Getting James Conner, rest of rushing attack going is paramount for Cardinals vs. Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is about as intense as they come. So, when he left the locker room after last week’s loss to the Rams without talking to reporters and had basically avoided members of the media in the days that followed, you could tell he was in no mood to talk.
He probably wasn’t going to, either, until upon request, a member of the team’s media relations department asked him to meet with reporters after practice on Thursday.
Conner, who has rushed for 26, 25 and 39 yards in Arizona’s first three games of the season, didn’t look happy when he politely agreed to be interviewed.
“It’s just the emotions of wanting to win,” Conner said. “We had a hot start last year and so we’ve just wanted to come out fast. But we’ve been down early in these games and we’re not starting hot, so yeah, it was just frustrating at the time. We’ll just stay working. It’s a long season.”
The first three weeks must feel like an eternity for Conner. A Pro Bowl selection a year ago after scoring 18 touchdowns, the second-most in a single season in Cardinals’ history and the third-most in the league last season, he ranks 47th this year with just 90 yards on 30 carries. His 3.0 yards per rush also ranks 47th.
He's not the only ball carrier struggling to find yardage. Backups Eno Benjamin (17 carries for 75 yards and Darrel Williams (nine carries for 66 yards) rank 56th and 60th overall in total rushing yards. Quarterback Kyler Murray is 61st (12 carries for 65 yards).
The primary reason why the running game hasn’t gotten untracked, save for a couple of wild Murray scrambles during Arizona’s overtime win at the Raiders, has been because the Cardinals keep falling behind early in games. They’ve been outscored 31-0 in the first quarter and 56-13 in the first half.
Playing from behind has forced them to mostly abandon the run and try to climb back with the passing game. But entering Sunday’s game against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, the Cardinals know they have to try and establish a consistent running game first and foremost and hope Conner and Co. can move the chains to get the offense rolling like it was last season.
In 2021, Arizona got off to a 7-0 start and finished the season with the league’s 10th-best rushing attack (122.1 yards per game). The team, also rushed for 23 touchdowns, which tied for third most with Tennessee behind only Philadelphia (25) and New England (24).
“The biggest deal is just being able to stay on schedule and not be behind,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “We haven’t been able to run our offense like we want to be able to run it.”
Feeding the ball to Conner early and often and then mixing it up with passes out of play action or set plays downfield would be the ideal script.
“I would love to. I would love to,” Murray said about getting Conner more involved in the offense. “He’s one of our best players. You’ve got to get the best players the ball, get him involved, and I think we’ll do that.”
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Considering the expected weather conditions following the path and destruction of Hurricane Ian, it’s probably not a bad idea for the Cardinals to focus their attention on running the ball. If things get wet and sloppy, as they likely will, it only makes sense.
Conner wants the ball regardless.
“Any weather, man,” he said, forcing a slight smile. “But if there’s winds and rain and whatnot, we’re going to have to run the ball. It’s going to be harder to throw that thing. … We’ve just got to be prepared, even if it does turn into a rain game. It’s going to be a full team effort with receivers blocking on the outside, me running hard, and everything always starts up front with the line.
“We’re prepared for any weather it is.”
Depth chart: How Cardinals' roster stacks up for game vs. Panthers
Murray, who attempted a career-high 58 passes in the 20-12 loss to the Rams, knows full well that the Cardinals are going nowhere this season if they can’t find a way to run the ball effectively. A gashing rushing attack will only help spark the rest of the offense and that’s why it’s so important to get it going now.
“I think it has to. Well, I know it has to,” Murray said. “If you can’t run the ball, it’s going to be a tough day, and that’s when we’re throwing the ball 58 times. … You’ve got to run the ball. You have to.”
That includes Murray, whose 1,851 rushing yards in 49 career games are the sixth most by a quarterback since 1970. Murray has only run 12 times for 65 yards through three games this season. And it’s not as if defenses are doing anything different this year to keep him from taking off on designed runs.
“No, it’s just more so if I’m asked to do it, then I do it,” he said. “There are certain situations as of late where it’s got to come off scrambles and stuff like that whereas teams may not allow me to scramble as much. People are asking why I’m not running and stuff like that, not that I don’t want to or anything like that. I think just the design run right now – I would love to implement that more – but I just do what I’m asked to do.”
If that’s the case, someone should remind Kingsbury that when Murray carries the ball four or fewer times, the Cardinals are 0-10-1. When he runs it nine times or more, they are 11-1.
“I’ve seen the stats,” Murray said. “But again, the plays that are called, I try to go out there and execute them.”
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Defensively, the Cardinals must be mindful of Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey. He’s listed as questionable with a thigh injury but is expected to play and he’s hurt the Cardinals in the past. Last season, he ran for 95 yards and caught 10 passes for 66 yards in a win over Arizona. In 2019, he ran for 153 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals in another win.
“He’s a special player and if he pops, he can make a big play,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said, adding, “The key is McCaffrey. If he’s playing, take him away first and that’s our order of business and after that, figure it out. If he’s having success, that’s a problem for our defense.”
Roster move
On Saturday the Cardinals elevated wide receiver Andre Baccellia and safety Chris Banjo to the active roster from the practice squad as standard elevations.
Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com and follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live on Fox Sports 910-AM every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals need to get James Conner, rushing attack going at Panthers
