Forcing The Ball To Marvin Harrison Junior

[CardNots]

After only getting the ball to him once during the first week and not targeting him regularly after the first quarter last week, it seems like Kyler was forcing the ball to Harrison this week. Harrison is showing some weakness when it comes to drops and not looking for the ball when it is there. This team has a tremendous group of tight ends and decent receivers in Michael Wilson and Dortch. I think that Harrison not going through the typical draft preparation, offseason and preseason process has hampered his development. There is a difference between catching the ball from the jugs machine and actually playing against NFL quality talent. I hope that the Cardinals don’t continue to force the ball to Harrison going forward

I’m done with Dortch, time to see what we have in others…

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

His skills should translate to this offense. Sure WRs aren't the focal point but we still want to be able to throw the ball. If he was as talented as advertised he would be worth it. He had 12 targets today and I think all 6 incompletions were Marvin's fault.

He's still good, but not nearly as good as guys like Lamb, Puka, Nabers, JJ, or Chase. Right now Marvin is playing on the same tier as guys like Christian Kirk. I think our offense would be lights out if we had Nabers or Bowers instead.

Right now, he is being outplayed by Brian Thomas Jr. Add one more from this draft who is outplaying MHJ

 

[Harry]

It’s always a risk to draft a WR to be your number one receiver. In college Harrison knew what he had to do to beat that level player. His game didn’t translate as easily to the NFL as Nabers’ game did. I do think in the long run Harrison will have the better career. I do have real concerns about the WR coach and what’s happening in practice. Harrison was viewed as very coachable. If so most of his issues, like adjusting when the QB is in trouble, should have already been taught. In fact only McBride seems to do it. This WR corp is too thin to take this team very far. This also limits Murray and means he keeps trying to make things happen, when he shouldn’t. Considering Murray had time on several plays, it’s a shame he didn’t have a better game. He still needs to learn stuff as well.

 

[slanidrac16]

MHJ has to start getting an attitude. He is playing finesse in a ruthless league.

 

[BurqueCardFan]

It’s always a risk to draft a WR to be your number one receiver. In college Harrison knew what he had to do to beat that level player. His game didn’t translate as easily to the NFL as Nabers’ game did. I do think in the long run Harrison will have the better career. I do have real concerns about the WR coach and what’s happening in practice. Harrison was viewed as very coachable. If so most of his issues, like adjusting when the QB is in trouble, should have already been taught. In fact only McBride seems to do it. This WR corp is too thin to take this team very far. This also limits Murray and means he keeps trying to make things happen, when he shouldn’t. Considering Murray had time on several plays, it’s a shame he didn’t have a better game. He still needs to learn stuff as well.

I agree about the receiver room. Lots of people on this board were talking up our receiver room, when it was clearly lacking. The FO should have put more emphasis on getting a true #2. Wilson is a good #3.
As far as MHJ, he still has much to learn but I still think he is underutilized. Most of the time, he is being used as a decoy

 

[slanidrac16]

How can we sign a guy like Zay Jones and not use him at all?

 

[Lambeau]

I’m sorry about your loss today AZ fans. We all were rooting hard for you guys. I hope you guys win that division and I think you guys will yet. Don’t give up.

 

[GatorAZ]

How can we sign a guy like Zay Jones and not use him at all?

Because he’s Zay Jones.

 

[Russ Smith]

The lazy route running was on full display. It makes me wonder how close this kid is to losing his confidence. It may be time to have his father come in and talk to him. In addition, if the Cardinals knew that they were going to go with an offense that didnt play to MHJ’s skill set, why did they draft him? Was it simply pressure from the fan base and the GM?

Yeah Olsen called him out at least twice for not coming back to the ball.

There was a first today a backshoulder incomplete that was Kylers fault not his, Kyler threw the ball too early and Olsen called that out too. Said it was the right read but too soon so MHJ didn't have time to get around to it.

 

[Russ Smith]

Because he’s Zay Jones.

That actually annoyed me today. The PI he drew that's a TD if the guy doesn't do that. They were acting like we got lucky the drive was extended, the throw was perfect he still got a hand on it after that.

 

[Russ Smith]

One thing strikes me from this game after watching the highlights again. Exaggeration but the next tackle Harrison Jr breaks will be the first. There's at least 2 catches in this game that you think he's going to break the tackle and get extra yards and instead he goes down. I knew he wasn't a "wiggle" guy but I guess I expected the size and speed to occasionally get some YAC?

 

[Dayman]

One thing strikes me from this game after watching the highlights again. Exaggeration but the next tackle Harrison Jr breaks will be the first. There's at least 2 catches in this game that you think he's going to break the tackle and get extra yards and instead he goes down. I knew he wasn't a "wiggle" guy but I guess I expected the size and speed to occasionally get some YAC?

None of our WRs have above average YAC ability. It's a big hindrance when defenses try to funnel everything underneath. Luckily, McBride and Conner have been excellent in that area to help make up for it.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

How can we sign a guy like Zay Jones and not use him at all?

Strange how this guy is not used at all and has zero impact on games

 

[Harry]

How can we sign a guy like Zay Jones and not use him at all?

He must be showing nothing in practice

 

[Harry]

One thing strikes me from this game after watching the highlights again. Exaggeration but the next tackle Harrison Jr breaks will be the first. There's at least 2 catches in this game that you think he's going to break the tackle and get extra yards and instead he goes down. I knew he wasn't a "wiggle" guy but I guess I expected the size and speed to occasionally get some YAC?

That’s simply not his game. He didn’t do that in college either. His strength is route running and catching poorly thrown balls. His ability to contort his body is unreal. In college he did well on contested catches, but that’s tougher against NFL CBs. One they get a decent set of WRs and Murray figures him out, Harrison will be a difference maker. It will take time.

 

[123]

For the son of a HOF, MHJ plays like he’s never seen an NFL game. Appears to have no clue as to the toughness it takes and lacks the desire to truly fight for the ball.

That missed back shoulder was on MHJ which has happened several times this year already. He does not instill confidence in me at all. Failure of a pick given all the hype

 

[BirdGangThing]

For the son of a HOF, MHJ plays like he’s never seen an NFL game. Appears to have no clue as to the toughness it takes and lacks the desire to truly fight for the ball.

That missed back shoulder was on MHJ which has happened several times this year already. He does not instill confidence in me at all. Failure of a pick given all the hype

im done with these "takes" lol block mode ftw

 

[kerouac9]

MHJ had 12 targets today According to the game book. Crazy we can’t find a way to feed him in lower-leverage situations

 

[Harry]

He drew that big interference call on a skinny post. When the Cards need a long third I don’t understand not running that again. Harrison was clearly better than the second string CB they had on him on deep balls

 

[football karma]

my problem with MHJ is he is so soft to the ball

awesome on over the shoulder stuff -- but the moment that ball becomes contested, he lets the DB body him off the ball

 

[602 Native]

He is not Chase or Jefferson which is who I was hoping he would be.

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[football karma]

He is not Chase or Jefferson which is who I was hoping he would be.

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"the highest graded WR in 20 years I have been doing grading!!!!"

Just to get my take out of the way: i think MHJ's floor is B+ starting WR -- productive, reliable, the occasional game where he goes off. But not special. We will see if next year he takes the next step and goes to the next level

but that being said: we need to keep pre draft hype in context.

imagine a alternate timeline where Monti traded down and took Bryan Thomas Jr. This board would have lost their minds. They also would likely be getting the same production out of BTJ

 

[602 Native]

"the highest graded WR in 20 years I have been doing grading!!!!"

Just to get my take out of the way: i think MHJ's floor is B+ starting WR -- productive, reliable, the occasional game where he goes off. But not special. We will see if next year he takes the next step and goes to the next level

but that being said: we need to keep pre draft hype in context.

imagine a alternate timeline where Monti traded down and took Bryan Thomas Jr. This board would have lost their minds. They also would likely be getting the same production out of BTJ

I will never look at the MHJ pick as one that should have been traded.

It was absolutely the right pick and one that MO had to make after trading down from Will Anderson.

All that being said I totally blame Petzing for MHJ's early showing.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

He is not Chase or Jefferson which is who I was hoping he would be.

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Don't completely agree with Kyle here. If you look at net yards per game, the current passing attack is only getting like 16 more yards per game. While Kyler is certainly a better passer than anyone the Cards had in 2004, this current team is also quite run heavy. Also, rookie Fitz had Boldin to help take some coverage pressure off of him. It's not uncommon for Marv to be the only WR on the field in this offense.

 

[football karma]

I will never look at the MHJ pick as one that should have been traded.

hard knocks showed they could have traded down with the Giants and ended up with Malik Nabers

and, gotten #39, which was Braden Fiske, DT

easy in hindsight, but probably the right move