Drafting a RB can help lighten Ellington’s load
This week Andre Ellington met possibly the best thing to happen to him in 2015. And he’s smart enough to know it. Ellington felt the opposite of threatened when the Cardinals drafted running back David Johnson in the third round last week. If Johnson, from Northern Iowa, is what the Cardinals think he is, he will lighten Ellington’s load. Ellington is already feeling as if a weight has been lifted, and he hasn’t even practiced with Johnson.
“I don’t see why not,” Ellington said when asked if he would be helped by the addition of Johnson. “It allows me to have more rest time, and it should keep the offense upbeat.”
As a rookie in 2013, Ellington was electrifying, gaining 1,023 yards from scrimmage and averaging 5.53 yards per rush, which led all NFL players who had at least 100 attempts.
When Rashard Mendenhall retired, Ellington assumed the featured back role, though his size (5feet-9-inches, 199 pounds) prompted questions about his ability to handle it.
In 2014, the results weren’t pretty. Ellington suffered a foot injury a couple of weeks before the start of the regular season, and while he played through it, his explosiveness was diminished.
Ellington’s practice time was limited, which also affected his performance, coach Bruce Arians said.
Ellington’s per carry average was just 3.3 yards, and the Cardinals ranked last overall in that category. While Ellington played through the foot injury, and later, a hip injury, it was a sports hernia that ended his season in December.
He underwent surgery this offseason to repair the hernia. The foot injury didn’t require surgery, just rest and rehab, and Ellington is beginning to feel like his old self.
“It’s like night and day,” he said. “During the season I was limited on some cuts going to the right, pushing off my left foot.
“I’m close to doing a lot of things I’ve done in the past. Just (this week) I was able to do all my cuts and put a lot more pressure on my foot.”
If Johnson produces, Ellington’s role could come full circle from his rookie season. Back then, Arians was cautious about using him too much, especially on runs inside the tackles.
Ellington was durable as a rookie, which led Arians to believe Ellington could carry a much bigger load in 2014.
It’s possible last year’s injuries were freakish oc- currences for Ellington. Maybe he could be a workhorse. But if Johnson produces, the Cardinals won’t have to find out. That’s a good thing.
Back on the grass
Phase 2 of the Cardinals’ offseason strength and conditioning program began last week. Parades, fireworks and BBQ festivals did not mark the occasion. All it meant, at least to most, is players and coaches could work together on grass, not just in the classroom.
But to quarterback Carson Palmer, the whole week felt like a holiday. Palmer always has loved practicing, but this week’s work was especially joyful given that he suffered a torn ACL six months earlier.
“It’s been gratifying to just be doing football stuff again and out of rehab and the weight room,” he said.
Palmer took snaps with the first team all week, which is significant even though no pads were worn, and he threw to receivers who were not defended.
Palmer isn’t through with his rehabilitation, and his work this spring and summer will be monitored closely by head athletic trainer Tom Reed, assistant athletic trainer Chad Cook and physical therapist consultant Brett Fischer.
Those three, along with coaches, will determine how much Palmer does, and when he does it.
“I’ve got a job, and Tom, Chad and Brett Fischer have jobs,” Palmer said. “I’m so focused on what I have to do to get better, I can’t worry about the number of (repetitions) or fatigue. They do a great job and have a very close eye on me.
“I’m focused on the football stuff. When they tell me to stop, I stop. When they tell me to keep going, I keep going.” Reach Somers at 602-444-8335 or kent.somers@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @KentSomers.