By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr must build rapport and chemistry in their second season together.
Murray, 28, is entering his seventh season as a member of the Cardinals. He’s made consecutive Pro Bowl appearances but made the postseason just once. Now, he has additional help and an outstanding receiver to throw the ball to in Harrison Jr.
Harrison Jr, 23, is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame Marvin Harrison. Talent runs in the family. Harrison Jr was a big-time player for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season with the Cardinals, catching 885 yards with eight touchdowns. He’s tied with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin for the most touchdowns by a Cardinals rookie.
The Cardinals finished 8-9 last season. Murray and Harrison must leap and get the Cardinals to at least 10 wins this season. Murray and Harrison Jr don’t have to be best friends off the field, but they must communicate and rely on each other on the field. Practicing routes and slants and going over tape will be a factor for them.
We have seen many quarterback-wide receiver duos that have worked brilliantly together: Troy Aikman-Michael Irvin, Jim Kelly-Andre Reed, Ben Roethlisberger-Hines Ward. If Murray and Harrison Jr. want to bring success to Arizona, they must use those examples to learn what it takes to depend on each other.
Murray must release the ball quicker, read the defense better, and find his open man. Turning down interceptions will also play a significant role. Murray and Harrison Jr. should connect 130 times on 180 targets for at least 1,200 yards or more. Both men must have these expectations in mind.
The Cardinals also have other weapons they can use if everyone stays healthy. Tight end Trye McBride is a talented arheketes coming off a successful season with over 1,000 receiving yards.
The NFC West has some intense competition because of the San Francisco 49ers and potentially the Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals have something good going on. It’s all about combining the pieces, effective communication, and durability.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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