Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I am not looking to start a QB controversy. Murray is clearly the more talented player. Still the veteran presence of McCoy and his success should make a few things clear to Murray.
First Murray has been eluding free rushers by dropping way back then spinning out toward the sideline. Rushers are anticipating the spin and cutting the angle. They’ve simply caught him more often. While the O-line is not good at establishing a pocket it’s still possible to move forward sometimes even under pressure and weave through the rushers. If Murray does this a few times he’ll slow the rush.
Going under center is not a major accomplishment but it does create options the defense must account for like QB sneaks. It’s said Murray doesn’t like it but he’s a good enough athlete to master it and Kingsbury should insist Murray does so.
Short passes have a higher completion percentage and turn linemen into revolving doors. They open up running lanes. Murray rarely uses a hot read even when he correctly diagnoses the defense. McCoy use these to keep the line off balance. This also means longer drives and a fresher Cardinal defense.
McCoy did a great job of holding the ball until the last minute to facilitate screens, slants and passes behind the line. I’m not a big fan of the plays behind the line but McCoy’s technique did enhance them. He truly disguised the plays.
Clearly Murray has more to offer than McCoy, but it’s important to remind Murray that success in the NFL is often the result of continuous improvement, otherwise the league catches up to you. This game was the best I’ve seen Kingsbury game plan and call. The ego penalty was dumb, but his plays were a thing of beauty. McCoy showed he can play in this league. He won’t win games on his own but he knows how to use his weapons and he rarely will be the cause of a loss. Finally, regardless of how this season ends Keim should be the GM of the year. He’s assembled a deep roster of motivated players. This team will not be an easy out for opponents despite the inevitable occurrence of injuries.
First Murray has been eluding free rushers by dropping way back then spinning out toward the sideline. Rushers are anticipating the spin and cutting the angle. They’ve simply caught him more often. While the O-line is not good at establishing a pocket it’s still possible to move forward sometimes even under pressure and weave through the rushers. If Murray does this a few times he’ll slow the rush.
Going under center is not a major accomplishment but it does create options the defense must account for like QB sneaks. It’s said Murray doesn’t like it but he’s a good enough athlete to master it and Kingsbury should insist Murray does so.
Short passes have a higher completion percentage and turn linemen into revolving doors. They open up running lanes. Murray rarely uses a hot read even when he correctly diagnoses the defense. McCoy use these to keep the line off balance. This also means longer drives and a fresher Cardinal defense.
McCoy did a great job of holding the ball until the last minute to facilitate screens, slants and passes behind the line. I’m not a big fan of the plays behind the line but McCoy’s technique did enhance them. He truly disguised the plays.
Clearly Murray has more to offer than McCoy, but it’s important to remind Murray that success in the NFL is often the result of continuous improvement, otherwise the league catches up to you. This game was the best I’ve seen Kingsbury game plan and call. The ego penalty was dumb, but his plays were a thing of beauty. McCoy showed he can play in this league. He won’t win games on his own but he knows how to use his weapons and he rarely will be the cause of a loss. Finally, regardless of how this season ends Keim should be the GM of the year. He’s assembled a deep roster of motivated players. This team will not be an easy out for opponents despite the inevitable occurrence of injuries.
