Fearless prediction: Williams doesn't make the team, Ellington starting by Week 5

[Ed Burmila]

Mendenhall, Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor are the trio, with Sherman at FB. New coaching staff looks at RW as a mistake from the previous regime - injury prone (healthy for 6 of his 32 possible NFL games so far) and fumble prone.

Mendenhall plays pretty well but it's a speed league and Ellington has it. He becomes a four-year starter and gets penciled in for 1000 yards every year. Mendenhall leaves after his 1-year contract expires and Taylor becomes the primary backup. We rebuild an important skill position in one draft and Arians looks like a genius.

 

[Snakester]

I do love the Ellington pick. He was my second favorite RB in this draft. The only thing I see different is Sherman may get released as well. That's because of what I remember hearing about BA doesn't like having a fullback in his system. I could very well see Ellington winning the starting job by the time the season starts.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Mendenhall, Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor are the trio, with Sherman at FB. New coaching staff looks at RW as a mistake from the previous regime - injury prone (healthy for 6 of his 32 possible NFL games so far) and fumble prone.

Mendenhall plays pretty well but it's a speed league and Ellington has it. He becomes a four-year starter and gets penciled in for 1000 yards every year. Mendenhall leaves after his 1-year contract expires and Taylor becomes the primary backup. We rebuild an important skill position in one draft and Arians looks like a genius.

I will predict that Taylor will be the starter and Ellington will be change of pace.

 

[Shane]

Thats not really going out on much of a limb. I hardly consider RW a last regime pick considering Keim probably had considerable input with the pick.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Thats not really going out on much of a limb. I hardly consider RW a last regime pick considering Keim probably had considerable input with the pick.

And Arians has raved about him.

 

[Goldfield]

I was surprised to see one let alone two RBs taken. I can't wait to see them in action. I like the tape on both, Taylor was my favorite of the two. But they both will complement each other. One more speed the other more power.

 

[ARZCardinals]

I think Taylor will be the starting RB by week 5.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I think all 4 make the team and they'll determine themsleves who plays and who doesn't.

I'm starting to warm to Taylor a little bit even though I think he was overdrafted and his lack of speed is still concerning. Mendenhall is likely a 1 year player no matter what he does. If he excels, he'll move on to a bigger payday. If he stinks, he'll be replaced mid-season.

Down the road I hope Taylor and Ellington can form the type of 1-2 punch like Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller did in Buffalo.

 

[D-Dogg]

All four will make the team, but if one is to be cut, it would be Williams. Taylor or Ellington could be starters by mid-season.

 

[kerouac9]

I think all 4 make the team and they'll determine themsleves who plays and who doesn't.

I'm starting to warm to Taylor a little bit even though I think he was overdrafted and his lack of speed is still concerning. Mendenhall is likely a 1 year player no matter what he does. If he excels, he'll move on to a bigger payday. If he stinks, he'll be replaced mid-season.

Down the road I hope Taylor and Ellington can form the type of 1-2 punch like Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller did in Buffalo.

What was the last free agent running back to get a "bigger payday"? Edgerrin James? Michael Turner?

Reggie Bush got $4M guaranteed from Detroit. Darren Sproles got $3M guaranteed when he moved over to the Saints.

The trajectory of the running back in the 2010s seems to be that you get re-signed, or you're out of the league.

 

[Mainstreet]

I hope the Cardinals find some way to keep Powell on the team.

 

[JC_AZ]

I think Williams surprises...both of his injuries were not typical RB-type injuries and both were on sort of a fluke play...kid works his ass off and he wants it...came back too soon last year IMHO trying to save the regime, but I would be surprised if many are not back on board with RW once the season begins... just my prediction

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

What was the last free agent running back to get a "bigger payday"? Edgerrin James? Michael Turner?

Reggie Bush got $4M guaranteed from Detroit. Darren Sproles got $3M guaranteed when he moved over to the Saints.

The trajectory of the running back in the 2010s seems to be that you get re-signed, or you're out of the league.

I don't mean a blockbuster deal, just more than what the Cards are paying him this year. If he runs for 1000+ yards and flashes his pre-injury form, some team will give him a raise. He's only 25. I seriously doubt that happens but, if it does, he's likely going to want to test his market value and, if any team offers him anything of significance, I think the Cards would just move on without him.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I hope the Cardinals find some way to keep Powell on the team.

Why? Just asking.

He's less talented than the other 4. Other than sentimental reasons and wanting to see the underdog prevail, there's no reason to prefer him. In fact, if he does make the team, that means one of the other 4 fell flat on their face and didn't workt out for the Cards.

 

[52brandon]

Mendenhall, Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor are the trio, with Sherman at FB. New coaching staff looks at RW as a mistake from the previous regime - injury prone (healthy for 6 of his 32 possible NFL games so far) and fumble prone.

Mendenhall plays pretty well but it's a speed league and Ellington has it. He becomes a four-year starter and gets penciled in for 1000 yards every year. Mendenhall leaves after his 1-year contract expires and Taylor becomes the primary backup. We rebuild an important skill position in one draft and Arians looks like a genius.

Wasn't Wiliiams the first player Arians spoke highly of when he was hired? I don't see him being viewed as a mistake at all. He is undoubtedly injury prone, he wasn't even healthy for those 6 games either. I think he comes back healthy this year, and the focus will be on whether he gets his moves/confidence back, and if he can stop fumbling. I wonder how we always get RBs with fumble problems. Makes me wonder if the awful coaching, or awful line had anything influence. I hope he can come back strong though. I thought he had a lot of potential, and he was a super cool kid when I met him. Just a jacked short ball of muscle too. Surprised me about his injuries, he seemed to be among the best conditioned Cardinals at the time

 

[52brandon]

Why? Just asking.

He's less talented than the other 4. Other than sentimental reasons and wanting to see the underdog prevail, there's no reason to prefer him. In fact, if he does make the team, that means one of the other 4 fell flat on their face and didn't workt out for the Cards.

I actually thought the kid had quite a bit of talent last year. He never really had a chance in the offense with no passing threat and a porous line. I would love to see him stick around, but I'm not holding my breath either. Either he or Williams will be the odd man out. And if Williams doesn't get hurt in preseason or camp, I think we will have seen the last of Powell unfortunately

 

[Shane]

I actually thought the kid had quite a bit of talent last year. He never really had a chance in the offense with no passing threat and a porous line. I would love to see him stick around, but I'm not holding my breath either. Either he or Williams will be the odd man out. And if Williams doesn't get hurt in preseason or camp, I think we will have seen the last of Powell unfortunately

Powell is done. There is no loyalty to him and no reps to go around. Its Mendy RW and the two rooks! Unless there is an injury no other RB is making this roster.

 

[52brandon]

Powell is done. There is no loyalty to him and no reps to go around. Its Mendy RW and the two rooks! Unless there is an injury no other RB is making this roster.

you're more than likely right. Still a shame. He had some great moves, maybe with blocking he would have looked better when he did get his shots, but it is what it is. It's a business and the other 4 are better. It's really that simple

 

[Vermont Maverick]

New coaching staff looks at RW as a mistake from the previous regime - injury prone (healthy for 6 of his 32 possible NFL games so far) and fumble prone.

I will never forget when Williams was drafted, and Whiz came out and took a cheap shot at Hightower, indicating that Ryan Williams was chosen, in part, because he doesn't fumble the football. Turns out he had 5 fumbles in his (less than) 1 1/2 seasons at Va Tech (he was hurt most of his sophmore year, which means he hasn't played a full season in 3 years). Pretty sad that you don't know what kind of player you are bringing in.

The way I look at it we have 3 backs right now:

Taylor = 1
Ellington = 1
Mendenhall + Williams = 1 because both of them are likely to give you about a half season.

 

[WildBB]

I think Taylor is going to push Mendenhall more than most realise right now.

He could supplant very early.

 

[Chopper0080]

Between Stepfan Taylor and Ellington, Stepfan Taylor starts before Ellington. In fact, I believe Taylor will be our starting RB week 1 of the 2014 season.

 

[Zeno]

I think Taylor is going to push Mendenhall more than most realise right now.

He could supplant very early.

I agree, he will never be a big play game breaker but he will be a steady move the chains type of back.

Can't judge the guy completely by his 40 time. It's not like his 40 time was a whole lot different than Arian Foster who ran a 4.71 at his Pro Day--yet Foster has managed to be pretty productive.

I can already see the Taylor Vs. Ellington threads this preseason

 

[GuernseyCard]

Seems to me, that Mendenhall and Taylor are the two most complete backs given their ability to pass protect and the other two more dynamic. All can have roles this upcoming season and it's nice to have this talent.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Powell has some wiggle anr lateral quickness, but he isnt very powerful or fast. RW is actually somewhat similar, but more explosive. Ellington is the speed back and Taylor is the power back. Really no room for WiPo.

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[Mainstreet]

Why? Just asking.

He's less talented than the other 4. Other than sentimental reasons and wanting to see the underdog prevail, there's no reason to prefer him. In fact, if he does make the team, that means one of the other 4 fell flat on their face and didn't workt out for the Cards.

I liked Powell because he always came to play even behind a terrible offensive line. While Wells and RW sat Powell always played hard and often got more yardage than he should by sliding under tacklers. I also liked him because he was sort of an underdog. If RW doesn't make the team or stay healthy, I'd definitely like to keep Powell.