In the Arizona desert, a rookie sensation has taken the NFL by storm, but his impact has been limited to the opening quarter of games. Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, has been a force to be reckoned with in the first 15 minutes of each contest, hauling in nine passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns. However, his production has dramatically dropped off in the subsequent quarters, leaving fans and coaches alike scratching their heads.
Against the Washington Commanders, Harrison was targeted only once in a 28-minute span, a glaring absence that even quarterback Kyler Murray acknowledged. “I felt that, too,” Murray said. “We have to get our best players the ball.” The trend has been consistent throughout the Cardinals’ first four games, with Harrison’s involvement in the offense dwindling significantly after the initial quarter.
In the first quarter, Harrison has run 29 routes, catching nine passes on 12 targets for 177 yards and four touchdowns. However, in the remaining quarters, he has managed only 15 targets, six receptions, and 66 yards. The stark contrast has raised concerns about the team’s ability to maintain consistency in their passing game.
Coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing are aware of the issue and are working to find solutions. “It takes pass protection, it takes the coverage, it takes the route, it takes the execution,” Petzing said. “So, I really can’t attribute it to one area, but something we certainly need to look at.”
Harrison himself is focused on controlling what he can, making plays when the opportunity arises. “In every game, there’s different flows,” he said. “The games flow certain ways, whether you’re down, up, there’s different scenarios and situations throughout the game.”
As the Cardinals prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers, getting Harrison more involved throughout the entire game will be crucial. Murray knows that feeding the ball to his star receiver is key to unlocking the offense’s full potential. “I think there’re times and places for those moments,” Murray said. “Obviously, I would love to throw him the ball every play… Yeah, I can feel it. I feel like during that game, there was kind of a lull in the middle of it where he didn’t touch the ball.”
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