Cardinals’ QB Carson Palmer: ‘hard to be successful’ without a running game

Aug 3, 2013, 5:26 AM | Updated: Aug 4, 2013, 7:26 am

It’s no secret that Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals’ offense will live and die with its passing game.

But on Friday, as quarterback Carson Palmer addressed the media gathered at Cardinals’ camp, he emphasized the importance of the team’s running game in the 2013-14 season.

“It’s hard to be successful if you don’t run the ball successfully,” said Palmer, who is in his fourth offense in as many years.

Palmer pointed out that, in order for his air attack to deliver the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and the other Cardinals’ receivers, the running attack must balance things out.

“There’s teams like New England who wing it around, throw it all the time, but they’re still effective running it, because they throw so well,” he explained. “I hope that’s where we’re headed.”

Last season, the Cardinals rushed for a league-low 1,204 yards, suffering from injuries in the back field, along with a lack of consistency and talent.

But offseason acquisition Rashard Mendenhall, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with a slew of rookies highlighted by Stanford product Stepfan Taylor, should help with ground production, the 33-year-old quarterback believes.

“Rashard Mendenhall has been very successful and there’s a couple of guys waiting right behind him who just want a chance,” said Palmer. “So it’s a good combination of the guys we have, the desire we’re going to have to run the ball.”

In an effort to contextualize the importance of the Cardinals’ running game, Palmer went on to point out the strength of the division, the need to keep the game clock rolling while trying to hold a lead and the value of supporting a good defense, like the one at University of Phoenix Stadium, with a solid rushing offense.

“When you have a good defensive team,” Palmer said, speaking of his own, which he praised intermittently throughout the press conference, “you’ve got to run the ball.

“You got a game where you got to carry an eight-minute, eight-point lead, it’s hard to do it throwing the ball because the clock is going to stop. And there’s times where we’re going to be in games this year where we’ll want to run the ball and we’ll have to run the ball.”

While Arians and offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin will likely often use their backs as passing targets out of the backfield, Palmer was quick to clarify that such an attack wasn’t the type of approach he was highlighting.

“There’s some extended zone runs that are really passes, whether they’re quick screens or bubble screens or throw-back screens,” he said.

“I’m speaking more to snap the ball from under center, turn around, hand it off and pushing the line of scrimmage and moving people. That’s what you have to do at the end of games.”

Despite the unclear offensive line situation on the team, Palmer thinks such an up-the-gut attack is more than possible for his offense.

“Our guards are big and strong and physical and can move piles and move the line of scrimmage,” he said.

“When you play in this division, when you play against good defenses, you’re not going to just wing it all over the field. if you get a lead, you’ve got to hold it and a good way to do it is to run the ball and keep the clock rolling.”

Linemen Jonathan Cooper and Mike Gibson run through a drill during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Daryl Washington runs through a drill during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Stepfan Taylor turns the corner during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer drops back to pass while receiver Michael Floyd and defensive back Patrick Peterson battle during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Alfonso Smith runs through the hole during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receivers Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Roberts line up during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald reaches out to make a catch during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The Arizona Cardinals run a play during the Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Patrick Peterson catches a ball during a drill at the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner makes a catch during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass to tight end Rob Housler during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) QB Carson Palmer looks to pass while WR Larry Fitzgerald runs his route during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Andre Roberts turns the corner ahead of defensive back Bryan McCann during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Michael Floyd tries to make an over-the-shoulder catch during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tackle Eric Winston takes a break during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Alfonso Smith turns the corner while Jim Dray blocks during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) QB Carson Palmer gestures before a play during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Carson Palmer looks to pass while Javier Arenas drops back into coverage during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Rob Housler runs with the ball during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner runs through blocks during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Justin Bethel defends on a pass to Jaron Brown during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Michael Floyd hauls in a pass during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tackles Bobby Massie and Eric Winston in between drills during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald runs with the ball during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Andre Ellington receives the handoff from QB Drew Stanton during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The defense breaks its huddle during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner is tackled by Jonathon Amaya during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Justin Bethel steps in front of a pass intended for Robby Toma during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians chats with team president Michael Bidwill and owner Bill Bidwill during the Cardinals' Red & White Practice Saturday, August 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, left, talks with former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner after the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, right, gives Dan Buckner (85) a high-five after making a catch during the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd (15) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Jonathan Cooper (61) during the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer warms up prior to the Cardinals' Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training campon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gets help taking off a white t-shirt after Peterson played a wide receiver on offense during the Cardinals Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training camp on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the Cardinals Red & White scrimmage at NFL football training camp on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson walks on to the practice field for the Cardinals Red & White NFL football training camp practice scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer (3) talks with Larry Fitzgerald. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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