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    • What’s up with Marvin Harrison Jr.? Why doesn’t he run more routes?
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    What’s up with Marvin Harrison Jr.? Why doesn’t he run more routes?

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

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    If you’re wondering what’s happening to Marvin Harrison Jr., I don’t blame you.

    It looks like either a Maserati Marv or a MINI Cooper, and it’s unclear which model will line up against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

    Just know that Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon doesn’t share your concerns.

    “He’s getting better every week,” Gannon said.

    Harrison has worked in practice on aspects of the game so mundane and specific that only football coaches would want to discuss them, such as route depth and timing.

    “It’s little details,” Gannon said, “that he’s very aware of, and he’s consistent enough that he’s made adjustments.”

    Once the adjustments take effect, Harrison’s route tree, which was robust at Ohio State, may expand.

    Whatever the challenges, they are correctable with more repetitions in practices and games, and if Harrison and Murray improve their timing and start reading coverages the same way more often, it should make offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, the No. 4, possible -Choose to use more often creatively.

    “We definitely need to get more on the same page,” Harrison said.

    To focus on the negative, Harrison is 30Th in the league with 35 passes thrown. Giants rookie Malik Nabers, who finished two spots behind Harrison, is third with 52.

    Sticking with the negatives, Harrison is fifth among rookies with 17 catches. Nabers more than doubled Harrison with 35 grabs; Rams sixth-round pick Jordan Whittington has 18.

    The frustrating thing is that Harrison seems to disappear during games. He got off to a hot start against the Rams but went neutral after the first quarter. And against San Francisco, Harrison had just two catches on seven goals.

    However, the numbers don’t show that Harrison is capable of winning one-on-one fights. That’s why he made so many of his catches on deep balls, comeback routes and back-shoulder throws.

    He is also clutch.

    Harrison’s two grabs in San Francisco resulted in first downs. He had a 22-yard catch on third down and a 14-yard grab on fourth and fifth downs early in the game, making it the key play on the game-winning drive.

    “The ones we connected with were at least big ones, and we made them count,” Harrison said. “We just need to create a better connection throughout the game.”

    Harrison’s ability to retrieve the ball when Murray brings it to reach has become a luxury for Petzing.

    “At the end of the day, when the game is on the line, you know who is going to go out and win a one-on-one and make a tough play,” he said.

    It will be difficult to pass against Green Bay.

    The Packers rank second in the league with nine interceptions. They also bring good pressure; Green Bay ranks sixth in the league with 16 sacks.

    The Cardinals’ offensive line now has more dents than a pickup truck in a junkyard.

    It’s hard to say what all this will mean for Harrison’s production this weekend.

    Cardinals-Packers preview: Can Kyler Murray beat Jordan Love?

    If Green Bay plays a lot of man coverage to accommodate its pass rush, that should be an advantage for Harrison – but only if Murray has enough time to make precise throws downfield.

    If he and Murray learn quickly and improve their timing, we could see Harrison being used in new ways.

    But there may be more ups and downs.

    Just know that Gannon sees more ups than downs.

    “He’s a first-grader,” Gannon said. “All rookies have a learning curve, no matter what role they play, they have a learning curve. … He’s playing well for us. He influences the game. People are aware of him.”

    Gannon knows he has a Maserati. Don’t expect him to leave it in the garage.

    Reach Moore at [email protected] or 602-444-2236. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @SayingMoore.

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    Eira Gwyneth
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