Stump Mitchell Is Ready for Job as the No. 1 Runner for Cardinals

After nearly six seasons in the shadow of the St. Louis Cardinals’ all-time leading rusher, Stump Mitchell is looking forward to being the team’s No. 1 running back.

Mitchell, 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, spent most of his last six years with the Cardinals as a punt and kickoff returner, periodically filling in for Ottis Anderson. But he thinks he can stand up to the pounding of a 16-game season now that Anderson is gone, having been traded to the New York Giants midway through last season.

“I don’t think 16 games is the thing,” Mitchell said. “The thing about it is that some games you get bruised up, some games you don’t even feel like you played. I think I can play 16 games, and I’ll get the chance to prove it.”

Mitchell, a ninth-round draft choice from The Citadel in 1981, gained more than 1,000 yards in 1985 and came back with 800 yards rushing last season. His career rushing average of 5.2 yards is the best in club history.

“We’ve got to create more holes offensively and I’ve got to run a little lower,” Mitchell said. “I haven’t gotten my shoulders down and I think I’m going to do that this year.”