Latest news with #MarvinHarrison
Fox News
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
2025 NFL odds: Back Cardinals to eclipse regular-season win total
The Arizona Cardinals sit in a weird place heading into the 2025 season and that's decidedly in the middle. Are they good? Kinda. Are they bad? Not really. With a win total set at 8.5, the sportsbooks are telling you they're probably a .500 team. For a few reasons, I think there is some value on Arizona heading into this season and I think it will hit its win total. The Cardinals started last year 6-4 and were coming out of the bye with a schedule that had them maybe in position to secure only the second playoff berth of the Kyler Murray era. Then they cratered. They lost in Seattle, choked away a game in Minnesota, then lost to Seattle at home. All of this landed them in a hole. A crushing overtime loss to the lowly Panthers ended their playoff hopes. They finished 8-9, but they did eclipse their win total of seven games. Now, the optimism. Continuity is the word that best sums up the Cardinals' 2025 season. Their head coach and both coordinators return. Depending on how offensive line battles go, they should return 10 of 11 starters from last season. Their offense will be right there with the Rams and 49ers for best in the division. They've got a top-five tight end in Trey McBride, a top-five running back in James Conner and a second-year wideout in Marvin Harrison. By the way, Harrison has star written all over him, although we didn't always see that during his rookie year. Murray appears to have gotten the memo on running more when the opportunity is there, which he clearly did not want to do in 2022 and 2023. The defense will largely depend on how far this goes and if coach Jonathan Gannon ends up on the hot seat or not. They will probably start two rookies (CB Will Johnson, DT Walter Nolen), and they grabbed two DLs in free agency (Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson). Arizona must get to the QB this year. Nobody had more than five sacks or eight QB hits last season. It ranked 27th in pressure rate. If you have a good secondary like the Eagles did, it's not the end of the world to rank poorly in pressure rate. If you have a weak secondary like the Cardinals did, it's very bad news. The scheduling gods were kind to Arizona. There's only one cold weather game and that's at Cincinnati in Week 17. And the early schedule is manageable. Let's take a look at the QBs they're facing early: Starting QB uncertain, SaintsBryce Young, PanthersBrock Purdy, NinersSam Darnold, SeahawksCam Ward, TitansStarting QB uncertain, Colts If the Cards can go 5-1 there, your win total is locked up. I'd even feel good at 4-2. Either way, an early start should lead to Arizona eclipsing 8.5 wins. PICK: Cardinals Over 8.5 regular-season wins Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports betting analyst who also writes about the NFL and NBA Draft. Before arriving at FOX, he created the website The Big Lead. Follow him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Colts legend Reggie Wayne bursts into tears discussing Jim Irsay's death at heartbreaking press conference
A grieving Indianapolis Colts legend Reggie Wayne broke down in tears Wednesday as he discussed the recent passing of team owner Jim Irsay. 'I told the receivers, a lot of y'all don't really know him but he would've done anything for anybody,' Wayne said told reporters. 'He would've gave the clothes off his back… I said, y'all got to push your asses for him. He would've done that for y'all. So, that's what I told them. I said, ''Y'all got homework to do, man. Read about him. Learn about him.'' Now the team's receivers coach, the 46-year-old Wayne remembered Irsay for his humanity by sharing a story about his own brief foray into free agency in 2012. Coming off a 2-14 season, Wayne expected to sign elsewhere and was already lining up trips to visit the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs. That's when he got a phone call. ''No, you're not taking that trip,'' Irsay told Wayne, as the former Super Bowl champion recalled with reporters on Wednesday. Now the team's receivers coach, the 46-year-old Wayne remembered Irsay for his humanity by sharing a story about his own brief foray into free agency in 2012 What followed was Irsay's passionate plea for Wayne to stay in Indianapolis, where he became one of the league's best receivers alongside Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James. Ultimately Wayne stuck around on a three-year, $17 million deal. 'You could've asked for $30 million,' Wayne remembered Irsay telling him. 'I would've gave it to you.'' Irsay would later add Wayne to the Colts' ring of honor. The 65-year-old billionaire passed away last week after months of health issues and years of battling drug and alcohol addiction. No other details about his death have been released. He was in charge when the Colts won the Super Bowl against the Chicago Bears with Manning at quarterback in 2007 and oversaw the construction of their Lucas Oil Stadium. In a devastating Instagram post, Manning said he was 'heartbroken' by the tragic news In a devastating Instagram post, Wayne's long-time teammate wrote: 'I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay's passing. 'He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL,' Manning continued. 'His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend, #18.' The Irsay family fortune comes from their heating and cooling (HVAC) empire, not to mention the Colts, a team Jim's late father bought in Baltimore in 1972 before famously moving the franchise to Indianapolis nine years later. According to The Athletic, the oldest of Irsay's three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, is expected to assume principal ownership duties of the Colts. However, it's reported that Irsay preferred all three of his daughters, Carlie, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, would work together as co-owners.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Peyton Manning: Jim Irsay made Indy a football town
For years, Indianapolis was associated primarily with things other than pigskin. In 1984, that changed. The Colts came to town. And, once Jim Irsay inherited the franchise following the passing of his father, Bob, the Colts made their move toward the top of the NFL. Advertisement Appearing this week on ESPN's NFL Live, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning explained how Irsay made Indy a football town. "When I got there, Indiana basketball, [auto] racing, the Indy 500 -- that was it," Manning said. "I think football was the third sport. Maybe not. Golf might've been in there. And all of a sudden, because of the commitment Jim made to winning . . . he goes out and hires Bill Polian, who had rebuilt the Buffalo Bills, had started the Carolina Panthers as a new franchise, takes them to the NFC Championship, then he drafts Edgerrin James, obviously re-signs Marvin Harrison, who's already there. And next thing you know, the Colts all of a sudden, 'Hey, the Colts are beating Miami, they're beating Buffalo, they're winning their division. And all of a sudden, 'Hey, the Colts are for real.'" The moment happened in 1999, Manning's second season. The lumps he took as a rookie (when the Colts went 3-13) helped him and the Colts explode into contention in his second season — and flipped their final record to 13-3. The next year, they went 10-6. Then came the "playoffs?!?" season of 2001, which resulted in a 6-10 finish and the firing of Jim Mora (who turns 90 today) and the hiring of Tony Dungy. Advertisement Off they went. 10-6, 12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4 (and a Super Bowl win), 13-3, 12-4, 14-2 (and a Super Bowl appearance), and 10-6. The wheels came off when Peyton Manning missed 2011 (2-14), but with Andrew Luck they had three straight 11-5 seasons. "Right before your eyes, Indianapolis became the biggest football town," Manning said. "High school football goes up. Fans wear more jerseys to a Colts game than any other stadium out there. And that was [because of] Jim's commitment. That was his commitment to the city that he was going to bring them a winner once he took over, and he did." Along the way, the RCA Dome inched toward obsolescence. It was time to play the stadium politics game. Irsay found the solution in Indy that his father couldn't find in Baltimore. Advertisement "There were all kinds of rumors about us maybe moving to Los Angeles or whatnot," Manning said. "Jim always wanted to stay in Indianapolis, but he felt like, 'Hey, we have this really good team. We're fun to watch. Let's get them a new stadium to play in.' And the next thing you know, Lucas Oil Stadium is built." For those whose NFL fandom firmly existed when the Colts were in Baltimore, the sudden arrival of Indianapolis on the football scene took some getting used to. It's now impossible to think of pro football without thinking of Indiana — especially since along the way the Colts' presence brought the Scouting Combine to town. Where it's been ever since, and where it should permanently remain.
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Marvin Harrison Jr. adds more muscle, hoping to make Year 2 leap for Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. had a productive debut season with the Arizona Cardinals for several reasons, including elite athleticism, height and professional pedigree thanks to his dad's success in the league. Now the young Cardinals receiver has two more things he believes will be useful entering his second season: noticeably larger left and right arms. The 22-year-old Harrison talked with reporters on Monday at the team's practice facility in a sleeveless shirt, showing off an impressive change in physique since January. Gone was the slightly skinny rookie, who played at 209 pounds. In his place was somebody who looked much more likely to impose his will on NFL defensive backs. "I definitely put on some pounds," Harrison said, grinning. Harrison hasn't committed to the newfound bulk, wondering how it will feel as the Cardinals embark on their offseason workouts. He's open to gaining more weight — or even potentially losing some — depending on results. "Obviously, football is a physical game," Harrison said. "A lot of contested catch situations, run after catch, things like that. So I want to see how things play out during OTAs, training camp and see where it goes." Harrison had huge expectations coming into his rookie season after being the first non-QB selected with the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft. In a lot of ways, the Ohio State product delivered with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns — eerily similar numbers to his dad's stats as a rookie. Marvin Harrison Sr. recorded 64 catches for 836 yards and eight touchdowns in 1996 for the Indianapolis Colts and went on to a Hall of Fame career. But for all the big moments from Harrison Jr. last season, there were also some quiet Sunday afternoons. Harrison ranked fifth in yards receiving for a rookie behind Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. "I just had to get adjusted to the game speed, everything moves faster at the next level," Harrison said. Harrison can go to his dad for advice on how to navigate the NFL, but he also has a Cardinals legend he can look to: Larry Fitzgerald. "I know he's always there for me, with whatever questions I may have," Harrison said about Fitzgerald. "I know he's always available." Fitzgerald took a path that Harrison hopes to emulate. As a rookie in 2024, Fitzgerald totaled 58 catches and 780 yards. The following year, those numbers jumped to 103 catches and 1,409 yards. "I heard him say he could have done better, but I think he had a really productive first year and he's well on his way to a 1,000-yard season this year," Fitzgerald said, according to the official team website. "I talk to guys (around the team) and they say he works his tail off. Tirelessly working on catching the ball, route running, and the things that can help. When you have that kind of work ethic and determination, with a quarterback as talented as [Kyler Murray], good things will happen." Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon has remained steadfast that Harrison will become an All-Pro-caliber receiver in the coming years. "He looks awesome out there right now. I'm really excited to see where his game goes," Gannon said in April. Harrison continues to grow close with Murray, who is entering his seventh season in the league. The receiver said he's spent plenty of time with his quarterback outside the facility, working out together in a effort to make sure their chemistry is unmatched. "I feel like we should be able to go out there with our eyes closed and complete 100% of our passes," Harrison said. "That's the goal you want to get to with timing." The Cardinals are nearing the end of a multi-year rebuild that began after the 2022 season when former coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim were fired. Gannon and current GM Monti Ossenfort have methodically built the roster and last year's 8-9 record was a four-win improvement over 2023. Now there's considerable pressure to make the postseason for the first time since 2021. Harrison said that's the metric he'll use when deciding if his second season is a success. "It starts with team success, we've got to make the playoffs," Harrison said. "We have all the pieces we need. We just have to go out there and execute at this point. That's why they brought me here — to help this team win games." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Washington Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Showing off newfound muscle, Marvin Harrison Jr. hopes to make big jump for Cardinals in Year 2
TEMPE, Ariz. — Marvin Harrison Jr. had a productive debut season with the Arizona Cardinals for several reasons, including elite athleticism, height and professional pedigree thanks to his dad's success in the league. Now the young Cardinals receiver has two more things he believes will be useful entering his second season.
