Arizona Cardinals notebook: O-line has a 'Fridge,' but also a 'Freezer' in rookie Marquis Hayes

Much has been made during training camp about the toughness and aggressive behavior free-agent right guard Will Hernandez has brought to the Cardinals’ offensive line. Hernandez’s chippy playing style has earned him the nickname “Fridge” from his linemates.

But every Fridge needs a “Freezer” and the Cardinals found themselves one in rookie left guard Marquis Hayes, a seventh-round draft pick out of Oklahoma. Hayes got some extra work with the first-team offense during Thursday’s practice at State Farm Stadium and just like Hernandez, he’s a people mover who isn’t afraid to mix it up.

“He plays like he’s trying to finish people every snap,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “He’s going after people and it’s been good for the room. … When he knows where to go, he’s moving bodies and he’s coming with a purpose.”

Starting left tackle D.J. Humphries has been thoroughly impressed with the rookie, noting that the footwork and technique will come along in time. But Hayes, he said, has already mastered the art of one-on-one toughness.

“That’s a part of the game that he has down to a science when it comes to him one-on-one against someone, just putting his hands on a guy and being in position of control,” Humphries said, adding, “There’s certain stuff that you just can’t coach. We can get your feet right. We can get your technique right. But you can’t make you want to punch somebody in the face. If you don’t want to do it, you’re never going to really want to do it.”

Hayes, who started his final 37 games at Oklahoma at left guard, said he’s always played with an edge. He’s careful not to take things too far in camp, though, especially when he’s getting a shot to go against Arizona’s starting defense.

“They know it’s competition out there,” Hayes said Thursday. “Obviously, I’m a rookie so I don’t try to go out there and do nothing crazy. I try to respect the vets. But when I’m in with the ‘twos,’ I try to go hard with them because we’re on the same level trying to compete for the team.”

Hernandez did not practice Thursday because of a minor ankle issue, according to Kingsbury.

3 QBs is the plan

Some NFL teams prefer to keep only two quarterbacks on the active roster, but during Kingsbury’s first three seasons in Arizona, the Cardinals have kept three on the 53-man unit.

Kingsbury revealed on Thursday that he doesn’t expect that to change, meaning either Trace McSorley and Jarret Guarantano will likely make the team as the third-stringer behind starter Kyler Murray and veteran backup Colt McCoy.

“I’ve always been partial to that just because in this league, it seems like it’s hard to get through a season with the starter playing every game,” Kingsbury said. “To try and bring a guy in midweek and teach him the offense and do all that, it’s tough and I don’t think it really breeds a lot of confidence in your team when you do that.

“They’re like, ‘OK, we can get this guy off the coach and he’s got to learn the offense in two days.’ That’s not really what we’re going for. So, to have a guy that has a rapport with the team and they can feel some level of confidence that he knows what he’s doing, I think that’s important. I would imagine we will have three again this season.”

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Paving a pathway

Austrian-born tight end Bernhard Seikovits is nearing the end of his second training camp since joining the Cardinals as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and although he spent all of last season on the team’s practice squad, there’s no guarantee he will have a spot there again this season.

“I just wanted to give it my best shot every day and see what comes from that,” Seikovits said after Thursday’s practice, the second-to-last at State Farm Stadium. “I think I’m on the right track. Wherever that leads, that’s alright. At the end of the day, you can only do your best every day and what comes out of it is what comes out of it.”

Seikovits hasn’t felt pressure being a trailblazer of sorts, saying instead, “It’s been more of a blessing to be that guy in that position to make those next steps for European football, for international football, and set the pathway for other guys in the future.”

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Breaking camp

The Cardinals are scheduled to hold one more practice on Friday at State Farm Stadium before breaking camp in Glendale and picking things back up next week in Nashville during back-to-back joint practices against the Titans on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kingsbury was asked if he was considering ending Friday’s practice early or canceling it altogether.

“We’re sorting through that,” he said. “We’re going to circle up as a staff. It’s a long week and we’ve had some guys get nicked up, so we’re going to see what exactly we want to get accomplished tomorrow.”

He said it

“When you’re on that football field, regardless of whether it’s preseason or regular season, you want to be on the winning side of things. They take it serious and I’m pretty sure we’re taking it serious here. We’re going to try and end that.” – Cardinals wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown on his former team, the Ravens, taking a 21-game unbeaten preseason streak into Sunday’s game against Arizona in Glendale.

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He said it, too

“Yeah, I think just enjoy the ride. Those are some of the best memories still to this day that I had. You don’t know how good it is down there playing with your best friends growing up and having that type of family and community support until you look back on it, so make sure you’re enjoying every moment of it, doing your best and have no regrets.” – Kingsbury on advice he would give to Arizona high school football players gearing up for the 2022 season.

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Notes

* The Cardinals announced Thursday afternoon that they have signed tight end Josh Hokit, who spent the past two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after entering the league as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Fresno State.

* The Cardinals also announced that the team will hold a closed, walk-through practice which media members will not be allowed to watch.

Kingsbury and select players, however, will be available for interviews at 9 a.m.

Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com and follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live on Fox Sports 910-AM every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals rookie Marquis Hayes not afraid to 'punch somebody'