Arizona Cardinals: 3 Players to watch vs. Vikings in Preseason Week 3
By Steve Rivera
3. Kyler Murray, QB
While Week 1 showed tremendous potential for the rookie quarterback, Week 2 showed a slide that few could have predicted. Without fail, one of the two most needing a significantly better game in Week 3 of the exhibition season is Murray.
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How bad was he? Murray threw for 12 yards, completing just three of the eight passes he attempted. He made one rushing attempt, for a four-yard gain. His time under center, or in the shotgun to be more accurate, was marred by way too many penalties and an overall appearance of disarray and complete confusion.
It’s not complicated. The Cardinals need Murray to perform and perform well. The first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft looked unprepared for a Raider’s rush that came early and often. A game plan he is likely to see every time he is on the field.
Week 3 of this exhibition season is important for Murray. It hasn’t taken long for the critics to come out and feast on the rookie. He doesn’t need to be perfect in Minnesota, but he needs to show improvement. He also has to look as if he has a command of his offense and understands what he sees on defense.
It’s hard to believe, but another bad outing will open the floodgates to second-guessing. Murray can help himself and his organization by getting it together and showing the game against the Raiders was a blip and not the beginning of a trend.