The Arizona Cardinals have been going through Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at the Dignity Health Training Center in Tempe, Arizona. These are all voluntary and scheduled in a small series: May 18-19 & 21, May 26-27 & 29, and June 1-2 & June 4.
Up next is a mandatory minicamp from June 8-10.
RELATED: MINSHEW USING HIS TIME FOR THE STARTING JOB
We all know that Jacoby Brissett has been absent from every OTA session. He was named this season’s starting QB after the franchise released Kyler Murray.
This has given the other quarterbacks, Gardner Minshew, Kedon Slovis, and rookie Carson Beck, plenty of reps and the opportunity to show they not only belong on this roster, but can learn this new offense.
With Mike LaFleur being named the new head coach, a new OC in Nathaniel Hackett, plus a new QB coach in Matt Schaub, there is a new offense that is being installed. Players can study the playbook and get well-versed, but on-field study is just as crucial.
So far, Minshew has been getting the majority of the reps. He is using his time to prove to the coaches, a new set of coaches for himself, that he is completely capable of moving this offense when called upon. Minshew was signed as the team’s backup, but everyone can see he is on a mission to prove that he could be the starting QB in Week 1. He is a confident guy and comfortable under center.
Of course, all of this will come out during training camp, so we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves. Preseason games will also give a good indicator of which signalcaller will be the best option.
Whether Brissett signs a new deal or comes into the next OTA with the contract he has, the guys who are showing up are doing everything they are told and trying to grasp the new scheme and offense.
Another quarterback, the rookie Beck out of Miami, is getting some looks, and the coaches are acknowledging what they are seeing from him so far.
LaFleur stated in a post-practice press conference:
“Guys who are here get more reps, and it’s a positive for them. A player like Beck, anytime he is stepping on the field, he is learning whether it’s a good play, bad play, or somewhere in between.”
With Brissett missing, it does provide a positive in that the other quarterbacks are creating opportunities for the other guys in the classroom and on the practice field. This means a guy like Beck is getting in more work than normally would occur.
LaFleur had some good things to say about his young signalcaller:
“It’s in that same vein. The game makes sense to Carson. He has done an awesome job. (QB coach) Matt Schaub and (OC) Nathaniel Hackett have done an incredible job with him so far in terms of just teaching the foundations of the ‘West Coast’ system. That means decision-making, timing, and the accuracy with it.”
The Cardinals’ offense is doing an about-face. LaFleur has been groomed in the “West Coast Offense” with his time with the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, both of which are in the same division as Arizona.
But this is what LaFleur was hired for: to convert the Cardinals’ offense into a proven system that works, scores points, and keeps his team in every game.
LaFleur mentioned regarding Beck:
“He is understanding what our reads are, understanding what the timing and the footwork are, and how it’s all tied together. That makes sense to Carson. Again, I give a lot of credit to his coaches, who have done a great job. Carson’s been putting in the time to understand what we’re asking from him.”
Which all of this fit into LaFleur’s philosophy regarding rookie players, and how they fit. LaFleur’s mentality is that “a rookie will be ready when he’s ready.” Which means, the coaching staff isn’t going to thrust new players into the mix until they come along during practice sessions.
Back in the day, rookies didn’t play at all for their first two seasons. For rookie QBs, that number was three years. But now, the NFL doesn’t wait around for a guy to get ready. There is a sense of urgency, especially for athletes who are taken in Rounds 1-3. The expectations are that the team spent a valuable draft pick on the player, and they need him to produce sooner rather than later.
The show goes on.
LaFleur surmised:
“The ability to just be out there, or in the next meeting room, showing how we’re building this thing on offense, defense, and special teams. It’s all great, and you have to go out there and do it. That’s why if you want to get good at football, you have to go out and play football. You’ve got to practice.”
Beck has been getting as many reps as the other two guys. What is expected at this juncture is to get down the new system, protection schemes, basic routes and their timing, pocket awareness, and knowing where everyone is supposed to be on every play.
LaFleur does like what he is seeing during these OTAs:
“We’re probably a little bit further than I would think. The reason for that is that we have a very veteran team. Like the low 70s, those guys have played football. One, they were here in Phase 1, so the “1s” are getting up to speed, but also the next groups are. I’m pleased schematically with where we’re at and in the knowledge of it.”
If Brissett never returns, does that mean Beck has a shot of being this year’s starting quarterback? That ain’t happening.
However, he would be one snap away from that job if he could beat out Slovis for the QB2 gig.
