TEMPE — For the first time since Week 2, Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. posted a 100-yard effort in his team’s 28-27 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Not only that, but he finally put together a second half worth writing home about after doing most of his damage in the first quarter of ballgames prior to Sunday’s victory.
While it came as a pleasant surprise to Cardinals fans, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing chalked it up to Marv just being Marv.
In Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing’s eyes, @MarvHarrisonJr’s breakout performance in Week 8 came down to Marv just being Marv.
“This to me is what excites me about him as a player is there wasn’t anything different.” pic.twitter.com/F3ACVls8av
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 29, 2024
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“This to me is what kind of excites me about him as a player is there wasn’t anything different,” Petzing said Tuesday. “That’s been the consistency really from the moment he’s walked into this building of trusting the process, continuing to work to get better every day, learn about the sport, learn about himself, learn about the opponent and just continue to work extremely hard.
“When people do that, it’s always nice to see them have success, because it reinforces (they) are doing the right thing. … I think those things are important, so I’m really pleased to see that.”
There’s definitely some truth in what the coordinator is saying about his rookie pass catcher.
There’s also more to the story than Harrison’s prep work and overall mentality.
Unlike previous games, Harrison lined up in the slot for 33% (20) of his total offensive snaps (60) on Sunday.
And as pointed out by ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, 40% of his routes ran came out of the slot, which is another single-game high for the rookie.
Simply put, moving around your versatile WR1, getting him involved late and opening up his route tree has its benefits.
“I just try to go out there and make plays when the ball comes my way,” Harrison told reporters postgame. “I know in big situations, big moments … I try to be someone we can count on to make the plays for us. Any time there’s a two-minute drill or we need to make a big play, I do my best to get open and touch the ball.”
Is Week 8’s usage a sign of things to come for Marvin Harrison Jr.?
While the Cardinals appeared to unlock something in Harrison’s game on Sunday, it’ll be interesting to see how Petzing deploys the rookie against a Chicago Bears team that was absolutely gashed on the outside by Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Jayden Daniels’ favorite target did all his work out wide, reeling in five of eight targets for 125 yards.
That’s not to say Chicago doesn’t have some serious talent roaming in the secondary in Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, late-game blunder and all.
A look at Marvin Harrison’s rookie year so far
With Harrison’s latest showing, the rookie is now up to 411 yards and five touchdowns on 26 catches (50 targets).
The wideout is currently pacing Arizona pass catchers in touchdowns.
He’s second in yards behind tight end Trey McBride (446) — who is coming off a big day of his own in Miami — and is third in receptions.
Only McBride (42) and second-year pro Michael Wilson (27) have more catches than Harrison eight games into the year.
League-wide, Harrison’s touchdown total is tied for fourth in the NFL, while his receiving yards are good enough for 25th.
As far as fellow rookie pass catchers, Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. is leading the way behind 573 yards and five scores. New York Giants WR Malik Nabers is up to 498 yards and three touchdowns.