The Arizona Cardinals will typically hold one special practice for fans during training camp. A yearly tradition has been the Red and White practice, when the team usually adds something a little extra for fans like a live, full-contact goalline drill.
However, with no fans allowed in training camp this year because of the pandemic, the Cardinals have to change things up.
Their Red and White practice will be Friday but it will be more than just a regular practice.
The practice will air on television on Channel 12 Saturday night as part of a special program put together by the team.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Wednesday the practice will have a “young player emphasis. knowing that this is being filmed for a television audience, the lights are on.”
The Cardinals coaches have not been able to see how players react to game action this year because the preseason was canceled. Kingsbury wants to see “how those guys react to that situation,” at least trying to approach a gamelike setting.
“Obviously, it’s less intense than when the fans are there, but they know what they are playing for and they know people are watching,” he added. “We want to ramp that up a bit and see how they handle that pressure.”
The Cardinals are off on Thursday in preparation for the Red and White practice on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
The television special will air Saturday night on 12 News in Phoenix after playoff hockey concludes, from approximately 8-10 p.m.
The TV special will be hosted by Cardinals broadcasters Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley along with team reporter Darren Urban. In addition to full portions and simulated game action from the Red & White Practice, the broadcast will also include player interviews, a post-practice interview with head coach Kliff Kingsbury, profiles on WR DeAndre Hopkins and QB Kyler Murray, an in-depth look at unique COVID-related protocols and safety measures for the 2020 season, as well as a preview of the upcoming Cardinals season, including a position-by-position analysis.
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