May 10, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (32) and defensive backs coach Nick Rapone look on during Rookie Minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

When the Arizona Cardinals drafted DB Tyrann Mathieu in the third-round (No. 69) of this year’s draft, many people, including myself, considered it a draft-day steal. A player that would have easily gone in the first-round had it not been for his off-field incidents, Mathieu was regarded by many as one of the best defensive prospects in this year’s draft. So with so much talent, what exactly did the Cardinals get?

A player who will often be compared to another troubled defensive back, CB Janoris Jenkins (St. Louis Rams). Like Mathieu, Jenkins was also dismissed from his SEC college football team for repeated drug abuse. However, once Jenkins hit the NFL, he quickly matured into a modeled citizen, and he is reaping the benefits. In 2012, Jenkins tied an NFL rookie-record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns (three), while his four total touchdowns led every defensive player (four, including 1 fumble return). And I expect the same from Mathieu.

The player formerly known as the “Honey Badger” seems to always have a knack for the football. Whether he is forcing fumbles or grabbing interceptions, Mathieu’s ability to be a turnover machine is invaluable. His 40-yard dash speed (4.46) and physical nature, allows him to play the game naturally. A defensive back with fluid hips, Mathieu should have no problem, transitioning to the next level.

And playing in a loaded NFC West division that includes the reigning NFC Champs, the San Francisco 49ers, Mathieu’s learning curve will only accelerate, as he is playing against top competition. Look for Mathieu to turn heads his rookie season, as I predict him to have a stat line similar to 12 passes defensed, four interceptions, and 60 tackles.

And in the future, Mathieu will be even better.

Sep 16, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams (34) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by New England Patriots middle linebacker Brandon Spikes (55) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals won 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The running back situation for the Arizona Cardinals is an absolute mess. Speculating who will start for the 2013 -14 season is as easy as speculating whether the NBA cheated the Phoenix Suns out of a better draft pick last night in the NBA lottery. Whether Bruce Arians chooses between one of the two tenured NFL Players, Ryan Williams and Rashard Mendenhall, or decides to go with one of two new rookies in Stepfan Taylor or Andre Ellington, the running back who wins the job will be given a short leash.

Arians has said he wants a running back who can carry the full load of the running game. Mendenhall and Williams both have major injury concerns and may not be able to produce at the same level that they once were able to. On the other hand, Taylor and Ellington provide potential growth and an optimistic future for the run game. Unfortunately, potential and optimism don’t win NFL players starting jobs. Each of these four running backs will start training camp with a blank slate and the same expectations to win the job.

Mendenhall is the most proven running back. He produced three quality seasons in a row for the team in black and gold that shall not be named, rushing for 1108 yards in 2009, 1273 in 2010 and 928 in 2011 before he was sidelined with a torn ACL. That ACL tear combined with five seasons of NFL abuse causes concern for the organization and its fans. The positive of Mendenhall’s signing is that he signed a one-year deal, making him expendable.

That one year deal, however, provides Mendenhall with all the incentive he needs to succeed next year. He anticipates a full comeback with the ability to produce at his prime level. While it will be more difficult behind an unproven Cardinals offensive line, his production can’t possibly be as bad as Beanie Wells falling down every time he reached an offensive lineman.

In other words, if he can stay healthy he will have every opportunity to succeed.

“Can I stay healthy?” has to be something Williams asks himself every day. Since the Cardinals selected him with their second-round pick in 2011, he has only managed to play in five games, all coming in 2012. Whether it was bad luck or the previous coaching staff pushing him to hard after his first injury, Williams averaged a measly 2.8 yards per carry on the 58 carries he had last year.

Williams will need to forget about his first two years and find confidence in a new scheme and coaching staff. The organization will not wait past this year for him to get healthy and produce. By all accounts Williams is a nice guy, with an exceptional head on his shoulder. Unfortunately for him, those qualities don’t win games and the Cardinals drafted two running backs this year.

Stephan Taylor comes in to this season with the better pedigree of the two rookies. At Stanford he set the career rushing record while playing all four years. Last year was by far and away his best.

Without Andrew Luck at the helm for the first time in his career, he managed to rush for 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 322 carries last season are one more than the three other running backs on the Cardinals managed all last season combined.

While the large amount of rushing attempts plays into Arians’ desire for a single feature running back, all those carries had to have taken a toll on his body last year. A year to rest his laurels while learning the faster paced NFL game may be best for him. He isn’t the fastest running back and watching defenses from the sidelines may better prepare him to utilize his skill set at the next level. But, if Mendenhall falters he may get a chance before Ryan Williams does to start for the Cardinals.

At Clemson, Ellington was a star running back. In Arizona, Ellington will have to fight veteran William Powell for a spot on the roster. Given that the Cardinals spent a draft pick on him this year he probably has a little more leeway than Powell does.

In 2012 Ellington was a stud. He rushed for 1,081 yards in 212 carries for a 5.1 yard average. He’s faster than Taylor and reminds me of Williams when he came out of the draft.

He has a lot to prove at the NFL level, however, and like Taylor, he has a lot to learn. Right now he is last on the pecking order and the least likely to start. However, once training camp starts, who knows what he will bring to the table and he, just like all the other running backs have a fighting chance.

A fighting chance is the theme of this year’s running back competition. Mendenhall and Williams have a fighting chance to rejuvenate their injury plagued careers, while at the same time Taylor and Ellington will use their fighting chances to try and jump start their careers.

Training camp and the preseason will dictate who wins the job, but until then, Mendenhall is the best and most logical choice for the Cardinals. His desire to reclaim his status as one of the NFL’s best running backs and the extra time his knee has had to recover from his 2011 injury should help him secure the job for now.

May 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Dan Buckner catches the ball during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals continued their OTA’s today at their headquarters in Tempe.  For the most part head coach Bruce Arians said he liked what he saw from the defense, but he said the offense is lagging behind where he’d like to see them at this point in the off-season.  Sound familiar?  Although he didn’t specifically name positions or names, I’m pretty sure it has a lot to do with the skilled positions.  Thank goodness it is still only May.

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