Voluntary NFL work officially kicked off this week, meaning it's the season for high hopes and hyperbole.
Most teams haven't yet suffered any significant losses and the W-L column remains barren, so fans and coaches alike are free to make any and every proclamation they deem headline-worthy.
In Arizona, where the Cardinals offense is expecting the return to health of quarterback Carson Palmer, another year of development for Michael Floyd and John Brown and a renewed sense of purpose thanks to renegotiated contract for future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, hopes are particularly high.
Maybe then, that's why Cardinals running back's coach Stump Mitchel spoke so glowingly of a young guy who has yet to take an NFL snap, but who seems in line for a big role this season in Arizona - third-round draft pick David Johnson.
"He reminds me a lot of (Chicago RB) Matt Forte," Mitchell told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7, per ArizonaSports.com. "You can put him outside and use him as a receiver and he's a good runner."
Forte has posted three-straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Bears, has reached the 1,000-yard mark five out of his seven professional years and managed over 900-yards rushing in his other two.
Forte's also managed receiving totals of 808-yards, 594-yards, 340-yards, 490-yards, 547-yards, 471-yards and 477-yards during his career as well.
In short, for Chicago, Forte has proven to be one of the most consistent, versatile running backs in the entire NFL.
Mitchell lauded Johnson for his physicality, something the otherwise hard-nosed Cardinals have been lacking in recent years since Jonathan Dwyer faced charges of domestic violence. With Andre Ellington's electrifying home-run hitting ability, Johnson's expected contributions as the thunder to Ellington's lightning have been sorely needed.
"He's a guy who has a lot of confidence in his ability to play," Mitchell said. "He's coachable. He's a smart young man, he's physical. He's going to make Andre (Ellington) pick up his game when given the opportunity.
"He has excellent hands and he's a bigger target to throw the ball to. He's going to be a big piece of the puzzle before this season is said and done."
It's Johnson's versatility that could prove most crucial for Arizona - Johnson posted three 1,000-yard rushing seasons during his four years at NIU, but he also grabbed 141 receptions for 1,734 yards and 14 touchdowns during his collegiate career.
If Johnson can develop into the same type of running/receiving threat he was at Northern Iowa with the Cardinals, it will give Arizona two versatile weapons out of the backfield - one, Ellington, with the capability to take it to the house on every play, and the other, Johnson, able to pick up the tough yards between the tackles and bring consistent chunk plays to the offense.
