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James Conner is key to success amidst Cardinals’ passing woes

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Before Sunday’s Arizona Cardinals match kicks off, I’ve heard the chatter and noise. Frankly, I’m sick of it.

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Please spare me the Kyler Murray gripes. The finickiness of the typical football fan and Cardinal followers loving him when he’s hot and hating him when he’s cold is a worn out narrative and a lazy football analysis.

I have my own opinions about Murray’s leadership on and off the field, but I’m not going to constantly berate an individual with millions of dollars for spending his time playing video games, when there are plenty of players in the NFL spending late nights in the club popping bottles and showing signs of toxic masculinity that has plagued the league for decades.

And as far as being a player goes, he has his stuff about him he needs to work through, especially in recent weeks. But no matter how great he’s playing — or isn’t — he’s the best athlete out on the field.

I will not absolve Murray for his last three games. He’s been careless with the ball since the bye. Throwing an interception in each of those games — the last two seeing back-to-back outings of two-interception games — is a setup for failure. He should be challenged and held accountable for those performances.

But let’s not forget the the four previous weeks.

Murray led the Cardinals to four-straight wins, throwing just one interception to start the stretch in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He threw four touchdowns and rushed for three over the course of the victories.

I didn’t hear you complaining then.

Be realistic about what the NFL is. Whether it is the best team in the league or the organization in dead last, these teams are comprised of the best football players in the world with coaches, who even at there worst, are capable of making adjustments and watch tape.

In the words of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, Murray is just “getting got” right now. If he’s going through a rough patch and team’s have his number, it’s time for the Cardinals to make an adjustment too.

My solution: give it to James Conner.

I get it, it’s 2024. Everyone wants to see big catches downfield and shootouts in the box score, but football is football. The concepts are still the concepts no matter how many quirky formations and distracting motions you install. And most importantly, the running back still matters and Arizona has a pretty good one in Conner.

Conner’s 863 rushing yards on the season are 13th in the league and would probably be more if those carries came more consistently.

In games where Conner had at least 15 carries, he’s rushed for more than 50 yards. He’s eclipsed no more than 33 yards when he receives less than 15 carries. Arizona has lost all three of its matches where he’s had less than 10. The running back is also a valued part of the Cardinals’ passing attack, averaging four catches per game in Arizona’s last five contests.

Conner was active in the Cardinals second division loss to the Seahawks last week, for 90 yards on 18 carries. He also helped Murray in the stat box by catching the quarterback’s second touchdown of the game to try to cover up his first quarter picks. Head coach Jonathan Gannon finally got Conner rolling in the matchup, but Murray’s turnovers and the Cardinals’ poor run defense was too much for him to overcome so late.

How do the Cardinals avoid getting in that hole earlier? Give it to Conner early and often.

Conner is a rhythm back. He needs his touches to hit his stride, so let the man eat. If Murray’s protection of the ball has been an issue, the simple solution would be to get it out of his hand.

Redirect the focus so teams have to load the box to play Conner and create some space for Murray to throw without as much pressure. If you really need him to throw it, let him find Conner in the check down. Hell, I don’t care if it is a direct snap, just get Conner the ball.

Earlier this month, Conner signed a two-year, $19 million extension with the Cardinals. Obviously Arizona believes in their running back enough to keep him around for a little while longer.

You already agreed to pay the man, so use him.

Cardinals can’t drop another game: Must win matchup against Patriots

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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live

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