Andre Ellington adds some intrigue to Arizona Cardinals run game

Not long after his return to the field, an enthusiastic Tyrann Mathieu knocked down running back Andre Ellington during a non-contact practice.

The safety, who underwent knee surgery in December, immediately worried that Cardinals coach Bruce Arians would toss him.

"He doesn't usually let people hit Andre," the safety mused.

With uncertainty surrounding the running game, not to mention a hard-luck and hard-to-swallow team history at the position, who could blame him?

The production of the running backs will be one of the more intriguing story lines of the 2014 season, and will help us learn more about Arians the Xs and Os guy.

To be clear, the coach doesn't seem worried.

"I don't have any concerns with the running game," he said. "The running game's been fine."

It certainly is intriguing.

The versatile Ellington will be the go-to guy, a role he earned after averaging 5.5 yards a carry in 2013, his rookie season. How he is used is the bigger question. His explosiveness can benefit the offense in myriad ways, from taking a handoff to snagging a swing pass to grabbing a deep ball.

He could very well secure double-digit touches, just not in the traditional sense.

"He can do it all," running-backs coach Stump Mitchell said. "He's a great route runner. He's excellent in terms of vision and the ability to catch and the ability to cut. He's very serviceable as a pass blocker. He can stay in and be an every-down back, which a lot of teams don't do nowadays."

Is he like a young Stump Mitchell, who played nine years in the Cardinals organization?

"He's much faster than I was," he said.

Ellington, who is 5 feet 9, 200 pounds, hears the question about his ability to handle the load. He dismisses the concerns, pointing to his accomplishments at Clemson, his added strength and his understanding of how to prepare a body for a long season.

He has a huge fan club on the team.

"Dre can kind of do it all," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "He can get down there on the goal line. He can find a crease to hit. He can be great on third down. He's great in the screen game."

And with an improved offense, from Palmer's greater understanding of Arians' system to a line that is practicing stronger and smarter, he could be even better than last season.

He also has a complementary group of running backs to help keep the defense guessing.

The Cardinals likely will keep four — Ellington, Jonathan Dwyer, Robert Hughes and Stepfan Taylor — on the roster, although Jalen Parmele has Arians' attention with his effort and special-teams play and is making the staff consider five. Rookie Zach Bauman (Northern Arizona) could be a candidate for the practice squad.

"Everybody brings something different, but the one good thing I'd say about this group: We all have different styles, but the talent level, there is no dropoff," Dwyer said. "All of us can play at this level."

Expect to see Dwyer in the mix. His career in Pittsburgh overlapped with Arians' stay and the two have a mutual admiration. Dwyer loves Arians' honesty and straight-shooting ways; Arians loves Dwyer's experience and effort.

At 5-11, 229, he is a strong, talented blocker who could be a good option for the Cardinals in the red zone.

"I saw him do a spin move I haven't seen anyone do in a while last week," Palmer said. "He's just a load."

Dwyer said he's "just trying to make plays every time I get the ball. I don't know how many opportunities I'm going to get, so every time I get the ball, I try to make the most of it."

Palmer thinks Taylor, who was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round last year, will earn touches with his versatility. Last season, the running back missed OTAs so he could complete his degree at Stanford.

This year, he's feeling, and looking, more prepared.

"I think we've just kind of seen glimpses of what he can do," Palmer said. "He's just a football player. He's kind of big, kind of quick, kind of fast, but doesn't really stand out in one area. He's just a good football player."

Hughes also will find his way onto the field. He may be a bruising, blocking back but he also has some of the best hands on the team.

For a pass-happy Arians, that will work in a player's favor.

Arians has lots of options. How he uses these choices could go a long way in shaping the offense.

Mitchell wouldn't reveal too much.

"I think it just depends on when Coach Arians wakes up the next morning," he said. "He's constantly thinking football, and this game is all about matchups.

"Matchup is a big part of it, and we do a pretty good job of that with the group of backs that we have."

There is plenty of hope and a little mystery surrounding this group. We will know soon by their production whether Arians' confidence was merited.

Reach Boivin at paola.boivin@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/Paola Boivin. Listen to her streaming live on "The Brad Cesmat Show" on sports360az.com every Monday at 10:30 a.m.