ARIZONA CARDINALS

Ellington the focal point?

Aug 14, 2014, 5:37 PM | Updated: 5:37 pm

Andre Ellington is running receiver routes. He has all camp but I’ve noticed more of this lately, the final manifestation of an offense that will try to get him the ball in many different ways. He motioned out of the backfield and ran one of the prettiest 5 routes I have ever seen. He’s going to represent a nightmare match-up whether they put a safety on him or a backer.

There are so many ways the Cards can get him the ball but…that really got me thinking. The Cards have so many weapons and one ball.

Larry should have a massive year. The Japanese Fighting Fish is going to draw single coverage more times than he’s seen in the last three seasons, combined. Michael Floyd is trending to eclipse last year’s 1,000-yard season and should have a monster year. His understanding of the offense, commitment to being a great player and overall athleticism has improved…and this is weird. It doesn’t typically happen where scouts are talking about somebody improving their athleticism but the evidence is there: Floyd is smoother, not nearly as stiff as he once was in the hips and upper body and he’s catching the ball more naturally than I’ve ever seen him. Ted Ginn Jr. can run and is a threat merely because he can still run by many DBs. John Brown is getting ready to explode on the national scene. John Carlson does nothing but catch balls all over the field every day. And the TD that was called back on Saturday is just a shadow of what he can do, especially in the red zone.

And now you have to get the ball to Ellington? The Cards have a great problem on their hands: they have weapons. And this is one more reason why I think Carson Palmer is going to get paid after this year! If they can protect him, he’s going to explode.

Getting Ellington the ball is paramount but making him the focal point may prove to be a ruse in the end. There’s only one ball.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks at a press conference...

Tyler Drake

Michael Bidwill: Cardinals ‘aligned on getting this thing right’ in 2024

Michael Bidwill believes the Cardinals aren't that far off from really turning things around under Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort.

9 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr....

Nick Borgia

Marvin Harrison Jr. remains Cardinals top pick in latest ESPN mock

With the 2024 NFL draft just around the corner, ESPN's latest mock draft details what could be in store for the Cardinals' first six picks.

1 day ago

Rome Odunze...

Kevin Zimmerman

Peter Schrager’s NFL mock draft has a surprising Cardinals trade-down with Giants

Peter Schrager believes the New York Giants could trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who move down to the No. 6 pick to select Rome Odunze.

1 day ago

Trey McBride works out...

Tyler Drake

Tweaked process, same message: Cardinals begin strength and conditioning program

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon isn't the biggest believer in picking up where you left off, especially on a year-to-year basis.

2 days ago

Rome Odunze high fives a fan...

Tyler Drake

Budda Baker backs Rome Odunze, Marvin Harrison Jr. as top WR prospects this NFL Draft

If Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort was waiting for Budda Baker's thoughts on the top wide receiver prospect this NFL Draft, he's got them.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White trains...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Kyzir White progressing, ‘feeling pretty good’ with his rehab post-bicep injury

Arizona Cardinals MIKE linebacker Kyzir White is taking the appropriate steps forward in his continued rehab from a torn biceps injury.

2 days ago

Ellington the focal point?