The Cardinals' glut at cornerback was a well-worn topic throughout the preseason. As many as five guys were competing for the slot opposite Patrick Peterson, and the club felt confident enough in its current players that it traded one-time 2011 starter A.J Jefferson to Minnesota last week for a conditional 2013 draft pick.
"I know we're better than we were last year, depth-wise," defensive coordinator Ray Horton said.
Left unsaid in Horton's comment was whether that array of choices can play well.
Everyone knew Peterson was a shoo-in on the left side, but the right side is far from settled.
Veteran William Gay, who played under Horton in Pittsburgh, is currently the starter on the right side, but he seems more comfortable inside than he does as the No. 2 guy on the outside.
Rookie Jamell Fleming has shown speed and aggression on the outside, but he's not yet ready to assume the No. 2 role. Greg Toler is still working his way back from ACL surgery, and he's also battling a hip injury.
Horton says that while he's comfortable with the mix, "we have to go out there and do it."
Gay insists his "mentality is to be the starter," although he downplays his experience in Horton's system, noting that "I'm playing with 10 other guys, and there's all kinds of offenses that are game-planning different things.
"Being used to Ray Horton's system wasn't the big thing; it was getting used to the guys I was playing with, communicating with those guys on the field."
The Cardinals also have veteran Michael Adams, who has a lot of experience at nickel, as the third-string left corner. The right-side third-string corner is rookie Justin Bethel.
"I like, athletically, what I've seen," Horton said of Bethel. "He's really good, athletically.
When pressed for details, Horton smiled and reiterated the previous phrase before adding this: "If Justin Bethel has to play for us, we'll be OK because he can run, he can jump and he can catch. You see what he does on special teams, and for me, that's probably the biggest indicator of what kind of football player you're going to have later in his career."
INJURY REPORT
Running back Beanie Wells was added to the injury report for the first time Friday with a hamstring injury. The Cardinals are counting heavily on Wells and second-year back Ryan Williams to carry the offense while quarterback John Skelton and an inexperienced offensive line settle in.
Wells is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Seattle. The only other two players who are questionable are right guard Adam Snyder (elbow) and cornerback Greg Toler (hip).
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Friday that he expects Snyder to play. There is little depth at that position, or any other along the offensive line, following injuries to veterans Levi Brown (triceps, IR) and Jeremy Bridges (thumb, IR).
Tight end Rob Housler (hamstring), safety Rashad Johnson (abdomen), wide receiver Andre Roberts (ankle), linebacker O'Brien Schofield (knee) and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (groin) are all listed as probable.
CLARIFICATION ON BRIDGES
There's been some confusion about injured offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges' status since the NFL adopted a new rule allowing teams to take one player off injured reserve each year.
In order to qualify, Bridges would have had to be on the club's final 53-man roster. He was not, though, so his season is over.
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