The normally tight-lipped Bill Belichick might have provided his Week 1 opponent with some bulletin-board material.
The Patriots coach spoke highly of Cardinals running back David Johnson, but unlike the Cardinals he’s not ready to put him in the same class as Marshall Faulk.
Johnson, a rookie last season, broke out in December with 378 yards in a three-game span, including 187 yards and three touchdowns in a win at Philadelphia.
He ran for 581 yards on 125 carries (4.25 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns in 2015. He also caught 36 passes, including four for touchdowns. That’s what prompts the comparisons to Faulk.
“I think he’s very similar in some ways athletically and in terms of ball-catching skills to Marshall,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said, according to NFL.com.
Belichick, whose team plays at Arizona on Sunday Night Football without Tom Brady, also had high praise for Johnson but stopped short of Faulk territory.
“Johnson’s a good receiver, he catches the ball well and has good run-after-catch skills. He can make people miss. Again, he’s got the strength to break tackles. And he’s got some speed to separate. Marshall Faulk, that’s putting the bar pretty high with him.”
It’s not that Belichick insulted Johnson, but by saying he falls short of anyone or anything is the loophole that can provide the Cardinals with motivational kindling. The Patriots have been known to twist the words of opposing players and coaches into bulletin-board material.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has won the Coach of the Year award twice after being shown the door in Pittsburgh. He has a track record of proving people wrong. If the Cardinals beat the Patriots Sunday night and Johnson plays a significant role, Belichick will get a taste of his own medicine.
