Arrington’s potential yet to be uncorked

The Cardinals are still waiting for J.J. Arrington to show something. Arrington, the 2005 second-round pick, did a decent job returning kickoffs last season. But as a running back — someone originally chosen to be the team’s featured runner — Arrington has been a massive disappointment.

Even Arrington is hoping 2007 and a shift to coach Ken Whisenhunt’s run-first offense will help him break out, because “since I got here that’s what I have been looking to do,” Arrington said. “Hopefully, this is the year.”

Whisenhunt has generally been cautious in his assessment of players thus far.

But he said Arrington has looked “pretty explosive” and “has stood out.”

“Not necessarily ahead of the other guys,” Whisenhunt added, “but definitely to be noticed.”

The role Whisenhunt sees Arrington in now? As a third-down back — which, in some irony, was how Arrington was being viewed by the previous coaching staff at this time last year.

But during the season, Arrington’s offensive duties shrunk to almost nothing behind Edgerrin James and Marcel Shipp. He caught just eight passes and had just 14 rush attempts (for 19 yards).

Whisenhunt acknowledged he isn’t sure Arrington will fit that role. Arrington — who was in as the back with the first-string offense Thursday as the Cards installed their two-minute playbook — still must prove he can pass block.

He has looked good catching passes, Whisenhunt said.

Special teams will still likely be Arrington’s forte, and he is still the lone back on the roster with much of a speed burst.

He is also coming up on what is likely a make-or-break third season.

“You want to show what you can do,” Arrington said. “I am a patient guy. But hopefully, this is the year.”

TOP HEAVY

Trying to find a spot as a receiver on the Cardinals isn’t easy, especially when two Pro Bowlers like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald inhabit the top two spots on the depth chart.

“I don’t look at it as a daunting task,” undrafted rookie Matt Trannon said. “I just look to learn for the guys who have been here.”

Said fifth-round draft pick Steve Breaston, “Anywhere you have to compete. A lot of people don’t get to learn from guys like this.”

Boldin chuckled at the idea he and Fitzgerald might make it harder. He said he wanted to help the young receivers because “even if they don’t make this team, I would like to see them make it somewhere else.”

Fitzgerald said the young wideouts can’t look at the situation but have to “fight and scrap” and get to the preseason, where a player can get on tape and prove himself to other wideout-needy teams.

Fitzgerald downplayed the idea he might be able to give advice though, pointing out that he is the youngest.

The other nine receivers in camp — including Breaston (11 days older) and Trannon (54 days) — are all older, despite the fact Fitzgerald is entering his fourth season.

“These guys are still my veterans,” said Fitzgerald, who doesn’t turn 24 until Aug. 31.

EXTRA POINTS

The Cardinals are considering starting training camp on a Saturday morning again — after former coach Dennis Green started his camps on a Monday morning — which would provide fans a weekend peek at the team in Flagstaff. …

The Cards close out the week of voluntary organized team activities today and have four more next week.