Everyone knows the story now, that the Cardinals sought Ameer Abdullah in the 2015 draft and only took David Johnson a round later because the Lions jumped up and drafted Abdullah ahead of the Cards. Yes, you have to be lucky and good sometimes. But after Johnson ran through the previously No. 2-ranked rush defense in the Jets Monday, General Manager Steve Keim said Tuesday during his appearance on the "Doug and Wolf" show on Arizona Sports 98.7 that Johnson has been so impressive both on and off the field, "you wonder if he's real."

It was a pure compliment. When you talk to Johnson, Keim said, he's smart and articulate and humble. A "true professional," Keim said. And on the field of course, he's been excellent. "B.A. gives him a hard time" Keim acknowledged, and Bruce Arians is willing to quickly mention what Johnson needs to do to improve despite his gaudy stats. "But the things he does for this offense puts a defense in a bind."

Keim said he's always seen Johnson's skillset to create mismatches in the passing game. But Johnson's evolution into a "pure runner," Keim said, is noteworthy.

"He has really improved, particularly his patience and vision," Keim said.

More Keim thoughts after the Cardinals got back to .500 Monday night:

-- Keim said he liked the resiliency of the Cards fighting back to .500, although there is still a long season left. The Seahawks game is big, but (not unexpectedly) Keim said it was important because it's the next game.

-- Lots of praise for the defense. He said the Jets game was the first time he had seen the unit play fast and loose with minimal mental errors. It's a tough unit when it plays like that, Keim said. When it was suggested that the defense is morphing from a blitz-first group to one who might do a little of everything (the Cardinals certainly finally have a group that can get to the quarterback with just four, especially when the four are Jones, Golden, Campbell and Okafor), Keim said "more than anything, I just think they are starting to jell."

-- Keim praised the play of Chandler Jones. "He impacted almost every play." He also specifically named Markus Golden, fellow linebackers Deone Bucannon and Kevin Minter, and the play of two of the newer defensive backs, Tharold Simon and Marcus Cooper.

-- Tyrann Mathieu continues to take steps forward. Keim said he doesn't think the safety is 100 percent back yet, not from a movement standpoint. But "you definitely see signs of improvement."

-- It would be "huge" if the Cardinals can get Michael Floyd going in the second half of the season. But Keim said the Cardinals still want to do the same with the Browns -- Smoke and Jaron -- and even J.J. Nelson, who contributed quite a bit Monday night.

-- Speaking of Jaron Brown, Keim did not have any injury updates.

-- The offensive line and new guards Earl Watford and John Wetzel "did an excellent job" considering the opponent. The Jets had only given up one rushing touchdown coming into the game, Keim noted, and the Cardinals scored three. "Those guys stepped up for the circumstance they were put in," Keim said.