MATT CAPOWSKI/Arizona Daily Wildcat Jake Plummer QB Arizona Cardinals

Many UA players and coaches watch the NFL team practice

Pat Chiusano has been a Cardinal fan since the team relocated to Arizona in 1988, but he has never had the chance to see his favorite team practice.

However, the 45-year-old Tucsonan finally got the chance last week when the Cardinals held a two-day mini-camp in Arizona Stadium.

ãI think it is a good thing for Tucson because the Cardinals are reaching out,ä said Chiusano, who brought his two kids with him Friday.

ãThis is great. The kids are having fun, Iâm having a good time and itâs nice to be able to be out on the field.ä

The Chiusano family was just a few of the estimated 500 fans to see the National Football League team practice Thursday and Friday. This was the second time the Cardinals have made the trek down to Tucson. The first time was in 2000.

ãI thought it was good,ââ McGinnis said.

ãThe people who were here, they were enthusiastic.ä

During the course of the two-hour practices, the Cardinals ran a couple of running drills and practiced mostly punt returns.

The mini-camp also marked the return of former Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer.

It was only the second time he has been back in Arizona Stadium since 1996, when the Sun Devils punished the Wildcats 56-14 and went on to play in the Rose Bowl.

ãComing down here is a way to let the fans know that we appreciate their support,ä said Plummer, who had a 1-3 record against the Wildcats.

UA starting senior quarterback Jason Johnson said he was anxious to see how the signal-caller threw the ball because he has never seen him play live.

ãHe throws a really nice ball,ä said Johnson, who watched the entire two-hour practice Thursday from the sideline.

The fans from Tucson did not seem to care that Plummer was a former Sun Devil because each day he had the longest line in front of him for autographs. The six-year starter said he is just happy with the way the Tucson fans greeted him.

ãTwo years ago when we were down here, the people were all really nice to me and I didnât really expect that being from Arizona State,ä Plummer recalled.

ãComing down (to Tucson) is a way to let the fans down here know that we appreciate their support.ä

ãAll in all, I think (the rivalry) is behind us,ä Johnson said.

ãItâs Arizonaâs team, and so weâre excited to have them down in Tucson.ä

Johnson was just one of many current UA football players and coaches who took advantage of watching and learning from the Cardinals practice.

The mini-camp was the last for the Cardinals before training camp starts on July 26 at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.