TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals achieved what they sought out to do on Monday Night Football behind a 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers that puts head coach Jonathan Gannon’s squad just one game out from .500. But for all the good the team saw out of the primetime win, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s inconsistent stat line remains a topic for discussion.
Harrison didn’t contribute much to the team’s 326 yards behind three catches (six targets) for 21 yards as he continues to search for his second career NFL game with at least 65 yards. His 130-yard, two-touchdown showing seems like a distant memory at this rate.
But for how much scrutiny Harrison’s getting from an on-paper standpoint, his head coach and offensive coordinator aren’t concerned with the rookie’s place in the offense seven weeks in.
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“I think he’s doing some things extremely well. And then (offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Drew Terrell) and myself, we give him things to be cognizant of throughout the week,” Gannon said. “He’s very self-aware and consistent so he typically improves those things. He’s seven games in. It’s a learning experience for him, too. The reps that he’s getting, he’ll continue to learn and get better.
“We’ll find ways to keep getting him the ball, but the touchdown to (Greg Dortch), that happens because they’re doubling him. Am I like panic alert that Marvin didn’t go off last night? No. He’s impacting the game in positive ways to help us win.”
Gannon isn’t oblivious to the fact that Arizona needs to work on getting their 6-foot-4 playmaker the rock more, regardless of what defenses are doing.
But if defenses are going to have extra eyes on him — which has been the case quite a bit so far in 2024 — the Cardinals have to utilize the mismatches elsewhere on the field. Just like they did on Dortch’s TD snag.
Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing reflects on rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr.’s MNF showing: pic.twitter.com/1fFsD46iDE
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 23, 2024
“People are very aware of him. The first play of (Monday’s win) was going to him,” Gannon told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Tuesday. “I probably shouldn’t even say that. But they cloud him, so the ball goes to (Trey McBride). They knocked it down, but the defense has a say, too.
“If they’re going to continue to put assets to him, other people have to step up and make plays.”
Concerned with Marvin Harrison Jr.’s effort?
There is warranted concern when it comes to getting Harrison the ball more.
The name of the game is to get your best players involved.
But as far as Harrison’s mental space while he and the team try to achieve just that hasn’t raised any red flags for Gannon.
He confirmed that thinking when asked about wideout’s effort after the TV broadcast picked up Harrison jogging during a couple of plays.