The question I’m fielding most these days is why didn’t the Cards secure a prominent WR. Part of the answer can be found in the fact the board still gets a number of negative comments on Kyler Murray. Certainly his play has triggered many concerns about his performance. It has also triggered positive comments about his skill set. This offseason the Cards have been able to markedly strengthen their defense. Few offensive additions have been made. Again some posters have worried that this Murray led offense may not be strong enough to capitalize on the improved defense.
Historically some teams have managed to win with a dominant defense and a weak offense. Occasionally the QBs running those offenses were charged with not losing the game. The Cards re-signed Zay Jones. His career average is barely 10 yards a catch. In 8 years he’s exceeded 700 yards once. Michael Wilson, the presumed number 2 WR has yet to exceed 600 yards. Pp
I have no problem with a run first offense. That said, one of the benefits of that style is that it typically pulls one of the opponents safeties into the box or at least closer to the line of scrimmage. Often that would likely leave the Cards’ opponent vulnerable to a pass play, especially a deeper pattern. The Cards have not chosen to exploit that apparent weakness by acquiring the style of WRs who can spread the field.
Part of the rationale would seem to be the Cards either don’t trust the Oline to provide enough time to throw deep or they don’t trust Murray to throw long accurately. The Cards offseason was clearly a defense first approach. Most teams that are structured that way focus on avoiding turnovers. Sustained drives are also beneficial as they allow the defense to rest and maintain an aggressive, attacking style. Last season the Cards were second in the league in fewest 3 and outs. Simply put they are focused on protecting the defense. I anticipate this year the passing game will continue to primarily choose shorter, high percentage throws. They will attempt to methodically move the ball down the field. Murray will be expected to be consistently protective of the ball. Therefore there is no need for a deep threat, though I’d still like to have Olave.
It won’t be the most exciting offense, because it may often focus on wearing down the other team’s defense then running them off the field in quarter 4. This will be a critical year for Murray. He will have to prove he can play under control and show poise. If not at year’s end the Cards are in position to trade or even release him, though I suspect the former if a move proves necessary. Sadly no interesting free agent QBs will be on the market. However, the draft offers some interesting options depending how the season goes. I’m closely following Sellers, the SC QB. Trading up to get a QB is costly, but the Cards great roster position would enable them to sacrifice future picks to move up. It likely will require a move to pick 3 or 4 to secure a viable future QB. The Cards have saved cap space and except for RT, they have no upcoming free agent concerns. Ossenfort has done a brilliant job of backstopping the few other potential losses. So signing a free agent RT would work as it looks like the market will have a decent selection.
Would I like a deeper WR group; sure. However it’s been proven that a team can win with a great defense and a mediocre offense. The Cards could well have that combo if not more. Murray has to decide, does he want to win and is he willing to stay disciplined to do so? He’s shown he’s talented enough to win close games with a late drive. Hopefully this defense suppresses opponent’s scoring making that situation a rarity. A steady offense putting mid 20s points on the board wins the vast majority of their games without late heroics. If Murray understands what he has and conforms to the system, the Cards could retain him and use next years off season to add Oline depth plus expanding the WR group. With this team’s ability to develop players, the Cards could become a perennial contender for the top spot even if they have to develop a QB.
Considering what the Cards did last year with a tougher schedule and their improved roster, most of the power ranking I’m seeing surprise me. I think Gannon and his staff are being dramatically underrated. Few of those rankings would seem to put the Cards in the playoffs. For myself, barring catastrophic injuries, this looks like a playoff team even if Murray is just average. If he plays up to his potential, this could be a banner year.
Historically some teams have managed to win with a dominant defense and a weak offense. Occasionally the QBs running those offenses were charged with not losing the game. The Cards re-signed Zay Jones. His career average is barely 10 yards a catch. In 8 years he’s exceeded 700 yards once. Michael Wilson, the presumed number 2 WR has yet to exceed 600 yards. Pp
I have no problem with a run first offense. That said, one of the benefits of that style is that it typically pulls one of the opponents safeties into the box or at least closer to the line of scrimmage. Often that would likely leave the Cards’ opponent vulnerable to a pass play, especially a deeper pattern. The Cards have not chosen to exploit that apparent weakness by acquiring the style of WRs who can spread the field.
Part of the rationale would seem to be the Cards either don’t trust the Oline to provide enough time to throw deep or they don’t trust Murray to throw long accurately. The Cards offseason was clearly a defense first approach. Most teams that are structured that way focus on avoiding turnovers. Sustained drives are also beneficial as they allow the defense to rest and maintain an aggressive, attacking style. Last season the Cards were second in the league in fewest 3 and outs. Simply put they are focused on protecting the defense. I anticipate this year the passing game will continue to primarily choose shorter, high percentage throws. They will attempt to methodically move the ball down the field. Murray will be expected to be consistently protective of the ball. Therefore there is no need for a deep threat, though I’d still like to have Olave.
It won’t be the most exciting offense, because it may often focus on wearing down the other team’s defense then running them off the field in quarter 4. This will be a critical year for Murray. He will have to prove he can play under control and show poise. If not at year’s end the Cards are in position to trade or even release him, though I suspect the former if a move proves necessary. Sadly no interesting free agent QBs will be on the market. However, the draft offers some interesting options depending how the season goes. I’m closely following Sellers, the SC QB. Trading up to get a QB is costly, but the Cards great roster position would enable them to sacrifice future picks to move up. It likely will require a move to pick 3 or 4 to secure a viable future QB. The Cards have saved cap space and except for RT, they have no upcoming free agent concerns. Ossenfort has done a brilliant job of backstopping the few other potential losses. So signing a free agent RT would work as it looks like the market will have a decent selection.
Would I like a deeper WR group; sure. However it’s been proven that a team can win with a great defense and a mediocre offense. The Cards could well have that combo if not more. Murray has to decide, does he want to win and is he willing to stay disciplined to do so? He’s shown he’s talented enough to win close games with a late drive. Hopefully this defense suppresses opponent’s scoring making that situation a rarity. A steady offense putting mid 20s points on the board wins the vast majority of their games without late heroics. If Murray understands what he has and conforms to the system, the Cards could retain him and use next years off season to add Oline depth plus expanding the WR group. With this team’s ability to develop players, the Cards could become a perennial contender for the top spot even if they have to develop a QB.
Considering what the Cards did last year with a tougher schedule and their improved roster, most of the power ranking I’m seeing surprise me. I think Gannon and his staff are being dramatically underrated. Few of those rankings would seem to put the Cards in the playoffs. For myself, barring catastrophic injuries, this looks like a playoff team even if Murray is just average. If he plays up to his potential, this could be a banner year.
