My Ken Whisenhunt appreciation thread

[CtCardinals78]

I have often heard pundits and NFL experts say being an NFL coach is one of the most demanding positions in all of professional sports. Many of them say that the job entails working 12 hour days much of the time and over 12 hour days seven days a week during the season. Looking at the transformation Ken Whisenhunt has done for the Cardinals I have no doubt this is the case.

I often get the impression HC's did not put as much effort into the Cardinals as they should. Often times the product on the field was sub-par despite talented player at key positions. Other HC's came to AZ and promised plaoff wins and the like, but couldn't muster anything but a rare .500 season.

I get the impression Ken Whisenhunt goes above and beyond as his role of HC as the Cards. He got players to buy into his philosophy and he repaid them with victories. Obviously, the players are as much to credit, but it was HIS plan that got them there. All the while he never promised anything but a tough, hardnosed team that would leave it all on the field. Sure there have been some games with lackluster effort, but nothing like we are used to seeing as Cardinal fans.

This offseason is a perfect example of this. It could have been easy to lose ones cool after the Cardinals last Friday. But KW had a plan all along and remained cool. When the time came he executed part of his plan and the team should be better for it.

While this was all shaking down last weekend, we learned he was on Pittsburgh with Haggans trying to woo Porter who would make this team even better. When was the last time we saw a Cardinals coach do that? I don't remember seeing a coach do something like that here since maybe Buddy Ryan when he brought Joyner and Simmons to AZ. Even then I don't think he met with them face to face.

What makes this even more special is Whisenhunt is laying it all on the line putting in many hours to make the Cardinals better while being a husband and father. Sometimes it's easy as a fan to overlook the players' and coaches' personal lives and the personal sacrafices they make to excel at their job.
It is in this area where I think I have the most respect for Ken Whisenhunt. It is not an easy job he has to do, yet he does it well and never stops fighting to make the Cardinals a better team and organization. I can easily see why players love playing for him and his program.

So here's to the man and his philosophy that has done more to change the culture of the team than any other HC before him. His best years are still ahead of him with this organization.

[Solar7]

I couldn't agree with you more. Not only is he a fantastic coach, but he's an extremely classy guy, who really seems to understand that there's fans of this team that haven't been this happy with our team in our entire lifetime. I had the opportunity to meet him a few years ago, and he took some time out just to talk to me for a while and thank me for the support.

I don't know that there's another coach in this league that I'd rather have. He's absolutely fantastic, and he might be the best coach this team has ever had.

[Goober Man]

I'm soo glad we got him instead of my pick for coach...Cam Cameron and boy...I've never been so glad to be wrong.

[Zeno]

He got my team to the fricking Super Bowl--I'll always appreciate that.

Plus he doesn't do anything in press conferences to embarass our team like some other NFL Head Coaches do (ahem Singletary).

[NeverSayDieFan]

When Coach Whiz' SPEAKS...I find myself wanting to be part of the group he's leading. ...And I think that's WHAT a "leader" does. They INSPIRE those around them to follow. And those that do follow, KNOW that the guy leading DOESN'T forget how IMPORTANT they are. From the Free-agent trying to make the team to the Pro-bowl performer; from the casual fan to the die-hards, Whiz' "connects" with them. To me, the BEST "signing" of the off-season was Coach Whiz'!! (John Lott gets a close 2nd!) GO CARDS!

[BullheadCardFan]

Meanwhile, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt downplayed concerns about the talent drain in Arizona so far this offseason. Whisenhunt: "This off-season or this free-agency period started just this past week. We still have five months ahead of us before we ever take the field in Flagstaff (for training camp). There are a lot of things that can happen between now and then. I think it's tough to make judgments this early on the preseason."

Whiz is calm and collected as always.

Per Somers.

[seesred]

Last season Whiz spoke before our Rotary club. It was a WOW! Not opnly difd he give a 30 minute speech on the state of the team. But he took time to speak to many in attendance. We had over 200 Rotarians that day and I smilled all the way to my car. Thanks Whiz you are a Cardinals fans friend!

GBR
40

[joeshmo]

More in Wiz. Dockett on the radio just now and said he really appreciates how hard he worked both in terms of contracts offered and time, in trying to get Dansby and Rolle re-signed.

Dockett also said if he gets to the alst year of his deal he will never sign an extension but he doesnt think Wiz will let things get that far, he has faith that Wiz will treat him right.

[football karma]

Originally Posted by joeshmo

More in Wiz. Dockett on the radio just now and said he really appreciates how hard he worked both in terms of contracts offered and time, in trying to get Dansby and Rolle re-signed.

Dockett also said if he gets to the alst year of his deal he will never sign an extension but he doesnt think Wiz will let things get that far, he has faith that Wiz will treat him right.

Dockett must be trying the "Adrian Wilson" method of working for an extension rather than the "Anquan Boldin" method

[Mitch]

Back when the Cardinals were offering the ranch to retain Dansby and Rolle, RG, when asked about extending DD, uttered his perfunctory "we'll see if it makes sense at this time."

Well it makes sense at this time. No excuses.

[BullheadCardFan]

Originally Posted by football karma

Dockett must be trying the "Adrian Wilson" method of working for an extension rather than the "Anquan Boldin" method

Much better approach for him. Look would it did for AW.