Cards notebook: Rookies Branch, Brown making contributions

Alan Branch and Levi Brown appear to head the rookie class as the team prepares for its second preseason game.

Read Mike Tulumello's Bird Watching blog

In Saturday’s exhibition game at Oakland, “They both played a significant amount and did some good things,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Branch is the defensive tackle the Cardinals picked in the second round (No. 33) overall from Michigan.

Brown was the team’s first-round pick (No. 5 overall) from Penn State.

In Branch, “I see improvement. I see the desire to be good. That showed up in the game… in terms of chasing the play down, clogging the middle, penetrating.

“A couple times he hit the wrong gap. But what I saw the whole game was very good effort.”

Branch’s career has just started, but Whisenhunt’s first impression is that, “I’m very encouraged.”

Whisenhunt also likes what he sees from Steve Breaston, their fifth-round pick, in the return game, though he wants to take a longer look at his receiver play.

Linebacker Buster Davis, the third-round pick, didn’t get a chance to play much at Oakland but should see more time this Saturday.

Tight end Ben Patrick, the seventh-round pick, is suffering the effects of being out injured for much of the offseason.

“He’s still learning the offense,” Whisenhunt said.” When you speed it up in a game, it’s tough.”

PROBLEM POSITION?

Tight end remains a concern for the Cardinals. “Overall, they did play a little better in the (Oakland) game than they’d practiced. I hope they have a good week.”

Contenders for roster spots include Patrick, Leonard Pope and Troy Bienemann, though the Cardinals could look to bring in players released by other teams.

COVER THOSE PUNTS

Whisenhunt pronounced himself pleased with kicker Neil Rackers (three field goals, including one from 59 yards out) on Saturday in Oakland.

But he expressed displeasure with the punt coverage, as the Cardinals had consistently short nets.

“We had some guys fill the wrong lanes,” he said.

REPLACING CHIKE

Darryl Blackstock and Calvin Pace have a level playing field in their competition to replace injured linebacker Chike Okeafor, Whisenhunt said.

“They’re a little bit different,” Whisenhunt said. “Calvin is a little bigger guy, while Darryl is a little faster, potentially.”

The main difference between the two is that Pace has the ability to play the other side of the field, splitting time with Bertrand Berry.

“But as far as the competition for that position, it’s fair.”

INJURY UPDATE

The Cardinals hadn’t made a final decision on season-ending surgeries for linebacker Chike Okeafor and tackle Oliver Ross.

Speculation around camp is that the resourceful Okeafor would try anything possible to try to play this season, though his torn biceps muscle may be too much to overcome.