Wednesday, February 20, 2013
No PPR love from Arians
By Tom Carpenter
So you play in a points-per-reception fantasy football league? Well, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com warns that you "aren't going to look at the Cardinals first" when seeking out a pass-catching running back. That's because new coach Bruce Arians doesn't see running backs as a pass-catchers.
“They are back there because they are runners and pass protectors,” Arians said. “Will we throw to the backs? Yeah. But the receivers are the ones paid to catch it. (Running backs) are helping but it’s doubtful our running back leads the team in receiving.”
Arians wants his big plays coming on long throws to his wideouts, which means Ryan Williams may not pack a lot of punch in PPR leagues next season. Read along as ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando lays out some numbers regarding how Arians used his RBs with the Indianapolis Colts and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on why the Cards won't let Larry Fitzgerald out of their grasp. Both agree that the key to it all will be finding a QB:
Mike Sando
On Arians' intentions for Cardinals' offense"Bruce Arians' Indianapolis Colts targeted running backs as receivers 50 times last season, an NFL low. The Colts' percentage of targets directed toward running backs was 8.3, another league low and well off the 18.7 percent average for other teams. ... Arians wants to push the ball downfield to wide receivers. Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd give Arizona the personnel at receiver to execute such a strategy. The team will need to upgrade other areas, including quarterback, to make any strategy work."
Adam Schefter
NFL's biggest offseason rumors"Fitzgerald took record-breaking money knowing that he could be in a situation like this and Arizona guaranteed him so much money that it can't deal him. There are worse situations than to be "stuck" with Fitzgerald. But Arizona must find a quarterback so Fitzgerald can continue to be the difference-maker he can potentially be."
