Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I watched the game with my focus on Murray’s mechanics. They’re scary. I went back and watched the tape for the second time. Most passers step into throws. Stroud has such a strong arm he can even throw 30-40 yards flatfooted. Their followthrough is mostly with the arm and shoulder. Murray is more of a full body slingshot. I went back and watched the 2021 highlights to look for changes. Murray has always had weird mechanics. He plants he left foot, lifts his right foot off the ground and pivots his body around that left foot to get the force of his entire body to throw deep. It looks like he’s throwing a Hail Mary. His best throws are when the right foot stays low or is planted. Sunday was a ballet. On long throws, the right foot was high in air as he threw his whole body in a spiral. It’s long been a belief in sports that the more body movement, the less accuracy. Simplify is usually the teaching point. Murray’s action is unique. To be fair he’s done it for a long time. The layoff may have impacted his strength and he may need more body thrust to get the desired distance. Frankly it’s amazing he has as much accuracy as he has. When they asked Murray post game he mentioned footwork, but it’s so much more. However I think erratic footwork did contribute to the odd short throws. That part should clear up soon.
He can throw flatfooted, though he rarely does, and his arm strength looks fine. He may get more accurate as his stamina builds. I’m just not sure how a coach can help him. He actually benefits from throwing on the run with all this movement because when he throws that way it feels normal. He rarely can set his feet, but he’s use to doing it all with his arm and body. He is normally fairly accurate on rollouts. He’s also typically accurate on short pocket throws where he doesn’t have to contort his body. He can thread a needle.
In watching the 2021 highlights there was one other obvious difference; the receivers. On throws of 20 yards or more Murray does not hit a tiny window He’s not a precision passer. If the receiver isn’t open, many passes become 50/50 balls. For Hopkins this was no problem. He dominated 50/50 opportunities. Even Green was still decent on them (watch those 2021 highlights). When you’re looking at a receiver like Brown or Moore, their strength is getting behind receivers. That means the route is deeper and the QB must have time to wait. The best throws for them are like the one to Moore at the start of the game. When the get behind the coverage throw it long and let them use their burst to get the ball. They are not strong on 50/50 pass receivers. The question is has Murray reacquired the power to make that throw? A little better pocket would help as well.
Frankly this has major implications for going forward if Murray is the QB. I’ve noted that it seems unlikely the Cards will get a shot at Harrison. He’s fine at 50/50 balls. Of course you take him if he’s there. That said either Coleman or Ordunze would likely fit very well with Murray. They are versatile and solid on 50/50 balls, though neither is Hopkins. They would need to top the Cards big board after Harrison. His lead receiver must have this quality. It would help if he has 2. So a pure speed receiver is not as valuable to him. In college Brown’s speed could most often get enough separation so that slight under-throws were not problems. Against NFL CBs, those throws can be turnovers; like the one Sunday. I know Murray has faith in Brown, but after close analysis Brown is not a major NFL asset for Murray’s skillset. Murray can throw deep but not with high precision. If he doesn’t have enough time he can’t lead the receiver. It’s easier the get the right receiver than it is to build an entire line.
Can Murray be a franchise QB in this offense? I believe so, but he’ll have to have the right surrounding cast.
He can throw flatfooted, though he rarely does, and his arm strength looks fine. He may get more accurate as his stamina builds. I’m just not sure how a coach can help him. He actually benefits from throwing on the run with all this movement because when he throws that way it feels normal. He rarely can set his feet, but he’s use to doing it all with his arm and body. He is normally fairly accurate on rollouts. He’s also typically accurate on short pocket throws where he doesn’t have to contort his body. He can thread a needle.
In watching the 2021 highlights there was one other obvious difference; the receivers. On throws of 20 yards or more Murray does not hit a tiny window He’s not a precision passer. If the receiver isn’t open, many passes become 50/50 balls. For Hopkins this was no problem. He dominated 50/50 opportunities. Even Green was still decent on them (watch those 2021 highlights). When you’re looking at a receiver like Brown or Moore, their strength is getting behind receivers. That means the route is deeper and the QB must have time to wait. The best throws for them are like the one to Moore at the start of the game. When the get behind the coverage throw it long and let them use their burst to get the ball. They are not strong on 50/50 pass receivers. The question is has Murray reacquired the power to make that throw? A little better pocket would help as well.
Frankly this has major implications for going forward if Murray is the QB. I’ve noted that it seems unlikely the Cards will get a shot at Harrison. He’s fine at 50/50 balls. Of course you take him if he’s there. That said either Coleman or Ordunze would likely fit very well with Murray. They are versatile and solid on 50/50 balls, though neither is Hopkins. They would need to top the Cards big board after Harrison. His lead receiver must have this quality. It would help if he has 2. So a pure speed receiver is not as valuable to him. In college Brown’s speed could most often get enough separation so that slight under-throws were not problems. Against NFL CBs, those throws can be turnovers; like the one Sunday. I know Murray has faith in Brown, but after close analysis Brown is not a major NFL asset for Murray’s skillset. Murray can throw deep but not with high precision. If he doesn’t have enough time he can’t lead the receiver. It’s easier the get the right receiver than it is to build an entire line.
Can Murray be a franchise QB in this offense? I believe so, but he’ll have to have the right surrounding cast.
