Arizona Cardinals Pre-Training Camp Roster Projections: Running Back
by Hawkwind on Jul 24, 2009 9:11 AM MDT
in 2009 Camp & Preseason
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Our pre-training camp roster projections are winding down and we're down to the men that line up in the Arizona Cardinals backfield. First we'll take a look at the running backs, a group that will hopefully develop into a potent two headed monster, but in a worst case scenario should be comparable to last year's group. One aspect that is unique at the running back position when compared to any other unit on this roster is that it experienced quite a bit of turnover in the past twelve months. The Cardinals cut thier leading rusher and watched the third leading rusher limp into free agency with a bum knee. In response they added a free agent young running back with some upside and used their first round selection to grab another back, but who will make the final 53?
Locks
Chris "Beanie" Wells, Tim Hightower, Jason Wright
On the Bubble
No Chance
There are no real surprises here simply because the top three on the depth chart are pretty well locked in, although the order of the top two can be debated. If LaRod Stephens-Howling does make the final roster, it'll most likely be as a kick returner. As far as I know Chris Vincent is still eligible for the practice squad because I don't think he's ever really stuck on the squad, and of course LSH is eligible. It's also worth mentioning that the roster on NFL.com lists Justin Green as a running back but he's really a fullback so we'll cover him in the next episode.
LaRod Stephens-Howling: As we said above, barring some kind of injury to one of the top three back during camp LSH's best chance of making the roster will be as a special teamer, primarily as a kick returner. He has some potential to develop into a third down back who can create some noise out of the backfield but he's not ready to assume that role quite yet. The most important part of that third down role is knowing and understanding pass proection and he won't be able to digest all of that as a rookie. If he doesn't win the returner sport, the Cardinals shouldn't have any problem stashing him on the practice squad for a season.
Chris Vincent: Vincent has some appeal to this coaching staff that most of us don't understand. He's a good sized back with decent athleticism but he was basically just a special teams player in college and has never shown enough to even stick on a practice squad. The Cardinals cut him twice during camp last and his 43 rushing yards in a preseason game against the Raiders was more yards than he had his entire senior season at Oregon. It would take an amazing camp/preseason for Vincent to stick on the practice squad considering he'll turn 28 before the season starts but you've got to wonder why the staff keeps bringing him back.
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Despite the turnover this is a pretty easy position to sort out and LSH is the only wild card, but as we said his roster spot shouldn't really count against the backs. So where do you see LSH ending up this season and will there be any other surprises?
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it'd be difficult
to do worse than last year for our run game, the only way to go is up =)
by Fitz Jizzle on Jul 24, 2009 12:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Just one last...
Farewell to James. The running game wasn’t stellar with him, but he was the first back to back 1000 rusher the Cardinals have had in a long time. I appreciated the workman effort.
That said, as Wolfley and the gang said on Cardinals underground: look for Hightower, a guy with a chip on his shoulder coming into the league, to make Wells fight and claw his way to the top of the depth chart. Combine that with Whiz’s slow rookie starting philosophy and the team is in about as good a shape with it’s new three-headed monster as it’s going to be.
by superpsck on Jul 25, 2009 10:50 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
yep, I think TH is going to surprise alot of outsiders who think Wells is going to run away with the job
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Jul 27, 2009 6:34 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
He definitely will surprise.
KTAR is saying that TH is really annoyed that we took Wells in the draft. From what they are saying, it seems that he is going to put up a huge fight to keep the starting job.
by Pyromnc on Jul 27, 2009 8:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Annoyed?
If that’s so, would Hightower really prefer to be the top dog on a weak squad of backs as opposed to being part of a two-headed monster that might actually be productive. Not sure I’m buying that or not, but either way it will push him to work harder.
Section 135, Row 35
by AJ BirdWatcher on Jul 27, 2009 11:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's coming straight from Rod Graves.
He says that TH is working real hard right now. Wolf expects a battle similar to the QB battle between Leinart and Warner of last season for the starters job.
I haven’t heard anything straight from TH but if this is true than I am happy because now we got two RBs working hard to out due each other.
by Pyromnc on Jul 27, 2009 2:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't what I was getting at all
I was commenting on what you said about TH being ‘really annoyed’ that we drafted Beanie. I hope he wouldn’t come out and say something like that. Not the sign of a team player.
I expect them both to fight hard for the starting spot, and the best man will win the job.
Section 135, Row 35
by AJ BirdWatcher on Jul 27, 2009 5:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wolfly said Graves reported Hightower was “ticked off” about the team drafting Wells (but not ticked, as much as another word).
For many professional athletes it’s all about the perception of respect, in this case the lack-there-of, that drives their competitive spirit. Exhibit A is the Cardinals postseason run and the bulletin board material they fed off of.
Hightower doesn’t think he can be a marginal back, he thinks he can be a great one and he feels that the team taking a RB high is a vote of no-confidence in him. He’ll used that slight (real or percieved) to fuel his competitive edge.
by superpsck on Jul 27, 2009 7:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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