Want to unleash Marv and the Cardinals' passing game?

By Walter Mitchell

photo: azcardinals.com

Ever since the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. with the 4th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, for the team's fans and pundits he has become a daily focal point of interest that has generated an exasperating sense of urgency --- to the point where even when the offense plays great and the team wins ---if Marv's numbers don't jump off the page --- among the fans and pundits there becomes a sense of consternation and panic. 

What the fans and pundits have either ignored or underestimated from the start is that Drew Petzing's offense is never going to run through a wide receiver. Never. Why? Because it runs through the running backs and tight ends. That's what make the offense click. 

Wide receivers in Drew Petzing's offense are complimentary pieces who are given the opportunity to capitalize on defenses loading the box to try to slow down this relentless running attack and/or when the opponents' safeties are assigned to try to cover Trey McBride --- which opens all kinds of doors and areas of the field. 

Yesterday, ESPN predicted every NFL team's ceiling and floors for the 2025 season which included a "Biggest X-factor" player who is designated to be the most crucial to the team's success. Here is Josh Weinfuss' assessment:

Win-loss record ceilings, floors for all NFL teams in 2025 - ESPN

Arizona Cardinals

Ceiling: 11-6 | Floor: 6-11

Biggest X factor: Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

After his good-but-not-great rookie season, the expectation around the Cardinals is that Harrison will make the coveted jump in Year 2. Through training camp, he looks like he's on pace to do just that. He added 11 pounds of muscle and is moving as quickly as he did when he was lighter. Harrison's performance this season -- whether he can consistently show up throughout a full game, make tough catches and put up big numbers -- could dictate whether the Cardinals make the playoffs. -- Josh Weinfuss

Again, this season, it appears that all eyes and hopes are focused primarily on Marvin Harrison, Jr. 

Therefore, if you want to unleash Marv and the Cardinals' passing game while getting the most out of Drew Petzing's offensive system ---

Drew Petzing could do what I was hoping what he would have done if the Cardinals had drafted Brock Bowers at #4 in the 2024 NFL Draft instead ---

Flex Marv opposite Trey McBride and have him run a mirror image of Trey McBride's route tree to the other side of the field.


Reasons why:

1. These are throws that are right in Kyler Murray's wheelhouse. 
2. With Trey McBride running his routes to the left side of the field and MHJ running his routes to the right side of the field, that is going to stretch out defenses to the point where it's virtually impossible to double team both of them. 
3. Think of how running these route trees to opposite sides would open up the middle and deep thirds for RBs and other WRs. 
4. Marv has put on the weight and strength to command and maximize this given route tree. Plus, the coaches can add wrinkles (surprise routes) to the route trees each week. 
5. In the red zone, Think of how difficult it would be for defenses to try to cover Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. on opposite sides.

Or, perhaps, better yet, how about applying a facsimile of Brock Bowers' route tree to Marv? 

https://images.app.goo.gl/AR76kDQx5JUPECcx8


Some are bound to ask, are you suggesting that Marvin Harrison Jr. become as NFL tight end? 

The most accurate answer is the suggestion that Marv becomes an NFL-style "Flex Y" receiver, you know, like Larry Fitzgerald,  the greatest receiver in the history of the Arizona Cardinals' did, per Todd Haley's creative vision and Fitz's determination to do whatever it took to take his game to the highest level.

Yet ---what I am primarily suggesting is for Drew Petzing to integrate Marvin Harrison Jr. into the mainstream objectives of the offense in order to make him the ultimate fit in the system, while at the same time giving him a route tree that caters to Kyler Murray's strengths as a passer. 

Maybe then, the day to day urgency and scrutiny surrounding Marv's production and function in Drew Petzing's system with Kyler Murray as quarterback will pleasantly subside.

Let's hear your thoughts about the suggestion.



    






Comments

  1. JethroBodineAugust 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM

    Excellent write-up Walt.

    "Marv becomes an NFL-style "Flex Y" receiver, you know, like Larry Fitzgerald, the greatest receiver in the history of the Arizona Cardinals' did, per Todd Haley's creative vision and Fitz's determination to do whatever it took to take his game to the highest level."

    Bingo! Watching the bigger MHJ run routes this season has been giving me flash backs of Larry Fitz. Kurt Warner did an excellent video last year on Kyler in the Chargers game. He talked about how pure progression makes a QB speed up too much. He also talks about the plays being overall good plays but the details that make the plays successful are not being properly coached which is most likely the result of a young inexperienced coaching staff. Last season a lot of posters talked about how Kyler looked like he was not getting better and basically plateaued during the Kingsbury HC years in AZ which makes a lot of sense.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqZmmSlOZY0

    Here is my question. Do you think Kyler can make the improvements that KW talked about or do you think KM heading into his 7th season is what he is and the coaching staff not capable of helping Kyler improve his execution and clean up some of those plays KW talked about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellAugust 14, 2025 at 11:54 AM

      Thanks for the Kurt Warner analysis of Kyler's progressions video, Jethro. It was good to view it again. Because Kyler loses patience quickly and does not manipulate the pocket to buy time and space as often as other QBs do, I do not believe he can or ever will be great at working through progressions. What I would do if I was coaching Kyler is have a primary #1 route called on each passing play with the other receivers running complimentary routes (receivers know exactly what complimentary routes are --- often as simple as if the #1 option is to your side and it's an out route, run a go route to clear it out) and if for whatever reason Kyler does not throw to the #1 option when he is supposed to, then I would tell him to bolt the pocket to either run through it or around it to where he can see the field and either throw it to an open man or run with it.

      Kliff helped turn Johnny Manziel into a Heisman Trophy winner with this approach --- it's as simple as, with each passing play: here is your #1 target, if he's not open, bolt the pocket and create with your feet or arm (where you can see the field and the receivers better).

      Delete
    2. JethroBodineAugust 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM

      Makes sense. Keep it simple like K2 did with Manziel. Was that the offense K2 was running in 2021 during that 7-0 run?

      Delete
  2. RedrunAugust 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM

    Our passing game is most dependent upon two factors
    (1) Drew Petzing play calling - using 12 personnel, RB & TE take a greater share of pass-plays & RB & WR both take more running plays than a typical 11 personnel. So scheme and playcalling are important to overall game plans.
    (2) Kyler Murray - We discussed KM's issues with Decision Making & Focus. Kylers ability to Audible from plays being called has made improvement. However I want to see how KM does over 18-game season. Does he disappear in last half of season again like he has pretty much every year wearing Cardinal Red?

    The passing game will rely more on Petzing & Murray IMO that Harrison. If Petzing can't scheme plays to get Harrison some daylight from DB's and if Kyler is just floating 50/50 balls, our passing game will stink and people will be saying our WR (Harrison) sucks.

    I am hopeful for passing game & Harrison improvements but realistic enough to know that the passing game relies on more than one WR to make it run well. Neither Petzing or Murray have shown it for a full season.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Since 61August 14, 2025 at 3:35 PM

    Petzing consistently had Harrison Jr. up line up as the "X" receiver on the wide side of the field, moving him around more often (e.g., into the slot, in motion) can create more favorable matchups and easier looks for self coached Kyler. It's called unpredictability-move MHJ around.
    He's been too frequently used on deep routes like go routes, posts, corners, and crossers. While he excels in these areas, incorporating a wider variety of routes like screens, slants, and hitches can increase his target volume and make him a more versatile threat.his rookie season saw a reliance on low-percentage fade routes. Expand the target types to include more throws where he can catch the ball in stride and use his athleticism.
    Petzing should employ bunch sets and switch releases can help create space for Harrison Jr. by disorienting defensive backs and forcing them to navigate through traffic, rather than consistently asking him to win one-on-one against tight coverage.
    This is NFL offense 101-can we coach, learn and develop it?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Since 61August 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM

    News and notes from Cards Broncos joint practice.
    McBride ate up a top 3 defense all day. Vance Joseph never could game plan a great TE! Otherwise, Cards D and O were lackluster putting it kindly. Bo Nix abused our D and Kyler, when not throwing to a consistently wide open McBride, abused his offense-more pics, batted and throw away balls. He had minimal connection with MHJ. When Broncos put in the DL starters, our OL sucked but got better against the Bronco subs.
    Throughout the day, Cards secondary was gashed by Denver’s receiving corps. The prematurely great Will Johnson looked lost. Nix carved up the Cards D. In a 2 minute drill Nix moved the ball 60 yds in 70 seconds
    In the two-minute drill to finish practice, the Cardinals offense struggled to move the ball, the Broncos offense marched into the red zone with ease.
    Early the Cards DL starters played great. Broncos did not run the ball well until rookie Harvey ran right up the middle for a Td.
    Cards are so good, well coached, ahead of schedule that they won't bother to play any starters in the preseason with the Broncos. The AZ cards never had a TD today. Broncos had 5. Our squad learned all they need to learn today at practice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellAugust 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM

      These in-depth, highly informative posts from you, 61, are one of the reasons why Kyle and I are very excited to have you as our special guest on Episode 180 of the Red Rain Podcast analysis of the ARI/DEN pre-season game this Sunday.

      Delete
  5. Since 61August 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM

    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45908900/2025-nfl-season-positional-group-best-worst-quarterbacks-cornerbacks-receivers#qb
    Don't shoot the messenger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellAugust 15, 2025 at 11:26 AM

      Mike Clay seems to miss badly on ranking the Cardinals' talent at a the very least one position group every time he writes one of these assessments. A couple of years ago he had Budda and JT ranked in the mid to late 20s. I wrote him to offer a rebuttal. He didn't get back to me directly, however his ranking of the Cardinals' safeties changed dramatically the next time he did the rankings. Like from 26 to 8. This year it's the OL, which he has #25t --- despite the fact that the Cardinals run per carry average was #2 in the NFL in 2024, their PFF pass blocking grade was #4, and their total offensive yards per game 358.2 was #11, less than 1 yard per game below the Bills' and almost 2 yards per game better than the Vikings'. So how does an OL that #2 in ypc, #4 in pass pro and #11 in ypg that has EVERY starter returning (plus top 3 backups) come even remotely close to being #25? What a crock.

      Delete
    2. Walter MitchellAugust 15, 2025 at 11:31 AM

      That said, it was great to see Mike Clay ranks the Cardinals new DI #2 and the team's safeties #3 (Budda's number!). Thanks for providing us with the link, 61.

      Delete
    3. Since 61August 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM

      You're welcome! The link might have provided more football insight than anything written on RotB since you left. YAWN

      Delete
  6. tianruiAugust 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM

    Great analysis/discussions Walter, Jethro, RedRun and 61 and RotB is truly a YAWN these days!! Am looking forward to a 9:30 am Sunday pre-season game here in Beijing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since 61August 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM

      Beijing wow! Enjoy

      Delete
    2. tianruiAugust 16, 2025 at 9:49 AM

      30 years of following the Cardinals here and most of the games are either at 2am or 5am Mondays. Die Hard fan much?? haha...retired so no need to worry about work on Monday.

      Delete
    3. Walter MitchellAugust 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM

      Congratulations on your retirement, tianrui! You are the ultimate Beijing Cardinal!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
 Clayton Tune: The Fateful Path of an NFL Legacy by Walter Mitchell photo: @azcardinals.com via Instagram During the second night of the 2023 NFL Draft, Clayton Tune received a call from the Green Bay Packers. The Packers wanted to assure Clayton of their interest in drafting the University of Houston quarterback at some point on day three.  When the Arizona Cardinals selected Clayton Tune with the #139 pick a day later, he was surprised, given that the Cardinals had not expressed any significant interest in him during the pre-draft process. The Cardinals were not one of the six teams that brought him in for 30 visits (Texans, Saints, Browns, Steelers, Bucs, Giants). Tune had also been given a private workout by the Rams. The eventual link the Cardinals had to Clayton Tune was that Israel Woolfork was one of his coaches at the Senior Bowl. At that time, Woolfork had just finished his second year of a Bill Walsh/Bill Willis coaching fellowship with the Cleveland Browns.  A...
Read more
Image
 Was Will Johnson's Red and White Interception Staged? by Walter Mitchell photo thanks to Tyler Drake at Arizona Sports Cardinals' 2nd round pick, CB Will Johnson of Michigan, is off to a fabulous start just 10 days into training camp.  Will Johnson has come to the Cardinals just as advertised. He is a keenly instinctive zone cover corner who reads his man and the QB extremely well, which enables him to jump routes and make timely pass breakups and interceptions.  In man coverage, he lacks the requisite recovery speed to stay sticky on speedy receivers. But that's ok, as long as the coaches match him up with receivers whom he can run stride for stride with.  We have yet to see whether the 2024 concerns about Will Johnson's tackling, which may have been due to injuries. With him presumably taking over Sean Murphy-Bunting's starting role, the coaches will have to hope that he tackles way better than SMB (29.4 2024 PFF tackling grade). If you look at Will's 2023 ga...
Read more
Image
 A Two-Dimensional Plan for the Arizona Cardinals CB Unit It was very tough to hear about Starling Thomas V's season-ending ACL injury on Day 3 of the Arizona Cardinals' training camp. Star's Cinderella ascension from tearing an ACL and losing his dear mom to cancer while at UAB to going undrafted in 2023 and after being claimed off waivers by the Cardinals becoming a 1st and 2nd year starter in the NFL is nothing short of compelling.  My message to Star:  https://x.com/WBJMItch/status/1949544884274090422 It was also difficult to hear that 2nd year CB Jaden Davis has been placed on the IR due to a knee injury. Jonathan Gannon said that Jaden has a chance to return to the field at some point this season. Davis had been making solid strides as a nickel CB and during OTAs he came through with a nifty TD-preventing interception while making a textbook break on the ball. Now that three of the Cardinals CBs on the 2024 depth chart are on the IR, let's take a look at the top c...
Read more