James Conner and Chase Edmonds: The Right Kind of Tandem

A one-two punch at the running back position is never a bad thing. The Cardinals enjoyed quite the tandem during their St. Louis days. Terry Metcalf and Jim Otis bulldozed for 7,164 rush yards and 35 rush touchdowns combined between 1973 and 1977.

Years later, the newest desert stormer is confident the next great Cardinals duo is here. James Conner made it clear he is ready to grind alongside Chase Edmonds this coming season. The former Pittsburgh Steeler said as much Monday in an interview.

“So I just see us, you know, as a tandem,” Conner discussed with On The Fly’s Lisa Matthews. “[Chase]’s been waiting for an opportunity, even though he’s, you know, has the body of work and a resume, but to show more.”

Indeed, Edmonds’ stats show promise over his short time in the league. Edmonds rushed for a career-high 448 yards in 2020 and had 402 through the air.

He also had more total first down plays last season than he did before. On the ground, 22 plays resulted in a 1st down while 21 came through the air, Edmonds’ consistency being vital in getting down the field.

However, in a pass-oriented offense, Edmonds’ presence out of the backfield as a receiver must increase. That’s nothing more than the simple demand of today’s NFL.

Edmonds being a dual-threat would serve Conner well, considering how much the Steelers threw last season. Pittsburgh’s league-high 656 pass attempts while having an NFL-worst run game (1,351 yards and 3.6 yards per carry) is a lesson in how to ruin the rush.

Yes, Cards coach Kliff Kingsbury is an Air Raid kind of guy, but there’s a notable difference. Arizona had the most rush yards of any NFC West team last season (2,237). Plus, Arizona was only second to Seattle in yards per carry in the division (4.8 versus 4.7). Furthermore, no NFC West team ran in more touchdowns than Arizona in 2020 (22).

Conner has seen it before

So when Conner says to On The Fly that “hard-nosed football” is coming back, it’s because there’s optimism the run will get better attention. Conner can be the bruiser, chewing up yards over time. Despite his injuries last year, he did still rush for 721 yards and six touchdowns.

Edmonds’ role can be more like Alvin Kamara with the New Orleans Saints. Thus, creating a duo suited for success under Kingsbury. After all, Kamara, alongside Mark Ingram, established a new precedent for modern backfield duos.

In Kamara’s 2017 rookie year alone, he and Ingram surpassed 1,500 scrimmage yards, something no two backs on the same team had done before.

But if Conndr is to be a traditional runner, a more fitting template would be his old AFC North counterparts: Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb rumbled, while Hunt’s versatility flourished in Cleveland’s offensive schemes.

Chubb handled the run last season as expected with a career-high 12 touchdowns and his second-straight 1,000+ rushing yard campaign.

Nick Chubb (Image Courtesy of CBS Sports)

As a receiver, Hunt finished 2020 tied for fifth on the Browns in reception yards (304) and lead the team in receiving touchdowns (5). All while being a splendid partner to Chubb, rushing for 841 yards en route to Cleveland ending the regular season the third-best run game in the NFL.

The formula exists for James Conner and Chase Edmonds and the evidence suggests both men can fit into that concept. Edmonds’ balanced productivity will suit him well as Conner looks to be the heavy hitter.

After the numbers Arizona’s rushing attack put up the year before, it’s safe to say the hope for the Cardinals offense is very warranted.

Featured Image courtesy of AP Photos/Gary McCullough

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