SI.com: Edmonds expect Murray to have a huge year in Minnesota
"For the Minnesota fans, I would just say that they are going to get the best version of Kyler Murray, one the NFL has not seen," Edmonds said. "When Kyler Murray first entered the NFL, he never experienced adversity. When you finally experience that adversity this late in your career? This version of Kyler, he’s going to be more motivated than he’s ever been in his entire life."I think he really reminds people of just how talented he is."
"Kevin O’Connell is going to show Kyler football through a different lens he has not been shown before," Edmonds told Odegard. "I have that much admiration for how KOC runs his offense. I think it’s going to be a perfect match in Minnesota. ... It was a s***show at times last year with the quarterback inconsistency, but then you look up and they won nine football games. I think they have the best overall coaching staff in the NFL with KOC and Brian Flores."
As a former No. 1 overall pick and Heisman winner, the spotlight has been on Murray throughout his career. And because he's had some inconsistency at times, different narratives have emerged. There's been criticism of his work ethic, memes about his love of Call of Duty, and a perception — stemming in part from an independent study clause in his 2022 contract extension — that he wasn't always doing everything he could behind the scenes to be set up for success. Several of Murray's former Cardinals teammates have pushed back against that idea over the years. Edmonds can be added to that list.
"Look, I have never once questioned Kyler Murray’s work ethic," Edmonds said. "I know the work he puts in day in and day out to be prepared at the highest level.
When Kyler was younger, I do think he could have been helped, put in better positions, to really understand the grind it may take to play the quarterback position. I do. But I don’t think that’s all on him, bro. To me, that’s from the top of the organization on down. When you draft a franchise player like that, you need to figure out how to mold him. Put people around him that are truly going to push him and help him grow. But in terms of work ethic? I’ve never questioned that."
If we haven't yet learned how important surround is for QBs, we're going to this season. Hint: very.
[img]https://i.makeagif.com/media/10-07-2024/3z_aa_.gif[/img]
Lived in Arizona for over 20 yrs...I saw a lot of the Arizona games with Kyler Murray. I'm not ready to anoint him the "Savior" and take the Vikings to the promise land just yet...
I'm not either.....but I'm personally not going to spend the offseason bagging on something that might work big time because I'm doubtful as a fan. I try and post positive stories without commentary, I'm moving on. If shit hits the fan, there'll be plenty of time to complain during football season. If there's someone on this board [b]more[/b] disappointed than I about the direction they are going with McCarthy, raise your hand (looking.....not seeing any hands)....but I recognize that Murray is talented and maybe KOC gets him to a higher plane of play. That's my hope. But have plenty of doubts. But the wins have to come with this strategy....and if the wins come, I won't care if it was my Mom they benched.
Come on Sticky, was it over when the German’s invaded Pearl Harbor? :cool: :angel: This story has not been written yet, buckle up Vike fans…! :P
I've got my toga ready....
But was he even that bad in Arizona?
Seems unlikely, but set’s just say for argument’s sake that working in a KOC offense and throwing to the likes of Jefferson and Addison, with a much better line and defense does nothing at all for Murray and we get exactly who he was in the desert. This is the kind of upgrade at QB that would represent.
2025 Vikings QB room:
2834 yards, 18 TDs, 21 INTs, 72 passer rating, 219 yards rushing and 3 TDs
Kyler Murray’s 17-game average:
4000 yards, 24 TDs, 11 INTs, 92 passer rating, 624 yards rushing and 6 TDs
These comparisons are well and good, but if you're going to baseline Murray's averages and then use one season of last year's QB room, then this team should win 11 or 12 games for sure using that logic. For sure. Because I don't know about everyone else, but if the team only wins 8 or 9 games with Murray, this whole experiment is complete garbage and you've kicked JJM's development can WAY down the road or outright given up on him for nothing. Its all about the potential wins for this fan, I could care less if Murray, Jefferson, etc. have much better stats than last year. We're trying to win a Superbowl, not appease the players with better personal production but overall team mediocrity from a wins and losses perspective. The assumption with your stats is that McCarthy won't improve this offseason/training camp with more time and reps. Is it nuts to think the Vikings could achieve 11 wins with McCarthy this season? Doesn't seem like that big of a stretch if you factor in even incremental improvement, just sayin'.
Fingers crossed its the right strategy.
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
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12m
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on Kyler Murray’s rushing ability:
“When he gets out there, he’s proven to turn the corner, being able to turn a 15 yard run into a 40 yard TD. That’s on the tape, visible to watch.”
(Via
@KFAN1003
)
I think the incoming regime in Arizona gave serious thought to keeping Murray, certainly as part of their due diligence into the team, hence waiting to the last second to let him go compared to other QBs like Tua and Geno Smith:
@AroundTheNFL
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15h
Mike LaFleur on Kyler Murray's departure: "We had discussions and we'll keep it at that. ... There were lengthy conversations in so many different aspects of it and there will continue to be."
Teo makes a good point about the decision defenses will have to make. Play cover-two man to stop Jefferson and Addison and risk getting burned by Murray’s keepers? Or play zone to keep an eye on Murray and watch Jefferson and Addison have a field day.
It made me wonder when an elite running QB has had receivers like this? Lamar Jackson’s best receivers were Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Hollywood Brown. Josh Allen had Stefon Diggs and nobody else. Gabe Davis, Keon Coleman?
[b]I really don’t think many Viking fans have thought this through.[/b] If they all stay healthy, this is going to be a very difficult offense to defend.
[img]https://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/arent_ready_yet_bttf.gif[/img]
[b]A more Kyler Murray-friendly offense[/b]
One of the goals in hiring assistant head coach Frank Smith was to elevate and diversify the run game. O'Connell's comments in Phoenix should have piqued the interest of anyone who has watched the Vikings' offense during his tenure.
Smith's arrival, O'Connell said, was "[b]not necessarily foreshadowing for any one particular player we might add,[/b] but the idea of really being able to apply a lot of different principles in the run game: zone-based principles, gap, pull-based principles. But also doing it out of the gun, offset gun, pistol. I was thinking out in front of what might be to come, regardless of who we were fortunate enough to add at the position, but that's kind of where the league is going anyway."
Murray famously played in shotgun-heavy offenses during his seven seasons with the Cardinals. The Vikings, on the other hand, have put their quarterbacks under center much more frequently during O'Connell's tenure -- especially in the running game. Over that period, the Vikings have had the third-fewest run plays (404) out of shotgun or pistol formations.
[b]Whether by design or not, Murray's arrival and presumptive role as the starter should coincide with different types of runs -- and run formations -- than Vikings fans might be used to.[/b]
ESPN
If the offensive plays/strategy are successful, turn into points and lead to consistency, Viking's fans won't care if they see the Triple Wing out there. I mean, lol, the author mentioning that this might not be what 'Vikings fans might be used to' is hilarious. Like that would matter at all.
'Hey Sticky, what did you think of the win against Green Bay Sunday, what a blowout....41-10'
'You know, I really wasn't used to that kind of offensive strategy and it really put me off'. :rolleyes:
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