on Wednesday for their final practice of mandatory minicamp. They released offensive lineman Julien Davenport and safety Josh Thomas.

They did not announce any corresponding moves, so we can expect a pair of roster additions at some point.

Davenport was signed to the practice squad last November and then was re-signed to a futures deal after the season was over.

Thomas was signed to the practice squad last September and elevated to the active roster twice at the end of the year. He played 14 defensive snaps and 19 special teams snaps, collecting four total tackles.

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Isaiah Simmons seems to be making to full-time shift to safety

Simmons tells reporters he will be working with defensive backs moving forward.

Isaiah Simmons, the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2020, has been listed at linebacker since he entered the league. This offseason, he has been seen working with defensive backs.

That won’t be changing. It would appear that Simmons is becoming a full-time safety.

When he spoke with the reporters after Tuesday’s practice at mandatory minicamp. he said he has been working with defensive backs and added, “moving forward, I’ll be with the defensive backs.”

While he is still listed as an inside linebacker on the roster on the official team site, the graphic that showed introducing Simmons in the video of his press conference said he is a safety.

That doesn’t mean he won’t be doing many of the same things as previous years. He can play in the box, cover tight ends and receivers in the slot and can play the back half.

With another pair of very good safeties in Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson, it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals use all three players.

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Budda Baker doesn’t practice at mandatory minicamp

Baker, who wants a contract extension, is apparently “holding in” at mandatory minicamp.

The Arizona Cardinals took the field on Tuesday for the first of two full practices during mandatory minicamp. While safety Budda Baker, who had been away during the voluntary part of the offseason program, reported on Monday, per multiple reporters present at the open part of practice, Baker was not on the field practicing.

Baker, who requested a trade this offseason when his request for contract extension was denied.

He said he would be in attendance for the mandatory part of the offseason, but it appears that he is “holding in,” Rather than a holdout, not showing up, he is there for meetings but is not practicing.

The lines of communication have remained open between Baker’s representation and general manager Monti Ossenfort.

By showing up, Baker avoids fines but still has not gotten offseason reps with the team in its new defense.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals sign former XFL WR Brandon Smith

Smith is the fifth receiver the Cardinals have added in the offseason taller than six feet.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a roster move ahead of their week of mandatory minicamp. They signed former XFL receiver Brandon Smith and released receiver Auden Tate.

Smith worked out with the team last week.

Smith spent the last two seasons on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad and played for the D.C. Defenders in the XFL recently.

He appeared in four games, catching eight passes (two in each game) for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Smith is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds and played collegiately for Iowa.

He gives the Cardinals another receiver with some size. He is the fifth receiver they have added this offseason taller than six feet.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Budda Baker reports for mandatory minicamp, as expected

Baker, despite requesting a trade this offseason, is in the building for mandatory minicamp as he said he would be.

The Arizona Cardinals began their final week of the offseason program on Monday with the first day of mandatory minicamp. As expected, safety Budda Baker has reported.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Baker, who requested a trade this offseason after his request for a contract extension was denied, is in the building and is present for the one week of mandatory work for all players.

This should come as no surprise, as Baker told 12 News’ Cameron Cox he would be there when it was time to be there.

The one question remaining is whether or not he will be on the field practicing when the Cardinals hold their two practices of minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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3 notable Cardinals not present for voluntary minicamp practice

DeAndre Hopkins, Budda Baker and Isaiah Simmons were not on the field at the team’s voluntary minicamp practice.

The Arizona Cardinals kicked off another part of their offseason program on Tuesday with the first of three days of a voluntary minicamp for veterans.

On Wednesday, part of their work on the practice field was open to reporters.

Three players were noticeably not on the field.

They were safety Budda Baker, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and linebacker Isaiah Simmons, per multiple reporters.

Hopkins is expected to be traded. Baker has requested a trade and Simmons has not yet had his fifth-year option picked up.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon indicated there were players not on the field who were in the building for classroom meetings.

Team reporter Dani Sureck was one to confirm that Simmons was in the building.

It is always important to note that this part of the offseason is voluntary. Gannon said that players not on the field would eventually get there when they are ready to.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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