Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
later of second guessing, I’ll say it now. I think the Cards are making a mistake not using the preseason to get Murray reps in the new offense against real defenses. First even if things break right I really don’t see this team competing for a playoff spot. Second it’s not just Murray that would benefit from those reps. With a mostly new receiving corps primarily composed of rookies and second year players this team needs to know who can be counted upon to contribute’s. They also need to focus on Murray’s strengths and weaknesses. Can he read defenses? Does he understand how must faster and more capable NFL defenders are? We’ll hopefully see tonight how he fares throwing up the middle or throwing deep.
By next year the Cards hopefully can contend. This year should be used to hone the offense and next year to strengthen the line. I’d limit the RPOs until they’re ready to win, but seeing what Murray can do against various defensive formations should enable them to more effectively and safely use RPOs next season. Getting the timing down with the receivers can only happen in real situations, not practice. We recently saw what happened to a veteran QB, Palmer, when he was not able to polish his timing in preseason. Do you really want to throw to your best routes when you’ve only done that against the same CBs over and over. Reports from camp indicate Murray has thrown interceptions when he and the receivers were not on the same page. Do you really want him to throw those against a defense he made have misread? Receivers can sometimes bail him out if they are in the best position to do so.
I just think the Cards and their host of young players would benefit more from the reps they’d get than trying to fool the opposition. Just a quick aside, even if you think this offense could break out, do you really think this defense could enable this team to compete for a playoff spot? This year should be about building the offense.
By next year the Cards hopefully can contend. This year should be used to hone the offense and next year to strengthen the line. I’d limit the RPOs until they’re ready to win, but seeing what Murray can do against various defensive formations should enable them to more effectively and safely use RPOs next season. Getting the timing down with the receivers can only happen in real situations, not practice. We recently saw what happened to a veteran QB, Palmer, when he was not able to polish his timing in preseason. Do you really want to throw to your best routes when you’ve only done that against the same CBs over and over. Reports from camp indicate Murray has thrown interceptions when he and the receivers were not on the same page. Do you really want him to throw those against a defense he made have misread? Receivers can sometimes bail him out if they are in the best position to do so.
I just think the Cards and their host of young players would benefit more from the reps they’d get than trying to fool the opposition. Just a quick aside, even if you think this offense could break out, do you really think this defense could enable this team to compete for a playoff spot? This year should be about building the offense.
