Just how bad was former RB LeSean McCoy’s criticism of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray?
The former Buccaneers running back had some harsh words for Arizona’s star, but is it unfair criticism or does he have a point?
The Cardinals QB is most definitely a player who divides opinion, but one retired player’s recent comments may just be a case of ‘shots fired.’
Former RB LeSean McCoy calls Cardinals QB Kyler Murray “Trash”
Let’s recap. During the offseason, Kyler Murray had an unfortunately public spat with the Cardinals, which ended with him signing a massive contract. Then, if you can believe it, Murray had another standoff with the franchise, when he openly took issue with an unprecedented clause, that was included in said contract. This is all to say, that the general consensus on Murray at the moment, is divisive to say the least. With that in mind, critique of the signal caller hasn’t been surprising, but former running back LeSean McCoy took things to another level recently when speaking on the “I Am Athlete Tonight” podcast on Thursday.
“He’s trash. Overhyped. Overrated,” McCoy said. “He plays like a high school player. Runs around, runs backward, he does a circle, the ballerina circle, then goes left, goes right, turns all the way around again, then looks for a wide receiver. That’s not how you play quarterback.” Tell us how you really feel. When asked why Murray was deserving of criticism for his style when Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes has a similar manner and is celebrated, McCoy didn’t mix words. “He ain’t Mahomes,” said McCoy, who spent 2019 in Kansas City. “Let me tell you about Mahomes real quick: the majority of Mahomes’ passes are (based on) timing. Third step, hit, boom, ball’s out. Fifth step, boom, ball’s out. Now sometimes he goes off script, we all can do that...(but) not every pass! Every pass, (Murray is) holding the ball, let’s make a miracle. Every game he’s played. Watch him play. It’s really embarrassing, to be honest. Like, who’s coaching this kid?”
Rhetoric aside, does LeSean McCoy have a point about Kyler Murray?
Jabs and insults aside, McCoy went on to make an interesting point: As much as Murray exhibits exceptional athletic ability, he relies heavily on his on his running game, often scrambling in and out of the pocket. A sign of a lack of knowledge in the finer aspects of the job, according to McCoy. “He ain’t reading no coverages,” McCoy said, suggesting Murray’s aforementioned contract clause - requiring a specific amount of film study - begins to carry weight, when considering the already critiqued style of play that Murray has. “When a quarterback is running around like that all day, all night, all game, that’s because he’s not reading any coverages.”
As for where Murray is at right now, the Cardinals’ starting quarterback has posted 784 passing yards across the three games he has played. For perspective, that’s seventh among all starters through so far. That’s neither here nor there, but his pass completion which is just under 64% - 17th in the league - is definitely cause for concern, as is his 5.6 yards per attempt which is 33rd. The Cardinals are currently 1-2, which means that when all is said and done, there has never been a better for the QB’s response to critique, than right now.