TEMPE, Arizona — For his first professional football game, Marvin Harrison Jr. had high expectations: he wanted it to be full of incredible catches, touchdowns, and a win for the Arizona Cardinals.

However, as other athletes have discovered throughout the years, the NFL is rarely a fantasy league.

Harrison’s professional debut was a complete bust. The Ohio State player selected fourth overall had just one reception for four yards and was just three times targeted. The Buffalo Bills overcame the Cardinals with a 34-28 victory, which only made matters worse.

Harrison remarked, “It wasn’t great, obviously.” “It certainly wasn’t what the team wanted to happen, or what I had anticipated or desired.”

Harrison’s subdued start was largely the result of the Bills giving him far more defensive attention than the average rookie receiver. For much of the game, he was double-teamed, which forced quarterback Kyler Murray to find other ways to get the ball.

Murray stated that Harrison’s dearth of catches didn’t concern him.

Nothing changes, according to Murray. “We are completely confident in our abilities. I believe they did a fantastic job of ensuring he wouldn’t be single covered for the duration of the game if you went back and watched it.

“But I will always have faith in Marv.”

In a similar vein, second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said, “Yeah, he’ll be fine.” Marvin is going to be alright. He’ll pick himself up and go back to work, but no one will put more pressure on him to perform better than he does. He will be all right.

Gannon’s choice to rest Harrison for the bulk of the preseason was questioned in light of Harrison’s underwhelming performance last Sunday. In the first exhibition game against the Saints, the receiver played one series. Other than that, he was a bench warmer next to Murray, who did not play in any of the three preseason games.

Harrison claimed that the activity in NFL games was far more intense than anything he had seen in training.

Harrison remarked, “It’s completely different.” “There’s nothing like live action, even though you practice with pads on and in joint practices with the Colts, but you do a lot of stuff in shirts and shorts.”

Nevertheless, he respected Gannon’s choice to rest a number of starters in the preseason.

“The most important thing is that we all feel really healthy,” Harrison stated.

The Los Angeles Rams, who have caused the team much grief over the last seven years, are the team the Cardinals are now getting ready for. Since 2017, Arizona has suffered 13 defeats in a row versus the division opponent, including a playoff match.

Harrison is hoping that by being here, the pattern will start to change. The youngster accepted no responsibility for his difficult first performance and stated that he was aware from his time at Ohio State that catches might be made while the opposition defense was attempting to take him away.

Harrison remarked, “I have to open up and catch the ball.” That’s what a receiver like me does. That is what my job entails.

Fans are infuriated with Kyler Murray of the Cardinals’ announcement.

In week one against the Buffalo Bills, the Arizona Cardinals let a 14-point lead slip through their fingers. Arizona suffered a heartbreaking 34–28 loss to Buffalo, but there were many reasons to remain positive moving ahead.

Yet, supporters were left perplexed by remarks Murray made following the game.
Fans are infuriated with Kyler Murray of the Cardinals’ announcement.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was taken by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 4 choice in the 2024 draft. Many predicted that he would become a key component of Arizona’s offense right away. He was only targeted three times in his NFL debut.

The offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s scheme against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday was run by quarterback Kyler Murray of the Cardinals, who stated that it was not his responsibility to press targets to Harrison:

Murray remarked, “As a quarterback, obviously, you’re going through your reads,” according to PHNX’s Craig Morgan. “It’s not my responsibility, but occasionally the ball goes to him.

“I leave that up to Drew, but I have a sense and a feel for guys when they are getting the ball and when they aren’t.” “Don’t worry about that type of stuff,” he tells me. Simply keep playing your game and direct the ball where it should go.

Harrison recorded one reception for four yards to cap off his NFL debut. Trey McBride had the most targets (9), but wideout Greg Dortch topped the team with six catches.

In contrast, Murray completed 21 of 31 throws for 162 yards and a touchdown.