Revenge of the Birds
The Arizona Cardinals were supposed to feature a dynamic offense this year. So far, that hasn’t happened. Yes, they won their first two games against bad teams, but the offensive scheme worked well for the first half, then fizzled in the second half.
The defense holds its own for the first three quarters, then tires out and allows the opponents to get back into the game. It seems like the defense has overperformed the past few years without high-quality talent and has been getting better. The final quarter is where they have failed repeatedly.
RELATED: ARIZONA’S RUN GAME CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE
In a key divisional matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, the Cardinals could not run, yet persisted in this scheme instead of throwing the ball more, where they have talented tight ends and receivers.
OC Drew Petzing is now in his third year with Arizona after joining the team from the Cleveland Browns. His offense loves to run the ball, often with as many as three tight ends on the field. So far this year, although the offense features receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr., the fourth player taken off the board in the 2024 NFL draft, it is the tight end group that is making the majority of the catches in the passing game.
TE Trey McBride leads the club in almost every receiving category, including targets (24), first down conversions (10), yards (182), receptions per game average (5.7), and receiving success rate (66.7%). The only stat that Harrison leads in is average yards per reception with 14.2% compared to McBride’s 10.7%. McBride is also ranked #25 in the league in total yards gained, whereas Harrison is ranked #47.
And currently standing with a 2-1-0 record isn’t bad, as many head coaches would love to have this record. But for Arizona, there was so much optimism about this team – especially the offense – before the season began. One media outlet predicted an 11-6-0 record and a place in the playoffs. And that just might come as the season rolls along, more so as a dark horse candidate rather than a team that will steamroll its opponents.
The hard way.
This offense is struggling. Harrison doesn’t look like a superstar in this league. He certainly has the maturity needed, but he will drop catches at the worst time in the game, and he needs to get more separation.
Many point directly at Petzing as an issue with this offense.
Others have QB Kyler Murray as the culprit. He is currently ranked #25 in total passing yards (542) and #16 in completion percentage (67.4%). In fantasy football rankings, he is #9 while ESPN ranks him the number 16 overall QB with a 57.1 QB rating.
Petzing’s philosophy is to run the ball effectively. This is why there are at least two tight ends on the field for most plays. They are extensions of the offensive line. Petzing wants this offense to finish in the Top-5 in run percentage, because...
