Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
This question has popped into my mind on several occasions. I usually post something right after a game then something later after I have had time to digest the game. Today I was reading Josh Weinfuss on whether or not teams have started to figure out how to defense Murray. Murray said that in the Pats game he rarely chose to keep the ball because the Pats overplayed him specifically. I think he’s wrong.
I reviewed the film and I think there may be a pattern here. Let’s look at Murray’s history. Set aside his that shoulder was hurt and look at more than just this game. I can recall very few examples where Murray risked contact to make a first down. In fact, more often than not, the opposite is true. Clearly he changes Sunday’s game if he makes the first on his late run when he gave himself up by sliding. It was the play after which the Cards gave up a long punt return. I’m not certain he can make the first but I liked his chances. At worst he leaves a fourth down opportunity. There were plays where I disagreed with Murray, for example late in the game he hands off to Drake running to the left. Only one defender was close to Murray on the right. If Murray pulls the ball out he doesn’t have a cadre of blockers but he only has to defeat one isolated defender. Even the announcers questioned his decision. The right clearly was the path of least resistance. Numerous times we’ve seen Murray step out of bounds a yard or two short of the down marker. It’s true there often was a defender present but Murray had the momentum.
I know Wilson does this sometimes but many times I see him fight for yardage. There has always been concern about Murray’s ability to take punishment. I’m okay with his dropping to avoid a hard sack. Typically the rusher has the momentum and a significant size advantage. Murray is right to go down. There is little to be gained by taking that hit. However, when possession of the ball so a drive continues is what’s at stake, I don’t think collapsing every time is the play. Possession is how you control a game. It rests your defense. It’s an opportunity for points. This is a contact sport. It’s one thing to give up on first or second down, but third down efficiency is critical to gridiron success.
I’m think it is possible that the failure to pull-up and throw when scrambling is a reflection of the same concern. Then there’s the grounding calls. Of course, the Cards never sneak with the QB under center. That was costly Sunday.
So I’m not certain all these cleverly designed defenses stopped Murray or did Murray stop Murray. If the Cards want to be the team I think they can be they need to find a way to convince Murray that an element of risk must be accepted. He might get injured but in the end that risk is a large part of what the game is about.
I reviewed the film and I think there may be a pattern here. Let’s look at Murray’s history. Set aside his that shoulder was hurt and look at more than just this game. I can recall very few examples where Murray risked contact to make a first down. In fact, more often than not, the opposite is true. Clearly he changes Sunday’s game if he makes the first on his late run when he gave himself up by sliding. It was the play after which the Cards gave up a long punt return. I’m not certain he can make the first but I liked his chances. At worst he leaves a fourth down opportunity. There were plays where I disagreed with Murray, for example late in the game he hands off to Drake running to the left. Only one defender was close to Murray on the right. If Murray pulls the ball out he doesn’t have a cadre of blockers but he only has to defeat one isolated defender. Even the announcers questioned his decision. The right clearly was the path of least resistance. Numerous times we’ve seen Murray step out of bounds a yard or two short of the down marker. It’s true there often was a defender present but Murray had the momentum.
I know Wilson does this sometimes but many times I see him fight for yardage. There has always been concern about Murray’s ability to take punishment. I’m okay with his dropping to avoid a hard sack. Typically the rusher has the momentum and a significant size advantage. Murray is right to go down. There is little to be gained by taking that hit. However, when possession of the ball so a drive continues is what’s at stake, I don’t think collapsing every time is the play. Possession is how you control a game. It rests your defense. It’s an opportunity for points. This is a contact sport. It’s one thing to give up on first or second down, but third down efficiency is critical to gridiron success.
I’m think it is possible that the failure to pull-up and throw when scrambling is a reflection of the same concern. Then there’s the grounding calls. Of course, the Cards never sneak with the QB under center. That was costly Sunday.
So I’m not certain all these cleverly designed defenses stopped Murray or did Murray stop Murray. If the Cards want to be the team I think they can be they need to find a way to convince Murray that an element of risk must be accepted. He might get injured but in the end that risk is a large part of what the game is about.
