Is Arrington really ready to start in the NFL?
By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 9, 2005
His fumbling was dismissed by Cardinals coach Dennis Green as part of the preseason.
So too were any of J.J. Arrington’s other trying times over the past month or so. The rookie second-round pick was always going to be the team’s starting running back, a term that begins against the New York Giants Sunday
The question is whether Arrington, who averaged just 2.6 yards a carry during exhibition games, has learned enough during training camp to carry Arizona’s running game.
"Well," running backs coach Kirby Wilson said, huckling, "we’re going to find out Sunday."
Green believes Arrington can be a 1,200-yard rusher, and his opportunities with the Cardinals will give him just as much of a chance to do so as the three backs taken before him in the draft — Miami’s Ronnie Brown, Tampa Bay’s Carnell Williams and Chicago’s Cedric Benson.
But Arrington’s slow preseason (only 74 yards on his 28 carries) was disappointing and made some wonder if veteran Marcel Shipp wouldn’t be a better choice, at least for now, to be the starter.
Arrington insists he wasn’t frustrated by his preseason production, and doesn’t consider the pressure he might be under.
"I just want to be on the field and help this team win," Arrington said. "I am sure Shipp will get some carries with me.
"(The running game) has been down and we want to get the rushing efficiency up."
Issues on the offensive line cloud any quality assessment of Arrington’s development. But there have also been certain plays where Arrington has looked unsure of himself.
Other times — such as his first fumble of the preseason on a massive hit from Dallas’ Roy Williams or his attempted pass block on Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson during which Arrington was run over — he was not ready for the increased physical level of the NFL game.
"(Rookie backs) all come in with a certain readiness, but they still need to be developed within your system and developed in an NFL way," Wilson said. "And the NFL way, it’s fast, it’s physical, it’s violent. You can’t recreate that in practice.
"He’s like most young guys. The speed and the suddenness, it’s overwhelming at first. It’s a gradual transition until they eventually become fast, and sudden and violent. That’s what (J.J.) is going through right now."
Green has already hinted that he might dial up pass plays more often if the run game is not working. With big expectations for the wide receivers, throwing the ball will always be tempting.
But even Green understands that the passing game he envisions — one that piles up big numbers and lots of points — will work better with a solid running game. That’s why he wanted to take a rookie running back early in the draft, and why Brown, Benson or Williams would have been a Cardinal had one of them lasted until the team’s eighth overall pick.
"I don’t think we will ever go into a game saying, ‘We are going to throw the ball every single snap and so what about the run,’ " quarterback Kurt Warner said.
Arrington isn’t making any bold predictions. The Cardinals need him to be ready now, but even Arrington knows he is not a finished product.
"I am always going to be learning," Arrington said, "even over the next two or three years."
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 9, 2005
His fumbling was dismissed by Cardinals coach Dennis Green as part of the preseason.
So too were any of J.J. Arrington’s other trying times over the past month or so. The rookie second-round pick was always going to be the team’s starting running back, a term that begins against the New York Giants Sunday
The question is whether Arrington, who averaged just 2.6 yards a carry during exhibition games, has learned enough during training camp to carry Arizona’s running game.
"Well," running backs coach Kirby Wilson said, huckling, "we’re going to find out Sunday."
Green believes Arrington can be a 1,200-yard rusher, and his opportunities with the Cardinals will give him just as much of a chance to do so as the three backs taken before him in the draft — Miami’s Ronnie Brown, Tampa Bay’s Carnell Williams and Chicago’s Cedric Benson.
But Arrington’s slow preseason (only 74 yards on his 28 carries) was disappointing and made some wonder if veteran Marcel Shipp wouldn’t be a better choice, at least for now, to be the starter.
Arrington insists he wasn’t frustrated by his preseason production, and doesn’t consider the pressure he might be under.
"I just want to be on the field and help this team win," Arrington said. "I am sure Shipp will get some carries with me.
"(The running game) has been down and we want to get the rushing efficiency up."
Issues on the offensive line cloud any quality assessment of Arrington’s development. But there have also been certain plays where Arrington has looked unsure of himself.
Other times — such as his first fumble of the preseason on a massive hit from Dallas’ Roy Williams or his attempted pass block on Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson during which Arrington was run over — he was not ready for the increased physical level of the NFL game.
"(Rookie backs) all come in with a certain readiness, but they still need to be developed within your system and developed in an NFL way," Wilson said. "And the NFL way, it’s fast, it’s physical, it’s violent. You can’t recreate that in practice.
"He’s like most young guys. The speed and the suddenness, it’s overwhelming at first. It’s a gradual transition until they eventually become fast, and sudden and violent. That’s what (J.J.) is going through right now."
Green has already hinted that he might dial up pass plays more often if the run game is not working. With big expectations for the wide receivers, throwing the ball will always be tempting.
But even Green understands that the passing game he envisions — one that piles up big numbers and lots of points — will work better with a solid running game. That’s why he wanted to take a rookie running back early in the draft, and why Brown, Benson or Williams would have been a Cardinal had one of them lasted until the team’s eighth overall pick.
"I don’t think we will ever go into a game saying, ‘We are going to throw the ball every single snap and so what about the run,’ " quarterback Kurt Warner said.
Arrington isn’t making any bold predictions. The Cardinals need him to be ready now, but even Arrington knows he is not a finished product.
"I am always going to be learning," Arrington said, "even over the next two or three years."
Contact Darren Urban by email, or phone (480) 898-6525
