Full story at azcentral.com:

Whisenhunt is hardly the first Cardinals coach to stress the need for a strong running game. From Gene Stallings through Dennis Green, everyone who has sat in the big office at the team’s Tempe facility has talked about building a punishing running attack.

Not one of them did it. The Cardinals haven’t run the ball more than 480 times in a season since moving to Arizona in 1988.

Whisenhunt at least has the track record - during his three years as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, the Steelers recommitted themselves to the run. And Whisenhunt would like the Cardinals offense to look like Pittsburgh West.

There is one crucial difference between Pittsburgh’s offense and Arizona’s: the Steelers have an offensive line, one created with the specific purpose of running the ball hard and often. Not to mention the Steelers also had a bruising runner in Jerome Bettis for more than a decade prior to his retirement.

But that’s not to suggest the Cardinals do not have a running back capable of a heavy load and powerful running. Edgerrin James carried the load in Indianapolis, though it should be noted the Colts are far better known for their passing heroics. And in Arizona it’s more of a “burden” than a “load.”

Edgerrin James was protected by a line built around the pass last season, an offensive line that ranked middle-of-the-pack when it came to allowing sacks (35). But the offensive line was to blame when James, who had averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry only once in his career — 3.6 ypc in 2002 — averaged an abysmal 3.4 yards per carry on 337 attempts.

The team as a whole finished 32nd in the league when it came to yards per carry, picking up only 3.2 on average. Combined with the only enough carries to garner a 26th rank, the Cardinals developed one abysmal rushing game.

If Whisenhunt is serious about winning games, he should first consider that old habits die hard and the Cardinals are not a team built around the run. But winning games will require success on the ground, though not a bruising, powerful success like the Steelers have had. Instead, he should opt for a balanced attack that would, at least, keep defenses guessing. But without success, all the carries in the world won’t surprise a defense.

Subscribe to The NFL Minute

This post is tagged