Jeremiyah Love still being eased in amid feeling-out process with Cardinals

TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is used to “going crazy” out of the backfield.

He proved that at Notre Dame.

But two games in with the Cardinals, that hasn’t been the case. That lack of craziness isn’t lost on him, either.

 

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“It’s kind of humbling a little bit,” Love said Friday. “I’m in a different place, a different team. I got to get used to just the situation that I’m in. It’s been a challenge but I’m up for the challenge, and I’m excited to come out this week with a new mindset.

“Reset every single week to go out there and try to be my best but as of late, I’ve kind of just been learning from the past and just trying to be better in the future.”

While a two-headed attack with Tyler Allgeier was expected, it’s been nearly a 50-50 split in touches two weeks in. Allgeier has 26 to Love’s 25, though Love has more total yards (95 to Allgeier’s 89) and a touchdown. The veteran, however, has out-snapped the rookie by a good amount, 76-52.

Entering the season, most expected Love’s current stat line to be after four quarters, not eight.

Love would have loved a quicker start to his NFL career, both statistically and snaps-wise, but he understands the reasons behind his workload so far.

 

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“I think (head coach Mike LaFleur) and just the whole offense in general is doing a good job with trying to make sure I make it to Sunday and I go out there and I get the touches that I need,” Love said. “I missed the whole preseason, just took a lot of time out. I feel like they’re just kind of trying to ease me back in and just take it kind of a little bit slower, because I’m a rookie, I’m a guy who missed a lot of time. I got to be eased into it.”

There’s also that natural feeling-out process that takes place between two sides working together for the first time.

Sure, LaFleur and Love got to know each other throughout organized team activities, two minicamps, training camp and in meeting rooms, but they’ve only logged three games together. Not only did his preseason high ankle sprain keep Love on the sidelines of most of the exhibitions, it also kept him off the practice field and away from the reps that came with it.

But with every week removed from the high ankle sprain and every practice logged, Love should continue to see more and more work within the offense.

That could come this week against a tough San Francisco 49ers squad that is leading the league in point differential.

They may be 2-0, but that hasn’t stopped the almost-seasonal rash of injuries to plague the franchise early on into the season.

The latest victim of the substation (kidding) was defensive lineman Nick Bosa, who injured his calf in practice.

Romello Height is also down for the count this week with a hand issue. Two starters along the defensive line out in an instant.

Even with San Francisco’s heavy box usage, that’s an area of the field that can be exploited by Arizona’s 24th-ranked run game, which needs a serious boost after struggling the past two weeks.

Picking up manageable third downs (something the Cardinals haven’t done well) and having an offensive line that moves the line forward can help with that. And in doing so, should provide more chances for Love to “go crazy” once more.

“I want to go out there and have the best performance ever every time I touch the field. I think coach Mike knows that as well,” Love added. “He’s trying to give me those opportunities, and I got to take advantage of them.”

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