Greg

Toler

His competition will be William Gay, A.J. Jefferson, and Greg Toler. Fleming is also expected to see some time at safety. Although neither is overly productive, it’s more likely that one of Jefferson or Gay lands the starting job. Arizona, like most teams, will run a ton of nickel to keep Fleming active on game days. His defensive usage will be determined in training camp.

Stephens-Howling received the second-round tender, which would net him $1.927 million if the current projections hold. Johnson, a former third-round pick, and Toler, a former fourth-rounder, were both assigned “original pick” tenders worth $1.26 million. Expect all three players to return to Arizona.

Toler was tendered at the original-round level. Still not back to 100 percent after tearing his left ACL in 2011 training camp, Toler will have to beat out William Gay and A.J. Jefferson to start opposite Patrick Peterson. Toler was not particularly adept in coverage during his lone season as a starter in 2010.

Hoping to participate in OTAs this month and next, Toler is up to 198 pounds after gaining 11 pounds, mostly in his upper body. Toler is slated to battle William Gay, A.J. Jefferson and third-rounder Jamell Fleming for the starting job opposite Patrick Peterson.

Urban is speculating here and not reporting. Under the new CBA, the Cardinals would have to commit $1.9 million in order to secure the right to match any offer given to Stephens-Howling (originally a seventh-rounder) and Toler (a fourth-rounder). No team would show interest in either player at the second-round price.

Toler has graduated to lateral movement exercises, and will “definitely” be back for training camp. The 2009 fourth-rounder isn’t a lock to be tendered as a restricted free agent in March after the emergence of Patrick Peterson, Richard Marshall, and A.J. Jefferson as the top three corners.

This will be a hotly contested position with Greg Toler and rookie Jamell Fleming also in the hunt. Michael Adams is the nickel back for now, although Gay could wind up covering the slot if Toler or Fleming wins the outside job. Patrick Peterson is the RCB in name, but he will shadow No. 1 receivers in 2012.

“It seems like every day he’s made a play on a ball, knocking it down or making an interception,” Whisenhunt said last week. “The thing that really jumped off the film to me was his quickness ... his change of direction is really, really outstanding. He’s a competitive guy, he’s big.” Fleming will give veterans William Gay and Greg Toler a run for the starting job opposite Patrick Peterson.

Peterson will probably shadow opposing No. 1 receivers this season, so Toler would match up with No. 2s. Coming off ACL surgery, Toler was limited during OTAs but should be a full-go by training camp. He’ll try to hold off competition from likely nickel back William Gay and third-round pick Jamell Fleming.

Toler took part in all drills even if his reps were scaled back. With Toler being eased back in, William Gay opened OTAs as the starter opposite Patrick Peterson. That job will be contested in training camp.