GLENDALE, Ariz. — Marvin Harrison Jr. lined up on the right side in the final seconds of Sunday’s first half. The rookie Arizona Cardinals receiver checked to make sure he was behind the line of scrimmage. New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez stationed himself across from Harrison, waist bent, arms swinging.
At the snap, Harrison took off slowly. Then he planted his left foot and darted for the corner of the end zone. With a step on Gonzalez, Harrison looked over his left shoulder for the football at the New England 7-yard line. Kyler Murray’s pass already was in the air.
Right tackle Jonah Williams raised his arms, anticipating an Arizona touchdown. The crowd beyond the end zone stood for the same reason. The timing was perfect. But at the last second Gonzalez, having a Pro Bowl-caliber season, reached in and knocked the ball away with his left hand. The Cardinals settled for a field goal, one of three in their 30-17 win over New England.
“I thought Marv won for sure, but Gonzo’s a great player,” said Murray, who completed 23 of 30 for 224 yards. “I know (he’s in his) second year, but he’s going to be one of those guys. Already is. I think that’s just good on good. He made a great play.”
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Many themes have surfaced throughout Arizona’s 7-7 season. Murray’s inconsistency. Budda Baker’s dominance. Then there’s Harrison. The heralded newcomer was expected to provide an explosive boost to Arizona’s offense. It’s been a work in progress. Even though Gonzalez broke up the touchdown, it’s a contested play Harrison this season hasn’t made enough.
Through 14 games, Harrison, the No. 4 selection in April’s draft, has put up fine numbers. Entering next week’s game at Carolina, he has 47 catches for 687 yards and seven touchdowns. But as the Cardinals approach this final stretch, likely needing to win out to have a chance to make the playoffs, they’ll need more from their rookie receiver.
James Conner rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots. Tight end Trey McBride continued his strong play with nine catches for 87 yards. Harrison had two catches for 32 yards, 23 coming on Arizona’s second play from scrimmage. He was targeted six times. For the season, Harrison’s catch rate (the percentage of targeted throws that result in catches) is just over 51 percent.
Related Post
After Friday’s practice in Tempe, receivers coach Drew Terrell said he’s upset with every incompletion, regardless of receiver, but he expects Harrison’s catch rate to increase as he gets more comfortable. The dialogue between quarterback and receiver is crucial. “I saw this on this route. I saw this versus this coverage.” Terrell said the communication between Murray and Harrison is solid, but it will improve.
“The thing that’s hard — and I tell these guys throughout the receiving room — you’re judged and perceived based on others’ opinion of success, which most of the time is statistical,” Terrell said. “That’s the nature of our position. But as long as you turn on the tape and there’s a product that you’re proud of … When people see that, they know that they have to match up with you and defend you and you’re launching off the ball and you’re making contested plays — if you’re doing your job, that’s what success is.”
Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., has been in the spotlight his entire football life. Terrell said the rookie’s ability to handle the attention and expectation has been superb. Even so, he still occasionally checks in with Harrison just to make sure he doesn’t get sidetracked.
“The other thing is staying on him consistently about dictating to the defense, which I think is something very important for receivers,” Terrell said. “At the end of the day — this might sound dumb — their job is to defend us, so you should be dictating every route to them. Not reacting. Like, ‘Oh, this guy’s playing me firm, so I’m going to creep off here.’ No. He’s got to defend you, so go with speed, go with juice, be decisive at the top of routes and put some fear in his heart.”
On Arizona’s first possession of Sunday’s second half, Murray again tried Harrison in the end zone. Gonzalez again broke it up.
Gonzo ❌@chrisgonzo28 | #ProBowlVote
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/W66u82jeNQ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 15, 2024
After the game, Gonzalez was asked if he was surprised the Cardinals kept trying to go to Harrison against him. Gonzalez said not at all. He’s Arizona’s best wide receiver. Gonzalez said after the game he approached Harrison and told him that he’s “the truth.” That he has all the tools to be “real good.”
At the practice facility, Terrell reminded everyone that Harrison is still a rookie. And even as hard as he works and as polished as he seems, this is a difficult jump. It takes time. He’ll tweak things in Harrison’s game throughout the rest of the season, saving bigger changes for the offseason. Asked what he wants to see from Harrison over the offseason, Terrell said he wants the rookie receiver to keep smiling and continuing to grow.
Players chase the NFL their entire lives, Terrell said, wondering what it’s like to be on this stage. Fourteen games in, Harrison knows. He’s here. This is what it’s like. So Terrell’s hope for Harrison over the offseason is to exhale and realize, “All right, I’m Marvin Harrison Jr. I’m a bad mother … They got to feel me next time I’m out there.”
(Top photo of Christian Gonzalez breaking up a potential touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. during Sunday’s game: Mike Christy / Getty Images)
