GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With the Cardinals’ first preseason game approaching, the starters have been written about, dissected, and analyzed plenty during the first two weeks of camp. The coaching staff knows what they're capable of. It’s the guys behind them that will be fighting for jobs.
Here’s a breakdown of five offensive reserves to watch Saturday against Houston:
Logan Thomas, QB: Hailed as the future quarterback of the Cardinals, Thomas will get his first taste of the NFL game Saturday, beginning in either the late third quarter or early fourth. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians will give him plenty of time to put his game on tape, but coaches will be closely watching his accuracy and decision-making. It doesn’t matter that Thomas will be facing fellow third-teamers, he’ll need to go through his progressions without making quick, hastily-decided throws. The velocity that he puts on his passes will also be monitored in a game situation. He’ll likely be jacked early, but the question becomes whether he can calm down as the fourth quarter goes on.
Jaron Brown, WR: Brown has become one of Arizona’s best deep-ball receivers, especially off the hand of Drew Stanton. The pair will likely have a deep play or two on the call sheet for Saturday, and if Brown can haul it in and make a play after the catch, he may be slowly working his way into contention for the fifth receiver spot.
Robert Hughes, RB: Andre Ellington isn’t just the only versatile running back on this roster. Hughes has good hands and loves to hit, which is why Arians has played him at fullback throughout camp. He seems to have a stronghold on the fourth running back job but how he’ll do in pass protection can help solidify his spot in the roster. Hughes may have more roles than any other offensive player: He'll have to keep the quarterback he’s blocking for clean, be able to get a few yards on the ground or a first down on a swing pass.
Max Starks, RT: He barely played last season and was signed a week into camp, so it’ll be interesting to watch what kind of shape Starks is in. Being an 11-year veteran will give him the upper hand, but if he’s vying to be the swing tackle he’ll have to bring his experience and game against the Texans’ second team.
Darren Fells, TE: Maybe the most fortunate player on the roster because of the most unfortunate of circumstances. Because Jake Ballard decided to retire, Fells has a strong chance at making the 53-man roster, just a year after his first NFL tryout. He’s played in preseason games before but never under these conditions. He has a job riding on his performance starting today. His hands are among the best on the team and he’s improved his blocking, but that’s been in practice. If he can translate that to the field and use his basketball agility to shed a few blockers, Arians might be looking at his fourth tight end.
