Arizona Cardinal believes he is NFL’s best running back
By Jim Koch
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson needs to back up his proclamation that he’s the best ball-carrier in the NFL
It can never be said that the Arizona Cardinals’ David Johnson is devoid of confidence. If you ask the running back who he believes is the best ball-carrier in the league, the reply will come swiftly. Anyone who was watching the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” program this past Monday would’ve heard Johnson’s opinion on the subject.
“There are a lot of good running backs, but I’m the best”, the Cards’ third-round draft pick in 2015 proclaimed to a national audience. But while Johnson is obviously self-assured, there are plenty of folks who would disagree with the 28-year old’s bold statement. In fact, the Arizona star’s recent numbers could give his detractors ammunition that may back up their point of view.
Johnson wasn’t even close to being the best runner in football in 2018. The Northern Iowa University product accumulated just 940 yards on the ground, and averaged a downright ugly 3.6 yards per carry. In Johnson’s defense, he was operating in an offense run by Mike McCoy and Byron Leftwich, two of the worst coordinators in Cardinals’ history.
The 2017 campaign was a disappointment for Johnson as well. An opening-day wrist injury was severe enough to require surgery. Johnson missed the remaining 15 games, a loss that had a devastating effect on the Cards’ scoring attack.
Johnson burst onto the scene with a bang in 2015. The rookie terrorized opposing defenses as both a rusher and pass-receiver. Johnson racked up 1,038 yards from scrimmage, and reached the end zone an impressive 13 times.
Superstar status was reached by Johnson in 2016. Arizona’s dual-threat weapon rushed for 1,239 yards and tallied 80 receptions for another 879 yards. Johnson was incredibly productive on the scoreboard as well, registering 16 touchdowns on the ground and four more through the air.
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The plan is for Johnson to return to his Pro Bowl form of ’16. New Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury has promised to use the explosive player in a variety of ways. If that occurs, Johnson should be able to back up the boastful claims he made earlier this week rather easily in 2019.