In the first three games of the season, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray had five runs each week for 57, 59 and 45 yards.
That production disappeared in last week’s game against the Washington Commanders when he had only one attempt for three yards.
Obviously, Murray noticed and said Wednesday, “I look back and I’m like, ‘Were there any opportunities?’ It’s obviously a conversation between me and coaches. ‘Could I have done this? Could I have done that? Should I have done this?’ We just have those conversations. Obviously, when I have three yards on one rush, I feel a little weird about it but that’s kind of sometimes how the game plays (out).
“At the end of the day, the defense is dictating where I’m technically supposed to go with the ball. You go through your reads and if they get back there, they get back there, which they did on Sunday.”
He also knows making those plays and having the ability to do it can affect the defense. Murray noted what Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was able to produce with 47 yards on eight attempts and a touchdown.
“I don’t play defense, but when I’m on the sideline – even Sunday Jayden can move – it’s stressful on a defense,” Murray said. “Even if you get back there and you can’t make the sack, that’s stressful. Being able to make off-schedule plays is something that we have to be able to do.
“Every third down, every second down, first down, it’s not going to be perfect. That’s why I’m able to do what I’m able to do. We have to connect whenever we get those opportunities.”
Whether it’s those scrambles or designed runs, Murray brings that threat to the offense.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing addressed the subject Tuesday when he said, “I think some of it, you can scheme it up where he runs the ball. Other times, it’s extending plays. Like some of those runs throughout his career have been off-schedule passes that he breaks the line of scrimmage. It’s not like those are called runs all the time and he’s very dynamic in that area.
“Sometimes teams do some good things to take that away. Sometimes we have issues in other areas that lead to him not being able to take advantage of that. So I think it’s a combination of all of those things. But certainly, we feel confident with him with the ball in his hand in both phases and it gives us a good chance to put up points.”
As for calling more designed runs that everyone wonders about, no one knows how many times Murray has had the option to run, but instead passed or handed the ball off to running back James Conner.
“I think a lot of its defensive look,” Petzing said. “They know he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and a lot of your quarterback runs or read runs or decisions are made post-snap. If they’re going to dictate, it’s also one of the reasons James is having a lot of success because they’re attributing a lot of their defense to what Kyler’s doing.”
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