Rounding Up the Latest Offseason Buzz Surrounding the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals completed mini-camp and have recessed until training camp opens next month. With that in mind, we'll take a look at the stories gathering the biggest buzz both on and off the field.

It's definitely a diverse group of articles that range from a new face mask to emergency heart surgery to the Miss USA pageant. Yes, all three of those things happened. 

Start the slideshow for the latest information on the Arizona Cardinals. 

Tyrann Mathieu's off to a Fast Start

One of biggest sources of buzz since the NFL draft has been Tyrann Mathieu being drafted in the third round by Arizona. 

Mathieu has continued to bring attention in a positive way through mini camp, according to this article on NFL.com. 

He's taken advantage of his opportunities to work with the first-team nickel defense and has been hustling all over the field. Mathieu might also be given the opportunity to contribute from several different positions or roles on the team. 

It's hard to say exactly how he'll be used in the 2013 season, but the Cardinals have got themselves someone who is showing a lot of promise to be much more than a sideshow. 

Rashard Mendenhall Takes the Lead

The battle for the starting job in the backfield of the Cardinals has been won by Rashard Mendenhall, for now. 

According to NFL.com's Marc Sessler, Mendenhall has been finding the lanes to run through and has been excelling in pass protection.

The former Steeler has the rapport built up with Arians from their time in Pittsburgh. He looks to be a solid fit in Arians' system in Arizona. With two rookies and an injury-prone third-year player in the backfield, Mendenhall could nail down the job in training camp. 

Darnell Dockett Has a Fierce New Mask

When the Cardinals' line up on defense, opposing quarterbacks will see a couple of football players and a player who might be doing some off-season jousting. 

Arizona's Darnell Dockett sports a mask called "Freight Train," according to Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com.  

Dockett helped design the fear-inducing mask of six horizontal bars, one vertical bar and eighteen diagonal bars. It's quite the contrast from the one in the picture here. 

The mask can bring some intimidation to opposing quarterbacks when Dockett closes in on them. He might even smile when he makes a tackle for a loss, but no one can see if he does. 

Could Michael Floyd Step Forward in His Second Season?

Michael Floyd's second season in the NFL could have a breakout or a breakdown. Stability at quarterback should help him greatly, and he should be able to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

At least that's what Chris Wesseling of NFL.com wrote about the wideout from Notre Dame. 

He's convinced Arians and teammate Larry Fitzgerald of this, according to the article. It would likely put Andre Roberts into the slot receiver position as Floyd develops into the outside role. 

With Floyd's progress, Arizona would have a strong set of receivers for Carson Palmer to work with. 

Freddie Kitchens' Emergency Surgery Scare

Cardinals quarterback coach Freddie Kitchens fell ill at practice a couple of weeks ago and wound up needing emergency surgery.

According to ESPN, Kitchens felt dizzy and lightheaded at practice. He left and got a CT scan as a precaution, and it showed a defect in his aorta, which led to the operation. 

It could have been attributed to dehydration as the team practiced in the scorching hot Phoenix weather, but the scan at the hospital proved to be life-saving. 

NFL.com's Marc Sessler wrote that Kitchens is up and walking around following the surgery. Kitchens went to the facility to visit the team and was promptly kicked out by Arians. 

It's safe to say that everyone's glad the only quick exit Kitchens made was from the training facility and not from life. 

Ryan Swope Still Suffering from Concussions

Rookie wide receiver Ryan Swope has been limited during the Cardinals' OTAs because of lingering effects of four concussions he suffered at Texas A&M. 

Pro Football Talk reported this, and the concussions were part of the reason Swope fell to the sixth round where Arizona picked him up. 

The question still remains about when Swope will be able to practice when camp opens next month and to what extent as well. Swope's speed makes him a threat on the field, when he gets there. 

Cards Make Camp at Home

The Arizona Cardinals couldn't come to an agreement with Northern Arizona University to continue a 24-year tradition of Arizona's training camp being on campus in Flagstaff, Ariz. 

So the Cardinals decided to go camping in their own backyard, according to the Arizona Republic. It's the first time Arizona will have its training camp in the valley since the franchise moved from St. Louis. The only year they weren't in Flagstaff was 2005 when they had to move to Prescott, Ariz., due to an outbreak of norovirus in Flagstaff. 

While the details are still being worked out for future seasons, the days of the scenic drives up north to cool off and catch the Cardinals are gone. 

There He Is, Fitz Judges Miss USA Pageant

Larry Fitzgerald has an impressive resume, to say the least. With 10,413 receiving yards and 77 touchdowns, he's got the talent of an elite receiver in the NFL. 

In the offseason, he holds charitable events such as his annual celebrity softball game. Fitzgerald also visited the White House in May to raise awareness on good nutrition, he posted on the blog on his website.  He also conducted the Phoenix Symphony last September. 

And now he can add another line to his resume, beauty pageant judge. No that's not a typo. 

Fitzgerald was one of the judges in yesterday's Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas. This article from Fox Sports Arizona was written when he was named a judge and lists his fellow judges. 

Fitzgerald made the trade from a 40-yard dash to a tiara and sash when he helped crown Erin Brady, 25, of Connecticut Miss USA last night in Las Vegas.