Steve Keim Vouches for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Talk around Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has been heavy since his first day on the job, but such is life as a quarterback in the National Football League.
Murray is as polarizing as they come: You either love him or you hate him. His athleticism and play-making has guided the Cardinals to wins in the past, while his handling over his eventual contract extension and off-field interests has dimmed the light around him.
The very man who selected him - former Cardinals GM Steve Keim - joined the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long and discussed his former No. 1 pick.
"When you draft a guy No. 1, you put all your eggs into that basket. The first year he is a offensive rookie of the year, then the second year he's a Pro Bowler, then the third year he's a Pro Bowler. You got to think he’s headed in the right direction. I just thought he kept getting better and better and better. There’s just some times of inconsistency with him," said Keim.
“Obviously, the height hurts him at times, seeing over the line and processing and seeing the field. But at the same time, he’s just a tremendous talent. The stuff he does, you see in practice and some games, it’s off the charts. I think it's just putting it together and playing consistent football for four quarters."
Murray is still rehabbing from his torn ACL and the timetable for his return is still unknown.
Teammate Kelvin Beachum recently said Murray needed to grow up. Keim agreed:
“I think he still needs to grow. That's not slanted toward his character. He’s not a bad guy. He’s a good kid, has a good smile, has a nice way about him. I think it’s like anything, guys have to continue to learn what it’s going to take to be great. Does he know what Tom Brady and Peyton Manning knows of what it takes to be great? No," said Keim.
“Does he work? He does work. I think it’s just that side of the game, the film study, the attention to detail part that he can continue to improve upon. And I think he will. Kyler’s a proud guy, man. He doesn’t want to lose and he doesn’t want to let people down. I think his best ball is ahead of him. I think they need to be creative with him and do the right things with him offensively."