
Cardinals DEs Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett are allowed to be more "aggressive" and "create penetration" in DC Todd Bowles' new defense.
"They want us to shove (offensive linemen) back and be able to shed blocks quicker and make tackles in the backfield, which I think Dockett and myself would be very, very good at," said Campbell. "We're very athletic." Campbell didn't have any troubles in previous DC Ray Horton's "two-gap" scheme, but Dockett was openly displeased. Campbell has a chance to be an even bigger star. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound 26-year-old has 14.5 sacks and a J.J. Watt-esque 18 batted passes over the last two seasons.
Cardinals TE Jeff King is recovering from knee surgery, but could be ready to resume practicing by early June.
The blocking tight end is sitting out OTAs, but sounds like he'll be ready for training camp. He's likely recovering from a scope. A seven-year veteran, King graded out as the third-worst tight end in the league in Pro Football Focus' ratings last season.
The Cardinals' website writes that second-year WR Michael Floyd appears to have made "a big leap" in his second NFL offseason.
Floyd worked ahead of Andre Roberts at the start of OTAs and appears to be in the driver's seat to open the season as the starter opposite Larry Fitzgerald. It'll be a camp battle to monitor. Floyd ultimately had a slow rookie year, but finished fast with 14 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown combined in Weeks 16 and 17. Arizona's quarterback situation has also received a big upgrade.
Cardinals ILB Daryl Washington has pled not guilty in his domestic assault case.
He's due back in court on July 3. Washington is accused of breaking his ex-girlfriend's collarbone in an early-May domestic dispute. Already suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, Washington could avoid a longer 2013 ban if his assault case drags on beyond Week 1. At this point, it likely will.
Cardinals ILB Jasper Brinkley opened up OTAs as a starter next to Karlos Dansby.
Brinkley gets the initial nod over second-rounder Kevin Minter, but that could merely be based on seniority. Before long, we fully expect Minter to win the job and start all four games while Daryl Washington is suspended. Washington worked with the second team Tuesday.
Michael Floyd ran with the starters more often than Andre Roberts at the outset of Cardinals OTAs.
Floyd was buried on the depth chart early last season, but came on late to finish with a 45/562/2 line. Per the Arizona Republic, Floyd now looks "impressive" and "more confident." He certainly has the talent edge on Roberts and fits Bruce Arians' aggressive, vertical scheme well. If Floyd can lock down the No. 2 gig opposite Larry Fitzgerald, he's going to be an ideal sleeper in fantasy circles.
Daryn Colledge has been lining up at right guard in Cardinals OTAs.
It's an indication the Cardinals plan to keep first-round pick Jonathan Cooper at his college position of left guard, even though Cooper was running with the second-team offense Tuesday. Colledge has been a left guard throughout his career, but the Cardinals must trust he can make the transition. They could just be experimenting, of course. We might not get a clear idea of how things will shake out along the Birds' line before training camp.