Cards move Ellington back to running back
Andre Ellington’s job title has changed for the second time this offseason, and one of his bosses, coach Bruce Arians, has made it clear what Ellington must do to remain employed by the Cardinals.
After spending part of the spring as a receiver, Ellington has been moved back to running back, Arians said on Wednesday.
It’s the end of an experiment that began late last season, when Ellington started working with the receivers during portions of practice.
He moved there full time this offseason, but that changed in recent days.
Coaches like several young receivers, and it was going to be difficult for Ellington to make the team at the position. So he’s back at running back, his position the previous four seasons.
“For him, he’s going to have to make it in the running back room,” Arians said.
That’s far from a certainty. Kerwynn Williams is the main backup to David Johnson, and coaches are intrigued by Elijhaa Penny’s potential. Rookie T.J. Logan has made several big plays in practices this spring, Arians said.
Ellington, a sixth-round pick in 2013, has been hampered by injuries throughout his career. To make the team, Ellington needs to show more toughness running the ball, Arians said.
“Run harder, run tougher, like he did as a rookie,” Arians said when asked how Ellington could improve. “Once he tore the foot up and knee up a little bit, he kind of looked for a place to fall down too much.”
Ellington acknowledged he needs to clear a mental hurdle as a running back.
“I have to climb my way back up,” he said. “Over the years, I didn’t perform as well as I’m capable of due to the injuries.”
After a promising rookie season, Ellington’s career has been in descent the past two years, partly due to injuries.
Last season, Ellington had 34 carries and 12 receptions, both career lows, despite playing in 16 games.
The arrival of David Johnson played a part in Ellington’s diminished role, but it wasn’t the only reason. Ellington still looked explosive at times as a receiver, but as a runner, he appeared timid and went to the ground too easy.
This offseason Ellington signed a oneyear deal worth $905,000, but only $80,000 is guaranteed. That was one indication the organization wanted more from him.
Ellington’s desire is to return to the form of his rookie year, when he averaged 5.5 yards a carry and gained 1,023 yards from scrimmage.
On Wednesday, Logan, a fifth-round pick out of North Carolina, caught a pass and went at least 50 yards for a touchdown. It was a wistful moment for Ellington.
“Just watching T.J. out there flying around, I see a lot of my old self in him,” Ellington said.
Not perfect
Arians has been encouraged by the performances of several young receivers this spring, but they haven’t been perfect. One of them, undrafted free agent Krishawn Hogan, had two false starts on Wednesday.
“Mental errors are still coming from some young guys,” Arians said. “And that shouldn’t happen; they’ve had 400 reps. You’re not a rookie anymore after 400 reps.
“Some guys won’t make the team because they can’t count to three. That’s a damn shame. You got a lot of talent but you can’t count to three.”
Later, Arians said Hogan was a bright player, which made the false starts even more disappointing.
Numbers at safety
Rudy Ford, a sixth-round pick this year from Auburn, is playing safety at minicamp after working at cornerback earlier this spring.
“Extremely bright,” Arians said. “He’s got a good chance to make it, once we get to camp and see how physical he is and on special teams. Whoever that ninth or 10th guy (defensive back) they have to be hellacious special teams (players).”
Training camp plans
It doesn’t look like the Cardinals are going to practice against another team during training camp this summer as they did a year ago with the Chargers.
With five preseason games, Arians thinks his team will have enough hitting.
The fifth game “is probably going to be the scrimmage for all the young guys,” he said.