There’s been a lot of discourse about MHJ of late, in particular whether his struggles are innately his or whether the OC and QB share any of the blame.

I found this comment interesting because it succinctly highlights the 3 biggest complaints Cardinals fans have had with MHJ and shows that it’s not just been a problem in the NFL.

My goal in posting this is to help shape a more realistic narrative when it comes to using MHJ in discussing (and let’s be honest, in putting down) Kyler and Drew Petzing.

If anyone is interested, this comment came from a pre-draft article from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman where he interviews multiple anonymous coaches and scouts who had Malik Nabers as the #1 receiver in the draft and some reservations about MHJ.

Here is the link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5431528/2024/04/23/nfl-draft-2024-confidential-nabers-harrison-williams/

28 comments

  5. Of all the shit I forget on the daily, random things sometimes stick… I actually remember that comment (but thought it was on Reddit) and I think back to it whenever he has a rough one.

  6. I think his route running and separation looks a lot better this year. I think he’s just in his own head.

  7. Marv has the skills, but he’s a level below the necessary athleticism to be a dominant player in the NFL. He doesn’t have that burst or twitchiness, and his vertical doesn’t appear to be special. He can have a great career as a WR2 tho. Since coming into the league, Marv doesn’t have any “freak of nature” or “catch of the year” caliber plays. The truly elite receivers come into the league making those types of plays from day 1.

    We gotta pivot and find an explosive receiver. I’d love for us to sign Alec Pierce or Rashid Shaheed in the offseason, as well as drafting a possession receiver in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft.

  8. I’d like to reiterate here in the comments that this is not intended to be an MHJ hate-post. I actually think he’s been playing better than last year.

    But I think that many fans and local media erroneously believing that MHJ is a generationally elite talent has led to this narrative that he’s held down by an OC who can’t scheme him the ball and a QB who won’t throw it to him enough. And that feels like an unfair criticism to levy against those two.

    Not that they’re immune to criticism, Kyler and Petzing have their own problems, but I don’t think they (nor the Cardinals org as a whole) are responsible for MHJ’s struggles.

  9. It’s always a gamble. Some ppl def thought Nabers was better. But plenty also thought Marv was the guy. You just never know. I think we made the right decision at the time.

  10. The drop yesterday was the first one this year that actually infuriated me. Literally perfect placement, wide open, in the hands in a game that came down to a 3 point play to end it. Fuck.

  11. Chris Simms made very similar comments on Marv in his pre draft WR rankings last year. I believe He had him No.3 behind Nabers and BTJ and many thought he was crazy. So far this comment and some of Simms pre draft analysts are proving to be accurate on MHJ.

    I just don’t see the makings of a future dominant #1WR. It’s early still but a lot of bad signs so far.

  12. Pretty bang on. Obviously he’s a freak athlete but stings a bit now knowing we could have had nabers…

  13. It’s funny because I didn’t feel wowed looking at his college tape and highlights especially among his peers but it felt like media painted such a drastic narrative that he is a generational day 1 ready talent. I wonder if he wasn’t tied to Sr. if he would’ve gotten the same praise.

  14. You could easily chalk all of that up to just not having the right mentality it takes to play a really hard game. He is not a dawg. It is what it is. It does take a certain type.

    I had my own data point last year, and I really thought twice about posting it then. But, I did and some of you called me out (rightfully so). However, now it looks like it was right in line with a lot of this. Last year, I had field seats for the Bears game. If you remember, the Cards just hammered them. Anyway, with those seats, you get to see and interact with the players as they are leaving. My buddy had his 12 year old with us (my kids are older and don’t really care about autographs) and he wanted players to sign his helmet. So, he goes over and, along with other kids, politely asks the players as they come out whether they would sign his helmet. Without hyperbole, every single one either signed (Kyler and Trey) or at least acknowledged the kids with a nod or said something like “I will get you next time.” The kids were all fine with that and were thrilled to at least get a nod or wave. Every player did this, except one. MHJ stuck his face in his phone, put on his headphones when he saw the kids, and completely ignored them (and, sadly, some adults) on the way out. You can guess who that is. It was certainly his choice, but it made an impression. You can say what you want about Kyler, but he signed for the kids for a good 10 minutes after a tough game.

    And I am not anti-MHJ. I root for him every game to see a glimmer of him breaking out. But, it just was a negative first impression to not make the effort to wave or nod at your youngest fans. He just seemed disinterested in it all.

  16. I think what everybody fail to realize is drew is trying to turn a team who is known for spreading the field to a run first offense & that’s not our game like I’ve said before look at 2021 we started undefeated with dhop Aj green & Christian Kirk Kyler damn near went on to having a mvp season we just didn’t have a defense! Everybody loads the box on James Connor cause they know we’re looking to run first!! & that’s not our game!! Look at the the Jamar chases the Justin Jefferson the Aj browns they get their star players the ball in order to get everybody else involved! It’s clearly shows that MHJ is losing his confidence cause he used to getting the ball at Ohio state & is was the real life dog! So get drew out of the there and I guarantee that we will win the division and make a run in the playoffs with this defense we have !

  18. Look let’s not try to re-write history here. The outcry to draft MHJ was insane. The org did what the fans wanted. Maybe because there is such a large contingent of Ohioans here? It’s not looking great so far. I’m more of a trenches kind of guy early in the draft. But a ‘generational’ weapon is very tempting. Sometimes things just don’t work out.

  22. I get us fans are passionate but it has to be overbearing for some of the guys. Yesterday the Kyler mob was attacking other players like Demarcado and MHJ because of dropped passes but it happens, it kinda made me realize some fans can take it too far and the coaches deserve a lot of blame. Just have to hope they get better and especially facing Seattle this week. The only thing I’ll harp on Kyler about is every time we lose he looks so depressed on the bench, I get no one loves to lose but I see other QB’s clapping or giving good vibes on the sideline. That to me shows he could still work on that leadership thing.

  25. If you take a WR top 5, he better be an incredible athlete (like Megatron or Julio Jones) or very explosive (like Jamarr Chase). MHJ is neither of those things.

    MHJ was hyped because of his route running and catching, neither which have translated to the NFL. I don’t think he’s as bad as he is now, but his confidence is shot, which is affecting his game.

  26. If you look at his dads stats he didn’t have a 1,000 yard receiving year until year 4. Obviously not the same people but something to consider

  27. Lmao we’ve reached the “anonymous pre draft online comments” portion of the discourse…

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