The Arizona Cardinals began the final week of the voluntary part of the offseason Monday with the first of four practices during OTAs this week. Jonathan Gannon spoke with reporters and some players also addressed the media.
Below are a few things I took away from the press conferences and what I am able to say about practice.
Managing the heat
The Cardinals continue to practice outside in the heat, which is reaching over 100 degrees this week, although they are getting their work in during the morning hours, well before the hottest hours of the day.
Gannon actually educated the reporters present about the heat. Arizona’s dry heat actually has some health benefit. He told us that working out in dry heat or elevation increases plasma production in the blood, which matters for recovery.
Lots of intrigue with new kickoff rule
Assistant head coach and special team coordinator Jeff Rodgers and players were asked about the new style of kickoffs. Players are intrigued and believe it will lead to more returns. Rodgers is in the process of figuring things out but is in the same boat as everyone else because there is nothing exactly like it. Even the version done by the XFL is different than what the NFL will have.
He said that the style now allows for more practice reps because kickoffs are now roughly the length of a regular offensive play.
Ojulari bigger
Gannon noted that second-year outside linebacker BJ Ojulari was challenged to add some size and strength. He has done that. Ojulari is bigger, up into the 250s, and stronger. He said he got to 260 but likley will back that down a little bit.
Budda Baker focusing on football
Baker enters the final year of his contract. He said he would like to remain in Arizona but that is business. He is not preparing any differently than any year despite it being a contract year.
Jon Gaines on the field
Gaines was not practicing but was on the field. Gannon said Gaines, coming off a season-ending knee injury in the preseason finale last year, will be able to practice “in some capacity” when training camp starts.
Players back
Last week, when reporters were allowed to see practice, four players were absent — OLs Kelvin Beachum and Elijah Wilkinson and OLBs Xavier Thomas and Victor Dimukeje. All were practicing on Monday.
OL Carter O’Donnell was not seen on the field on Monday and rookie CB Elijah Jones was working on the side before he had his helmet with the team on the sideline.
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