Bradford gets extended work in practice
As promised, Cardinals coach Steve Wilks ratcheted up Sam Bradford’s onfield participation during the start of the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and the veteran quarterback responded well to the heavier workload.
That’s good, too, because he’s going to see more of it over the next two days.
“It was obviously good to be out there today to get some of that work,” Bradford said. “To this point, I’ve really just kind of been building into it. But I feel really good right now and obviously to be able to be out there and move around with the guys, it was a lot of fun today.”
One of the highlights from Tuesday’s practice was defensive coordinator Al Holcomb instructing his players to show multiple blitzes and other pass-rushing packages to Bradford and the rest of the offense. Although this week’s workouts aren’t being conducted in pads - just shorts and helmets - it was the first real time Bradford has been under center in live drills that were coming at him fairly fast.
“We had an opportunity to get out there a little bit more today, which was great,” Wilks said. “Once again, he looked good. You look at some of his throws, they were right on point. Just good accuracy. Most importantly again, it was an opportunity for him to be able to see some of these different looks he hasn’t seen in the past.
“I think he’s definitely studied the plays and he understands the system, and I think for the most part we gave him the looks that he needs. You want to make sure that they’re live and that’s what we tried to increase, the live looks.”
Bradford has been eased into his workload because of a troublesome left knee, which has been declared to be in a degenerative state following a pair of torn ACLs and other trauma during his football career. The key this week, in addition to ramping up his participation, is making sure he leaves minicamp feeling as healthy as possible.
It’s the last organized team practices until the start of training camp in late July.
“We devised a plan," Bradford said. "We stuck to that plan and the plan was to get stronger and to feel good coming out of this part of the offseason so that during the five weeks leading up to training camp, I can really build on what we had done here and come into training camp ready to go.
“I think the plan’s worked. My body feels really good right now.”
His right arm looks pretty good, too, according to tight end Ricky SealsJones.
Asked what he saw out of Bradford, Seals-Jones said: “The same thing I’ve been seeing, just him being a leader. Him coming in, taking charge and letting it rip.
“Obviously, we knew what he could do. They’re being precautionary and taking their time making sure that he’s 100 percent. But man, the dude can ball. Even when he was going half-speed, you could just tell. He’s a special guy. He was looking good today.”
Rosen keeps impressing
Although Bradford received a lot of the praise on Tuesday, Wilks made it clear that he’s becoming even more impressed the more he watches rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, whom the team selected 10th overall in this year’s draft.
Has he seen a steady progression in Rosen from rookie minicamp to now?
“I have,” Wilks said. “I think you see a little bit more poise, I think you see a little bit more confidence because he understands and knows the system a little bit better. I think with what Coach Holcomb is doing on the defensive side of the ball with all the different looks he’s presenting to the offense helps him out. He does a great job of really picking those things up, understanding where to throw the ‘hot,’ those kinds of things, and getting the ball out quickly. He’s made a lot of progress.”
Bradford doesn’t mind admitting he’s seen a lot to like in Rosen, as well, even though he knows the youngster is out to try to take his job.
“I’ve been impressed with his ability to grasp things, mentally," Bradord said. "Coach (Mike McCoy, the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator) has thrown a lot at all of us trying to learn this system. It’s tough for a rookie to be able to come in and understand everything that’s being asked of him, and I think he’s done a tremendous job at that.
“And physically, he’s just really gifted. You can see he can make all the throws. He’s got plenty of arm strength to push the ball outside the numbers and to push it downfield.”
Quick kicks
Wide receiver Greg Little, a secondround pick by the Browns in 2011, is back with the Cardinals this week on another tryout basis. He turned heads back in rookie camp, but wasn’t offered a contract.
“Just an opportunity once again to see him live, see what he can do,” Wilks said. “I think he has tremendous talent. This is just a chance for him to step up and see what we can do with him.”