Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I got an email asking if after Saturday’s loss, I had soured on Heupel coaching the Cards. Before I answer that I need to revisit why I nominated him. As far as I can determine he is the only major coach that does not require his QB to use progressions. Consider the Cards’ predicament, they have a huge investment in Murray. It’s so big I’m not sure Murray could be traded even if the Cards chose to do so. Is any team willing to pay that kind of money for that radical a concept of how one plays QB?
So assuming the Cards are stuck with Murray the Cards have two options. Try tough love and demand Murray changes the way he plays. For my money, that’s a waste of time. His money is guaranteed and frankly I don’t think he cares what the Cards want. I don’t think any form of persuasion will motivate him to play to play differently.
So the only other option I see is Heupel. Murray has the arm to execute his offense. Had he been the Tennessee QB Saturday, I think they hit at least 2 of those breakout receivers and that could have radically changed to result. Hooker just didn’t have the arm for the deep throws or he lacked the composure for the moment. Additionally Murray could actually be motivated to prove he could win essentially playing his way. Murray would be starting with a clean slate and that might be enough to change everything. Murray’s running skills fit nicely into that offense. Finally the Cards, especially if they can keep Anderson (Dortch might do), have the right receivers to give it a chance to work.
If I were the Cards, I’d take the loss and try to move Murray. There often seems to be a coach who believes he can fix anything. If they are unsuccessful, I’d hire Heupel and try to salvage something. Aside from the offense I detailed, he’s been very creative in the red zone, where that offensive scheme is not used in the same way. So there’s a reasonable chance he might be successful even if Murray flops.
So assuming the Cards are stuck with Murray the Cards have two options. Try tough love and demand Murray changes the way he plays. For my money, that’s a waste of time. His money is guaranteed and frankly I don’t think he cares what the Cards want. I don’t think any form of persuasion will motivate him to play to play differently.
So the only other option I see is Heupel. Murray has the arm to execute his offense. Had he been the Tennessee QB Saturday, I think they hit at least 2 of those breakout receivers and that could have radically changed to result. Hooker just didn’t have the arm for the deep throws or he lacked the composure for the moment. Additionally Murray could actually be motivated to prove he could win essentially playing his way. Murray would be starting with a clean slate and that might be enough to change everything. Murray’s running skills fit nicely into that offense. Finally the Cards, especially if they can keep Anderson (Dortch might do), have the right receivers to give it a chance to work.
If I were the Cards, I’d take the loss and try to move Murray. There often seems to be a coach who believes he can fix anything. If they are unsuccessful, I’d hire Heupel and try to salvage something. Aside from the offense I detailed, he’s been very creative in the red zone, where that offensive scheme is not used in the same way. So there’s a reasonable chance he might be successful even if Murray flops.