Marvin Harrison Jr. not surprised by the criticism: ‘I understand who I am’

TEMPE — Players and coaches love to talk about blocking out the noise and not letting external chatter impact the daily routine.

But in the social media era, that is easier said than done, especially for the more polarizing players.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. doesn’t shy away from it. As he put it Wednesday, “he sees everything.”

This week, that includes A LOT given a quiet first two games of the season and questions surrounding his inconsistent effort.

But while the noise is deafening around the 2024 No. 4 overall pick this week, the wide receiver remains focused on his process and leaving the past in the past.

“I understand who I am and what I was expected to do when I got drafted here and all the expectations that were put on me,” Harrison said Wednesday.

“I think people want certain production. When that’s not happening, everybody’s going to ask questions or figure out why that is the reason. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by anything that gets talked about me in any way.”

Harrison has not come close to that certain production and those expectations two games into what was supposed to be his Year 3 breakout.

He’s posted one catch for 33 yards. If that wasn’t jarring enough, his four targets should get you the rest of the way.

Head coach Mike LaFleur and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have talked about game flow and game plan impacting Harrison getting the rock.

That’s been on display, with Trey McBride and Kendrick Bourne eating on underneath routes and the former getting the first read in the progression more times than not.

And when the ball is supposed to go his way, that’s just not happening whether Harrison is covered or pressure is forcing Brissett to get the ball out before the wide receiver gets to the top of his route.

 

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“It’s definitely a combination of a lot of things,” Harrison said. “My route tree getting down the field, you need a lot of things to kind of go right. You need the right coverage. You need protection to hold up. You need to run a great route. You need Jacoby to make the right pass and make the right read.

“I feel like it’s never one person’s fault for anybody’s success or lack thereof, really. I think it’s always a combination of a bunch of things, whether that’s a lack of success or success in general.”

Harrison added he’s happy with his downfield role in LaFleur’s offense.

“Everybody loves explosives, right?” the wideout said.

Where is Marvin Harrison Jr.’s confidence at?

Even with the slow start and mountain of criticism Harrison is getting, the wide receiver remains confident in his abilities.

“Does your confidence come from results or does your confidence come from your process? I think for me it comes from my process,” Harrison said. “My process isn’t going to change whether I get zero catches or 10 catches. I’m going to still do the same thing week in and week out Monday through Saturday to prepare myself for the game.

“I think that’s where I have a lot of my confidence coming from. Obviously, you want to have more of an impact on the game, but I think confidence really has to come from preparation more than anything.”

The questions go beyond Marvin Harrison Jr.’s stat line

Harrison’s seen plenty about his production from college to the pros. Good or bad, it’s not going away anytime soon.

But another aspect of his game has been called into question this week: His effort.

On multiple plays last week, Harrison was shown going less than full speed running routes. That was even more clear in some of his blocking.

“I just try to get on my assignment,” Harrison said asked about his run-blocking and the effort shown. “Put a body on body like Mike says out of run plays and not have your guy make the tackle.

“I’m going to continue to keep that a focal point for myself and for my team and continue to progress in all areas.”

For now, it’s onto San Francisco for Harrison and the rest of the team.

Just how different of a showing are we about to see out of the wide receiver as he battles through adversity?

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