Arizona Cardinals Sign Rookie Running Back LaRod Stephens-Howling

by Hawkwind on Jun 10, 2009 2:59 PM MDT

The Arizona Cardinals have signed seventh round pick, LaRod Stephens-Howling to a three year contract, although financial terms were not released. It's almost certainly a very basic contract for close to the minimum each season ( something around $305,000, $385,000 and $460,000) with a small signing bonus, which is the case with almost every late round draft pick.

Despite not being invited to the combine or being a starter for his final two years at the University of Pittsburgh, Stephens-Howling made an impression on the Cardinals coaching staff at Pitt's pro day and he was the 240th overall selection. LSH figures to be in the mix for the third down back role although his biggest battle and best chance to find a roster spot this season will be as a kick returner. His size (5'7 180) will always raise question marks but his burst and shiftiness has drawn several comparisons to the Chargers' Darren Sproles. He's also gotten rave reviews from the Cardinals front office and coaching staff, as well as Pitt's coaching staff, for his work ethic and dedication to the game. Here's what his former running backs coach, David Walker, had to say about LSH:

"He does all the little things the right way......He is a model student-athlete and an excellent example for every player on our team."

This marks the second draft pick that the Cardinals have signed with fifth round pick Herman Johnson being the first.

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I noticed a typo of sorts...

It should say “Herman ‘Munster’ Johnson” in that last sentence.
I believe I’ve made my feelings on this matter clear in this thread

by manphibian on Jun 10, 2009 10:48 PM MDT reply actions

Oh yeah that Stephens-Howling guy this post is about...

Hopefully LSH can be an impact guy in the return game, but I am not holding my breath.

by manphibian on Jun 10, 2009 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions

Why not lock up these guys for 4 yrs?

A majority of the late rounders get signed for 4 yrs, with no portion of the minimum rookie deals being guaranteed besides the signing bonus, why not opt for 4yrs instead of 3? If Johnson or LSH explode during their rookie deal it could be a difference of millions to get them on the field that 4th yr. I would like to see these guys get 4yr deals. What do you guys think?

by 7ftCard on Jun 11, 2009 3:18 AM MDT reply actions

welcome to ROTB

The Cardinals and most NFL teams don’t sign anyone outside of the first two rounds to four year deals. The norm is to sign your first round guy to five or six years and your second round pick to a four year deal. Everyone else normally gets a three year deal. The reasoning behind that, at least under the current CBA, is that they’re under control for four years anyways, it doesn’t really matter the length of the original contract. Signing them for three years instead of four simply gives the club the chance not to ‘tender’ them after the third year (most recent example: Darryl Blackstock).

If LSH is worth keeping he’ll still be very cheap during his fourth season and if he’s not, then they won’t have to count his dead salary against the cap that season.

by Bezekira on Jun 11, 2009 6:00 AM MDT up reply actions

The LHS Cheer...

You know a fan-base has come of age when spontaneous cheers emerge from the game-day crowd.

Back in the day in NYC, Knick fans were treated to a newcomer of little promise but with a great name: “Hawthorne Wingo.” Throughout the game, you could hear chants of “Wingo. Wingo. Wingo.”

And now, Cardinal fans have Stephens-Howling.

When he trots onto the field during the annual scrimmage, preseason games and conceivably during regular season – I expect to hear wolf-howls…

CHICKEN LITTLE WAS RIGHT!

by JJeff88 on Jun 11, 2009 9:01 AM MDT reply actions

+1

If he ends up returning kicks, we’ll need to establish a chant that helps get him pumped up & gunning for the endzone.

Some of the guys in our section last season kept trying to get the “J-J…ALL THE WAY!” cheer going, but it never materialized.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Jun 12, 2009 6:38 AM MDT up reply actions

7th round steal

I’m glad they signed the guy and am also glad we got a steal in the 7th round with him. He should put up a good fight with Jason Wright for the 3rd RB spot and contend for or take the KR position

by azcardswinez on Jun 11, 2009 10:39 AM MDT reply actions

Completely agree

He’s got a lot of talent and could be the AZ Sproles. If he beefed up a little I’d even say Jones-Drew.

by CardsFan08 on Jun 11, 2009 2:39 PM MDT up reply actions

whoa, i'd tap the brakes on that comparison

Sproles is doable although that’s asking alot of a 7th round guy who is widely considered a significant reach. Comparing him to MJD is crazy talk though. MJD’s got nearly 30 pounds on LSH and the fact that they’ve both got three names might be the most that they have in common.

If I was the Kool-Aid bartender, I’d cut you off after that remark…….LOL.

by Bezekira on Jun 11, 2009 2:58 PM MDT up reply actions

But I needs me some off season Kool Aid!

Okay, okay, it was a slow day at work and I was watching some youtube of some of his runs and some of MJD’s because for some reason it showed up in the “recommended after viewing” and they have similar cutback styles and the ability to make tacklers miss. Both of their shift into the next gear was similar in college games, but of course that major difference was after initial contact; MJD was a little tank where LSH went straight down.

Also, I watched some KR of both of them and their ability to let the hole develop and use their speed to get some good yards. Though again the video showed MJDs ability to gain those extra yards after initial contact at the pro level. So that statement had some Kool Aid behind it, but I think it was more a product of youtube viewing.

But, I think we’re going to be pleasantly surprised with LSH, especially for his ability to run around the edge.

by CardsFan08 on Jun 12, 2009 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions