Since the Arizona Cardinals drafted Kyler Murray first overall in April, the buzz has been all positive. His teammates believe the hype. Kliff Kingsbury has been glowing in his praise.
These are all public comments.
The positivity goes beyond public comments. They continue behind closed doors.
The latest episode of Cardinals Flight Plan gives fans a peek into a player personnel meeting the Cardinals held towards the end of the offseason program. General manager Steve Keim and player personnel director Quentin Harris both spoke of how much Murray has impressed them.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that the quarterback is going to be exciting,” Keim told his staff, noting also he does anticipate he will also make rookie mistakes. “I can also say what you guys have seen on tape, in practice I’ve seen the same thing. The release, the accuracy, the ability to escape and avoid and all the things that he does with his feet, there’s no doubt in my mind that he can be a hell of a football player at this level.”
Harris continued with the praise.
“I’ve been around a lot of first-round picks and there’s only a handful where Day 1 you’re like, ‘Wow!’ and he’s been like that for me,” he said. “Everything has been as advertised with him, so I’ve been really impressed with him.”
It is one thing for public comments in front of a microphone to speak highly of a player. It is a very different thing when the group of people whose job it is to evaluate players speak glowingly behind closed doors.
Murray might not become great but he has everyone convinced so far he will be.
And is there anything better to sell to fans before success than hope?
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
