Arizona Cardinals: If…And…But for 2015

Aug 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

But

If the running game can’t offer any kind of consistent support, then the remainder of the team will suffer dearly because of that.

Back in 2012, no team in the league gained fewer yards on the ground than the Cardinals. New head coach Bruce Arians saw the club improved to 23rd in the NFL in that category one year later. But this past season, only the Oakland Raiders racked up fewer yards rushing than Arizona. The loss of versatile running back Andre Ellington down the stretch was a big blow.

The team has done a good job in recent seasons bolstering the offensive line but the club has already suffered a couple of significant blows. Free-agent pickup Mike Iupati, a three-time Pro Bowl guard with the San Francisco 49ers, is on the mend while right tackle Bobby Massie (pending appeal) is suspended for the first three games of the season.

Along with Ellington, the backfield includes David Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams and recently-signed Chris Johnson. All told, the Cardinals won’t get away with averaging 81.8 yards per game rushing this upcoming season as they did in 2014.

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