Cards start less-than-typical training camp

FLAGSTAFF -- Players wore name tags on the fronts of their helmets, veterans paraded off the field as soon as drills began and coach Ken Whisenhunt had a simple goal for the first day of practice. "Just to get through it in a semi-organized fashion," he said. This won't be a typical Cardinals training camp. The lockout has ensured that. Playbooks are just reaching rookies' hands, veterans with new contracts can't practice until Aug. 4 and the coaches have no idea who they're yelling at about 50 percent of the time. But at least the Cards can thumb their nose at critics who questioned their much-mentioned master plan and the pace of their player signings. In the span of less than a week, the Cards' roster has ballooned from 41 players to the 90 neighborhood, the major areas of need have been filled and all but one draft pick (running back Ryan Williams) has been signed by the first practice day of camp. Given the amount of paperwork necessary to make that happen and the Cards' relatively small front-office, that's a minor miracle worth lauding. With the exception of receiver Steve Breaston and possibly guard Deuce Lutui, there have been no major defections. So where do we stand? Let's tie up some loose ends. Key additions: On Saturday, the Cards added cornerback Richard Marshall to a one-year deal to compete with Greg Toler for a starting job and add depth after the trade of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick for quarterback Kevin Kolb. Marshall, 26, started every game for the Panthers the past two seasons and had seven interceptions. The Cards also signed guard Floyd Womack to fill the void left by Lutui's departure. Womack started all 16 games last season for the Browns and will compete with Rex Hadnot and possibly Jeremy Bridges for a starting spot. With the earlier additions of guard Daryn Colledge, linebacker Stewart Bradley, defensive end Nick Eason, tight end Jeff King and receiver Chansi Stuckey, the Cards are likely done filling significant holes. Key re-signings: Center Lyle Sendlein, right tackle Brandon Keith, wide receiver Early Doucet and cornerback Michael Adams are all back in the fold. Draft picks: The Cards signed top-pick Patrick Peterson on Saturday and the uber-talented cornerback should arrive in camp sometime Sunday evening with a starting spot his to lose. The Cards also inked third-round pick and tight end, Robert Housler, so seven draft picks are under wraps with only Williams left as a holdout. Who isn't here? Most notably, running back Tim Hightower, a restricted free agent. He can't practice until Aug. 4 anyway due to his new contract and the new CBA rules, but you have to wonder how long he, Beanie Wells and Williams will last in camp together in a very crowded backfield. Who's the trade bait and what's the target? Camp performances will answer both questions. Who's here we didn't expect? Linebacker Joey Porter. As expected, the Cards released quarterback Derek Anderson and inside linebacker Gerald Hayes but Porter accepted a pay-cut from the 5.75 million he was due this season. In typical Porter fashion, he put the onus for that pay-cut squarely on his own shoulders. "You get five sacks they don't really want to pay you 5.7 million base," he said. "You have to be smart enough to understand that. "Had I played better last season it wouldn't have been this situation. Film never lies. I had no argument to go and fight for anything more." Porter decided to return because, as an ex-Steeler, he's familiar with much of the defense new defensive coordinator and former Steeler assistant Ray Horton will likely run. "It didn't go good for me last year, but that's no reason to run away from it," Porter said. "I want to be in Arizona." Who can't practice yet? A lot of guys who signed new contracts, but chief among them are Kolb, center Lyle Sendlein, Colledge, Keith, Porter and Doucet. All must sit until Aug. 4. They can't even bring helmets out to the practice field. Who looked good? Receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who made a ridiculous, circus catch along the sidelines. So what's new? Potential No. 2 or No. 3 receiver Andre Roberts also had a good first day and that's news given his disastrous 2010 training camp when he dropped balls, ran poor routes and looked utterly lost. On Saturday, he caught everything thrown his way. "It feels good," Roberts said. "I'm ready to step into a bigger role. Last year made me more mentally tough and now I have a great opportunity."