Cards RB Johnson looking like he’s back to ’16 form
Cardinals’ running back David Johnson doesn’t have a nickname, although people have tried to come up with something clever and fitting. Leave it to that proverbial NFL wordsmith, Jon Gruden, to pull the perfect name right out of the air.
“Johnson is what you’re looking for,” the Raiders’ head coach said Wednesday during a conference call when asked what he likes about the fourth-year star. “I mean, he’s a game-breaking back, he can take a short pass the distance, he can bang in there for critical yards and short yardage, he can end the game, breaking tackles.
“He’s a joker. I call him a joker. He can line up in any hand. You can put him in the I-formation. You can off-set him in the shotgun. You can line him up at wide receiver or the shotgun. He’s just a complete modern day back. He’s what we’re all looking for.”
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it took them nine games to rediscover “The Joker” and figure out how to get the most out of all Johnson’s many talents and traits. They were on full display this past Sunday, though, at Arrowhead Stadium when he posted season-highs in yards from scrimmage (183), rushing yards (98) and receiving yards (85). He also tied his season high with two touchdowns.
The Cardinals lost to the Chiefs, 26-14 , but they “found” their primary offense weapon once again. Better late than never. Johnson had 28 touches between the run and the pass and he told reporters on Wednesday it wasn’t a surprise, either.
“Me and (offensive coordinator Byron) Leftwich have been talking and we’ve been communicating about trying to find ways to get me the ball and he did a great job,” Johnson said. “I felt real comfortable, got a good rhythm going this last game, and it felt good.”
Was Johnson’s breakout game of 2018 a flashback from his All-Pro season of 2016 and a sign of things to come moving forward, continuing this Sunday when the Cardinals (2-7) meet the Raiders (1-8) at State Farm Stadium?
“I hope so. I definitely hope so,” Johnson said, smiling brightly. “And I think it will. I think it will as Leftwich gets more comfortable being the OC and everybody gets more comfortable playing together and hopefully, staying healthy. If that happens, then it definitely will lead to that.”
Health is a big concern at the moment for the Cardinals, who were missing several players from practice on Wednesday. They could be starting a pair of backup guards for a second consecutive week and left tackle D.J. Humphries suddenly was among the many missing as they returned to the practice fields.
“I think we’re going to be OK,” rookie center Mason Cole said. “The guys behind everyone who have been hurt will step up. These guys are ready to go, no matter who it is. I think no matter who’s in there we’ll have a good game plan, try to get David going again, and try to get after the Raiders.
“It felt good to see David get back to doing what he’s done. We’re really excited for him, we’re happy for him. Byron’s finally calling the plays that he thinks we’re good at and David’s obviously a big part of that, so it was really good to see.”
Likewise, it was just as good to see how well the beat-up offensive line blocked and opened holes for Johnson, quarterback Josh Rosen reminded.
“I think our offensive line had something to prove,” Rosen said. “They’re banged up and I think they’re a little frustrated. It was really awesome how they responded. That’s as much a testament to who they are and their character as it is to their physical ability.”
Johnson remained patient through the first half of the season, knowing there were so many new faces, both in terms of players and coaches, and that it was probably going to take time for him to excel in a new offensive system. He’s a patient person by nature, though.
“Yeah, I’m pretty patient. I’m a triplet with two girls so I had to learn it the hard way,” he said.
Frustration did creep into his psyche, of course. He freely admits to that.
“Obviously, everyone was frustrated,” Johnson said. “It was tough, the first couple games. Everyone was talking about it. For me to say I wasn’t frustrated, it would be a lie. It was definitely frustrating, but I’m glad to see the progress now.”
There has been a couple noticeable changes in Johnson’s running style the past couple of games. He’s attacking the line of scrimmage with a little more ferocity and intent. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson, he said, has been reminding him to run more in a downhill fashion and quit trying to bounce as much.
“Maybe those 1-yarders, make them 3 and that will open things up and put more confidence in the offense, the offensive line, the offensive coordinator, seeing me run the ball and trying to ground and pound it and lower the shoulder,” he said. “Hopefully, it will put more confidence in everyone else, and I think it did.”
Given how much Johnson loves to use his trademark “jump-cut” moves, it’s been a work in progress for him to reduce the number of times he’ll try to juke a defender. He’ll still use it when the time is right, but he’s just as happy to steamroll a would-be tackler as well.
Oh, and as for the “Joker” reference Gruden labeled him with on Wednesday, Johnson approves.
“That’s good to hear,” he said, smiling again. “When you get respect from opponents, especially coaches that we’re going to play against, it’s always good to hear. I’ve never heard that name before, but I’ll go with it.”