Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
If his contract permitted him to be traded, IMO, Murray would only fetch a mid-level second round pick. So if the Cards want to move him for real value in 2 years what has to happen between now and then?
Murray must be more composed. Too often he’s made erratic throws, shown happy feet or simply fallen to the ground with little contact. I accept he’s a QB who’s not strong enough to take hits to complete passes. Nonetheless he must exhibit more poise under pressure. Quicker reads, moving up in the pocket and varying his escape routes will all be crucial to increasing his value.
Certainly better line play and a real pocket will be necessary for Murray to move forward. Once a pocket is established Murray must develop better understanding of how to use it. For starters he must learn how to shift in the pocket without abandoning it. Wilson and Brees both exhibited this strategy. By doing so a QB can open throwing lanes and avoid having balls batted down so often. Moving forward in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield can increase his completions. It also provides for escaping through holes in the rush patterns. This keeps defenders honest. Even a fake in this direction can freeze rushers.
Murray needs to improve his ball placement. This increases YAC as runners can catch more balls in stride, allows for more completions and fewer interceptions. In a closely related skill he needs to throw more receivers open. His receivers have become to used to stopping to make themselves easier targets. He must lead them into open areas especially against zone defenses. A QB can often see the holes in a zone better than a receiver can.
Murray must get comfortable under center. He needs to master RPO plays and learn to effectively fake handoffs. This also will mean building a little more strength as well. He needs to not go down when barely touched. He needs to fight harder against first contact.
He needs to refocus on getting his feet set before he throws and avoid throwing off his back foot, especially on deep throws. This fault causes the ball to float , allowing for more interceptions. He allows needs to followthrough on his passes. It’s accurate to say unblocked rushers have distracted Murray too often. Better O-line play and poise on Murray’s part must increase.
Better line play should also allow for increased use of progressions. Again composure is the key to recognizing when time is available and using it. With Hopkins staying, at least for awhile, most plays will have an open receiver, if Murray can remain patient and find him.
I sympathize with those who say Murray’s never had a real chance because the Cards’ philosophy seemed to be, it’s Murray’s responsibility to elude the rush. They never really focused on a competent line. I’m not convinced that Murray is in the long range plans of the current administration. Even if he’s not, maximizing what is recouped for him can significantly alter the Cards’ future.
Murray must be more composed. Too often he’s made erratic throws, shown happy feet or simply fallen to the ground with little contact. I accept he’s a QB who’s not strong enough to take hits to complete passes. Nonetheless he must exhibit more poise under pressure. Quicker reads, moving up in the pocket and varying his escape routes will all be crucial to increasing his value.
Certainly better line play and a real pocket will be necessary for Murray to move forward. Once a pocket is established Murray must develop better understanding of how to use it. For starters he must learn how to shift in the pocket without abandoning it. Wilson and Brees both exhibited this strategy. By doing so a QB can open throwing lanes and avoid having balls batted down so often. Moving forward in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield can increase his completions. It also provides for escaping through holes in the rush patterns. This keeps defenders honest. Even a fake in this direction can freeze rushers.
Murray needs to improve his ball placement. This increases YAC as runners can catch more balls in stride, allows for more completions and fewer interceptions. In a closely related skill he needs to throw more receivers open. His receivers have become to used to stopping to make themselves easier targets. He must lead them into open areas especially against zone defenses. A QB can often see the holes in a zone better than a receiver can.
Murray must get comfortable under center. He needs to master RPO plays and learn to effectively fake handoffs. This also will mean building a little more strength as well. He needs to not go down when barely touched. He needs to fight harder against first contact.
He needs to refocus on getting his feet set before he throws and avoid throwing off his back foot, especially on deep throws. This fault causes the ball to float , allowing for more interceptions. He allows needs to followthrough on his passes. It’s accurate to say unblocked rushers have distracted Murray too often. Better O-line play and poise on Murray’s part must increase.
Better line play should also allow for increased use of progressions. Again composure is the key to recognizing when time is available and using it. With Hopkins staying, at least for awhile, most plays will have an open receiver, if Murray can remain patient and find him.
I sympathize with those who say Murray’s never had a real chance because the Cards’ philosophy seemed to be, it’s Murray’s responsibility to elude the rush. They never really focused on a competent line. I’m not convinced that Murray is in the long range plans of the current administration. Even if he’s not, maximizing what is recouped for him can significantly alter the Cards’ future.
