Wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) makes a move on assistant coach Kevin Garver during Monday's practice.
The Cardinals added a receiver Monday, bringing back Kerry Taylor – but it was to the practice squad.
So for the season opener at least, the team has just four wide receivers on the roster – undrafted rookie Jaron Brown joining Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Andre Roberts – and leaving Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson and his expanding offensive playbook as the only other option.
"I kind of teased Larry about it today and he was like, 'Technically, you're our fifth receiver,' " Peterson said.
Coach Bruce Arians said the team's immediate plans are to stay with the four wide receivers.
Peterson's ability on offense is part of that reason, as is the rest of the roster construction.
"We've decided to stick with six corners and five running backs, so we'll probably stay put there for a while unless some (one) really comes across that's special," Arians said.
Peterson has gotten a ton of work at receiver in training camp, so it isn't a surprise. The Cardinals have also been pleased with the work of Brown, the Clemson rookie who had an impressive preseason.
"I'm real humbled. I can't get complacent and keep working," Brown said, adding that he doesn't feel any pressure as the lone man behind the Cards' big three receiving corps.
"I have to come in with the same mindset as camp, which is to try and get better every day," Brown said.
THE NEW GUYS
The Cardinals added a pair of players from waivers with whom Arians was familiar. Tackle Bradley Sowell was with the Colts last season and played "a lot" Arians said, including a "couple of big two-minute drives at the end of games."
"I think he's an excellent young, tackle prospect," Arians said.
Defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu was in Pittsburgh as a rookie in 2011 during Arians' last season with the Steelers.
"Talking to the people in Pittsburgh, they wanted to keep him but their numbers … a couple of other players came on strong for them," Arians said. "We're real happy that he became available."
Sowell knows the offense although he is competing with two other backup tackles in Nate Potter and Bobby Massie. Ta'amu gives the Cards another big body in the middle. Arians said starting nose tackle Dan Williams was recovered from his ankle issues.
PREPPING FOR ST. LOUIS
The coaches worked on preparing for the Rams – whom the Cardinals visit for the season opener this weekend – last week. The players did not. That changed Monday.
There has been a lot of time to analyze and even over-analyze the Rams as the first opponent, but Arians said that isn't a problem.
"Right now it's just grabbing the things out of the offense that we liked and that (quarterback) Carson (Palmer) liked that we can do best versus what the Rams do," Arians said. "They might be different next week, but there will be things we practiced in training camp and OTAs. So, that part of it is just game planning."
FITZ HAS COLLEGE NUMBER RETIRED
Fitzgerald left from the team facility Monday straight to the airport so he could take a flight back to Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh was retiring Fitzgerald's No. 1 at halftime of Monday night's Pitt-Florida State game, and Fitzgerald was headed back to take part in the ceremony.
