Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the Cardinals' best players.
Drew Petzing acknowledged that Tuesday, even if the offensive coordinator didn't need to do so. Petzing was well aware of the questions coming, about the three targets and only one reception Sunday in Buffalo for the rookie wide receiver.
"Certainly he is on the forefront of our minds in terms of getting him the ball," Petzing said. "I think (the Bills) did some things to take him away and certainly I could've called some plays to get him more involved early but I thought it was a good start. We have some work to do."
The Cardinals started excellently on offense while building a 14-point lead and dominating time of possession. The unit couldn't keep up that pace, gaining 80 yards in the second half.
But specifically, it was what Harrison did – or didn't do – that naturally grabbed attention.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said Harrison will be fine going forward. In terms of getting Harrison the ball more often, "that's the plan," Petzing said.
"At the end of the day the only thing we're worried about is winning the game, and if we are doing that, great, and if we're not we didn't get the job done," Petzing added.
Tight end Trey McBride had a team-high nine targets in Buffalo, followed by eight for wide receiver Greg Dortch and then four for running back James Conner. Wide receiver Michael Wilson only had two targets.
Quarterback Kyler Murray said after the game he did not intentionally go back to Harrison after an early-game drop to get Harrison his first catch on the next play and that it happened organically.
"One of the things I try to stress with Kyler is that it's not his job to get certain people the ball or worry about how a guy is doing in the flow of the game," Petzing said. "I've got to do that with the way I call the game, and he's got to make the best decision based on the look, the coverage, how the routes are run."
Petzing acknowledged he was "a little bit surprised" with the amount of respect the Bills paid Harrison early in the game.
What he isn't surprised about is the amount of second-guessing and analysis that has gone into what the Cardinals did offensively in Week 1 and how Harrison's game turned out.
"It's an entertainment business," Petzing said. "I love that people talk about the game and love the game and are involved in the game and want to have an opinion.
"There are times when I laugh, thinking 'OK, if you were in the building and watching tape with us, you'd feel very differently' and we're not going to give you that luxury at all times. Other times it is, 'I thought the same exact thing that guy said.'"
PRACTICE SQUAD MOVE
The Cardinals made a change on the practice squad on Tuesday, signing veteran defensive lineman Angelo Blackson and releasing defensive lineman Taylor Manoa. Blackson is in his second stint with the Cardinals, having played all 16 games for the team in 2020, notching 2.5 sacks.
