REPORT DATE: July 23rd
SITE: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Arizona's sixth training camp under head coach Ken Whisenhunt will feature a quarterback competition that figures to last well into the preseason. Kevin Kolb enters the two-man race with third-year pro John Skelton as a slight favorite for the starter's nod, mostly because the Cardinals are paying him $8 million for this season, but the brittle veteran will still need to show well after managing only a 3-6 record during a disappointing and injury-marred first year with the team. Skelton guided Arizona to a 5-2 mark in seven starts in 2011, but owns just a 53 percent completion rate and a 13- to-16 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his career. There will be a few other positions to watch on offense, with heralded 2012 first-round pick Michael Floyd attempting to overtake holdover Andre Roberts for the No. 2 receiver slot opposite perennial All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald and fellow rookie Bobby Massie (4th Round, Ole Miss) vying with journeyman Jeremy Bridges to be the regular right tackle. Whisenhunt and his staff will also be keeping a close eye on their top two running backs, with leading rusher Beanie Wells coming off knee surgery in January and promising youngster Ryan Williams missing his entire debut season with a torn patella tendon. Greg Toler, also recovering from a knee injury that cost him all of 2011, will contend with free-agent pickup William Gay and rookie Jamell Fleming (3rd Round, Oklahoma) for starter's snaps at cornerback in the most notable defensive battle.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE (All Times Eastern):
Aug. 5 - vs. New Orleans (at Canton, OH), 8 p.m. Aug. 10 - at Kansas City, 8 p.m. Aug. 17 - vs. Oakland, 9 p.m. Aug. 23 - at Tennessee, 8 p.m. Aug. 30 - vs. Denver, 10 p.m.
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