Arizona Cardinals RB David Johnson stays humble in the face of NFL history
Dec 8, 2016, 8:00 PM | Updated: Dec 9, 2016, 11:13 am
TEMPE, Ariz. — Team over individual, that’s how it’s always been for David Johnson.
Ask the Arizona Cardinals’ second-year running back about the latter and the conversation, almost immediately, turns to the former.
In other words, Johnson is more concerned about the numbers listed in the win-loss column rather than those listed next to his name.
And that’s the way it should be, for every athlete, but come on now, just look at what he’s done through the season’s first 12 games:
*an NFL-leading 1,709 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns
*the third-most rushing yards (1,005) and rushing touchdowns (11)
*ranks No. 1 among running backs in receptions (64) and receiving yards (704) and tied for second in receiving touchdowns (4)
Plus, Johnson, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, is close to joining one of the most exclusive clubs in the NFL: 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Only Roger Craig (1985 with the 49ers) and Marshall Faulk (1999 with the Rams) have accomplished that feat in league history. All Johnson needs to do to gain entry is average 74 receiving yards over the Cardinals’ final four games.
“He should be in the mention for MVP of the league, but our record isn’t going to put him in that conversation,” head coach Bruce Arians said, pointing to the team’s 5-6-1 mark.
Added quarterback Carson Palmer, “I think he is, if not the best, one of the best couple of players at any position. There is no doubt he should be in the MVP talks, in my biased opinion. What he does in the passing game, what he does in the run game, what he does to defensive coordinators and opposing defenses late on Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday and through the week, trying to prepare and figure out where he is going to be and how to stop him is invaluable for us.”
Yes, it’s hard to put into words what Johnson has meant to the Cardinals in 2016, but let’s give it a try.
A deeper look at Johnson’s numbers reveal the following:
- He’s rushed for more yards than four teams: the Lions, Giants, Rams and Vikings.
“That’s funny. I did not know that,” Johnson said Thursday. “That’s a good stat. It’s just a testament, really, to everyone that’s continuing to block for me. I know I could not be here without my (offensive) line, the receivers, the tight ends; I could not be where I’m at in the stat book or anything like that without those guys.”
- His total receiving yards would make him the leading receiver on eight different teams: the Bears, Bills, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, Texans, Titans and 49ers; and second-leading receiver for 16 others, not including the Cardinals.
“That’s another good stat,” Johnson said. “That’s good to hear just because, this is my second year. I’m still learning, I still have a lot of growing to do, a lot of improving to do and just to hear that — especially since I want to excel at becoming a receiver out of the backfield, a running back who can also can catch. A dual-threat running back. That’s one of my most proud things that I’m able to stay on the field and I’m able be another outlet for Carson as a receiver, so that’s good to hear.”
Fantasy football owners are also happy to hear how well Johnson is performing.
“I tell him all the time, ‘I appreciate you. You’re doing a good job for me. I’m going to win another championship thanks to you,’” said defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who has Johnson on three of his four fantasy football teams.
Johnson has heard that quite often this season. The subject even came up during his Tuesday appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
In two year’s time, Johnson is rewriting the Cardinals’ record book.
With his two scores against Washington, Johnson now has 28 career touchdowns in 28 games, adding to his franchise record for a player in his first two seasons. And according to the Elias Sports Bureau, only 10 players in NFL history had more touchdowns in their first 28 career games than Johnson. Of those 10 players, five are in the Hall of Fame.
“The biggest thing is it’s just a great honor just to be talked amongst those guys, compared to those guys,” Johnson said. “I always think about everything that I went through. That’s what I always think about is, man, think of where I was growing up and then think of where I was even college and having to work so hard to get to this spot. I’m so proud, and I’m so gracious of everyone who’s helped me get here.”
Before the year is complete, Johnson will likely put his name atop two more single-season franchise marks: most touchdowns (he’s two behind John David Crow, who had 17 in 1962) and most rushing touchdowns (Crow, in 1962, finished with 14, three more than Johnson at the moment).
And this week in Miami, Johnson can extend his franchise record of 100-plus yards from scrimmage to 13 consecutive games, which would match Edgerrin James (2005 with the Colts) for the longest such streak in league history to open a season.
All of the above, of course, is nice, but you won’t hear or see Johnson reveling in any of those numbers. There’s still much work to be done.
“I’m so focused on the next game coming up, so focused on my responsibilities and my job that I don’t want to have any MEs (mental errors) and I want to do as much as I can for the team,” he said.
