The reshuffled backfield of the Arizona Cardinals belongs, for now, to Rashard Mendenhall.
Mike Jurecki of KGME-AM reported Thursday that the former Pittsburgh Steelers runner has shown promise hitting the hole, performed well in pass protection and clearly has separated himself as the No. 1 running back in the desert.
After adding Carson Palmer at quarterback this offseason, new Cardinals coach Bruce Arians went searching for a known quantity in the backfield. Mendenhall and Arians spent four seasons together in Pittsburgh. While the Steelers got tired of the five-year pro, Mendenhall is proving to be a logical fit for the Cardinals.
"He's a big back who never has to come out of the game," Arians said in March. "He has a 230-pound body with 180-pound feet."
Jurecki reported Arizona won't chase after Willis McGahee, released Thursday by the Denver Broncos, because they have faith in Mendenhall and also plan to hold on toRyan Williams, Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
