Pittsburgh West Strikes Again: Cards Sign RB Dwyer
By Scott Allen
Dec 15, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer (27) runs with the ball past Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Wallace Gilberry (95) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
It was bound to happen. It does every season. In just day two of free agency, the Arizona Cardinals signed a former Pittsburgh Steelers player. Today it was running back Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer bolts west after four years in Pittsburgh.
There was no secret the Cards would be in a shopping mode for a free agent running back, despite what they may have said about using current Cards running back Ryan Williams this upcoming season. After the retirement of Rashard Mendenhall, last year’s former Steeler to join the Cards, it was widely known the Cards would be looking for not for a feature back but a compliment one. They get that in Dwyer.
Dwyer had a pretty good 2012 season with 156 carries for 623 yards and two touchdowns. However in 2013, his productivity dwindled drastically. He only carried the ball 49 times for 197 yards. He still maintained his 4.0 yards per carry average though, so that is a little puzzling.
If you can get Dwyer back to his 2012 numbers, he will be a fine compliment to Cards running back Andre Ellington. They can split the majority of the reps with throwing a few in there for Cards running back Stepfan Taylor. This move doesn’t officially end Williams Cards career but it’s as about as close as you can get to official without physically making an announcement.