Friday, January 8, 1999

Associated Press
Adrian Murrell started slowly in his first season
with Arizona, but still managed to notch his third
straight 1,000-yard campaign.

---

Murrell knew
success was
in the Cards

By Paola Boivin
The Arizona Republic

TEMPE, Ariz. -- On the heels of the Arizona Cardinals' first postseason victory in 51 years, Adrian Murrell's phone was ringing off the hook.

Despite his 95-yard, one-touchdown effort, one call was particularly critical.

"Now Adrian," his 70-year-old grandmother from North Carolina said. "You know better than to look back. You should have scored!"

One highlight from the Cardinals' 20-7 victory over Dallas was Murrell's 74-yard run to the Cowboys' 3-yard line. Although the Cardinals scored on the next play, having an injured Deion Sanders catch you from behind provides some big-league fodder for the relatives.

"I don't feel so bad," said Murrell, who looked back during the run. "He passed two other guys on the way."

The play was one of the few times the Leilehua alumnus has looked back during his career. He didn't last April, when the New York Jets traded him and a seventh-round pick to the Cardinals for a third-round selection.

He liked their potential. With good reason. Despite the organization's struggles, the Cardinals are the only team to get Murrell to the playoffs in his six-year career. The Jets failed in his five previous seasons.

He came close. In 1993, New York needed one win in its final two games but couldn't get it done.

In 1997, the Jets were 9-6 and needed only to beat Detroit, but failed.

Murrell insists he wasn't fearing a repeat of history in the final weeks of this season.

"When the cards remain in your hands, it's a better situation," he said. "When you have to rely on other people, that's when teams sometimes drift."

The Cardinals can't afford to have Murrell or any other player drift when they face Minnesota on Sunday. The 28-year-old's success this season has contributed to a balanced attack, and the team undoubtedly will need an effective running game against the Vikings.

"It's especially important in the playoffs and when playing a team like Minnesota that can score so quickly," Cardinals head coach Vince Tobin said. "You want to shorten the game as much as you can. And being able to run shortens the game more than being able to throw."

Murrell has helped the Cardinals be able to run. He posted his third straight 1,000-yard season and became the team's first player to break that barrier since Garrison Hearst did in 1995.

Early on, a 1,000-yard season appeared unlikely. In the Cardinals' first seven games, he rushed for fewer than 70 yards five times and averaged less than 3 yards per carry in all but two.

Since then, he's had four 90-plus games and has averaged more than 4.5 yards a carry five times.

"I think the slow start was just a reflection of everybody trying to get on the same page," running backs coach Johnny Roland said. "You're dealing with chemistry, things like that."

Said Murrell, "It takes time to catch on. It's a misconception that players spend a lot of time together off the field. It takes awhile to develop (chemistry).

"But I would like to have more consistency."

He is well-liked by his teammates because of his easy-going nature, although he definitely turns his intensity up a notch when he gets on the field.

"He can be quite emotional," Roland said.

Just ask quarterback Jake Plummer, who has heard from Murrell in the heat of battle.

"He's told me off a few times," Plummer said, smiling. "He's just real competitive. I forgive him. It's the heat of the moment."

It's the Cardinals' heat of the moment on Sunday. The Cardinals would love to see Murrell cool off the Vikings.