ARIZONA CARDINALS

Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury era starts in earnest for Cardinals

May 10, 2019, 4:24 PM

(AP Photo/Matt York)...

(AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

TEMPE, Ariz. — For the Arizona Cardinals entering the new era of quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kliff Kingsbury, the talk is over, just as the new head coach told his (likely) starting quarterback before drafting him first overall. Now opponents have got to deal with them.

The pleasantries are over with. Now it’s time to work.

A relationship years in the making — Kingsbury recruited Murray out of Allen High School in Texas — began on the field in earnest on Friday as the Cardinals took to the practice fields for rookie mini-camp. In a 25-minute window of the practice open to the media, Murray stretched before the team broke off into position groups.

Kingsbury mentored Murray in basic throwing drills, posing as a mildly enthusiastic pass-rusher before the quarterback began throwing to receivers.

The Cardinals coach admitted he spent most of his time focusing on his quarterback.

“Not bad,” the head coach said of Murray’s first day throwing. “Some familiarity with the system helps. He can really throw it, got a presence about himself. I like how he operated.

“He’s been born and bred to do this. He’s kind of living it out right now, and (the attention) may affect other people but it doesn’t seem to affect him.”

Through just a few meetings with reporters, it’s clear Murray’s mannerisms remain even-keeled and calm. He reminded that there’s not much worth in analyzing the first day working with an entirely new group of coworkers.

Things take time.

“Besides my feet hurting, I feel pretty good,” he said, adding that he’d been wearing a pair of cleats that hadn’t broken in.

What wasn’t as new was his familiarity with the offense. Murray said Kingsbury’s spread offensive system, one branch from the Air Raid tree of many, is similar to the offense run by Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley.

“Today I was pretty comfortable, surprisingly comfortable as far as communication, stuff like that,” the rookie said. “I think that’s helped me out a lot.”

Receiver Andy Isabella was more heavy with his praise.

“Just the way it was thrown, the way it got there, the way it was perfectly placed,” Isabella said. “It doesn’t even look like he’s trying. It’s coming at 100 miles per hour but it’s coming perfect spiral.”

Murray’s goal was about “making everybody comfortable” in Kingsbury’s offense.

“Obviously you’re going to mess some stuff up,” the quarterback said. “Guys aren’t used to his system, what he calls, what he runs and stuff like that, but knowing that with time, it’ll get better.”

The question is: How soon will Murray be ready?

Days after the draft, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim raised eyebrows when he decisively answered whether he expected Murray to start.

“We didn’t draft him one overall to ride the pine,” Keim said on The Rich Eisen Show.

Two days later, Kingsbury seemed less certain, telling The Jim Rome Show, “We’ll see.”

Murray isn’t worried about those expectations. In fact, he didn’t even think the story of Keim’s very sure expectation was true.

“I didn’t believe it when he said it. I kind of saw it but didn’t see a credible source … I didn’t believe it but he told me the other day,” he said.

“I’m just here to work. Obviously would I love to start? Of course.”

Array
Presented By
Western Governors University

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury era starts in earnest for Cardinals