Jonathan Dwyer has defined role with old friend Bruce Arians

[BullheadCardFan]

Running back Jonathan Dwyer said when he was a free agent after having parted ways with the Steelers at the end of last season, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was the first to call.

"I loved him when I was in Pittsburgh, I hated that he had to leave," Dwyer said. "Getting that call from him and telling me how much he wanted me, that they needed me out here to help out and push maybe to be a starter, maybe to be a major backup — hearing that and being able to come back out and play with him again, why not?"

Arians said he was pleasantly surprised with Dwyer's performance overall. The coach praised Dwyer's hands in the red zone and said the running back was in better shape than he remembers — and faster — but in general, the running back's varied workload over the three days seemed to reflect the team's uncertainty, his undecided function.

Link.

 

[BurqueCardFan]

We just seem so thin at RB. I still can't believe that we did not bring in at least one other veteran RB or draft one. I was on board for them to draft one in the middle rounds. This reminds me of the year we traded Hightower early in the year and then ended up having a bunch of injuries in camp.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

We just seem so thin at RB. I still can't believe that we did not bring in at least one other veteran RB or draft one. I was on board for them to draft one in the middle rounds. This reminds me of the year we traded Hightower early in the year and then ended up having a bunch of injuries in camp.

True enough, it will be interesting how many RB's we keep. I think Dwyer could be a word load guy need be. But that is pure speculation. If Ellington goes down then it would be very interesting to see how Taylor, and Dwyer would work as the primary backs.

Robert Hughes, who is penciled in as the 4th RB will be more of a fullback and special teams player.

Wonder if there is a guy slated for the practice squad that would be a Ellington backup plan.

 

[BigRedRage]

We just seem so thin at RB. I still can't believe that we did not bring in at least one other veteran RB or draft one. I was on board for them to draft one in the middle rounds. This reminds me of the year we traded Hightower early in the year and then ended up having a bunch of injuries in camp.

We have ellington, a 2nd year draft pick and a vet.

Not too thin.

its not like is ellington goes down all we have is powell and LSH, two tiny scat backs who cant carry the RB job.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I think we are pretty solid - if Ellington goes down, we have some bruiser power and big TE's to block. Works pretty well for the 49ers.

 

[Duckjake]

I think we are pretty solid - if Ellington goes down, we have some bruiser power and big TE's to block. Works pretty well for the 49ers.

The Cards have to replace 217 carries this fall. Even if Ellington can go from 118 to 240 (15 per game) that still leaves 95. Hopefully one of the RBs like Dwyer or Taylor can pick up the slack without much drop off in production. Though 3.2 yards per carry isn't much to aspire to and is also what Taylor managed last season.

 

[Shane]

We have ellington, a 2nd year draft pick and a vet.

Not too thin.

its not like is ellington goes down all we have is powell and LSH, two tiny scat backs who cant carry the RB job.

Instead now we have two bruisers one slow as molasses that can't carry the RB job

 

[BurqueCardFan]

I think we are pretty solid - if Ellington goes down, we have some bruiser power and big TE's to block. Works pretty well for the 49ers.

I hope you're not trying to compare us to the 49ers backfield?
They have Gore, Kendall Hunter, James, the kid from S Carolina that was hurt and now drafted Hyde out of OSU.
I think their running game is in better shape then ours.

 

[Mulli]

Free agent bust?

 

[BigRedRage]

Instead now we have two bruisers one slow as molasses that can't carry the RB job

ill take taylor over mendenfumble, lsh or powell when it comes to handling the hits.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

ill take taylor over mendenfumble, lsh or powell when it comes to handling the hits.

Exactly...May not be pretty, but 3 yards and a cloud of dust is a lot more tolerable than scat around and fumble/fall down at first contact.

 

[Stout]

Unless Dwyer has finally gotten his act together, he's pretty worthless. He's lazy, doesn't work hard, and gives up. A lot. As a backup and spot sub, he used to call to the sidelines to take him out here in Pittsburgh, which infuriated coaches. I don't think much of this signing.

 

[schutd]

Exactly...May not be pretty, but 3 yards and a cloud of dust is a lot more tolerable than scat around and fumble/fall down at first contact.

Does anyone else giggle every time they say the word "scat" in their head?

 

[Duckjake]

Exactly...May not be pretty, but 3 yards and a cloud of dust is a lot more tolerable than scat around and fumble/fall down at first contact.

4 fumbles in 217 carries? Not that crazy bad. Taylor averaged 3.2 per carry but he didn't play near enough to know what he can or can't do but sure fits in the couldn't go anywhere category.

By the way 3 yards and a cloud of dust means Zastudil is taking the snap on 4th down.