Most NFL teams would be happy to be 2-0 after two weeks, and while the same is true for the Arizona Cardinals, it hasn't come without criticism.
Despite defeating New Orleans and Carolina to start the campaign, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has come under fire due to the struggles of the league's 24th-ranked offense. Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. isn't interested in hearing the criticism, especially as it pertains to his lack of production.
“That's a silly conversation, really,” Harrison said Thursday, via azcentral.com. “We're 2-0.”
Through two games, Harrison has caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. He displayed an improved connection with quarterback Kyler Murray in their Week 1 win in Louisiana, catching five of his six targets for 71 yards and his lone score. In Week 2, he snagged just two passes for 27 yards in a 27-22 win that became uncomfortably close in the final stages.
Most would understandably expect more from a first-round pick, especially for a team that needed help at receiver when the Cardinals selected the Ohio State product. But as Harrison noted, their production (or lack thereof) has not hindered their chances of success.
“That's the most important thing,” Harrison said. “Two big games coming up, one big game this week. So, that's really my only focus.”
Fans are understandably clamoring for more targets for Harrison, their unquestioned top receiver who has yet to support that reputation with production during his NFL career. Murray agreed with this sentiment, admitting he wished every pass catcher could see 10 targets per game, but that's simply not how NFL games tend to play out.
For Harrison, he's not concerning himself with target share. He's primarily focused on the final result, and through two weeks, the outcome has been positive.
“It's always frustrating when you may not get the impact that you probably want in the game, especially when you put in so much work,” Harrison said. “But at the end of the day, you're very happy that we're 2-0, sitting in here, we got a victory.”
They'll face a fresh test Sunday against NFC West rival San Francisco. We'll see if Harrison's target share increases; most importantly, however, the Cardinals will collectively remain focused on the same objective: improving to 3-0.