Fitzgerald-to-Pats rumor is news to Cardinals GM

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INDIANAPOLIS -- In the middle of the playoffs, a crazy report about New England having interest in Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald popped up on the NFL rumor scene. It shocked everyone, including Cards GM Steve Keim.

Keim was asked about the Patriots rumors and said he heard them in his car and ... wasn't very happy about them.

"I was driving into work one morning and I heard the rumors about the trade," Keim said. "And I was trying to find someone to fire because they never called me."

Keim seemed legitimately miffed about the rumors, and it's hard to blame him. Any time that happens -- regardless of the veracity of said rumors -- the news is going to get back to the player and the player's going to want to know about the possibility of being moved.

If Keim did want to trade Fitzgerald it's not like he has to check with the wideout. But you want your biggest star -- and Fitzy is unquestionably the biggest star in Arizona -- to be happy. And trade rumors don't make anyone happy.

Including the GM.

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Cardinals says they will use RB Andre Ellington more next season



Cardinals general manager Steve Keim spoke at the NFL Combine on Thursday and indicated that running back Andre Ellington will see more touches next season. Ellington averaged 5.5 yards per carry over 118 rushes this season and also caught 39 passes for another 371 yards.But don't start thinking the Cardinals are going to absolutely unleash the diminutive threat. Keim also said Ellington won't be a "featured" running back, and that the team plans to use multiple runners, much like it did in 2013.



That's completely understandable and smart. Ellington isn't built to be a 300-carry player, but he is so quick and so dangerous in the open field, the Cardinals must do a better job of getting the ball into his hands more than the 10.5 touches he averaged this season. If they can bump up his workload to just 200 touches or so, Ellington will be a solid RB2 for the full season.The Cardinals need to decide whom to pair with Ellington. Rashard Mendenhall is a free agent and pretty much flopped in a lead role this season.