With the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey Benson to a healthy Kyler Murray and James Conner and Trey McBride, the optimism is there for the Cardinals' offense. The perspective on that optimism, however, isn't uniform.

"I think we really have to focus on what we're trying to accomplish," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. "If we are trying to get where we are trying to go, that always has to be the goal. That has to be driven home on a daily basis. Because if you start thinking about what we could be, what we need to be, I think you're going to stop focusing on 'how do I get better at my job.'"

But ask Murray if he's thought about the unit's ceiling, he smiles. "Of course."

"I think a lot of the guys in that room, they've been on really good offenses before and understand what that feels like," Murray said. "I know what this group is capable of. That's the exciting part.

"That's half the battle, not only having the guys but believing in it."

There has been questions about how much Murray will play in the preseason, but he deferred to the coaches about what that will look like in terms of snaps.

-- Murray acknowledged the pads going on doesn't change things much for a quarterback compared to all the other positions -- except for one small thing.

"The satisfaction of making a play feels a little better, because it's real," Murray said. "When the pads are off, it's kind of like people have the excuse to say, 'Oh that wouldn't have happened.' That, I do like."

-- As the 11-on-11 padded work got started, the defense was ahead, including a Starling Thomas V interception of a Desmond Ridder pass when he stepped in front of Trey McBride. The defense, which had some flashes from young defensive linemen Darius Robinson and Dante Stills, was clearly amped for the full contact.

-- Michael Wilson had a couple of nice plays as he makes headway as the No. 2 wide receiver, including a nice snare of a Kyler bullet at the goal line during red zone work.

-- On the next play, however, cornerback Garrett Williams, who is off to a good start in camp, broke up a potential TD pass to Greg Dortch. Williams made a bunch of plays on Monday.

-- The music was louder than usual as the offense had to deal with the din.

-- The one player who has dealt with health issues thus far, offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (who is still coming back from a camp knee injury from last year) looks to make a push at left guard. He had work with the second unit on Monday.

"I don't really think anything changes," Gaines said. "That's the good thing about having perspective of getting injured is that you have to treat it like you are prepping for a game. It's day-by-day and I'm just grateful to be back on the field."

Gaines added he doesn't feel like he has fallen behind because the veterans did a good job last year keeping him in the loop.