Kyler Murray And Daniel Jones: the two top 2019 NFL Draft quarterbacks are painted as being completely different players. But a look at their interviews in Nashville after they were drafted reveals that they’re more alike and different. (Zennie62Media was credentialed for the 15th year of coverage of the NFL Draft, this year in Nashville.)
Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray Is The Arizona Cardinals’s Cool Signal Caller
Kyler Murray displayed that he’s an even-tempered, stop-and-think-before-speaking person. Part of his reaction to the media is undoubtedly training via his agent, but look at Murray’s expressions, or lack thereof. He doesn’t seem to let much get to him. Considering the Heisman Trophy Winner’s big-game success, those victories are not by accident.
His presentation on Draft Day is notable because former Washington Redskins General Manager Charlie Casserly pointedly said this:
““He better hope [Kliff] Kingsbury takes him number 1 because this was not good. These were the worst comments I ever got on a high-rated quarterback and I’ve been doing this a long time … Leadership — not good. Study habits — not good. The board work — below not good. Not good at all in any of those areas, raising major concerns about what this guy is going to do. Now, people will say we’re going to compare him to Mahomes. We’re going to run an offense like Mahomes, we’re going to run an offense like Baker Mayfield … But those guys are much different. Those guys, you never questioned them about their ability on the board, you never questioned their leadership ability, their work habits. They were outstanding in those areas. This guy is not outstanding in those areas and it showed up in the interview.””
The problem is Charlie Casserly never said if he got those comments from many NFL people or one person. My only issue with Murray coming out had to do with how Alabama schemed the Oklahoma Offense, and Lincoln Riley’s inffective response to it. But, the Kyler Murray the press met very much was a leader – someone ready to play, right now, and knew the offense.
But then, he’s playing for Kliff Kingsbury.
Duke’s Daniel Jones Is The New York Giants’ Cool Signal Caller
That subheading is just like the one for Kyler Murray, and for good reason: both acted almost exactly alike on the podium. Strip away the physical differences, and Murray and Jones are the same person. One publication called Jones’s leadership style “reserved,” but that can apply to Murray as well.
It’s going to be interesting to see how these men fit into their giant roles with the NFL teams that selected them. I am interested in how Jones, in particular, deals with the speed of NFL Defenses compared to what he faced from opponents at Duke. Murray’s going to what, on paper, is an offense that fits him like a glove: The AirRaid.
Just don’t use that term around him, Murray hates it.
Stay tuned.