Posted by Darren Urban on August 2, 2014 – 11:41 am

Bruce Arians isn’t exactly sparse with praise. He’ll hand it out when he deems it necessary, but it’s not like pulling teeth like some coaches. So you hear him talk about guard Jonathan Cooper and it raises a flag. Arians said Cooper needs to raise his level of play. “I’m a little disappointed with where Coop is at right now,” Arians said. “I’d hope he come a little faster.”

Now, Arians does say it’s because Cooper is rusty. Cooper missed all of last season with his broken leg. But he needs to start playing better. Arians also said he wants Earl Watford — who must play both guard spots to be able to dress Sundays — to be able to push Cooper. Given that Cooper was the seventh overall pick last year, that’s a very big deal. The Cardinals need Cooper to play and play well. Sooner rather than later.

— WR John Brown will sit out today’s Fan Fest practice to rest the bad hamstring. No reason to push it.

— There will be some live tackling in today’s practice. It’ll be the only live tackling of training camp.

— QB Carson Palmer was talking nicknames. He said Jared Veldheer’s nickname in Oakland was “The Big Serious.” And he mentioned Brown’s nickname “Smoke” or “Smokey” — which he already had when he arrived in Arizona — has to do with the trail he leaves in his wake after making a catch.

Tags: Earl Watford Posted in Blog