TERRITORIAL CUP
Cardinals RB seeing increased production under OC Leftwich
It’s cooled down across Arizona, but David Johnson is back to triple digits.
Since the change at offensive coordinator, the Cardinals running back has gained 100 yards or more from scrimmage in each of the last three games, a feat he accomplished just once in the first seven games of the season.
“I think David just has more opportunities now to make the plays that he’s always made,” offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said on Thursday. “I don’t know if I know him, (or) I’ve been around here longer
so I have a better idea of what David is, I don’t know.
“I’m just putting him in a position to make plays, and fortunately for us, the last couple of weeks, he’s been making them for us, and putting us in a position to win football games.”
Johnson’s coaches and teammates aren’t surprised that he’s getting back to the numbers he was posting in 2016. To them, it was mainly a matter of time.
Some of the changes have come from coaching, as Johnson has been getting outside more. Coach Steve Wilks thinks the increased output also has to do with Johnson himself and the way he’s been hitting his gaps.
“I think that he is being a little more aggressive, getting north and south, trying to get some positive yardage,” Wilks said on Monday. “When you look at his yardage after contact, I think it’s very impressive. He’s doing a great job, and he has also been effective in the pass game as well.”
Against the Raiders, Johnson had a would-be 57-yard touchdown run that was called back for holding. Wilks believes that even if there had not been a hold, Johnson would have scored either way.
His 53-yard run in the fourth quarter moved the Cardinals into Oakland territory, where Larry Fitzgerald would score on a five-yard touchdown pass four plays later.
The big play up the middle was Johnson’s longest run of the season by 32 yards, and he gained more on that one play than his rushing total from each of the first three games.
More than half of the Cardinals’ 52 offensive plays went through Johnson, though mostly came on rushes. Johnson had just one catch, for 17 yards, on three targets against the Raiders. He more than made up for it on the ground, where he had 137 yards on 25 carries. It was the first time he had more than 100 yards rushing since November 2016.
Wilks said ideally, they’d like him to be a little more balanced. That will come with continued creative looks, but it will also vary game to game based on what the opposing defense allows, and Leftwich is okay with that.
“I don’t view it or think of it as rushing and passing yards,” Leftwich said. “I’m just trying to get our better players the ball, and just try to get him as many touches as possible throughout a game to help us win football games. He’s a guy that’s exceptionally good at what he (does), so I just try to put him in a position to always have a mismatch and always make the play for us, so he’s been doing a great job of that the past couple of weeks.”
Even when Johnson isn’t catching the ball, his resurgence means he can help the team without even touching the ball. Opposing defenses know Johnson can come out of the backfield as a receiver and have to prepare accordingly, opening up other Cardinals.
On a touchdown pass to Fitzgerald against the Raiders, Johnson was able to pull defenders his direction on a slant and go route.
“Josh (Rosen) did a great job of looking the safety off and coming back to Larry (Fitzgerald) right down the seam,” Wilks said. “I think they are concerned or aware of him, and that’s the reason the safety was leaning to that side.”
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn knows that Johnson can be used in a myriad of ways.
“He’s a dynamic guy,” Lynn said Wednesday on a conference call. “He can beat you with his legs. He can beat you receiving, as well. It’s going to definitely be a big challenge for us.”
Injury report
Wilks ruled OL Humphries (knee), safety Rudy Ford (heel), LB Deone Bucannon (chest) and WR Chad Williams (ankle) out for Sunday.
He said everyone else from the injury report will be a game-time decision. Safety Budda Baker (knee), kicker Phil Dawson (right hip), OL Mike Iupati (back), DT Robert Nkemdiche (calf), DT Corey Peters (heel/back), TE John Phillips (knee) and DT Olsen Pierre (ankle) were all listed as questionable. Peters did not practice on Friday and was limited on Wednesday and Thursday.
For the Chargers, RB Melvin Gordon (hamstring/knee), Brandon Mebane (non-injury related) and WR Tyrell Williams (quadricep) were listed as questionable.