Revenge of the Birds
The Arizona Cardinals came into this season wanting their offensive identity to become a great running team. That is what OC Drew Petzing envisioned and is his scheme.
The Cardinals were actively gathering offensive linemen who were primarily good run blockers. All of their tight ends were scouted for how they blocked, and if they could catch an occasional ball, then that is the bonus round.
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The offense already had QB Kyler Murray, who was considered an above-average runner who could scramble for yards, and also had his own running plays.
But the offense still needed to throw the ball. On occasion. Sometimes.
Last year, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort drafted the best receiver in the draft when he selected Marvin Harrison, Jr. out of Ohio State. Harrison had a laundry list of accolades, plus was the son of an NFL Hall of Famer. Make that, an NFL Hall of Fame receiver. So, the lineage was there.
True, Harrison’s presence wouldn’t help the rushing attack. The very next pick in the draft was OT Joe Alt out of Notre Dame. OT JC Latham went two slots later. In all, eight offensive tackles and one center went in the first round after the Harrison choice.
But what offense doesn’t want a blue-chip receiver in its midst? Arizona is home to one of the league’s all-time best, with Larry Fitzgerald, so having greatness catching passes felt like home.
Harrison would be paired with TE Trey McBride, a good blocker who also has exceptional hands. The team would also feature speedy journeyman Greg Dortch, veteran Zay Jones, the aging Zach Pascal, who was now on his fourth NFL club, undrafted rookie Xavier Weaver, and Michael Wilson.
None of this group were starting receivers the year before in 2023. Which meant it was a clean slate, ready to become whatever this group could make it to be. When the team’s first press release of the 2024 season was released, that first depth chart listed Harrison, Dortch, and Wilson as the starting receivers.
For many, the lineup came as a surprise. Wilson had beaten out the veteran Pascal. He had been ruled better than Chris Moore, Andre Baccellia, and Jones.
Not that Wilson didn’t have talent. He did. He ran a 4.58 with a vertical jump of 37.5”. He was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft. He had 58 targets in his rookie campaign and 71 last year, with 565 yards and 548 yards, respectively. For the two seasons, he added seven touchdowns and converted 56 first downs.
And now, Wilson has earned his starting position in this year’s training camp. A lot was expected out of Wilson based on the fact that the 2025 season would be his third in the league. Usually, players have worked out all the kinks and the learning curve by their third season. They are no longer expected to make rookie mistakes and have become acclimated to...
