In the 27-27 Week 1 tie against the Detroit Lions, the Arizona Cardinals played 89 offensive snaps. Being it is the first time we have seen the Kliff Kingsbury offense in its true form, we can learn a little bit more about it from the playing time.
Here is how it was split up and what we learned with the playing time.
Quarterback
Kyler Murray, 89
This is just the way it should be. The starter should play every snap.
Running back
David Johnson, 77; Chase Edmonds, 10
This is consistent with what most expected. However, there were two plays in which the Cardinals had zero running backs on the field. Kingsbury is creative. What we still have not seen yet is whether he will find ways to get both Johnson and Edmonds on the field.
Wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald, 85; Christian Kirk, 83; Damiere Byrd, 78; KeeSean Johnson; 68; Trent Sherfield, 5
It was clear that Byrd has an important role in the offense. I am not sure whether Fitzgerald and Kirk will continue to play that high a percentage of the snaps once Michael Crabtree is playing. It will be interesting to see whose playing time goes down.
By my count in the game, there were two plays with five receivers on the field. 53 with four receivers and 15 with three.
Tight end
Maxx Williams, 22; Charles Clay, 14
Obviously, the tight ends are not heavily featured in the offense. It is surprising that Williams played more than Clay.
Offensive line
D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley, J.R. Sweezy and Justin Murray, all 89; Mason Cole, 2; Joshua Miles, 1
Having the starters all play every snap means they were healthy. Cole was an extra blocker twice. One of those instances was with Miles, so they had no receivers on the field at all.
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