Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
The first element is leadership. The second is comfort with playing under center. Can Murray rally the troops? Is he composed under pressure? Can he use the pocket when it’s there? Fair or not Murray has previously exhibited a lack of composure, like the end zone throw in the Rams playoff game. When a viable pocket doesn’t form, how does he respond?
Gannon is a big believer that playing under center offers more offensive options. It especially enhances play action. Murray has little non-practice experience with this system. He has looked okay in practice, but how will he respond to game pressure? Will he simply cut and run? Will he hang in the pocket and shift to create throwing lanes or will he get a ton of passes batted down? Can he rollout through traffic and throw with accuracy? Can he read defenses and call the correct audibles? Will he use progressions or throw to his first read regardless of coverage?
What don’t they care much about? They don’t really care about winning games. They would like to see a more functional offense. They’d also like to see if the players wanted to help Murray establish himself as the QB now and in the future. Murray often previously seemed disengaged from the other players when they were off the field. Will he now make those players feel they are all in this together? Will he keep his focus on how to go forward, not just on things that have gone wrong? The coaches expect quite a few things to go wrong. Will there be improvement game to game? Can Murray avoid getting frustrated if he piles up some losses? Will he keep his focus positive in the face of unfair fan criticism that will expect too much? Has the adversity of being injured given Murray the opportunity to mature? Can he see the big picture of where the team is headed and most importantly buy in to the required sacrifice? Can he see if he is the QB of the future that the team has positioned itself to build outstanding strength going forward? Has he examined the career of Troy Aikman, for example? They have much in common though Aikman was a rookie.
As a fan I recommend you focus on progress not the score. Realize if Murray succeeds this is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the rebuild. This is shaping up to be at least a solid draft. The Cards’ future and Murray’s have never been more closely linked. Murray is a great athlete. Whether he can become a great QB for the Cardinals is what the next couple of months will determine!
Gannon is a big believer that playing under center offers more offensive options. It especially enhances play action. Murray has little non-practice experience with this system. He has looked okay in practice, but how will he respond to game pressure? Will he simply cut and run? Will he hang in the pocket and shift to create throwing lanes or will he get a ton of passes batted down? Can he rollout through traffic and throw with accuracy? Can he read defenses and call the correct audibles? Will he use progressions or throw to his first read regardless of coverage?
What don’t they care much about? They don’t really care about winning games. They would like to see a more functional offense. They’d also like to see if the players wanted to help Murray establish himself as the QB now and in the future. Murray often previously seemed disengaged from the other players when they were off the field. Will he now make those players feel they are all in this together? Will he keep his focus on how to go forward, not just on things that have gone wrong? The coaches expect quite a few things to go wrong. Will there be improvement game to game? Can Murray avoid getting frustrated if he piles up some losses? Will he keep his focus positive in the face of unfair fan criticism that will expect too much? Has the adversity of being injured given Murray the opportunity to mature? Can he see the big picture of where the team is headed and most importantly buy in to the required sacrifice? Can he see if he is the QB of the future that the team has positioned itself to build outstanding strength going forward? Has he examined the career of Troy Aikman, for example? They have much in common though Aikman was a rookie.
As a fan I recommend you focus on progress not the score. Realize if Murray succeeds this is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the rebuild. This is shaping up to be at least a solid draft. The Cards’ future and Murray’s have never been more closely linked. Murray is a great athlete. Whether he can become a great QB for the Cardinals is what the next couple of months will determine!
