FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Cardinals players were in a hurry when Friday morning’s practice at Northern Arizona University ended. It made sense. This was the team’s last workout at NAU before heading to Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
But if you’ll allow us to stretch the moment, there was also symbolism in that heavy herd’s stampede down the hill. Following a 7-2 finish to the 2011 season, following months of offseason angst about the quarterback position, following endless chatter about the defense’s rising profile and a whole host of other topics, the Cards are finally ready to take the field and give everyone a glimpse of what’s in store for the 2012 season.
"We’ve had a lot that we’ve tried to get in. There wasn’t a lot of time between when we first got here and when we’re going to play," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We’ve got progress yet to make. Don’t know what it’s going to be like yet on Sunday, but I’m very pleased with the way our guys have worked on the field."
Don’t expect to glean any definitive judgments from Sunday’s game.
"As long as we come out uninjured and better for it, I think we’ll be happy with that," quarterback John Skelton said.
Skelton and Kevin Kolb are both expected to play Sunday, with Kolb getting the start. How much each will play hasn’t been determined. Whisenhunt said the staff will likely sit down Saturday morning and figure out those details.
Preseason games aren’t exactly crystal balls when it comes to evaluating players, but at least we’ll get a hint of how well Kolb has mastered the offense, of how much more patient he’ll be as plays develop, of how much better his decision-making will be than last season’s turnover-plagued debut.
"I'm just trying to go out there and execute every play they give me, regardless of if it's 10 or 20 or four quarters," Kolb said. "You start pressing, getting yourself in those kinds of modes, I think we all know what happens there.
“Just getting back in the rhythm of taking snaps in a live game, with the coaches not being there and nobody on the field, that’s a whole different feel itself. We’ve got plenty of time through five preseason games to iron out the kinks. We’ll take it slow and make sure that we’re analyzing ourselves every time.”
We’ll also be able to analyze, at least on a small scale, if Skelton’s accuracy and reads have improved — if he’s truly ready to challenge for a starting role.
“We see it as another stepping stone in camp, another chance to go against another team, another chance for Kevin and I to get more work with the (first team) in a game atmosphere," Skelton said.
What we won’t see is the running back tandem of Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells, who is still on the active PUP list as he heads to his home state of Ohio.
"It sucks that I'm not able to play going back home," he said. "I haven't played in Akron since high school days, but it is what it is.”
Wells did some agility drills at Wednesday’s night practice and said he feels good. Whisenhunt expects Wells to practice next week while the team is in Kansas City, with a game debut possible when the Cards face Oakland on Aug. 17.
Whisenhunt ruled Williams out on Friday as he works his way back from a season-ending patellar tendon injury suffered in last year's camp.
"We said all along we were going to be conservative with that," Whisenhunt said. "He really pushed hard this week, especially Wednesday night. He’s got a little bit of soreness, so I don’t want to risk it."
Whisenhunt also said there’s a possibility that veteran strong safety Adrian Wilson (calf) will sit out.
"I don’t think it is of the utmost importance that A-Dub plays in this game," Whisenhunt said.
Among the other points of intrigue worth watching Sunday:
• The cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson: Free-agent signing William Gay is listed No. 1 on the current depth chart, but Greg Toler, Jamell Fleming, A.J. Jefferson and even Michael Adams are in the mix.
• The battle at right tackle between veteran Jeremy Bridges and rookie fourth-round pick Bobby Massie.
• The reads and rush of outside linebacker O’Brien Schofield, who has been anointed the starter ahead of veteran Clark Haggans.
• The progression of inside linebacker Stewart Bradley as he looks to unseat heady veteran Paris Lenon.
• The performance of injury-plagued tight end Todd Heap and emerging pass-catcher Rob Housler, whose blocking needed improvement last season.
As previously noted, the Cards won’t reach any definitive conclusions Sunday, but at least “you get out of the routine,” Whisenhunt said. "It’s not going to practice; it’s playing a game."
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