By the numbers: A look at new Cardinals RB Alfred Morris
Oct 22, 2019, 6:15 PM | Updated: Oct 23, 2019, 7:52 am
The Arizona Cardinals added some depth to their running back room on Tuesday.
With starting RB David Johnson (ankle) and third-stringer D.J. Foster (hamstring) on the mend, Arizona went out and got Alfred Morris.
Morris, who enters his eighth season in the NFL, was chosen over the likes of Jay Ajayi, Spencer Ware and Benny Cunningham.
The vet will now join Chase Edmonds in the backfield as the only healthy runners on the roster.
With that in mind, here’s a look back at Morris’ numbers before heading to the desert in 2019:
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Before joining the Cardinals, Morris spent time with four other NFL teams. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2012, Morris played four seasons in Washington, D.C. before joining divisional foe Dallas Cowboys. He ran the rock for the Cowboys for two years, eventually ending up with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018. Of all his stops, Morris was the most effecitve as a member of the Redskins.
3
During his time with Washington, Morris enjoyed three 1,000-yard seasons. He saw his best output during his rookie season, recording 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns on 335 carries (4.8 yards per carry). In his first year, Morris sat only behind then-Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson (2,097) in rushing yards.
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His attempts slowly decreased over time, dropping from 335 to 202 over the course of his four-year tenure in Washington, which in turn impacted his rushing numbers. The 2014-15 season marked the final 1,000-yard season for Morris, as the running back reached 751 yards with Washington in his final season with the team.
His best season after leaving the Redskins came in his second year with the Cowboys, accumulating 547 yards and a TD on 115 carries.
34
Morris absolutely erupted onto the scene as a rookie in 2012. Second to only then-Houston Texans RB Arian Foster (15) in the touchdown department, the running back set a solid base for himself.
From there, however, his scoring opportunities began to dwindle. He combined for 15 touchdowns the next two seasons, seven and eight scores, respectively, but saw a major dip in production after that. In 56 total games between three teams, Morris accounted for just six touchdowns, with none of his 34 touchdowns coming through the air.
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Speaking of the passing game, Morris wasn’t utilized as much as a pass catcher. Over the course of his career, his highest reception total came in 2014 when he caught 17 balls for 155 yards.
He saw his lowest totals come in 2016 as Morris made just three receptions for 11 yards.
And even though he had 13 total fumbles as a rusher over seven seasons, he did not record a single fumble as a receiver.
7.6
While Morris didn’t see a ton of work as a receiver, he made his touches count for the most part, averaging 7.6 yards per catch.
In his best season as a pass catcher (2014), the running back averaged 9.1 yards per reception, picking up eight first downs in the process. All told through the air, Morris accounted for 21 first downs over seven seasons.
