Cardinals could use Andre Ellington differently in 2017
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSPhil Dawson talks about joining Cardinals | 1:30
Free agent kicker Phil Dawson signed a 2-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on March 10, 2017 at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL free agency and how it affects the Arizona Cardinals | 1:59
Shot Clock: NFL free agency moves, including Chandler Jones staying and Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson likely leaving the Arizona Cardinals. Video: azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSReports: Texans trade QB Brock Osweiler to Browns with second-round pick | 0:43
The Texans have traded quarterback Brock Osweiler and a 2018 second-round draft pick to the Browns, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news. Time_Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTony Romo says goodbye to Cowboys fans | 0:41
Quarterback Tony Romo posted a message on Instagram to say goodbye to all the Dallas Cowboys fans who supported him during the course of his 13-year career. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSReport: Kirk Cousins asked Dan Snyder to trade him | 0:52
Washington Quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly asked Dan Snyder to trade him, but ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting Snyder told Cousins not to get his hopes up. Time_Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Key issues for Cardinals in NFL free agency | 2:08
Shot Clock: The beginning of the new NFL year, what the Cardinals’ chances are for keeping Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson and who might make an impact around the league. Video: azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL Scouting Combine: Quarterbacks show off their skills | 0:51
USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero fills you in on how the top quarterback prospects fared during Day 4 of the NFL Scouting Combine. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDeshaun Watson says it’d be awesome to learn from a veteran NFL quarterback | 0:30
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson said he could benefit from backing up a veteran when he enters the NFL. Video: Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSPatrick Mahomes: I’m a competitor and I want to play | 0:29
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 5,052 total and 41 TDs with 10 INTs in 2016 at Texas Tech. Video: Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL Scouting Combine: Teams looking for quarterbacks | 1:11
USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes gives insight as to which teams will be searching for a quarterback at the NFL Scouting Combine. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSJohn Ross runs fastest 40-yard dash ever at NFL Combine | 0:48
John Ross, former wide receiver from the University of Washington, broke Chris Johnson’s 40-yard dash record at the NFL Combine. Time
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWashington Huskies receiver John Ross on his versatility | 0:22
Washington receiver John Ross in 2016 was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 standout with 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 TDs . Video: Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL scouting combine: 49ers high on Kizer | 1:09
USA TODAY Sports’ Lindsay H. Jones says that San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch spoke very highly of a number of high-profile quarterback prospects.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley break down the NBA MVP race and a possible reunion in the Cardinals defensive backfield.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals GM Steve Keim on combine process, free agency | 2:17
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with GM Steve Keim about how the Cardinals conduct business at the NFL combine and how they will handle their free agents.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSArians on finding quarterback of the future | 0:34
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians discusses finding the team’s future quarterback in the draft.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Tough free agency decisions looming for Cardinals | 1:51
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Cardinals free agency and Larry Fitzgerald’s reaction to an extra NFL preseason game. Video: azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL mock draft: How will top 5 picks shake out? | 0:57
USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis gives us his top five picks of the 2017 NFL draft. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSMichael Floyd’s message for his critics | 1:00
Not everyone is happy that ex-Cardinals WR Michael Floyd, who was waived by the Cardinals three days after an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, is a Super Bowl champion. Video: azcentral sports Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSArizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Shane Doan | 1:24
Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Arizona Coyotes’ Shane Doan. (Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKurt Warner inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame | 0:53
Third time is the charm for former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, as he and four others were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Feb. 4, 2017. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSFalcons and Patriots advance to Super Bowl LI | 1:08
Atlanta and New England will face off in Houston after winning the NFC and AFC championships, respectively. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSOn the drawing board: Cardinals lineman Mike Iupati | 1:03
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Mike Iupati talks about his experiences of growing up fishing on a small island. Video: Michael Chow and David Wallace/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSOn the drawing board: Tony Jefferson of the Arizona Cardinals | 1:25
Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson is also an impersonator, and, was once haunted by a ghost. Video: Michael Chow and David Wallace/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSOn the drawing board: Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter | 1:11
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter sits down with Steve Benson of The Republic, and admits a weak spot for good food. Video: Michael Chow and David Wallace/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals players clear out lockers, reflect on season | 1:12
Cardinals players reflect on the 2016 season as they clear out their lockers on Monday. Nick Oza/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals looking to play several younger backups | 2:25
Cardinals Insider Kent Somers says Bruce Arians is high on younger backups who got a chance to play last week. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTop underclassmen entering the NFL draft early | 1:01
Here’s a look at some of the top underclassmen planning on entering the 2017 NFL Draft. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTime-lapse: On the field during pre-game festivities | 0:51
A time-lapse view from field level during the pre-game introductions for the Arizona Cardinals: Video: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSGrass field rolls in at University of Phoenix Stadium | 0:37
Watch video of the Cardinals field rolling into University of Phoenix Stadium before the start of the first practice of the 2016 training camp. Video by Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
NFL free agency and how it affects the Arizona Cardinals
Reports: Texans trade QB Brock Osweiler to Browns with second-round pick
Tony Romo says goodbye to Cowboys fans
Report: Kirk Cousins asked Dan Snyder to trade him
Shot Clock: Key issues for Cardinals in NFL free agency
NFL Scouting Combine: Quarterbacks show off their skills
Deshaun Watson says it’d be awesome to learn from a veteran NFL quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: I’m a competitor and I want to play
NFL Scouting Combine: Teams looking for quarterbacks
John Ross runs fastest 40-yard dash ever at NFL Combine
Washington Huskies receiver John Ross on his versatility
NFL scouting combine: 49ers high on Kizer
Shot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs
Cardinals GM Steve Keim on combine process, free agency
Arians on finding quarterback of the future
Shot Clock: Tough free agency decisions looming for Cardinals
NFL mock draft: How will top 5 picks shake out?
Michael Floyd’s message for his critics
Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Shane Doan
Kurt Warner inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Falcons and Patriots advance to Super Bowl LI
On the drawing board: Cardinals lineman Mike Iupati
On the drawing board: Tony Jefferson of the Arizona Cardinals
On the drawing board: Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter
Cardinals players clear out lockers, reflect on season
Cardinals looking to play several younger backups
Top underclassmen entering the NFL draft early
Time-lapse: On the field during pre-game festivities
Grass field rolls in at University of Phoenix Stadium
Andre Ellington could find himself bouncing between meeting rooms this fall when the Cardinals prepare for games.
Ellington signed a one-year deal with the team on Monday, and the coaches’ plan as of now is to use Ellington more at receiver than running back, according to a team source.
That’s a departure from the way Ellington was used the previous four seasons but not a surprise. Ellington started working with receivers in practice late last season.
Coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer have consistently raved about Ellington’s ability as a receiver, including his hands and his route-running.
Ellington’s at his best when he’s outside the tackles and in the secondary. With his speed and quickness, he’s a difficult matchup for linebackers and safeties. Running between the tackles is not his strength.
The Cardinals plan is to attempt to play to Ellington’s strength. Ellington will still see action at running back, but Cardinals fans could see him lined up more often as a receiver this fall.
Ellington gained more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons, but his playing time dropped the next two years. Part of that was due to injuries, and part of it was due to the arrival of running back David Johnson in 2015.
Last season, Ellington played in all 16 games but had just 34 rushing attempts and caught 12 passes, both career lows. He also didn’t score after recording three touchdowns in each of his first three seasons.