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It was Day 1 of training camp, and everyone wanted to know about Carson Palmer’s arm and David Johnson’s touches and veteran leadership and the offensive line.

They’re key issues, and the answers will determine whether the Cardinals are fighting for a title or fading to black this year. But for defensive tackle Xavier Williams, none of those things were immediate concerns: “You’ll have to excuse me, I have to call my daughter.”

The 6-foot-2, 310-pound Williams found a quiet spot in the locker room, and as teammates talked with a throng of reporters about being “excited for the start of camp” and “ready to get after it,” the man who earns his living as a human bludgeon was smiling and almost singing into his phone, “Happy birthday!”

It was a reminder that team goals are accomplished by individuals, many of whom work invisibly in plain sight. I sought to get a sense of what they thought was important, figuring they’re the experts since they’re out there working while we all watch and wonder.

“Ask about the transition from college to pro,” defensive lineman Josh Mauro said.

Williams nodded in agreement.

Their transitions weren’t easy — both worked their way into the league as undrafted free agents. Williams came to the Cardinals in 2015 from Northern Iowa, and Mauro in 2014 out of Stanford.

“And now he’s the man,” Williams said, before stepping away to video chat with his little girl.

“I’m not the man,” the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Mauro said, before heading to the showers.

Rookie Dorian Johnson left the field dripping with sweat. “Sorry about that,” he said, shaking hands.

He was on the field for almost a half hour after practice ended, signing autographs. “It took a little bit longer than I thought, but I got that whole half over there.”

He said the biggest difference between pro and college is “pressure. But I like it. It keeps you grounded.”

Johnson, a 6-5, 305-pound guard from Pittsburgh, was drafted in the fourth round to bolster a unit that struggled with injuries last season.

Shortly after he headed in to catch his breath and dry off, linebacker Karlos Dansby said the biggest thing to watch for is “effort. That’s gonna make the difference for us.”

Dansby, a 14-year veteran is back for his third run with the team, in part because at 6-4, 250 pounds he still can make plays, and in part to show others how that’s done.

He’s deliberate and confident.

“You want to learn something about a guy? Watch their body language,” rookie wide receiver Chad Williams said.

Larry Fitzgerald, Williams said, always comes to the line focused, “locked in. He’s like a quarterback, but at wide receiver.”

Williams, at 6-1, 205, comes across as eager to learn and work. He just finished his first practice of his first training camp, and he looks ready for another.

Coach Bruce Arians has talked several times about how difficult it will be to make the team, which “hires 90 just to fire 37.” He has said it will be tough for players who get hurt to make the roster, though so far this camp he hasn’t used the clichés “the best ability is availability” or “you can’t help the club if you’re in the tub.”

“Stay available,” he said Friday.

Focus on the little things.”

Players seem to be listening. So far, the only newly reported injury of camp has been to Jarvis Jones, who Arians said “tweaked his quad” during the conditioning test.

Jones was dressed as a football player, but playing the role of observer when fans poured in to watch the first practice of the NFL season Saturday afternoon. No team reported to camp as early as the Cardinals. The team workout Friday was a conditioning test. The Saturday morning session was a mere walk through.

People rushed down the stairs to fill sections 105 through 110 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Most wore Cardinal red. Some carried footballs, hoping for autographs. One woman held a massive cutout photo of Fitzgerald’s face.

Just about everything Fitzgerald did elicited screams, even when he and newly re-signed running back Chris Johnson warmed up.

A young girl’s voice cut through the crowd countless times. “Larry Fitzgerald!”

Not to be outdone, a man shouted for Johnson. “CJ2K!”

The duo acknowledged the support when they ran past, causing the 2,000 or so spectators to scream like kindergartners who heard an ice cream truck.

But their experience wasn’t the norm.

About 2.5 tons of blockers followed Fitzgerald and Johnson to the field, prompting a fan to scream, “Linemen!”

They’re not as recognizable, but their success is essential. It’s a reminder of the questions that fans and observers want answered.

Palmer and Arians both said they expect the offensive line to be better. Palmer said the group has worked hard all off-season. Arians said they have more depth and experience because of last year’s injuries.

For his part, Palmer said his arm feels great. He said he’s found a training regimen that works, and Arians has vowed to make sure his No. 1 quarterback doesn’t overdo it in practice.

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Palmer had zip on several throws, including one that Fitzgerald caught with one hand, pinning it to his helmet.

Johnson, meanwhile, has a goal of being the first player in history to gain 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Arians wants him to get 30 touches a game, but only about 20 carries. The split, Arians said, should limit Johnson’s risk of injury.

I worry about teams that rely on star players rather than star-making systems. (I grew up watching Barry Sanders.) But as long as Johnson stays healthy, the team is right to feature him.

The veteran leadership will be key this year, Arians said. “This is not my team,” Arians said. “This is the veterans’ team. The vets are responsible for getting the young guys ready.”

Mauro also said such leadership was important. Championship teams, he said, “get contributions from everyone.”

Reach Moore at [email protected] or 480-444-2236. Follow him at twitter.com/WritingMoore.