Just how good is Cards run game?

[NashDishesDimes]

Glad you asked...

Total yards: 2nd (674)

YPC: 1st (5.0)

Rushing TD's: 3rd (7)

Chris Johnson 2nd in the NFL in rushing

WOW

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

That's better than I realized. The only team ahead of us is Seattle and 3rd place is SF. I get the feeling that StL will be quickly shooting to the top of the rushing charts as well so that will be all 4 teams in the NFC West leading the rushing charts. Granted both Seattle and SF have QBs that like to run and we don't so we are relying solely on our RBs for our rush yards.

 

[Goldfield]

It's been good. It should only get better the more games they play and mesh. Exciting

 

[Garthshort]

While I like how well we're running the ball, I still hear the NFL being described as a passing league. Fortunately, we do that pretty well, also.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Hard to believe for sure. So nice to see our team be able get back to back 100 yard games from our RB

How long has it been since we have had a potent rushing attack?

 

[Buckybird]

How long has it been since we have had a potent rushing attack?

Since the days of the OJ/Stump duo in the early 80's, though the inaugural AZ tandem of Stump/Ferrell were a close 2nd.

This 3 headed monster the Big Red have now, could be the more lethal before the year is out.

 

[cardpa]

Look at the bottom of the chart. Detroit is only averaging 49.0 YPG and Miami is averaging 69.3 YPG. No wonder Detroit is winless. They can't run the ball at all.

 

[Skumbag]

4/5 against crappy teams. Don't get your head in the clouds just yet.

 

[Buckybird]

4/5 against crappy teams. Don't get your head in the clouds just yet.

This franchise hasn't been able to run against those "crappy teams" either for ages, so put your head in the clouds

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Johnsons have turned Cardinals’ rushing average from worst to first

Last year, the Cardinals were dead last in the NFL with an average of 3.3 yards a carry. This year the Cardinals are first in the NFL with an average of 5.0 yards a carry.

Free agent signing Chris Johnson has proven that he’s far from washed up, having carried 79 times for 405 yards, an average of 5.1 yards a carry that is his best since his 2,006-yard season in 2009. And rookie David Johnson has added 91 yards on 18 carries, also an average of 5.1 yards a carry. The emergence of the Johnsons has pushed Andre Ellington, last year’s leading rusher, down the depth chart. But Ellington has played well in limited action, reeling off a 63-yard touchdown run on Sunday in Detroit.

Link

 

[PDXChris]

4/5 against crappy teams. Don't get your head in the clouds just yet.

4/5 games without our best run blocker too.

 

[crisper57]

Usually, when the number 1, 2, or 3 is associated withe the Cardinal's run game, it is the YPA.

Not the ranking.

The actual yards.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

I hate to be the guy that says "i knew it" but when the Cards signed CJ, i immediately looked up his stats with the Jets. He was averaging 4.5 YPC with the Jets! The Jets!! That immediately told me he wasnt done, there are always 8 guys in the bos against the Jets.

I like what CJ had said in an interview recently as well, he said something to the effect that he has never played in an offense this good that has such a strong passing attack. He said he was used to seeing 8 guys in the box his entire career. In Tenessee he rushed for 2,000 yards even though every team knew he was getting the ball and it was the only thing they had to stop. This is by a wide margin, the best situation he has ever been in.

 

[Shane]

4/5 games without our best run blocker too.

3/5

He played against Rams and Detroit

 

[WildBB]

It's obviously much improved and deeper with C. Johnson back there. Along with the Iupati signing, it was the obvious focus of this past off season.

It will go a long way in keeping Carson healthy and the O more consistent. Good to see it bearing fruit early this season. DJ has been a consistent contributor already which really helps as well.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

It's obviously much improved and deeper with C. Johnson back there. Along with the Iupati signing, it was the obvious focus of this past off season.

It will go a long way in keeping Carson healthy and the O more consistent. Good to see it bearing fruit early this season. DJ has been a consistent contributor already which really helps as well.

Arians has always been an advocate for building a system around your players. That being said, in his original Pittsburg days he was a power running game coach. I believe this is what he always wants to do, he just wasn't able to do it with our prior O Line.

 

[JCSunsfan]

A good running game is the primary way you keep your QB upright.

 

[Cardiac]

That's better than I realized. The only team ahead of us is Seattle and 3rd place is SF. I get the feeling that StL will be quickly shooting to the top of the rushing charts as well so that will be all 4 teams in the NFC West leading the rushing charts. Granted both Seattle and SF have QBs that like to run and we don't so we are relying solely on our RBs for our rush yards.

Here is a link to Cards.com article that has some amazing Record breaking stats http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...Run-Game/5ef00fa2-e9b5-4d23-9281-30ab177f7869

Top five ypc teams in the NFL thus far, we are number 1 and the rest of the NFC west is also in the top 5, Vikings with AP are # 2. What adds to how incredible this stat is, the fact that we have had 4 blow out wins and taken knees at the end of those games which hurts your ypc avg. None of those other top 5 teams have done that much if at all.

 

[Harry]

I agree the running game is improved. That said I had expected more from the very pricey left side of the line. Too many penalties, too little domination. The RBs have been great. They deserve better blocking.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The best thing about the running game is that if we had to go on the road to face the Packers, our offense may be our best defense, being able to grind the ball on the ground an limit Rodgers' ability to get on the field.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Here's a trick question: How many times, while watching Cardinal's games, have you seen a run like AE's?

 

[WildBB]

Here's a trick question: How many times, while watching Cardinal's games, have you seen a run like AE's?

Terry Metcalf and Otis Anderson come to mind in the 70's and 80's. I can't think of anyone since then! Garrison Hearst maybe?