Credit: AP Photo/ Michael Conroy
Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. admitted feeling frustrated after his NFL debut in Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. The No. 4 overall pick managed just one catch for four yards on three targets, far from the impact he had hoped to make in his first game.
“I mean, obviously it wasn’t great,” Harrison said. “Definitely wasn’t what I expected, what I wanted to happen, what the team wanted to happen. Obviously, you wanted to come out with a victory and we didn’t do that.”
Harrison expressed disappointment with his performance, feeling he could have done more to help the team.
“That’s why it kind of brought me here is to help the team, help the offense go,” he said. “So, I have to do a better job of that going forward.
“I got to get open and catch the ball. That’s my job as a receiver. That is your job description. That’s what I got to do a better job.”
Cardinals’ Rookie Faces Tough Bills Defense
The Bills defense tried to limit Harrison’s impact by using cloud coverage, which involves the cornerback pressing and rerouting the receiver. It was Harrison’s first experience against NFL defenses, aside from a few snaps in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.
Harrison missed most of the preseason, which he admitted affected his ability to play freely on Sunday.
“Thinking a lot,” Harrison said. “I was definitely thinking a lot out there and I think that’ll come with reps, thinking less and just going out there and playing. It’ll definitely come with reps and it’s something I’ll get better at, but I definitely say I was thinking a lot out there.”
Despite Harrison’s quiet debut, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray remains confident in his rookie receiver.
“We have the utmost confidence in what we’re capable of,” Murray said. “If you went back and watched the game, I think they were doing a good job of making sure that he wasn’t going to be singled up or not be singled up for the majority of the game.
“I’ll never lose confidence in Marv. It was his first game. We have to continue to get better and we will.”
Building Chemistry Between Murray and Harrison
Murray and Harrison spent the days after the game watching film and discussing plays, trying to build their on-field connection.
Harrison hopes his connection with Murray develops “sooner rather than later,” but doesn’t think they’re in a “bad place.” Live reps, Harrison said, will help their on-field relationship.
Murray also stressed the need to get Harrison more involved but wants to avoid forcing the ball.
“Obviously, we want to get him more touches,” Murray said. “That’s not a secret, but I don’t want to go forcing things for sure.”
This report used information from ESPN.
