GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sometimes it's good to be old.
On Wednesday, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians gave all the veterans with at least 10 years of experience the day off, a group that includes his quarterback and star receiver.
"You get a bone when you get 10 years every now and then," Arians said.
Only six Cardinals have played for at least a decade, but they were quarterback Carson Palmer (13), wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (12), long snapper Mike Leach (16), defensive tackle Cory Redding (13), defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (10) and punter Dave Zastudil (14). Leach, however, participated in practice.
Although it was a day away from pads, Palmer said Wednesday was still a "mental day" and the vets had pressure on them to not ruin the opportunity to get another day off in the future.
"Guys understand if he's going to do that you [have to] handle it the right way," Palmer said. "And the vets who are 10-plus years turn into coaches almost and really bring the young guys along and not standing in the back squirting each other with Gatorade.
"It's time to focus in and help out and not be a distraction, and all those things. He wouldn't do that if he didn't think we were mature enough to handle it and we have a very mature group."
