GLENDALE, Ariz. — After the second landing, Paris Johnson Jr., sprinted downfield and lifted his teammate, simply as he had finished quite a few occasions throughout their time collectively at Ohio State.
The 6-foot-6 left sort out grabbed Marvin Harrison Jr., inserting his arms beneath the rookie receiver’s arms, and lifted. As their Arizona Cardinals teammates surrounded them, Harrison unfold his arms, holding the soccer in his left hand, and smiled.
Proven a photograph of this after Sunday’s 41-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams, Johnson stated to have fun once more like this with Harrison was superior. Harrison stated the 2 had talked about this for some time, their first landing collectively as professionals.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon stated Harrison is a severe individual, one who by no means strays from routine. Even so, the second-year head coach admitted: “It was good to see him smile.”
Coming off a gap loss, Week 2 is perhaps crucial week of the NFL common season. One other loss sparks panic from the surface. That’s harmful for a corporation corresponding to Arizona, which hasn’t gained a playoff recreation since 2015 and traditionally has given followers extra causes to doubt than to imagine.
A win restores optimism. In that sense, Arizona’s effort over the Rams was a lot wanted for the current, but it surely was the way it unfolded that supplied optimism for the long run. This was essentially the most dominant the Cardinals have appeared in a few years — their first win over an NFC West opponent below Gannon and his workers.
“You are feeling like, ‘OK, now we will get the ball rolling,’” heart Hjalte Froholdt stated.
Somebody body this proper now pic.twitter.com/knBOZdJVRz
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
On a day through which Kyler Murray posted an ideal 158.3 passer ranking, it began with Harrison. In a Week 1 loss at Buffalo, Harrison had been a non-factor, with one catch for 4 yards and focused 3 times. The efficiency left some questioning the play calling and others questioning Harrison.
If this burdened Harrison, he didn’t let on. Requested about final week’s scrutiny, he caught with a well-known script of by no means getting too excessive (Johnson’s landing lifts apart) and by no means getting too low. It’s telling that after posting 4 catches for 130 yards — all coming in Sunday’s first quarter — Harrison appeared extra involved about Murray’s 4 incomplete passes. On the sideline late within the recreation, Harrison realized that he had been the focused receiver on all 4 incompletions.
“I’m not very glad about that; we positively obtained to get that mounted,” Harrison stated. “However we’ll proceed to construct our chemistry because the season goes on.”
Perfection is a tough process to pursue, motivating some and consuming others. However that is the one path Harrison is aware of. It’s what has led him so far, and it’s why so many had been upset along with his underwhelming Week 1 efficiency. These issues have pale.
His first landing catch got here on Arizona’s first possession. He wasn’t huge open, however Harrison had a step on Rams nook Tre’Davious White. Murray positioned the 23-yard go precisely the place it wanted to be, main Harrison to the again of the top zone, the place solely he might catch the soccer.
MARVIN HARRISON JR.’S FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN HAS ARRIVED pic.twitter.com/EFquDWaM8V
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
The second got here on Arizona’s second possession. Murray faked a handoff to James Conner and rolled proper. Harrison began on the left facet and broke his route, crossing the sector, beating security Kamren Curl. The rookie receiver caught the ball on the 25 and raced to the top zone. Curl jumped and wrapped Harrison’s proper ankle on the 7. Harrison stretched and leaped into the top zone.
“As soon as Kyler rolled to the proper, I type of felt like there was going to be no person deep there,” Harrison stated. “And, clearly, with Kyler and his capacity to increase the play, you at all times should be prepared and type of pre-snap know what (you) need to do if he begins to scramble.”
Marvin Harrison Jr. we love you pic.twitter.com/GE6a9vVabw
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
Gannon swore that Arizona didn’t enter the sport aspiring to get Harrison concerned early — “You guys are going to assume I’m a liar,” he stated — it’s simply how every part unfolded. However the impact can’t be overstated. With the specter of Harrison making large performs, the offense opened. Conner rushed 21 occasions for 122 yards. Tight finish Trey McBride had six catches for 67 yards.
And orchestrating all of it was Murray, who wasn’t flawless, however shut. He accomplished 17 of 21 for 266 yards and three touchdowns. His decision-making was sound. He seldom pressured passes. This was a quarterback in full command, one thing Murray hasn’t proven a lot since his 2021 Professional Bowl season.
Murray’s finest landing go could have been the third, which lined 18 yards within the air however way more on the bottom. Main 14-0 within the second quarter, he dodged outdoors linebacker Jared Verse, circling 15 yards behind the road of scrimmage. Murray reset, darting up as his linemen recovered. He broke free from Verse as soon as extra earlier than recognizing tight finish Elijah Higgins operating throughout the top zone. Murray stated he knew it was a landing as quickly because the ball left his hand.
THE MURRAY MAGIC IS STRONG TODAY 🪄 pic.twitter.com/FYDZCoSRNH
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
“He was lights out,” Gannon stated of his quarterback. “He’s a premium participant for a purpose. You’d take him towards anyone. That’s how I really feel. That’s what he did right now.”
After a shaky Week 1 efficiency, Arizona (1-1) was significantly better defensively. The Cardinals restricted the 0-2 Rams — who performed with out injured receiver Puka Nacua and misplaced star Cooper Kupp within the first half to an ankle challenge — to 245 yards. Security Budda Baker made a number of key stops, and out of doors linebacker Dennis Gardeck had three sacks.
However the greatest takeaway comes on offense. The Cardinals didn’t face a 3rd down till their third collection, a stretch of 13 performs. They totaled 489 yards, 231 approaching the bottom. They had been balanced and explosive, and it began with Murray hooking up with Harrison.
“The extra we play collectively, the extra we follow collectively, we’re solely going to get higher,” Murray stated. “He’s solely going to get higher. … We executed nicely right now. Clearly, there have been a pair throws I want I had again, however he had an important recreation.”
(Photograph: Christian Petersen / Getty Photographs)