Murray is becoming a choker in big games

Cardsfaninlouky

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I was wondering why the Cardinals did not double Aaron Doland more today. They did it last time facing the Rams and pretty much neutralized Donald. Today I saw a couple of times Harlow left alone 1 vs 1 with Donald with Hudson sliding over to the right side helping (that's happened in both Harlow's holding calls, and the second one Hudson was not engaging with anyone). Donald single-handedly stopped our drive at least four times tonight.
Not to mention the 4th down TD where Conner made it happen. Harlow just let Donald run right by him unblocked, luckily Conner slipped the tackle & scored. What kind of OL doesn't even attempt to account for or block Donald on any play? I understand him getting the best of his man but not even trying?
 

Cheesebeef

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I mean, what about the first game against the Rams this season? Wasn't that a big game?

24/32 for 268 and 2 TDs, no picks. 6 rushes for 39 yards.

An early season game, where you’re big underdogs with no pressure on you? It was a great game he played, but it doesn’t compare to late season games, on prime time with the chance to clinch playoff birth. He’s had that opportunity twice now the last two seasons... at hone, against incredibly banged up teams and sucked in both games. As did most of the rest of the teams around him in those games.
 

Cardsfaninlouky

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Well part of the issue was Hollywood Brown was still clearly injured and playing anyway so it threw the offense out of wack.

They got better once they took him off the field. Lincoln's offense was schemed like he was still healthy.
I remember that game well, I'm a big SEC guy because of UK but I pulled for your Sooners & Kyler in that one. Y'alls defense just couldn't stop Alabama plain & simple. I remember how Kyler lit up that Alabama defense in the 2nd half which was no small task. The problem was, every time y'all scored, so did Alabama lol. Still remember that 49-50 yard bomb Kyler threw to the TE (#80) in the back of the end zone while being chased, beautiful throw.
 

SoonerLou

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I mean, what about the first game against the Rams this season? Wasn't that a big game?

24/32 for 268 and 2 TDs, no picks. 6 rushes for 39 yards.
Gotta let this battle go bro.

Kyler wins a playoff game or two and the doubt will cease (even better to win a Super Bowl).

Its all part of the process. Even having people doubt you every now and then. I think he'll respond.
 

SoonerLou

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An early season game, where you’re big underdogs with no pressure on you? It was a great game he played, but it doesn’t compare to late season games, on prime time with the chance to clinch playoff birth. He’s had that opportunity twice now the last two seasons... at hone, against incredibly banged up teams and sucked in both games. As did most of the rest of the teams around him in those games.
I dont think its a coincidence both games were against very physical divisional opponents who whipped our Oline. Missing players or not pressure makes things more even.

I've said it in the other thread. However, in this division we really need to be able to run the ball.
Conner 13 carries 31 yards
Drake 18 carries 45 yards (last year)

And also
Drake 10 carries 36 yards (last year) vs Rams.

But again its on Kyler to make it happen when it counts. So we'll just see if he does.
 

Cardsfaninlouky

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Gotta let this battle go bro.

Kyler wins a playoff game or two and the doubt will cease (even better to win a Super Bowl).

Its all part of the process. Even having people doubt you every now and then. I think he'l respond.
Off topic but I think your Sooners found a competent defense with Brent Venables as the HC. Also he hired the Ole Miss OC so y'all will now have a more balanced offense than what Lincoln ran. The problem has been the lack of a defense for years, I think that's now fixed.
 

Crimson Warrior

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An early season game, where you’re big underdogs with no pressure on you? It was a great game he played, but it doesn’t compare to late season games, on prime time with the chance to clinch playoff birth. He’s had that opportunity twice now the last two seasons... at hone, against incredibly banged up teams and sucked in both games. As did most of the rest of the teams around him in those games.

It's fair to say that Murray has played poorly in two important games this season, tonight, and vs. GB.
 

nashman

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An early season game, where you’re big underdogs with no pressure on you? It was a great game he played, but it doesn’t compare to late season games, on prime time with the chance to clinch playoff birth. He’s had that opportunity twice now the last two seasons... at hone, against incredibly banged up teams and sucked in both games. As did most of the rest of the teams around him in those games.
Come on cheese their D was missing Ramsey which has nothing to do with their D line destroying us! I knew we were in trouble early when Donald just slung Harlow aside and could have killed Murray and he just had to fetal up and take a sack. Our Oline got freaking abused all night expecting a huge game out of Murray is wishful thinking. And under the circumstances he played and put up crazy numbers under intense pressure. If we kicked FGs instead of turning the ball over on downs or drop passes that hit us in the hands. Lots of things went the wrong way to make this game turn out like it did. The biggest culprit in my eyes is a D that can’t stop the run and plays crazy off ball coverage that allows wide iopen receivers consistently!
 

Fiasco

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>his is exactly like the other prime time game against Green Bay

This is the bitch takeaway from the game..
 

Cheesebeef

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Come on cheese their D was missing Ramsey which has nothing to do with their D line destroying us! I knew we were in trouble early when Donald just slung Harlow aside and could have killed Murray and he just had to fetal up and take a sack. Our Oline got freaking abused all night expecting a huge game out of Murray is wishful thinking. And under the circumstances he played and put up crazy numbers under intense pressure. If we kicked FGs instead of turning the ball over on downs or drop passes that hit us in the hands. Lots of things went the wrong way to make this game turn out like it did. The biggest culprit in my eyes is a D that can’t stop the run and plays crazy off ball coverage that allows wide iopen receivers consistently!
The D was bad too.
 

Cards_Campos

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Come on this is goofy. All the QBs this year have looked awful in a game
Including Brady and Mahomes! This stuff is stupid. He made 2 bad plays and one wasn’t his fault. It got tipped and went right to a guys hand. Once we were on the 3 we should have ran it. You run it at them. If you are going to throw. Use Ertz. But Kyler still had 383 yards passing and 62 yards rushing. And he had 30 of it called back. This board is like if you lose You suck. If you win. You are great. Man oh man have the fans forgotten what we have been through. We are 10-3!!!! If we all would have went through the schedule and we have it on here because I think everyone picked a record and wen through the games. Show me anyone here had us 10-3!?!? Now that we are


We are pretenders
 

Cardsfaninlouky

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Come on cheese their D was missing Ramsey which has nothing to do with their D line destroying us! I knew we were in trouble early when Donald just slung Harlow aside and could have killed Murray and he just had to fetal up and take a sack. Our Oline got freaking abused all night expecting a huge game out of Murray is wishful thinking. And under the circumstances he played and put up crazy numbers under intense pressure. If we kicked FGs instead of turning the ball over on downs or drop passes that hit us in the hands. Lots of things went the wrong way to make this game turn out like it did. The biggest culprit in my eyes is a D that can’t stop the run and plays crazy off ball coverage that allows wide iopen receivers consistently!
I honestly think the last game against the Rams would've turned out a little different if Stafford was on target? Kupp was open often during the game in LA but Stafford missed him several times that would've been big plays.
 

BritCard

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An early season game, where you’re big underdogs with no pressure on you? It was a great game he played, but it doesn’t compare to late season games, on prime time with the chance to clinch playoff birth. He’s had that opportunity twice now the last two seasons... at hone, against incredibly banged up teams and sucked in both games. As did most of the rest of the teams around him in those games.

Beef is correct.

Yes Kyler racked up the stats, he had too. Playing mostly from behind he was in F it mode most of the game.

But when it came to the crunch plays he laid an egg. Not just Kyler. Nuk. Green. Kliff too.

There's a big difference between playing well when behind 2 scores. There's no pressure then and needing to make 3rd and 5 in the RZ to tie.
 

SoonerLou

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Beef is correct.

Yes Kyler racked up the stats, he had too. Playing mostly from behind he was in F it mode most of the game.

But when it came to the crunch plays he laid an egg. Not just Kyler. Nuk. Green. Kliff too.

There's a big difference between playing well when behind 2 scores. There's no pressure then and needing to make 3rd and 5 in the RZ to tie.
Didnt look like that Dline stopped pressuring him (I know thats not what you meant)

He put up almost 200 yards in the 1st half.

11 points taken away from some incredible plays/poor protection.

DJ is driven into him/Donald dominates Garcia played a huge part in not getting the TD to Green.
Donald dominates Garcia and tips another would be TD, but for an int this time.



The more I think about this game it really was just a couple plays here or there that didnt go our way. Tonight was more about the Rams having the most dominant defensive force the last 7 years.

Kyler's choke imo was the 2nd int. Thats a loser/sad sack Cardinals play that you can not have.

Edit: Outside of maybe Dallas I dont think we'll face another DLine capable of doing what they did today.
 
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Chopper0080

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It is ok to acknowledge that Kyler hasn't won a big game yet in his career. Again, he was super inexperienced when we drafted him. His college success was one year at a college where the talent around him was significantly better than his competition almost every game. The game it wasn't was vs Alabama and he crapped the bed in the 1st Q. He kept fighting which was commendable but in big games you can't start slow or else you put yourself in that situation. Same with the two games to get into the playoffs last year, the primetime game vs Green Bay and this primetime game vs LA. This is the reality right now. Good news, his career isn't over and he will have more opportunities to change this narrative.
 

Crimson Warrior

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It is ok to acknowledge that Kyler hasn't won a big game yet in his career. Again, he was super inexperienced when we drafted him. His college success was one year at a college where the talent around him was significantly better than his competition almost every game. The game it wasn't was vs Alabama and he crapped the bed in the 1st Q. He kept fighting which was commendable but in big games you can't start slow or else you put yourself in that situation. Same with the two games to get into the playoffs last year, the primetime game vs Green Bay and this primetime game vs LA. This is the reality right now. Good news, his career isn't over and he will have more opportunities to change this narrative.

Excellent post.

Now everybody knows starting slow in big games is a thing for K1, and now he knows he needs to work on it. It's okay. This is one of the last steps to him and the Cardinals becoming champions.

He has shown the ability to improve weak points of his game. Tell him to fix his deep middle throws. He does it. Tell him to stop taking bad sacks. He does it. Tell him to climb the pocket better. He does it.

He can correct this too.
 

SoonerLou

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It is ok to acknowledge that Kyler hasn't won a big game yet in his career. Again, he was super inexperienced when we drafted him. His college success was one year at a college where the talent around him was significantly better than his competition almost every game. The game it wasn't was vs Alabama and he crapped the bed in the 1st Q. He kept fighting which was commendable but in big games you can't start slow or else you put yourself in that situation. Same with the two games to get into the playoffs last year, the primetime game vs Green Bay and this primetime game vs LA. This is the reality right now. Good news, his career isn't over and he will have more opportunities to change this narrative.
I'll say it again but that 1st Qrt was mostly about playing a gimpy Hollywood Brown.

Deshaun Watson even started slow against Bama. Its just his defense didnt give up TDs in consecutive drives.

Excellent post.

Now everybody knows starting slow in big games is a thing for K1, and now he knows he needs to work on it. It's okay. This is one of the last steps to him and the Cardinals becoming champions.

He has shown the ability to improve weak points of his game. Tell him to fix his deep middle throws. He does it. Tell him to stop taking bad sacks. He does it. Tell him to climb the pocket better. He does it.

He can correct this too.
I think DVontel was right about it being more of a home issue. Seemed to start fast against the Rams, Titans, Browns on the road.
 

Crimson Warrior

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I'll say it again but that 1st Qrt was mostly about playing a gimpy Hollywood Brown.

Deshaun Watson even started slow against Bama. Its just his defense didnt give up TDs in consecutive drives.


I think DVontel was right about it being more of a home issue. Seemed to start fast against the Rams, Titans, Browns on the road.

But I don't understand the logic of it being a "home stadium" issue SoonerLou. How can that even be a thing? What player before Murray was negatively affected by playing at home?

More compelling common denominators in the GB and last nights game are big stages, and high stakes.

It's okay man, our boy can fix this. You know he can. Nothing is going to stop K1 from being a champion, and bringing the hardware back for our beloved Cardinals. Maybe not this year, but soon.
 

SoonerLou

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But I don't understand the logic of it being a "home stadium" issue SoonerLou. How can that even be a thing? What player before Murray was negatively affected by playing at home?

More compelling common denominators in the GB and last nights game are big stages, and high stakes.

It's okay man, our boy can fix this. You know he can. Nothing is going to stop K1 from being a champion, and bringing the hardware back for our beloved Cardinals. Maybe not this year, but soon.
Oh I agree. Just noting that he seems more dialed in to start games away. I think only the Vikings game where he truly was perfect/ precise the 1st half in general. He's gotta get better and I think he will.
 
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