Alfonso Smith is your #2 RB...

[Shane]

Let the flame war begin...

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...Jim-Dray/05f8ee97-f808-46dd-8ce8-7e4900251b89

ALFONSO SMITH FIRST BACK IN AFTER MENDENHALL
Arians took the mystery out of his running back situation Friday. Rashard Mendenhall is the starter (and is probable to play with his knee issues). Behind him, it is by committee, Arians said, but Alfonso Smith has earned the backup role in most circumstances.
It’s quite a turn for Smith, who was cut at the end of the preseason last year by the Cardinals and only returned after Beanie Wells suffered his toe injury that kept him out half the season. Smith was a long shot again coming into camp after the Cardinals drafted two backs, but thanks in part to his excellent pass protection, won Arians over.
“It’s a big deal,” Smith said. “I know he has a lot of faith in me. I kind of had a feeling (in his status). I knew I was going well, but I need to keep working hard. I’ve been preparing for this opportunity.”
With Smith No. 2 and rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington both playing special teams, Ryan Williams could be inactive for the game.

 

[Mainstreet]

Arians confidence in Smith worries me. I don't see the foundation for it.

 

[Darkside]

Arians confidence in Smith worries me. I don't see the foundation for it.

Agree. Coupled with the fact that he called Levi "elite", hasn't upgraded our TE position, and is going to roll with Housler when he gets healthy--and you cant help but worry. Additionally, I really believed he was keeping 5 RB's and the extra corners in order to leverage a trade to upgrade some positions--but now I wonder. He knows better than we do obviously but it just seems odd, especially while only keeping 4 WR's.

Winning cures all though and none of it will matter if he pulls it off.

(Although maybe he plans to shop Smith and needs to get him on film--kind of like how we got suckered into Kolb. Gives RW some more rest and then he can move Smith)

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[Brian in Mesa]

I hope he does well.

 

[Garthshort]

Couple of things:
1. We all know that pass pro is very important to BA, and Alphonso is supposed to be our second best in that role to RM.
2. If Mendenhall is able to play it's probable that RW will be inactive, but if Mendenhall isn't able to play, I think that RW will start. with AS as #2 and ST playing as the short yardage guy. Ellington looks like a ST's guy.

 

[40yearfan]

I could care less who starts and who sits. Just WIN!!!

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I am all for it.

He is reliable with the football, has tremendous speed, a very good pass blocker, and has improved his vision.

Production over hype, IMO.

 

[vince56]

This is a vertical offense. Arians had somewhere around 60% passes last year in Indy. The running back is always important, but they're more a compliment to the passing game than a big part of the offense, from what I understand of Arians' philosophy. We'll see.

 

[Goldfield]

Not a big fan of Smith but he has looked better this year.

 

[PDXChris]

Couple of things:
1. We all know that pass pro is very important to BA, and Alphonso is supposed to be our second best in that role to RM.
2. If Mendenhall is able to play it's probable that RW will be inactive, but if Mendenhall isn't able to play, I think that RW will start. with AS as #2 and ST playing as the short yardage guy. Ellington looks like a ST's guy.

I am all for it.

He is reliable with the football, has tremendous speed, a very good pass blocker, and has improved his vision.

Production over hype, IMO.

We have two winners.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I hope he does well.

I'm really beginning to believe that, as a franchise, we're cursed when it comes to runningbacks.

It's like Spinal Tap, and their track record with drummers.

At some point, I expect one of our RB's to hit the hole one of these days, and just spontaneously combust.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

At some point, I expect one of our RB's to hit the hole one of these days, and just spontaneously combust.

That's what happened to Troy Hambrick. He was here for like a week, made one big run, and I never saw him in the NFL again.

 

[Mainstreet]

At some point, I expect one of our RB's to hit the hole one of these days, and just spontaneously combust.

Bill Cosby did a great joke about a running back surprisingly finding a hole in the line before he got crunched but I have yet to find it. Maybe someone remembers it or has a link to where it can be found. It might have been on one of his early albums. Your comment made be think of it.

 

[juza76]

I think ellington will play some snaps every weeks cause has different skills then other backs plus is very good catching the ball and he is the faster back we have. Many talks about fonzo smith top speed but doesnt translate on the field,and watched all the plays he made ( preseason and few in season)and i never seen 1 run that impressed me, for example Powell last year was able to show something

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I think ellington will play some snaps every weeks cause has different skills then other backs plus is very good catching the ball and he is the faster back we have. Many talks about fonzo smith top speed but doesnt translate on the field,and watched all the plays he made ( preseason and few in season)and i never seen 1 run that impressed me, for example Powell last year was able to show something

Smith's speed does translate to the field, but he has to get some room to get to full speed. We were able to see it in PS. Ellington has much better change of direction and acceleration though.

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[PJ1]

If I never saw Alfonso Smith run the ball again I would be happy. Taylor pass protects well also so we don't need this guy. At best let him be the 5th back and don't dress him.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Bill Cosby did a great joke about a running back surprisingly finding a hole in the line before he got crunched but I have yet to find it. Maybe someone remembers it or has a link to where it can be found. It might have been on one of his early albums. Your comment made be think of it.

It might be from "I Started Out As A Child".

The line I remember from that routine was, "You go long!"

(Just looked it up. That could be it. The routine was called "Street Football".)

 

[Shane]

If I never saw Alfonso Smith run the ball again I would be happy. Taylor pass protects well also so we don't need this guy. At best let him be the 5th back and don't dress him.

Taylor looks like molasses running the ball and is just as unimpressive.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Given Mendenhall's never ending knee issues, I would bet we'll see a good deal of Fonzy today. And, while I would love to see him perform well, I don't expect it.
In fact, I don't expect him to be our #2 much past week three...


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[82CardsGrad]

Given Mendenhall's never ending knee issues, I would bet we'll see a good deal of Fonzy today. And, while I would love to see him perform well, I don't expect it.
In fact, I don't expect him to be our #2 much past week three...


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Wow... happend quicker than I thought! Williams now the #2...

 

[MadCardDisease]

Wow... happend quicker than I thought! Williams now the #2...

I thought Urban said he was #5?

 

[82CardsGrad]

I thought Urban said he was #5?

I just checked the depth chart and he's listed as the #2... I guess it could be wrong, but last week it showed him as the #5??

 

[MadCardDisease]

I just checked the depth chart and he's listed as the #2... I guess it could be wrong, but last week it showed him as the #5??

That depth chart still has Sowell as the #3 RT and he has been moved to #2 LT according to Urban.

 

[82CardsGrad]

That depth chart still has Sowell as the #3 RT and he has been moved to #2 LT according to Urban.

Hmmm... Still don't know why RW would be listed at #2 though, when he was lsited as #5 last week??
Guess we'll know soon enough!

 

[40yearfan]

Hmmm... Still don't know why RW would be listed at #2 though, when he was lsited as #5 last week??
Guess we'll know soon enough!

He wasn't available on Sunday, was he?