The 2016 Football Outsiders Almanac is out and with that comes the opportunity to get some great information from the crew over at Football Outsiders.
Scott Kascmar took the time to answer five questions about the Arizona Cardinals heading into the season and here is question number four, about everyone’s favorite running back, David Johnson.
You rated David Johnson your top "breakout candidate" what type of impact can he have on the Arizona Cardinals offense, that was already one of the best in the NFL?
Chris Johnson did an admirable job last year, but David gives the offense a boost in the receiving game and he can still break the long run too. I think you did see some rookie sloppiness with drops and fumbles, but hopefully he can clean that up as the full-time back this season. Establishing a running game should be more of a goal this year as I do not expect Palmer to replicate a career-best performance. Getting more balanced is going to be very important, and Johnson will be a huge part of that behind what could be an improved offensive line.
This is a pretty common sentiment among Arizona Cardinals fans, that the running game needs to be the focus of the offense.
Although Arizona was ranked ninth in rushing attempts in 2015, they seemed to fade their usage of the running game towards the end of the season, especially in the playoffs where they rushed the ball 19 times for 40 yards against Green Bay and 16 times for 60 yards against the Carolina Panthers.
Creating a team that can win if Carson Palmer is off, or worse, not available, gives the Arizona Cardinals the chance to compete every week.