Cardinals’ two best players are flourishing in Petzing’s schemes
Even though disgruntled Cardinals fans are lobbying for Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon to hire a new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing’s offense is absolutely ideal for the team’s two most productive Pro Bowl worthy players, RB James Conner and TE Trey McBride.
RB James Conner
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
James Conner’s two years in Drew Petzing’s offense: (back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons)
- 444 rushes
- 2,134 yards
- 4.8 yards per carry
- 18 total TDs,
- 124 1st downs
- 2023 PFF Grade: 89.2 (#1 highest grade on Cardinals’ offense)
- 2024 PFF Grade: 90.4 (#1 highest grade on Cardinals’ offense)
Historical perspective: (per Wikipedia)
- In 2024, James Conner surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second consecutive season. He’s been a top player for the Cardinals under head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
- Ottis Anderson
- Anderson accomplished the feat twice, in 1979-81 and 1983-84.
- Edgerrin James
- James most recently did it in 2006 and 2007.
James Conner’s Contract: Signed through 2026
TE Trey McBride
Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images
Trey McBride’s two years in Drew Petzing’s system:
- 185 catches on 242 targets – 75.6% success rate
- 1.906 yards
- 10.3 yards per catch
- 5 combined TDs
- 124 1st Downs
- 2023 PFF Grade: 76.3 (#2 highest grade on Cardinals’ offense)
- 2024 PFF Grade: 86.2 (#2 on highest grade Cardinals’ offense)
Historical Perspective:
If Trey McBride has 74 or more yards receiving this week, he will eclipse DeAndre Hopkins’ two-year production at his peak in Arizona, in years 2020 and 2021.
DeAndre Hopkins (2020-2021) — Trey McBride (2023-2024)
- Targets: Hopkins 224—-McBride 242
- Receptions: Hopkins 157 —McBride 185
- Catch Success %: Hopkins 70.1%—-McBride 76.5%
- Receiving Yards Hopkins 1,979 —-McBride 1,906
- Yards Per Catch: Hopkins 12.6 —-McBride 10.3
- Total TDs: Hopkins: 14 —- McBride 5
- 1st Downs: Hopkins 107 —-McBride 109
- Year 1 PFF grade: Hopkins 87.1 —-McBride 76.3
- Year 2 PFF grade: Hopkins 79.8 —-McBride 86.4
Trey McBride is making a cogent case for developing the best passing game chemistry with Kyler Murray throughout Kyler’s 6 years with the Cardinals.
Trey McBride’s Contract: signed through 2025 (pending a contract extension in 2025)
Cardinals’ Top 11 2024 PFF grades on offense:
- RB James Conner – 90.4
- TE Trey McBride – 86.2
- T Paris Johnson Jr. – 80.8
- QB Kyler Murray – 79.9
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr. – 76.6
- C Hjalte Froholdt – 74.6
- RB Emari Demercado – 70.8
- T Jonah Williams – 70.7
- G Will Hernandez – 69.3
- G Trystan Colon – 68.4
- G Evan Brown – 66.2
Cardinals’ 2024 Offensive Statistics – Rankings
- YDS/G: 356.1 – 11th
- RUSH/G: 143.8 – 7th
- PASS/G: 212.3 – 18th
- POINTS/G: 22.1 – 15th
Cardinals’ 2024 PFF Team Rankings
- OFFENSE – 9th
- PASSING: 14th
- PASS BLK: 6th
- RECVNG: 12th
- RUSHING: 6th
- RUN BLKG: 17th
Commentary:
Not only is Drew Petzing’s offense ideal for the team’s two best offensive players RB James Conner and TE Trey McBride, when was the last time we Cardinals’ fans have ever seen 6 offensive linemen graded in the team’s top 11 offensive grades?
These commendable PFF grades prove not only that the system works —- but they are also an indication that a healthy number of players are flourishing in the system.
Therefore, in my opinion, it would be a mistake for the Cardinals to make a change at offensive coordinator. Instead, the coaches and players need to make some key off-season adjustments in order to improve every aspect of the schemes.
Keep this train rolling — faster and faster.