Improving Breaston vying for Cards’ No. 3 receiver spot

He was the hit of the offseason.

All Steve Breaston needs to do now as training camp begins is repeat his dazzling performances from the spring mandatory and voluntary workouts. Then the Cardinals once again will field a team with depth at the receiver spots.

They’ll need it, too.

They lost Bryant Johnson to free agency after Johnson enjoyed a solid season behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in 2007. Breaston figures to compete with third-round draft pick Early Doucet, among others, for the No. 3 spot this year.

Until now, Breaston was known as the 2007 rookie who did such a nice job returning kicks.

He averaged 9.4 yards on punts, including a 73-yarder for a score vs. Pittsburgh (the Cardinals’ first punt return for a touchdown since 1993) and 22.4 yards on kickoffs.

And, though he doesn’t like to talk about it for fear of jinxing himself, he didn’t fumble a return.

In fact, he probably was the hit of what seemed a modest rookie class.

But all along he reminded anyone who would listen that he could catch passes, too, though in shy, soft-spoken tones.

Now, he’s still saying the same things, but he sounds more confident. And people are listening as if they believe him.

“He’s made a tremendous stride as a receiver,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Last season, “He showed up for us in the return game and did a great job. There were always questions about him as a receiver, not from the standpoint he didn’t have the ability. It was the experience.”

The Michigan product — he played in the shadow of Wolverine stars Braylon Edwards and Mario Manningham — got a few chances toward the end of last season and made eight catches for 92 yards.

Breaston helped his chances by building his strength and making a series of dazzling catches during the team’s offseason workouts.

“With the work he’s done in the offseason, I don’t think it’s a flash in a pan,” Whisenhunt said. “I think it’s something that’s here to stay.

“That’s exciting. He’s really worked hard to prove he can be a receiver.”

Fitzgerald said he sees “a hunger and desire” in Breaston.

“It’s very important for him to be an everyday receiver. We all saw what he can do on special teams. I think he wants to show everybody what he can do as a receiver now.”

The key, Breaston said, is learning the fundamentals.

“A lot of people in this league are great athletes. What separates them is what they do as far as fundamentals. Once you learn the system, you are going to play a lot faster and play to your abilities.”

That means improving his technique and route running so that he can win his share of closely fought battles for the ball.

“People with the same speed and agility, the other person will get there first because he uses his technique, gets out of his break faster. If another person isn’t working on it, he’s not going to get there.”

Now that he’s stronger, he’s also better able to take hits and hang onto the ball.

“Everybody can catch the wide-open pass,” Breaston said. “But are you going to be able to catch when somebody is on your back? If your hands are already on the ball, are you going to let somebody pry it away?

“I’m taking in all the coaching. I just don’t want to go backward.”

So far, he’s been full speed ahead.

Cardinals key dates

Friday — First training camp practices at 9:05 a.m. and 3:05 p.m., open to public

Aug. 2 — “Red and white” practice/autograph session

Aug. 7 — First preseason game vs. New Orleans

Sept. 7 — First regular-season game at San Francisco