Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt could have gushed about his team following its first post-draft practice yesterday. Instead, he reminded reporters that it's pretty much impossible to fully evaluate NFL players practicing in shorts and without pads. We were left with first impressions:
- Matt Leinart's formerly broken left collarbone did not appear to limit him. The Cardinals unveiled a new (to them) practice tool featuring a net backstop with three staggered pockets, each large enough to accommodate a football with several inches to spare. Leinart and Kurt Warner were more accurate than the other quarterbacks in camp, delivering a few direct strikes into the pockets from about 20 yards. Leinart is becoming more precise in his dropbacks. Whisenhunt was pleased with that aspect of Leinart's game, which is easy to evaluate. Last season, there were times Leinart compromised protections by setting up at the wrong depths.
- Lanky first-round choice Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie appeared much younger than teammates when walking into the locker room from the practice field. On the field, he fit right in. The former Tennessee State corner kept pace with receivers, no surprise given the 4.3-second times he ran at the combine. The Cardinals expect that speed to help Rodgers-Cromartie get his hands on the ball. And with a 32.75-inch arm length, as measured at the combine, they might be right (Leodis McKelvin, the top corner drafted, measured at 30.125 inches).
- Third-round choice Early Doucet looked a bit like Anquan Boldin when he was running routes, but caution is advised when analyzing rookie receivers. More than a few have played well during minicamps and the early portions of training camps, only to struggle in late August. Doucet is in a good position because the Cardinals won't need him to carry the load as long as Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are available.
- Contract issues involving Boldin and Karlos Dansby do not appear problematic. Both players seem to be taking a professional approach to their situations.
- Leinart is expected to start, but Warner might be the third-best quarterback in the NFC West, behind Matt Hasselbeck and Marc Bulger (a healthy Trent Green might also factor into the equation). The Cardinals are better equipped than most teams to avoid disaster if injuries strike at the position.
The Cardinals continue practicing today and Sunday. I'm returning to home base (the Seattle area) and plan to hit the Seahawks' camp at some point this week.
