Cardinals wrap up mini-camp

Arizona Sports News online

A lot of hard work and sweat has been displayed out at Cardinals facility in Tempe over the last month between OTA’s and minicamp. 

The quarterback competition took to the field with both John Skelton and Kevin Kolb getting reps with the first team. Rookies like Michael Floyd, Jamelle Fleming got their first work in as a professional football player. And players coming off injuries and surgery’s like Ryan Williams took the field for the first time. Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt believes it has been a productive time for their team.

“It’s been a good off-season it just doesn’t seem like it was long enough,” Whisenhunt joked after minicamp on Thursday. “Our guys have worked hard and we’ve gotten a lot done. I’m excited about starting from training camp and picking up from what we’ve installed from OTA’s through minicamp.”

Now with Minicamp ending on Thursday, the team has five weeks to re-group and rest before the official start of the NFL season with training camp. And all the players intend to take advantage of this time before the grind of the season begins.

“We get a little downtime now,” explained Cardinals All-pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “I’ll go back to Minnesota now, start working out and getting ready for the regular season.”

“Spend time with the family,” mentioned Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington when asked what he is going to do with the time off. “Just relax and get my mind right for training camp. I am looking forward to the season and hoping we could have a big year this year.”

For a guy like Beanie Wells, this time will be very crucial.

“Not quite where I want to be but it’s coming along,” explained Cardinals running back Beanie Wells when asked how his surgically repaired knee is progressing. “When the time is right and we kick off that first game of the year, I’m sure I’ll be 100% by then. I know for a fact I will be.”

Cardinals are set to break camp in Flagstaff on July 24th. Gearing up for week one of the 2012-13 NFL season in which the Cardinals will take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday September 9th from University of Phoenix Stadium.