Don’t believe in Kyler Murray? ‘You are a plum fool’: Arizona Cardinals teammates defend QB

TEMPE, Ariz. — Coming off a second consecutive late-season collapse adopted by a blowout loss within the NFC wild-card spherical final season, the Arizona Cardinals reported to voluntary organized workforce actions in late Could understanding that they had work to do.

Arizona knew it could not repair all its points immediately. But it surely got down to rectify its soccer transgressions largely with out quarterback Kyler Murray, who reported for considered one of three voluntary OTAs and the obligatory minicamp.

Murray’s teammates did not thoughts. They understood the fourth-year quarterback, who’s embroiled in contract negotiations, did not have to indicate up throughout OTAs. And, by and huge, they supported him as a result of, they mentioned, they perceive there is a enterprise aspect to soccer.

“That is my quarterback,” left deal with D.J. Humphries mentioned. “I noticed a quote the opposite day that was like, ‘Have you ever seen the group earlier than he obtained right here?’ And, I imply, I used to be right here with Carson [Palmer], so clearly, I’ve seen greatness, however I imply that assertion isn’t a lie.

“In the event you suppose that Kyler isn’t our future, you’re a plum idiot. There is no query of that.”

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury diverted questions on why Murray selected to attend sure practices and never others again to the quarterback, and Murray didn’t tackle the media this offseason. However Kingsbury did say the important thing to Arizona fixing final yr’s points was rooted within the scheme. Arizona was in a position to make tweaks, changes and additions to its scheme with backup quarterback Colt McCoy when Murray wasn’t at apply.

“He and Kyler clearly have an excellent relationship and so they can discuss by means of issues and work by means of issues and get issues that perhaps had been cloudy final yr or they did not like as a unit sorted out throughout this time,” Kingsbury mentioned.

The setup has labored, in accordance with Kingsbury. He has been in a position to get enter from Murray all through the offseason.

“I do not suppose we have missed an excessive amount of,” Kingsbury mentioned.

Not having Murray round for 2 of the 4 weeks of apply did not put a dent in constructing camaraderie both, Kingsbury mentioned. Having two consecutive offseasons altered by COVID ready Arizona for constructing cohesiveness with out everybody in particular person.

“Not having an offseason the final two years, I feel guys which are used to that,” Kingsbury mentioned. “I imply, there’s a number of guys that prepare on their very own and do these sure issues and other people perceive that, so I do not see it as being as large of a problem.

“When you get to coaching camp, there’s loads of time to bond and are available collectively.”

Each participant has his personal method to the voluntary exercises, defensive lineman J.J. Watt mentioned.

“Being right here with the blokes at OTAs, I feel that being on the sector is extraordinarily priceless, as a result of I do not suppose you may get higher at soccer with out taking part in soccer,” Watt mentioned. “And, so, profiting from each single alternative, profiting from each rep, all the person drills and every thing, and the camaraderie and getting the blokes collectively, I feel for me, personally, may be very large.”

Humphries was taught earlier in his profession by former NFL offensive lineman Andre Smith to not let the league shock him.

“Sure stuff gotta go a sure method for each events to be glad and so they’ll determine it,” he mentioned. “I keep out of stuff like that. I do not need no person in my enterprise once I’m speaking about stuff. I help my man all the way in which although.”

When Murray was on the sector, operating again James Conner mentioned he appeared like the identical previous Murray.

“He was right here for a bit bit throwing a superb ball,” Conner mentioned, “so we all know come recreation time, he’ll be prepared.”