Cardinals’ Pre-Camp RB Analysis

July 8, 2007 by Walter Mitchell

The Cardinals open camp with four candidates at halfback in 32-Edgerrin James, 31-Marcel Shipp, 28-J.J. Arrington and 33-Steve Baylark. At fullback there is a crowd of prospects to challenge free agent acquisition 45-Terrelle Smith. Here’s a breakdown of this year’s talent in the backfield.

The incumbent starter at halfback is 32-Edgerrin James (6-0, 220, Miami), a nine year veteran. Last year, James turned in the Cardinals’ first 1,000 yard rushing season since Adrian Murrell’s in 1998. While surpassing 1,000 yards on the ground was a laudable feat, it wasn’t pretty, to say the least. For the first half of the season, the Cardinal running attack was almost completely out of sync, due mostly to an offensive line that lacked the talent and motivation to get a consistent push up front, and due slightly to a newly acquired star running back who wanted no part of pre-season action—-which certainly didn’t help the unit’s timing and cohesion. Once the real games started, the play calling was extraordinarily predictable, and Edgerrin James, the Cards’ prized big name free agent of 2006, looked tentative, overwhelmed and disgruntled.

The epitome of the Cardinals’ running game futility was the Monday Night Football performance versus the Chicago Bears, where the Cardinals elected to try to pound the ball play after play into the teetch of the Bears’ vaunted defense. It was like watching Edgerrin James running in a hamburger drill with no blockers and Brian Urlacher sitting right there between the five yard cones. The constant bludgeoning apparently caused James a leave of his senses, for he inexcusably fumbled the ball with five minutes left while trying to protect what should have been a relatively safe 13 point lead.

When changes were made in the offensive line for the second half of the season, the team’s fortunes running the football suddenly improved. Newly appointed offensive coordinator, Mike Kruczek, spent the bye week trying to convince Edgerrin James to hit the holes faster. James continued to run tentatively, however, often dancing around in search of a crease even when there was a hole. Even more surprising were James’ tentative efforts—on the rare occasions he found himself in the open field—where he would either run like he was treading water or drift right into the hind legs of one of his own blockers.

However, because James was so remarkably durable, physically strong and goal oriented, and because the Cardinals remained committed to the running game, as the offensive line improved, so did James’ numbers.

This year, James will be running for the first time in the NFL with a fullback leading the way. He will be asked to change his modus operandi as a runner…where once his game was tailor made for the Indianapolis zone stretch play (a play that takes time to develop and James could pick his own spots), now James will be asked to run downhill into holes created by quick traps and fullback kick-out and isolation blocks. The question is: Will Edgerrin James adjust nicely to this role?

One player who is likely to shine in this role is 31-Marcel Shipp (5-11, 230, 7th year, UMass). If it’s one thing Marcel Shipp doesn’t do, it’s dance around a hole. He’s a downhill, lower the shoulder on contact type of running back, who spins off contact and tries to eke out every last little inch he can. Shipp is not a homerun threat, but he’s the kind of back who can move the chains and help dictate the tempo of a game.

Another player to keep a close eye on is 3rd year scatback 28-J.J. Arrington (5-9, 214, California). As a change of pace back, Arrington will provide the speed and acceleration that James and Shipp lack. Arrington showed improved toughness at times in 2006, but he still has to demonstrate that he can break a tackle or two and get the extra yard. If Arrington does show that ability, his carries will grow from game to game.

Rookie 33-Steve Baylark (6-0, 225, UMass) is a tough, grind it out runner who is likely to endear the coaches with his courage and determination…enough to, at the very least, land him a spot on the practice squad.

At fullback, the Cardinals signed eight year veteran 45-Terrelle Smith (6-0, 246, Arizona St.) to lead the way for James and company. Smith has a track record of being the lead blocker for 1,000 yard backs in Cleveland, and will be counted on to do the same in Arizona. Smith is tough and precise. The question is: Because of the year in and year out pounding a FB takes in the NFL, has Smith’s best days passed him by?

If Smith falters in any way, the Cardinals stockplied three undrafted rookie free agent fullbacks in 46-Tim Castille (5-11, 234, Alabama), 34-Brandon Snow (6-0, 242, Penn. St.) and 36-Rashon Vercher (5-11, 245, Fresno St.). Of the three, Castille is the most versatile, as he was a touchdown machine near the goal line at Alabama as an inside runner, lead blocker and pass receiver. Snow and Vercher are proto-typical smashmouth fullbacks who consistently paved the way for 1,000 yard rushers at top flight programs.

In addition to Terrelle Smith and the three rookies, the Cardinals also have two other possible candidates at fullback in 44-A.J. Schable (6-3, 281, 2nd year, South Dakota) and 85-John Bronson (6-3, 275, 3rd year, Penn St.). Schable earned some time as a short yardage blocking fullback last year and did fairly well. Bronson was tried at fullback in the pre-season last year. He was an imposing force in his first game, missed some blocks in his second and was rarely seen in the role again. Both Schable and Bronson are two of the more phsycial and productive special teams players on the Cardinals’ roster. Because Schable tackles so well, it may make sense for the Cardinals to try him at inside linebacker, particularly now that the Cards are utilizing the 3-4. And, in Bronson’s case, the team desperately needs a blocking tight end, and if he can fit that bill the way Fred Wakefield did last year, then the odds of him making the roster are improved.

Grade: B. The Cardinals won’t be flashy, save some timely bursts from Arrington, but there’s a fair degree of toughness at both halfback and fullback, which certainly will satisfy Whiz’s smashmouth philosophy. The one question that may haunt the Cardinals for years to come…should they have drafted Adrian Peterson when they had the opportunity to?

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