Arizona Cardinals center A.Q. Shipley raised some eyebrows a couple of weeks ago when he was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show,” a YouTube production starring the funny-man former Indianapolis Colts punter.

Shipley was asked what NFL fans can expect out of the Cardinals’ offense in 2019 now that it is being orchestrated by an offensive-minded former college coach in Kliff Kingsbury and a dual-threat quarterback in rookie Kyler Murray.

“All of college football is all shotgun, correct?” Shipley said. “So, 99 percent of what we’re going to be doing, what do you think it’s going to be?

“Shotgun.”

In light of that bold proclamation, Kingsbury was asked last week just how realistic the chances are of the Cardinals operating out of the shotgun formation at least 90% — or possibly more — of the time.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “That’s another thing we’re working through, to see what the best balance for us is. Last year, Kansas City was 80 percent-plus. They were decent on offense. Pretty good. So, we’ll see. Whatever fits our team best is what we’re going to do.”

Shipley might have been exaggerating a bit with his “99 percent” prediction, but he might not be that far off. Guess who led the league in snap-count percentages out of the shotgun in passing situations in both 2016 and 2017?

The Cardinals threw out of the shotgun formation an NFL-high 90% of the time in 2016 and an even higher 94% in 2017, according to snap rates provided by SharpFootballStats.com. That came during the final two years of Bruce Arians’ tenure as head coach in Arizona with non-mobile veteran Carson Palmer as the starting quarterback.

What’s to suggest it won’t be at least that high with Murray at the helm? The Heisman Trophy winner set college football ablaze last year by operating mostly out of shotgun for the Oklahoma Sooners and the offense he ran there is going to be very similar to what he runs in Arizona.

Though he’s tried his best to keep details of his offense under wraps, it’s important to remember the conversation Kingsbury had with reporters back in March during the NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix. It was about his love affair with the shotgun formation.

Here’s what he said when asked about the advantages and disadvantages of a quarterback operating out of the shotgun:

“I’ve never seen disadvantages. Some people say there are. I don’t. … Some other people have theories about it, but I think you can do everything just as well from shotgun as you can under center.”

Kingsbury then went on to describe why the shotgun formation helps a quarterback:

“It just eliminates having to get away from the center. Those are big guys pushing back in your face right away. So, you’re seeing a clearer picture sooner. Whereas when you’re under center, it takes a while to see the field and see that clear picture. To me, you’re able to see it clearer pre-snap and post-snap.”

Kingsbury favors the shotgun formation so much, The Republic asked him if he could envision the Cardinals running it in goal-line situations.

“Yeah,” he said. “I mean, we’ve done both. I think there’s a time to get under center, when you’re right there and you need to sneak or a quick hitter. But for the most part, shotgun, I haven’t found a reason not to be in it.”

Now granted, Kingsbury made that comment before the draft. The Cardinals were still a month away from using the No. 1 overall pick on Murray. But guess where Murray has been lining up the majority of the time since the start of offseason workouts with both rookies and veterans?

Shotgun, according to some of his offensive linemen.

“We’re going to run the ball down people’s throats and have Kyler do his thing,” right guard J.R. Sweezy said. “He’s a great dual threat. He can do a lot of stuff and it’s hard to defend, especially out of the shotgun. We’ll get more of a feel once we get more live reps, but I’ve got all the confidence in the world with this guy.

“He’s a special dude. He’s fun to watch and it’s fun to block for him. It’s going to be exciting.”

Last season, when they finished last in almost every offensive statistic possible, the Cardinals’ total snap rate out of the shotgun was just 54%. That ranked among the lowest in the league. They ran the ball out of shotgun just 18% of the time, which ranked 23rd overall.

“I think it’s going to be fun,” left tackle D.J. Humphries said of switching to an up-tempo, shotgun style which could feature plenty of no-huddle. “… That’s something I like to do because I get a little bored doing the same thing over and over again. It keeps me on my toes. I like being able to switch stuff up and being able to move, not just drop back and keep doing the same thing over and over again. It’s going to be fun to switch stuff up.”

As fun as it might be for the offense, it could spell doom for the Cardinals’ defense.

Imagine how often they’ll be on the field if Murray and Co. can’t consistently move the chains. A confounding series of three and outs could run the defense into the ground.

That’s what happened to the Philadelphia Eagles under then-head coach Chip Kelly and his hurry-up offense, thanks in part to an ineffective and largely unimaginative running game.

Philadelphia’s defense ranked 28th, 29th and 30th during his three seasons there from 2013-15. 

Kingsbury, meanwhile, is expected to utilize running back David Johnson and his backups through multiple misdirection plays with guards pulling in different directions and Murray relying on run-pass options. But if opposing defenses can sniff things out, it still could end up hurting Arizona’s defense in the end.

“Well, I think that’s a good point,” Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters said. “The reality is, we have to execute in everything. Obviously, if that becomes an issue, then that’s not going to be any good. But I think the guys are aware. I’ve talked about that with some of the guys in the locker room.

“There is an understanding what a lot of three and outs would do to the defense. We all understand that. Like I’ve said before, with any system, there’s going to be positives and negatives. As long as we can be effective and execute at a high level, I don’t think it will be too much of an issue.”

Endurance could become a concern on both sides of the ball. When the Cardinals were throwing the ball predominantly out of the shotgun during Arians’ final three seasons as coach, however, it should be noted that it didn’t have any adverse effect on the defense. Arizona ranked fifth, second and sixth overall in total defense from 2015-17.

Coincidentally, that’s when the Cardinals operated out of a 3-4 base defense, which is what they are reverting to this year under new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Shotgun or no shotgun, Peters is convinced the Cardinals’ defense will excel in 2019.

“I’m happy with the change back to the 3-4,” Peters said. “I think it allows guys across the board to be more comfortable and being in more of their natural positions or what they’ve been playing for a while, anyway. I think it’s coming together well. We like Vance and we think it’s an opportunity to get back into that Top 5 defense. And that’s what we’re shooting for.”

Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live every Tuesday afternoon between 2-5:30 on AM 1060/SB Nation Radio on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch and every Wednesday afternoon between 1-4 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.

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