Flush the Pocket will be your daily morning dose of the Arizona Cardinals. It will recap the top storyline from the previous day and give you a look at what everyone is saying locally and nationally.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Cardinals coach Bruce Arians made it clear he wasn’t going to play the offensive starters more than 15 snaps Saturday against the Houston Texans.
They made it 10 before trading their cleats for sneakers and helmets for baseball caps. The rest of the game gave Arians and his staff an opportunity to observe players and position battles that are still in flux. It also gave certain players an opportunity to get back into game shape.
A breakdown of the snap count shows where the Cardinals were focusing their attention after the starters’ day was done.
Recently signed tackle Max Starks played a team-high 54 offensive snaps and five on special teams. Tight end Darren Fells was second with 46 offensive plays. Guard Jonathan Cooper and center Ted Larsen played all 40 snaps of the first half, but for different reasons. Cooper was given a chance to get back into football shape after missing the last year with an injury, while Larsen saw more playing time because the Cardinals were short on centers.
Arians gave the third stringers the entire second half to prove their worth, meaning rookie quarterback Logan Thomas, tackle Bradley Sowell and center John Estes played all 42 snaps in the third and fourth quarters. Guard Earl Watford played 30 snaps, while Stepfan Taylor had 24.
On defense, Alex Okafor led all defenders with 33 snaps, followed by Justin Bethel’s 29. Okafor was playing in his first game since Week 3 of last year and Bethel has been handed more responsibility at cornerback. Rookies Deone Bucannon and Ed Stinson each played 24 snaps.
In other news ...
Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reflects on Saturday’s game and writes about the receiver depth.
Bob McManaman of AZCentral.com writes about Jonathan Cooper’s return to the field and the amount of penalties called.
Craig Morgan of FoxSportsArizona.com writes that there wasn’t much for coaches to complain about after the Cards’ win.
Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com writes about the depth at receiver.
