Cardinals
Cardinals rookie LB Zaven Collins said he is preparing to start in Week 1 of the regular season.
“I am (ready), but there’s no choice,” Collins said, via Cardinals.com. “Whether you’re ready or not, you’ve got to be there. They expect a lot of me here, and I put a lot into it. I do what is asked of me and I try to do the best I can. That’s something I work toward every day – knowing the defense, being able to call the defense, being able to get everyone in the right position and know how this thing works.”
Cardinals DC Vance Joseph said he has to allow Collins to make mistakes, but so far he has shown the willingness to learn.
“Trust is earned,” Joseph said. “I think with Zaven’s work ethic and his honesty, the veterans are watching this guy work. And when he’s wrong, he admits it instantly. Veteran players like that. They want you to be honest and work hard, and they will follow him as far as him being a MIKE ‘backer.”
Rams
New Rams QB Matthew Stafford is impressed with WR Cooper Kupp, calling him one of the “smartest guys he’s worked with.”
When asked about his chemistry with his new receivers, Stafford highlighted Kupp as one of the guys that’s stood out to him.
“It’s been great. He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve played with,” Stafford said, via RamsWire. “His understanding of this offense and what defenses are trying to do is pretty special and something that as a quarterback, it’s pretty fun to have a guy out there that’s thinking and seeing the game the same way that you are. That’s a special trait of his, something that I know he’s worked extremely hard on and we’re just trying to have dialogue. Some of these routes are his choice or are we seeing the Mike change the coverage? So we’re just trying to sit there and as we’re watching other guys go, talk about what we might’ve done in that situation and what he would expect from me and what I would expect from him. Just constantly trying to make sure we’re on the same page and able to execute.”
Seahawks
- Seahawks’ HC Pete Carroll says LB Aldon Smith is working out but added that he feels Smith isn’t ready to be on the field yet: “I just felt it was best for him to just work out on his own. He’s working hard.” (Curtis Crabtree)
- Carroll says WR John Ursua tweaked his knee and was held out, yet the injury was not significant. Another injury was sustained by G Pier-Olivier Lestage, who had surgery for a sports hernia. (Crabtree)
- Carroll spoke about the standout performance by WR Penny Hart: “He’s just had a spectacular couple weeks. So where is he in the competition? He’s right in it. He made the club last year. We really can count on him. He can do a lot … He kind of lit it up out here.” (Brady Henderson)
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