Steve Keim Talks Kyler Murray, Cardinals Defense in Podcast Debut

Former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim made his debut on the ‘Arizona Football Daily’ podcast Monday and was candid on a number of subjects.

It’s an interesting setup, seeing as how Keim was responsible for acquiring some of the players he is analyzing, and is reviewing the job of his GM replacement, Monti Ossenfort, when discussing roster strengths and weaknesses.

The most notable holdover from Keim’s tenure is, of course, quarterback Kyler Murray, whom he drafted No. 1 overall in 2019.

On the podcast, Keim said he thought Murray played well against the Bills, showing improved decisiveness and decision-making, but also criticized Murray’s past study habits and ability to process information.

Keim also talked about the “underfunded, under-talented’ defense, Marvin Harrison, Jr’s slow start and Kelvin Beachum replacing Jonah Williams at right tackle.

Keim on Kyler Murray’s missed opportunities against the Bills: “Trey McBride was open one time. I think it would have been a touchdown down in the red zone. I think he missed Harrison, Jr. There was somebody else I thought he missed on a wide open play, maybe even a busted coverage. Those are all things that come with studying the game, studying the tape. And those were areas that, quite frankly, Kyler had to improve.

“To his defense, sometimes when you get guys like that who are the best athlete on the field their whole life, (they) develop bad habits. Running too much, trying to get outside the pocket instead of hitting your back foot and making a quick decision.”

More Keim on Murray: “The thing with him, obviously, is can he do it on a consistent basis, for 16, 17, whatever weeks? That is, for me, the million dollar question. I think sometimes you get guys like him, the more athletic quarterbacks, who can develop bad habits because they can do so many things athletically that they can get away with it.

“So studying the game, learning how to process information, all of those things aren’t as on the forefront as it would be for a pocket passer that stands tall in the pocket. The guy does things that are just rare, but at the same time, the studying, the processing of information, that’s what makes you great and consistent in this league at that position.”

Keim on the defense being underfunded, and if Ossenfort is on a budget (presumably set by owner Michael Bidwill): “He’s certainly on a budget. I think we all know football well enough to know that if you have to manufacture pressure, you’re going to get caught. They don’t have guys on the edge that can get pressure naturally with a four-man front. So when they do have to bring it, it’s just a matter of time (before they get burned). You get the big lead, and then you give up that big lead because of your inability to consistently pressure the quarterback. He sits back there all day, and if it’s a guy like Josh Allen, who is a tremendous talent, it’s going to catch up to you eventually.

“That, to me, is probably the most concerning thing, is that we (the Cardinals) weren’t able to put our foot on their throat when we had them down. So, again, underfunded, under-talented.”

Keim on Marvin Harrison Jr.’s debut: “I think the guy is a tremendous prospect, and obviously is going to be a great player for many years, in my opinion. But when I watched the tape, I see a guy that looks like a rookie. And those guys are going to have to go through those growing pains. A guy in a new offense, as a rookie, hadn’t had a lot of time with Kyler in the preseason.

“There are a lot of timing things that have to take place. And also, when you have a young man like that who’s thinking a lot, they don’t get to play as fast as they normally play. They’re thinking, going through the motions, they look a little rigid and stiff in their movement because they’re thinking about what the play-call is.”

Keim on Harrison, Jr’s nerves being a factor: “I don’t care how big of a stage you played on at Ohio State. There is going to be jitters. It’s a different speed of the game. Let’s not forget: Larry Fitzgerald was not the best player on the field his rookie year every game.”

Keim on the Jonah Williams injury: “It certainly affected the team, but at the same time, Kelvin Beachum is a true pro. He is certainly good enough to get by, be sort of a patchwork player. … Any time you lose an offensive lineman, and particularly a tackle, those guys are hard to find. Supply and demand is a real issue at that position. That’s why guys are making $20 million at tackle.”

Keim on the eroding skills of Beachum: “Beach is more of a finesse player, a technician. At this point in his career – guys’ skills diminish to a degree. At the same time, everybody’s got injuries and everybody’s got excuses. But excuses don’t matter at the end of the day when you win or lose.”