Kyler Murray, Cardinals offense struggle immensely vs. Raiders
Aug 15, 2019, 6:18 PM | Updated: 6:53 pm
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws during the first half of an an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
It was quite the 180-degree turn for Kyler Murray in the preseason after his terrific debut for the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.
Murray and the Cardinals couldn’t get anything going against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday.
In his eight pass attempts. Murray completed three of them for 12 total yards. He also had one carry for four yards and the offense as a whole had 22 yards in 12 plays. Both of its first downs came via penalties.
Murray’s time on the field included a few moments where the No. 1 overall pick could have made a play but his throws weren’t accurate.
On his first scramble of the game out of the pocket, he threw behind Larry Fitzgerald for an incompletion.
On that same drive, Christian Kirk got a step and created space down the right side of the field but Murray overthrew him, his first legitimate deep pass attempt of the preseason.
In his fourth and final drive, he also wasn’t able to find Kirk in a tight window on a quick slant over the middle, firing it past the receiver’s arms. Murray was sacked for a safety in his final play.
Murray’s time also included a pair of befuddling false start calls on the rookie. Both were when Murray was making a clapping motion to fake a snap. Officials clarified to head coach Kliff Kingsbury on the sideline that Murray’s movements weren’t in rhythm and more fidgety, thus the two penalties.
We did get to see Murray on his feet more, including the opening play of the game that had him take a zone read out of bounds for a four-yard gain.
Murray got zero first downs in the four drives after he had three in his one drive against the Los Angeles Chargers in the last game.
Penalties were an issue for the Cardinals as a whole. They had seven total for 59 yards in the first quarter.
It was even more ugly on the other side of the field, as the Cardinals defense gave up 169 total yards of offense and 17 points in the opening 15 minutes.
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