Zach Gershman

1 week ago | azcardinals.com | Zach Gershman

As the horn sounded after stretching to mark the start of OTAs, the Cardinals spaced out over the two practice fields by position groups. Per usual, the defense broke out into drills on the field closest to the media. With paper rosters in hand, the local reporters got their first look at the new players added to the unit. Few were looking in the offense's direction. That's likely because the offense looks nearly identical to 2024.

1 week ago | azcardinals.com | Zach Gershman

Monti Ossenfort has heavily invested in the defensive front throughout the offseason and continues to do so by adding Patrick Jenkins. The Cardinals also announced the release of defensive lineman Ben Stille, who had spent most of 2024 with the team. Jenkins, a defensive lineman out of Tulane, went undrafted last month. The New Orleans native earned an invite to the Saints' rookie minicamp a few weeks back but was not signed.

2 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Zach Gershman

Everything started on the flag football field for Joey Blount. It was where he first watched his parents cheer him on from the sidelines. The spot where his childhood friendships, spanning over 15 years, were born. It was also his introduction to the sport of football. "The flag football experience was everything with building up the foundation, learning the positions, and throwing the ball around," the Cardinals safety said.

2 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Zach Gershman

At times, a beard can be associated with wisdom and maturity. So when veteran safety Budda Baker grew out his, it was no surprise that he picked up the nickname "Uncle.""The guys mess with me," said Baker, going into his ninth season. "But I'm still in my 20s, so I still feel great."Baker doesn't have the biggest beard on the team -- that distinction belongs to offensive lineman like Jonah Williams and Hjalte Froholdt-- but he does have the experience that the new-look defense craves.

2 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Zach Gershman

In 2023, Jonathan Gannon's first season as the Cardinals' head coach, the Cardinals played the Chiefs and Broncos in the preseason. They'll face those familiar opponents once again as the team set its dates and times on Tuesday for its preseason slate, beginning when Kansas City visits State Farm Stadium Aug. 9 at 5 p.m.The Cardinals will travel to Denver the following week to play the Broncos on Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Arizona time.