Cardinals' James Conner not missing workouts, focusing on himself after earning contract
James Conner has a tattoo of Bruce Lee on one arm, and the Cardinals running back lives his football life by one of the martial arts master's mantras.
Conner was asked Thursday after the team's OTA session if he was ever concerned things wouldn't work out in Arizona after he signed a one-year free-agent contract prior to last season. Of course, Conner went on to have a big 2021 with more than 1,100 combined rushing and receiving yards, 15 rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores.
It helped him land a three-year, $21 million contract in March to stay with the Cardinals. But before that, Conner knew he had to be amenable to a new scheme and news ways of being utilized.
"My mindset was make it work. You know, honestly, whatever they asked you to do, you've got to do that, you know, it's like you've got to be able to adapt," Conner said, looking at his Lee tattoo. "You got Bruce Lee on me, you've got to be water, be shapeless, be formless, because you can't just say that. You have to adapt to a team. If you feel like a team doesn't fit your skill set, change your skill set. So it's actually my approach to it because we only get so many chances in this league."
Conner is the lead back going into the 2022 season with Chase Edmonds having moved on the Miami Dolphins. Behind him are recently signed Darrel Williams and a host of younger backs that will be trying to make a case for a third and possibly a fourth spot on the NFL roster. Conner was asked about the other running backs, but in the end focused on his own job.
"I'm trying to earn my job every day. I'm not calling nobody a backup," Conner said. "Obviously, I know what they expect me to do this year, but I'm working to keep my job."
Conner is aware how much the nature of being an NFL running back has changed, that workhorse backs are more rare and teams will either go by committee or use a two-headed system with players in different roles. But running, catching balls and blocking are still essential to NFL success.
"Everybody has different perspectives on it. Some teams love a pass catcher ... other teams want to get the hard dirty yards, you know, so I think it is be the best athlete you can be, be the best player you can be, be strong and be fast and physical," Conner said. "That's really what the game of football is, to have a sharp mindset. And hopefully you find a team that uses you know, to your strengths."
In Conner the Cardinals appear to have found that — a back willing to block who gets the tough yards, catches passes and has the size to be physical. And Conner has also shown open-field speed.
"Like I said before, I didn't realize he had all those tools in his bag until we got him here and I watched him in training camp. And to be that big, fast ... catch, block, do it all, has a nose for the end zone and he's a complete, complete player," Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said of Conner. "And the mentality, to me, is kind of what sets him apart. And he's been at basically every offseason workout, he goes as hard as he can, every drill, every rep. Always businesslike in his approach. And that's been great for our entire organization."
Edmonds caught more passes last season, but Conner gained more yards (375) on his way to earning Pro Bowl recognition for the second time in his career. The first time, as a second-year pro with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Conner had 55 catches for 497 yard in 2018.
"I've always believed in myself as a pass catcher. But just getting put in position, and just making plays when they come to you," Conner said. "I got a couple of decent catches and stuff. But I've got a lot more to give to the game, you know. So, trying to make even better catches and just make even more plays this year."
Murray update
Kingsbury said Thursday that he expects QB Kyler Murray to be at mandatory team camp next week. Murray worked out with the Cardinals at voluntary organized team activities last Wednesday.
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals' James Conner aware of expectations of him in 2022
