Cards looking for draw improvement

Cards looking for draw improvement
by Kent Somers - Aug. 20, 2008 03:23 PM
The Arizona Republic

FLAGSTAFF - Running backs coach Maurice Carthon could show you the keys to running an effective draw play, but he prefers to keep them locked away.

"I don't want to tell the defenses," he said, smiling.

Improving the execution of the draw has been a point of emphasis in training camp. The Cardinals didn't get much out of the play last season, and coaches think it's one small way in which the offense can improve this year.

"It's just the quarterbacks and halfbacks working on it," he said.

The draw play worked last week in limited use against Kansas City. Edgerrin James gained 15 yards on one of them.

The key to the play is timing and a deception. The quarterback, running back and offensive linemen have to work in concert to convince the defense that a pass is coming. The quarterback then hands off to the back.

Carthon had great success with that play when he coached Curtis Martin with Jets.

"It takes more practice that most people think," Carthon said. "With Curtis Martin, we did a study one year and he had something like 860 yards on the draw play alone. So it's always been something we had in our offense."'

Carthon is trying to preach patience to James, who is accustomed to running draws in a different way.

"I'm used to moving forward," James said. "The play is designed to let the defense do what they're going to do and be more patient."

Finding time

Evaluating some young offensive players has proved challenging for coaches because the team has run so few plays in its two preseason games.

The Cardinals ran 52 plays against the Saints, 50 against the Chiefs and had the ball an average of eight fewer minutes than those opponents. NFL teams typically average about 64 plays a game.

So players such as rookie receiver Lance Long, who has had an impressive camp, haven't received much playing time.

"We're just not getting enough reps to see everyone," said coordinator Todd Haley.

There are a few reasons for that. The Cardinals need to gain more first downs. The defense has been giving up some long drives, and the Cardinals returned an interception for a touchdown and had some long kick returns against the Chiefs.

The return for a touchdown took away a possession, and the returns gave the Cardinals a short field. The Cardinals scored on the first play after J.J. Arrington returned a kickoff 78 yards.

The Saints and Chiefs ran a total of 140 plays.

A positive review

Coach Ken Whisenhunt has consistently praised the play of his quarterbacks throughout training camp. So far, Matt Leinart has hold on to the starting job, but Kurt Warner is threatening.

Brian St. Pierre, the third quarterback, has impressed and rookie Anthony Morelli has made great strides, the coach said.

"As far as all the positions go, quarterback has been one of the best positions for us this camp," Whisenhunt said.

Accounts receivable

The No. 3 receiving job remains open, although Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban seem to have solidified themselves as the leading contenders.

Early Doucet, a third-round pick, will play in his first preseason game this week after missing the first two with a hamstring injury. It's going to be hard for Doucet to make up for lost time, Whisenhunt said.

"It seems like it changes every week," Whisenhunt said of the position. "It seems like one week, one game is making a play, the next week the next guy is making a play. Whenever you do that, it puts pressure on us as coaches to make the right decision."






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