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Former Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray has the upper hand in the Minnesota Vikings quarterback battle, if Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell's comments are the primary indicator.
While O'Connell did not declare a leader in the race between Murray and third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, he did take his time to praise Murray after OTAs on June 4.
"It's been fantastic just to see the daily growth, for a guy that was obviously with one organization, but really two schemes throughout his time in Arizona," O'Connell said. "Our scheme's probably different than what he's most comfortable doing from the time on task there, and just the daily growth.
"Just as simple as comparing Day 1 of calling plays versus today. Just two totally different guys."
Comfort in O'Connell's offensive system was always going to be Murray's top focus if he wanted to win the starting quarterback job. Murray is the more proven option in terms of productivity, as he has averaged 7 yards per pass and 6 yards per rush in his seven-year NFL career. McCarthy is at 6.7 yards per pass and 4.9 yards per rush in his NFL career.
It was going to come down to whether Murray could pick up an offense that McCarthy has been around already for two seasons. O'Connell did address Murray's physical ability, though.
"His physical talent throwing the ball has been on display every day," O'Connell added. "The ability to throw to all three levels, layer the ball, anticipation that veteran players bring to the position."
McCarthy threw 12 interceptions in 10 starts last season, which were the only 10 starts of his career. He threw 11 touchdown passes.
Murray has tossed 121 touchdown passes to 60 interceptions in his 87 career starts. He has tacked on 32 rushing touchdowns compared to McCarthy's four.
O'Connell still wants to see more before naming a starter.
"I've been really happy with the way both of those guys — J.J. and Kyler — have kind of attacked it in their own individual ways knowing they're competing," O'Connell said.
Despite McCarthy's struggles last season, Minnesota went 9-8. With Murray having a history of improving his team's overall win percentage (Murray was 38-48-1 as a starter in Arizona while his backups were 5-25), Murray grasping the offense would give the Vikings a ceiling that enables them to contend in the vaunted NFC North. Next up for the Vikings' QB saga comes June 9, when mandatory minicamp kicks off.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ex-Cardinals QB Kyler Murray impressing coach before summer heats up
Continue reading...
While O'Connell did not declare a leader in the race between Murray and third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, he did take his time to praise Murray after OTAs on June 4.
"It's been fantastic just to see the daily growth, for a guy that was obviously with one organization, but really two schemes throughout his time in Arizona," O'Connell said. "Our scheme's probably different than what he's most comfortable doing from the time on task there, and just the daily growth.
"Just as simple as comparing Day 1 of calling plays versus today. Just two totally different guys."
Comfort in O'Connell's offensive system was always going to be Murray's top focus if he wanted to win the starting quarterback job. Murray is the more proven option in terms of productivity, as he has averaged 7 yards per pass and 6 yards per rush in his seven-year NFL career. McCarthy is at 6.7 yards per pass and 4.9 yards per rush in his NFL career.
It was going to come down to whether Murray could pick up an offense that McCarthy has been around already for two seasons. O'Connell did address Murray's physical ability, though.
"His physical talent throwing the ball has been on display every day," O'Connell added. "The ability to throw to all three levels, layer the ball, anticipation that veteran players bring to the position."
McCarthy threw 12 interceptions in 10 starts last season, which were the only 10 starts of his career. He threw 11 touchdown passes.
Murray has tossed 121 touchdown passes to 60 interceptions in his 87 career starts. He has tacked on 32 rushing touchdowns compared to McCarthy's four.
O'Connell still wants to see more before naming a starter.
"I've been really happy with the way both of those guys — J.J. and Kyler — have kind of attacked it in their own individual ways knowing they're competing," O'Connell said.
Despite McCarthy's struggles last season, Minnesota went 9-8. With Murray having a history of improving his team's overall win percentage (Murray was 38-48-1 as a starter in Arizona while his backups were 5-25), Murray grasping the offense would give the Vikings a ceiling that enables them to contend in the vaunted NFC North. Next up for the Vikings' QB saga comes June 9, when mandatory minicamp kicks off.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ex-Cardinals QB Kyler Murray impressing coach before summer heats up
Continue reading...
