The Arizona Cardinals continue to lose, regardless of quarterback. Rookie Clayton Tune was hoping for a better result. His pride urged him to play well. But short of a magic wand, the Cardinals knew they were in for a long day. However, for all the failure Arizona experienced at the “Mistake By The Lake”, Tune deserves a game ball.
Tune got his first taste of NFL football and he will not forget it. The rookie quarterback took a beating but got up after every offensive debacle. The Browns, who administered a signature beating, sacked Tune seven times. The stingy Browns defense forced two interceptions on 11 of 20 passes for a dismal 58 yards. A day to forget, yes. A day deserving the respect of his Cardinals teammates? Absolutely.
In his postseason presser, head coach Jonathan Gannon was asked about who would play under center against the Atlanta Falcons. Gannon, in a coaching ineptitude only he finds intriguing, remarked the organization wasn’t even thinking of that. Foolish thinking for a professional who is in over his head.
Clayton Tune Deserves a Game Ball
Sunday belonged to Tune. Granted, it was a game he would want to forget, and at the same time, always remember. He deserves a game ball for standing in a non-existent pocket, getting knocked to the turf, and getting up again. He took every question in the post-game Q&A, had a good attitude, and saw it as a learning opportunity. Tune is a fighter and a consummate professional for a rookie who had not taken a snap in the regular season.
Wide receiver Marquise Brown would add, “I feel like he was good,” Brown would continue, like he knew he made a mistake, he came to us. He’s not running from it, he’s not hiding from it, and I respect him.” – ESPN.
As for evaluating the rookie quarterback, finding the good will be tough unless you look a little deeper. Tune got some needed experience in real time that will serve him well in his next start, wherever that may be. Given how quickly Josh Dobbs found success in Minnesota, Tune could too when he gets his next go-round under center. The question is if that assignment ever comes around again, seeing as the Cardinals are likely to return to Kyler Murray against Atlanta.
If Murray starts, what is the upside, besides Murray playing? This is another way to ask how many wins to the Cardinals organization he ultimately brings. Are they going to slingshot to the top of the NFC West? Suddenly get into the thick of a Wild Card chase? That’s a no and no.
All the wish-casting in the world doesn’t change the equation in Arizona, which is why Gannon would be smart to give Tune another shot against a team NOT at home and likely NOT as good as Cleveland.
Tune had the best line for the media as they readied for departure and a long flight home.
“It’s a learning experience,” Tune said. “Obviously, wanted to have a better showing and win.” – ESPN.
After that kind of day and that kind of beating Clayton Tune deserves a game ball. If not, why even give them out?
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