Tag: Drew Petzing

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray on OC Drew Petzing: ‘I feel like Drew’s a genius’

Murray is all-in on the Cardinals’ offensive system and believes in the man making the play calls.

It’s no secret that the NFL is a passing league and that a large majority of offensive snaps come in the shotgun to the tune of around 65 percent. The Arizona Cardinals were at 59 percent last season league-wide, according to NFLSavant.com, which is significantly higher than it was in the previous seasons with Kliff Kingsbury running the offense. For example, the website had it at 83 percent during the 2021 season.

While it’s been widely assumed that’s how quarterback Kyler Murray wanted to operate, that theory was debunked by Murray himself during a visit with Arizona Sports 98.7 FM this past week.

Asked about taking more snaps under center, Murray said, “It’s funny you say that because the first couple of years, I asked to do a little bit more of it because I feel like we had tendencies, and obviously with the former regime, it was a lot of shotgun, quote-on-quote Air Raid, stuff like that. Teams could kind of go off tendencies. When you go under center, you got to respect the run, you got to respect the outside zone, you got to respect the play-action. You can’t see the ball at certain times.”

Murray made it clear he’s all-in with the different approach of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who he placed in some rarified air after only one season.

Acknowledging that “this is a new age of game and everybody’s throwing it around,” Murray added, “but to be able to do both and be as versatile as possible is what I’d like to be and I think what Drew and everybody else wants to be. Not be predictable. And they do a great job of that, scouting ourselves and understanding … (chuckles) I feel like Drew’s a genius. He’s a really smart dude.

“And he’s very self-aware of what; if we did this, why it didn’t work or vice versa. It’s just little details. I’m very big on the little details because they all matter. I do enjoy being under center and I’m sure we’ll do a little bit more of it.”

With the “genius” calling the shots.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray likely to make his season debut vs. Browns

Kyler Murray is expected to make his season debut against the Cleveland Browns in week 9.

Quarterback Kyler Murray is highly probable to return to the NFL when the Arizona Cardinals take on the Cleveland Browns next Sunday according to Dianna Russini. The quarterback suffered an ACL tear last season that has kept him sidelined all year. Earlier this week, Murray began practicing with the Cardinals for the first time this season.

While the quarterback reportedly felt very good, the Cardinals decided to hold him out of the Ravens’ game. There was talk during the offseason of letting Murray sit the entire season as the Cardinals would assess the organization during the season. The Cardinals have two more weeks to activate Kyler Murray from the Injured Reserved list. 

If Murray plays against the Browns, it would end an offensive reunion as former Browns backup quarterback, Josh Dobbs was named the starter after being acquired in late August. Dobbs has been a good leader for the Cardinals’ offense, as his familiarity with Drew Petzing, the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, and former Browns’ quarterback coach has helped the Cardinals transition from a spread offense into an under-center wide zone offense. 

It will be interesting to see how Murray and the offense adapt to each other. Murray has spent his entire career in an air raid offense where he has had a lot of success. It sounds like Murray will make his debut with the new offense against a historically good Browns defense.

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Cardinals OC Drew Petzing feeling out where he wants to call plays on game days

Petzing called plays from the sideline in the Cardinals’ preseason opener. He will be in the booth for their game against the Chiefs.

The Arizona Cardinals have a number of coaches in their current position for the first time. Jonathan Gannon is a first-time head coach and both offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis are first-time coordinators.

As such, they are adjusting to how they want to do things.

Petzing called plays from the sideline in the Cardinals’ preseason opener, an 18-17 win over the Denver Broncos.

But he isn’t married to staying on the sideline.

In fact, he will call plays from the booth on Saturday when the Cardinals host the Kansas City Chiefs for their second preseason contest.

“I think it’s important to try both and make sure that I’m making an educated decision bout what’s best for the team and best for the offense,” he said Tuesday.

He was pleased with the communication and the operations in the game against the Broncos but wants to see if anything is different in the booth.

As it is the preseason, we will see if one works differently or better than the other.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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WR Adam Thielen could make intriguing option for Cardinals if released

Cardinals OC Drew Petzing was an assistant receivers coach and receivers coach for three seasons in Minnesota.

A talented wide receiver with connections to Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing could come available in the next few days. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and others, the Minnesota Vikings could release receiver Adam Thielen.

Thielen is 32 years old and entering his 10th NFL season but still is producing. While he no longer is the receiver that caught 113 passes for nearly 1,400 yards in 2018, he has caught at least 67 passes in each of the last three seasons and is coming off a 2022 in which he had 70 receptions for 716 yards and six touchdowns.

The Arizona Cardinals have a wide receiver room that is just fine for now. A trio of DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore is enough to scare opposing defenses.

However, Hopkins is expected to be traded.

Thielen could make a nice, productive veteran addition to the unit.

Petzing, the Cardinals’ new offensive coordinator, knows Thielen well. He was on the Vikings’ offensive staff from 2014-2019 and was an assistant wide receivers coach or main wide receivers coach for three of those seasons.

The receiver position might not be a priority, but if Hopkins is moved and if Thielen ends up getting released, reuniting with Petzing might not be a bad match.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Expect Cardinals’ offense to have West Coast principles

While OC Drew Petzing has not given many details about his scheme, his background suggests use of the West Coast offense.

The Arizona Cardinals have a new head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive philosophy. After four seasons with a spread offense with Air Raid principles under Kliff Kingsbury, they will run something more traditional.

While head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing have said very little schematically about the offense in 2023 other than the fact that quarterback Kyler Murray will be more under center than he has in the past, we can make strong assumptions on the offensive philosophy.

While they preach adaptability, the offense will likely be based on principles of the West Coast offense, developed by Bill Walsh in the late 1970s, which revolutionized the league.

How do we know this?

We just have to look at Petzing’s coaching background.

He has worked with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland and when they were with the Vikings. Stefanski and Petzing worked for Pat Shurmur.

Pat Shurmur worked for Doug Pederson with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pederson worked for Andy Reid. Andy Reid was influenced by Mike Holmgren. Holmgren was led by Walsh.

Cardinals fans have not seen the West Coast offense on their team since Dennis Green in the early 2000s.

In the West Coast offense, the quarterback must be quick and accurate. Throws on slants and flat routes are common. Running backs must be versatile.

Almost all offenses now incorporate spread concepts, so we should expect to see West Coast and spread principles as the Cardinals play on offense in 2023.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Don’t expect Cardinals to highlight individual offensive play in 2023

“We’re not going to point out the individual success. We’re going to talk about how it collectively allows us to be successful on offense.”

With a new coaching staff on the Arizona Cardinals, there will be new philosophies. With new head coach Jonathan Gannon, there will be a focus on team.

New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing highlighted that in his introductory press conference.

While he was asked a lot about quarterback Kyler Murray, Petzing wants to focus on more than just the quarterback.

In fact, he revealed what we might hear or not hear from the coaches in the weeks leading up to games and after games.

The focus is on the success of the offensive unit as a team.

“I think that is going to be a big part of our identity,” Petzing said. “We’re not going to point out the individual success. We’re going to talk about how it collectively allows us to be successful on offense.”

That means players won’t be expected to be heroes. It means they can’t rely on other players to make up for their mistakes. It ideally creates greater accountability

For Murray, it means less focus on his big plays and his possible mistakes and an increased focus on the efficiency of the unit as a whole.

It will be fun to see how this evolves.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Potential Browns offensive free agent targets for Cardinals

The Cardinals’ new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, comes from the Browns. Who are some Browns players who would follow him in AZ?

The Arizona Cardinals have officially announced Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator under new head coach Jonathan Gannon. He was previously the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns.

He will bring a new offense to the Cardinals after four years of Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid-based spread offense.

It is common to see players from coaches’ previous team follow them to new teams, which means we can look at the Browns for potential players who could come to Arizona and either start right away knowing the offensive system or provide leadership and stability off the bench as the team learns the new offense.

Below are some players from the Browns last season on offense who are scheduled to be free agents and might make sense for the Cardinals to target.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

What coaching staff positions are currently vacant in Cleveland?

The Browns have a handful of coaching vacancies, and that is a good thing.

The Cleveland Browns have had an underwhelming two seasons since making the playoffs in 2020. And the rubber has finally met the road with their coaching staff as they look to get back into postseason contention in 2023. They fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods right at the end of the season, replacing him with Jim Schwartz. They have since fired special teams coordinator Mike Priefer as well.

They have had a few more openings on their coaching staff come open as well this offseason, and we take a look here at exactly how many coaching slots they have left to fill as the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency approach.

Browns staffer Israel Woolfork following Drew Petzing to join Cardinals

The former Browns QB coach is now poaching staffers to join him in Arizona.

It has been a massive staffing day for the Cleveland Browns. Not only did they fire special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, but they have also already reportedly found his replacement. They have also added a new safeties coach to their defensive staff in the form of Utah State defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda. It does not stop there, however, as former quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing is poaching a staffer from Cleveland as he takes over as the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. Staffer Israel Woolfork is leaving the Browns to become the new quarterbacks coach of the Cardinals under new head coach Jonathan Gannon.

Despite filling a few holes on their staff, the Browns still have a handful more to go.

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Browns QB coach Drew Petzing expected to be named Cardinals OC

Cardinals have requested to interview Petzing, who is the Browns’ QB coach.

New Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is set to interview coaches to be his new offensive coordinator. There are three reported candidates the Cardinals have requested to interview but one is the favorite.

According to Plains Dealer Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, the Cardinals have requested to interview Browns quarterback coach Drew Petzing, and he is expected to get the job.

This is no surprise as Petzing was connected to Gannon before the Cardinals announced he would be their new coach.

Gannon and Petzing worked together on the Minnesota Vikings’ staff from 2014-2017. Petzing was an offensive assistant and assistant wide receivers coach then, while Gannon was an assistant defensive backs coach.

Petzing has coached in the NFL since 2013. He was an outside linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2013.

He was with the Vikings from 2014-2019 in the aforementioned positions and then as an assistant quarterbacks coach and then wide receivers coach.

Since 2020, he has been with the Browns, first as a tight ends coach in 2020 and 2021 and then quarterbacks coach last season.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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