Cardinals want Andre Ellington to be their Jamaal Charles

The Arizona Cardinals are expected to release the shackles from running back Andre Ellington this season as they’ve previously noted. Well, sort of. Earlier this offseason the team hinted they would like to get Ellington upwards of 30 touches per game.

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That’s a relatively absurd number, especially for a player the size of Andre Ellington. Given that, the team reduced their desired number touches to a much more respectable 20, though they still plan to limit what type of action he’ll see on the inside.

"The Cardinals would like to get the ball to Ellington 20 or so times a game, but want to limit his carries inside the tackles. He’s more dangerous “in space” as a receiver, plus they want to keep him healthy the entire season."

Such a proclamation isn’t to suggest that the Arizona Cardinals won’t give Andre Ellington any inside work, but obviously they don’t want him continually getting blasted every time he attempts to fight through the line of scrimmage. Add in his game is better served outside of the tackles and it makes sense Ellington will see less work inside than originally anticipated.

On downs where the Cardinals need a bruiser or somebody to pick up a handful of yards in the middle, Stepfan Taylor and Jonathan Dwyer will presumably handle the roll.

Arizona is expected to give Ellington five-plus looks out of the backfield in effort to replicate a Jamaal Charles like-role.

"Cardinals radio color analyst Ron Wolfley said multiple coaches told him they want Ellington to be their Jamaal Charles."

Should be fun to watch as few players in the NFL are more explosive than Andre Ellington.

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