Cardinals: Five things to know
Cardinals: Camp report | RapidReports | Bleacher Report | 
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Observations from Arizona Cardinals camp:
1. When speaking to wide receiver Anquan Boldin there is definitely more of an inner peace than with another disgruntled wideout, Brandon Marshall. Boldin is just as agitated with his contract situation as Marshall but Boldin has decided to keep a little more quiet. At least for now.
| Out of Nowhere Man |
 Fullback Dan Kreider is actually in his 10th season but this could be his most vital. Kreider will likely be the starter at fullback, and despite the position not being a full-time one, the Cardinals will count on Kreider's nasty blocking style to open more holes in what was a sub-par running game last year. |
| AZ fan#1 picks DE Calais Campbell |
| He's already taken a year under Antonio Smith and has gotten the most out of his game experience. I expect this guy to be a DL threat for years to come. |
| Who is your Out of Nowhere Man? |
2. More on the curse. One of the reasons Super Bowl losers have difficulty making the playoffs the following year is because injuries riddle their roster. The Cardinals lost their second round draft pick, linebacker Cody Brown, for the season to a dislocated left wrist. Where the Cardinals were hoping Brown would have an immediate impact was on special teams.
3. Matt Leinart's alleged battle for the backup spot was a greatly exaggerated story. Leinart is Kurt Warner's backup. Period. There's no real battle. Whether or not Leinart can play is an entirely different story.
4. One guy to watch closely is Beanie Wells. He's missed much of camp, missed the team's first two preseason games and when he did run, he did so with a noticeable hitch. Trust me on this: there have been more than a few players on the Cardinals wondering about Wells' toughness. If Wells can stay on the field and produce as Hightower's backup then all will be forgotten. Unfortunately, many times rookie runners who get hurt a lot in camp stay hurt for much of the year.
5. There was a telling scene at a recent Cardinals practice. Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and coach Ken Whisenhunt stood and talked in a corner of the practice field for 10 minutes. Then Fitzgerald's son came over. Warner and Whisenhunt played with the kid as much as Fitzgerald did. It was clear how much the three men like each other despite their occasional differences (especially Warner and Whisenhunt). It's a very close trio.
