Tag: Josh Dobbs

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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Josh Dobbs’ passing numbers awful in last 3 games

His numbers have fallen precipitously since a nice three-game stretch from Weeks 2-4.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs, after struggling in his first start of the season in Week 1, had a nice three-game stretch of some solid play in the passing game.

His numbers have dipped precipitously.

He had a passer rating of 99.9 or higher in three straight games. Since then, he has not reached a passer rating of 70.

Between Weeks 2-4, he had four touchdown passes and no interceptions. In the three games since then, he had two touchdown passes and three picks. He has not had a touchdown pass in either of the last two games.

He was sacked three times between Weeks 2-4. Since then, he has been sacked nine times, an average of three per game.

He completed 70.7% of his passes from Weeks 1-4. In his last three games, he has completed only 51.9%.

In Weeks 2-4, the Cardinals averaged 24 points per game. In their last three, they have averaged 13.

It’s not enough what they are getting from Dobbs, but it is hard to expect more. His three-game stretch of struggles also corresponds with the absence of James Conner, who will miss at least another two games.

Kyler Murray’s return is expected in Week 9 or 10. It can’t come soon enough.

Dobbs has filled in admirably for him. He just has not filled in well, especially over the last three weeks.

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

 

Seahawks slug out a 20-10 win over Cardinals

Seahawks slug out a 20-10 win over Cardinals

It may not have been pretty, but the Seattle Seahawks took care of business at home by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 20-10. This is the second straight home win over Arizona, having won another defensive slugfest 19-9 last year. Fortunately for the Seahawks, style points don’t matter in the NFL, only wins do.

The Seahawks started the game with a 28-yard touchdown strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first quarter. It was his first career score. But special teams mishaps cost Seattle three points on the next Cardinals possession. Arizona had punted the ball away at their 15, only to regain it at the Seahawks 30-yard line thanks to a DeeJay Dallas fumbled punt. Seattle’s defense did hold them to only a field goal.

The Cardinals eventually did manage to take a lead on their next possession. A bizarre sequence in the red zone involving multiple penalties by both teams erased a Devon Witherspoon interception and gave Arizona an unusual 1st-and-goal from the 25-yard line… where quarterback Josh Dobbs ran it in relatively untouched for a score.

Seattle finished the half strong, and managed to find the end zone for the second – and final – time of the afternoon. Rookie receiver Jake Bobo hauled in a beautiful toe-tapping touchdown, which was originally called incomplete. But a second successful Pete Carroll challenge overturned the call, and gave the Seahawks a lead they would not relinquish.

The second half proved to be a bit more sluggish for both teams, as Seattle only managed six points off two field goals for their only scoring output. But it was more than enough to take advantage of yet another strong outing from their defense, who pitched a shutout in the final two frames.

The Seahawks improve to 4-2 and get back on the winning track following their Week 6 loss to the Bengals. It was an important win over a division opponent, and important in the big picture as their other division rival – the Los Angeles Rams – dropped a game to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17 at home.

Seattle will be back at Lumen Field next week for their long-awaited throwback uniform game, as they host the similarly 4-2 Cleveland Browns.

More Seahawks Wire stories:

11 highlights for the Seahawks from Week 7

33 photos from Seattle’s win over Arizona

53-man roster tracker: 4 moves for Sunday’s game

First half highlights: Seahawks lead 14-10

First half highlights: Seahawks lead 14-10

It’s been a sloppy and bizarre first half for the Seattle Seahawks. But with the Arizona Cardinals in town, did we expect anything different? The Cardinals have always played the Seahawks tough in Seattle, and this trend is continuing, albeit with the Hawks shooting themselves in the foot a bit. Fortunately for the home team, they find themselves up 14-10 at the half.

Seattle started the game with a 28-yard touchdown strike to rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who recorded his first career score.

Unfortunately, on the ensuing Cardinals possession, a punt from their 15-yard line resulted in retaining possession at the Seahawks 30-yard line thanks to a fumbled return from DeeJay Dallas.

The Cardinals were held to a field goal. On their next possession, Arizona drove the ball deep into Seattle territory, but Cards quarterback Josh Dobbs was intercepted by Devon Witherspoon in the end zone. Or so we thought. I’d love to share that highlight, but it was erased due to multiple penalties on both teams.

What resulted was a 1st and goal from the 25 for Arizona, which turned into this:

The Seahawks were able to retake the lead on the next drive, thanks to a remarkable touchdown grab from fan-favorite rookie receiver Jake Bobo. Initially called an incompletion, head coach Pete Carroll had his second successful challenge of the half and overturned the call.

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the third quarter.

More Seahawks Wire stories:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba scores first NFL touchdown

Week 7 inactives: DK Metcalf ruled OUT 

6 things to know about Seattle and Arizona

53-man roster tracker: 4 more moves for Sunday’s game 

Cardinals players to watch in Week 7 vs. Seahawks

Here are the individual players to watch in Week 7 for the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals play on Sunday on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. They hope to snap their three-game losing streak and pick up their first road win of the year.

In this game, our eyes will be on a few players in particular.

Who and why?

We explain it below.

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

 

Josh Dobbs will play vs. Seahawks in Week 7

Josh Dobbs is not being replaced by Kyler Murray quite yet.

The Arizona Cardinals officially opened the practice window for quarterback Kyler Murray on Wednesday, beginning the countdown to when he is activated from PUP and returns to the starting lineup as the team’s starting quarterback.

However, do not expect him to start this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that Josh Dobbs, who has started the first six games of the season, will still be in the lineup.

“He’s going to go out and play real well versus Seattle,” Gannon said about Dobbs. “I know that.”

Murray, coming back from a torn ACL he suffered last December, just had his first practice on Wednesday in the offense. He will need at least a couple of weeks of reps to be ready.

He won’t start this week. Maybe he will in Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, but Dobbs is the guy at least one more week.

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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Josh Dobbs’ play declining in recent games

After three straight games with no turnovers and a passer rating of 99 or higher, he has turned the ball over five times in two games.

The Arizona Cardinals, who sit at 1-5, are more or less right where people expected them to be at this point, especially knowing that Kyler Murray probably wouldn’t have returned yet.

Through the first few games, it felt like the Cardinals were better than expected and a lot of that had to do with the play of quarterback Josh Dobbs, filling in as the starter.

However, after some began to feel like he is capable of a full-time starting job, his play has declined.

After three consecutive games of a passer rating of at least 99 and with no turnovers in those three contests, he looks like what he is — a backup who will struggle at times.

He has turned the ball over five times in the last two games. He has missed an open Hollywood Brown multiple times for what probably would be touchdown passes. He has missed Zach Ertz multiple times this season.

This is to be expected, especially since running back James Conner got hurt. Conner’s presence and play protected Dobbs. Now he must be the primary playmaker and it hasn’t been pretty.

Some are calling for the Cardinals to move on to rookie Clayton Tune.

Murray’s return feels imminent.

Dobbs needs to hold things together for just a bit longer.

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

 

Fantasy football start ’em, sit’ em: Week 5

Check out these starts and sits for fantasy football in Week 5.

In the blink of an eye, we’re already in Week 5 of the season. As we get into the heart of the fantasy football campaign, this is when managers truly find ways to separate themselves.

As if making start/sit decisions wasn’t difficult enough, this is the first week introducing byes into the mix. Teams on a bye in Week 5 include the Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11) or check out our player projections for Week 5:

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Previewing Week 4’s biggest NFL matchups

Lions-Packers! Dolphins-Bills! Browns-Ravens! Steelers-Texans! Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar preview Week 4’s biggest NFL matchups.

With three full weeks down in the 2023 NFL calendar, it’s time to look ahead to the most compelling matchups in Week 4 of the season. As always, Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of USA Today’s Sports Media Group, have you covered with comprehensive tape study and advanced metrics.

This week, the guys break down these genes:

  • Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
  • Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
  • Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
  • Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans
  • Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

Josh Dobbs shouldn’t have been the one to get the Cardinals to list his jersey in their team store

Josh Dobbs had the Cardinals scrambling for a quick fix.

He’s not a superstar by any means, but Josh Dobbs is still a member of the Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster. And as Kyler Murray works back toward his return, Dobbs is Arizona’s current starting quarterback — you know, the guy who helped the team to a massive upset win over the Dallas Cowboys.

You’d think they’d be better prepared to accommodate any and all merchandise related to him. You’d be wrong.

This past weekend, Dobbs posted a TikTok video where he explained that the Cardinals didn’t have his No. 9 jersey available in their team store. Even if he’s not a star or franchise player, that is simply unacceptable. And Arizona can’t use the excuse that he’s only been with the organization for about a month.

After Dobbs posted his initial video, the Cardinals made a point of correcting this issue … quickly. And Dobbs himself appreciated how they fixed the mix-up:

Whatever happened here, it definitely wasn’t a good look for the Cardinals. You can’t have rostered players without their apt jersey available for purchase. Especially in Dobbs’ case, as he just wanted one for his family. Everyone on the team — especially the current starting quarterback — deserves that respect.