Sourdough Sam
Well-known member
- Mar 20, 2019
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Arizona Cardinals
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals won't lose sleep over who will be under center in 2020 entering into the offseason. Kyler Murray dazzled in Year 1, completing 64.4 percent of his passes while averaging 6.9 yards per attempt in 16 starts. He completed 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, earning an 87.4 passer rating in his first NFL season on his way to being named the 2019 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Kingsbury believes Murray's trajectory, along with the veteran talent in place, will make Arizona an attractive destination in free agency this offseason.
"I hope so. Lower taxes and good weather help that as well," Kingsbury said. "We feel we have some good things going. Anytime you have a young player you expect to be really good moving forward at that position, you have Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson, Chandler Jones, great leadership in our locker room, it should be appealing to some veteran free agents and I hope it is."
Aside from his award-winning play, Kingsbury is confident in Murray's ability to make significant strides in his sophomore campaign.
"I expect him to make a big jump this season," Kingsbury added. "His skillset is through the roof. We just have to work hard to get better.
"In our offense, traditionally in Year 1 to Year 2, our quarterbacks have played at a much higher level, and I am expecting him to do the same."
Murray threw for 391 yards on 57 passes for four touchdowns (71.93 completion percentage) and a 114.0 passer rating in his first two career games against the 49ers.
General manager Steve Keim gave updates on the Cardinals running back dilemma. Injuries to David Johnson and Chase Edmonds led to Arizona trading for running back Kenyan Drake in October. Drake rushed for 643 yards on 123 carries (5.2 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns in eight games in Arizona. Following Drake's impressive first year with the Cardinals, he's set to hit the open market next month. Keim indicated Arizona is interested in re-signing the ball carrier, who could demand more money this offseason after proving he's capable of being a No. 1 back.
"He's certainly a guy we would like to have back, but again not sure what the market is going to do," Keim said. "I do know this: He took full advantage of his opportunity. I was really proud to see not only his work ethic but the skill set he has is so unique, his ability to run, stretch the way he does, ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, to be able to have him and David (Johnson) and Chase (Edmonds) in the backfield really presented some problem for other teams."
As far as Johnson goes, he signed a lucrative contract extension ahead of the 2018 season, however injuries forced the veteran rusher to take the backseat to Drake. Johnson rushed for just 345 yards and two touchdowns on 94 carries in 13 games in 2019. Pending Drake's whereabouts in free agency, Johnson could be primed for another opportunity at taking over as Arizona's lead back.
"I think it started with the injuries," Keim said of Johnson's 2019 campaign. "And then when we acquired Kenyan and he came in and got the hot hand, like any sport when you get the hot hand you don't want to take that player out so he (Drake) certainly deserved the reps he got. Again, really made his best opportunity out of it. But David is a guy because of his work ethic, because of his ability to create mismatches in the passing game, he's a guy that we still value.
"I think because of the success that Kenyan had, because of the success Chase had, I think that's something that will be a chip on (Johnson's) shoulder. He's going to want to come back and play well and again because of his skill set, he's such a big talented athlete, we certainly think he can jump back in and do some good things for us."