The Sports Xchange

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians raved about his team as it wrapped up three weeks of organized team activities on Thursday. The Cardinals have their three-day mandatory minicamp next week, then won’t reconvene until training camp in late July.

It’s a confident group, Arians said.

“They’ve accomplished a lot in two years, the guys who have been here,” he said. “They see the young guys and the depth we have. After Week 10 (of 2014), they know how close they were. They still got into the playoffs but didn’t get it done. There are a lot of feelings that, ‘Hey, we left it on the table. But we can also get back there.'”

–Quarterback Carson Palmer is close to 100 percent healthy after suffering a torn ACL in November. He has not participated in 11-on-11 sessions, but that’s expected to change during minicamp next week, although Arians will be careful how much Palmer does this summer.

“We had some no-huddle (this week),” Arians said. “We’ll do some more of that, depending upon who’s on defense.”

Arians wants veteran defenders facing Palmer because they will know not to get close to him.

–Receiver John Brown, listed at 5 feet 11 and 179 pounds, added muscle to his slender frame, which he hopes will help him beat press coverage and keep him healthy throughout the season.

A rookie last year, Brown hit a wall in December, Arians said. Part of the problem, Brown said, is that he didn’t know how to take care of his body.

He ate fast food two to three times a day and wasn’t diligent about seeking treatment from athletic trainers and scheduling massages. Brown said he often suffered heartburn, both in practice and “just sitting down.”

“Once I went to practice without fast food (in my stomach), I felt so much better,” Brown said. “I don’t even look at restaurants any more. I’ve put on a lot of muscle, and I’m feeling stronger and better.”

–Rookie D.J. Humphries was drafted in the first round with the idea that he would compete with incumbent right tackle Bobby Massie. It’s early, but Humphries hasn’t shown signs that he’s a threat to Massie.

Massie isn’t concerned about the possible competition.

“That had nothing to do with me,” Massie said of Humphries’ selection. “I mean, it’s just another guy that’s here.”

If Humphries doesn’t start this year, he’s likely to by 2016. Massie will be an unrestricted free agent, and it’s doubtful the Cardinals re-sign him. They’ve already invested heavily in the offensive line by signing two free agents the last two years — tackle Jared Veldheer and guard Mike Iupati — and drafting two in the first round in the last three — Humphries and guard Jonathan Cooper.

Massie played well last year. If he follows that up with a solid year, he will be in line to earn more than the Cardinals are willing to pay.

“I have a chance to make a lot of money,” Massie said, “but that’s next year. I can’t focus on that right now. If you focus on football, everything else will take care of itself.”