Does Arizona Cardinals’ second-year running back Andre Ellington have what it takes to become the next Jamaal Charles or Chris Johnson (back when Johnson was good)?
Cardinals GM Steve Keim projects Andre Ellington will be like Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson.
— Heat Waved (@HeatWavedFS) September 11, 2014
During training camp, Cardinals’ coaches indicated that the team views Ellington as their version of Charles.
Steve Keim, general manager of the Cardinals, had this to say of Ellington in a podcast Wednesday (via NFL.com).
When you look at body type, and his frame, and the way he runs the football, I think there’s a chance he can end up being like a Chris Johnson, like a Jamaal Charles. That’s the kind of guy I see Andre Ellington being in the future for us.
While Ellington doesn’t have a below 4.40 dash in his resume, he has the receiving capabilities and swift movement skills to slip through defenders just like Charles and an earlier Johnson posses.
Considering that head coach Bruce Arians likes to give his backs 20-30 touches a game, Ellington will be pressured to remain durable between the tackles just like Charles and CJ2K have over the seasons.
What do you think? Do you see any resemblances?
Clemson’s Sammy Watkins’ touchdown pass to Andre Ellington
Chris Johnson’s touchdown versus the St. Louis Rams
http://youtu.be/nWu3JQB4pEA
Jamaal Charles kick return touchdown
If Ellington can live up to the expectations of these running backs, he’ll be the name teams will be comparing their future NFL running backs to a few years down the road.
Photo: USA Today