“How guys come out of breaks affects the efficiency of when you’re throwing it to him,” Gannon said. “Just with the quarterback feeling and seeing, and then is he on air or is there a body on him? How is it going to come out? All those different things, it’s fascinating.”
In 2023, the year Murray returned from ACL surgery and McBride took off, the quarterback spoke about the challenges with getting on the same page as the tight end. In Murray’s first game back, he anticipated McBride would cut the route short and sit down in the zone. Murray instead threw an interception as the tight end ran further on his route.
Since then, miscommunication isn’t as frequent. Murray has an innate ability to understand how McBride runs his route. Hoping for a similar vibe, Harrison has spent time with wide receivers coach Drew Terrell to better understand how to exploit a defense.
“(Terrell) has done a great job of breaking down the coverages to us this year,” Harrison said. “I think that has helped, not only me, but the other guys as well with what are we getting out there? Where are their weaknesses at? Where are their strengths at and how we can run routes accordingly.”
In the first preseason game against the Chiefs, Murray and Harrison connected on one pass. It was a 15-yard reception where Murray threw the pass even before Harrison got by the linebacker, a play the quarterback described as “very well-executed.”
It’s unclear if Harrison will play on Saturday against the Raiders. Gannon said he will see how this week goes before making an announcement. Regardless, the connection is working towards being in midseason form.
“I wanted some preseason action this year, and I think I got that,” Harrison said. “So whatever happens, I’ll be happy with either or.”
