Kyler Murray should be in running for ROY
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is having a rookie season better than many expected
It has certainly been a season full of ups and downs and had more than its share of disappointments, but for Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray it has been a success, at least statistically. Now he is down to his final 2 games as a rookie.
Murray, who has 17 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, started out hot. He only had 6 interceptions through the first 11 games.
Yes, he got lucky on occasion, seeing some possible picks dropped. That happens to every quarterback over the course of a 16-game season though.
Over the last 3 games, he has 4 interceptions. He even had an interception in the Cardinals 38-24 win over the Cleveland Browns last week.
However he also returned to being the Murray that had been missing for a couple of weeks. He looked bad against the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers the previous two weeks.
Murray ran the ball 8 times for 56-yards against the Browns in week 15. He threw for 219-yards and a touchdown. Before the season started, there were high expectations for a lot of passing yards.
He’s had his share but it hasn’t been all about passing. Murray has had some good rushing afternoon’s as well. His best game so far was 93-yards in the victory at the Cincinnati Bengals back in October.
Murray has done enough to win more games than the Cardinals record may show. The defense struggled in losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers (twice), and the tie with the Detroit Lions to open the season.
All in all, Murray has been the quarterback the Cardinals needed after last season’s dismal offense. This year it has been a dismal defense.
Yes, they struggled for points early, squandering chances to beat the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to stalled drives. Murray though has never looked frazzled.
He has never looked the part of a rookie save for a couple of games. Now he’s in the running for Rookie of the Year. He definitely deserves the consideration.