Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
First a look back...
Many thanks to Rod Graves, Ken Whisenhunt and the offensive coaches for their key roles in getting the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl. The thrill of that achievement and near win will always remain the most cherished chapter to date in Arizona Cardinals' lore.
There's no longer any reason to harp on the reasons why it was time for them to move on.
I hope that Graves, Whisenhunt and the offensive coaches all land handsomely on their feet---wherever that may be for each of them.
To The Present:
Many thanks to Mr. Michael Bidwill for his alacrity and determination in making these difficult decisions---one could tell from the way he spoke about Rod Graves, Ken Whisenhunt and their wives that Bidwill considers them family.
Bidwill has clearly taken a firm and resolute hold of the reins---and his determination seems more fierce and steadfast than ever.
I believe that Bidwill truly understands what we fans wish---and his fervent desire for the Cardinals to get "back to winning football games" is a refreshing refrain.
While Bidwill didn't provide the specific criteria for what he is looking for in the new head coach---one comment stood out---when he was aked about the QB situation Bidwill said that it wasn't just about "finding" the QB, it was about "developing" him.
Clearly---what irks Bidwill more than anything else is not seeing a stronger development of the talent that is already on the roster.
This is what makes me all the more confident in Bidwill's mindset and his purpose.
For example, when you draft a RB in the first round---you have to develop him.
I believe the roster is as talented as it has ever been---on the defensive side of the ball, it's the most confident it has been in eons.
Now---the new coach needs to elevate the confidence of the offensive talent---and he will need to do just as Bidwill asserts: develop that talent.
A Look Ahead
Thus far we know of Bidwill's first three HC candidates---and a reported fourth. All four candidates are impressive choices:
1. Mike McCoy, OC, Broncos.
The irony of this choice is that some people will say that McCoy is just riding Peyton Manning's jerseytails the way Whisenhunt rode Kurt Warner's.
However, McCoy did very well with Kyle Orton---to the tune of Orton becoming the #4 QB in passing yards in 2010.
The following year, McCoy tailored his offense to accommodate the unique skills of Tim Tebow---and the results were the #1 rushing offense in the NFL in 2011---and a remarkable trip to the second round of the AFC playoffs.
What's refreshing about McCoy's versatility and creativeness is that his system will be catered to the strengths of his personnel.
As for Manning, I remember being very impressed seeing an interview with him following his first week of Broncos' training camp---and he must have mentioned three times how impressed he was with Mike McCoy.
2. Andy Reid, HC, Eagles.
When Mike Bidwill referred to the term "develop" with regard to the QBs and the talent on the football team, there are few coaches in this era of the NFL who develop QBs and offensive players the way Reid does.
The knock on him is that he hasn't won the big one.
But, to win the big one you have to knock on the door---and Reid has knocked on that door an impressive number of times in his career.
Perhaps---the next knock will be the charm.
As an offensive planner---this guy is a masterful X's and O's coach---
Put it this way---with Andy Reid, not only would the Cardinals finally be able to run a successfully designed and executed screen pass---the Cardinals would have 5-6 different screen passes in their playbook.
And while Reid is a proponent of the West Coast offense---he loves to bait you and then throw over the top of you.
It would also be something to watch as to what plans Reid would have for Larry Fitzgerald. Reid would not concede that double teaming Fitzgerald means not trying to get his the ball. Reid would have Fitzgerald in motion and rubbing off defenders and the other WR routes.
Fitzgerald under Reid, imo, would be reinvented.
Plus, Reid would find a way to add the deep threat WR that we have needed all along. Clearing out the intermediate zones is a staple of Reid's offense.
3. Ray Horton, DC, Cardinals
He's a hot name out there now for good reason---he took a once pathetic and hapless defense and turned them quickly into a force to be reckoned with.
What I found most impressive about him was that despite the team being 1-6 last year and now out of playoff contention, Horton was able to fire up the defense nonetheless---and once they got a taste of his magic, they were thirsty for much, much more---even when game after game they were on the field way too many times.
4. Bill O"Brien, HC, Penn St.
This young coach has earned the attention of football experts everywhere. He's an offensive mastermind who understand the nuances of effective preparation and planning.
To do what he did with Penn St. last year in light of all the handicaps is nothing short of sensational. Obviously, he won the utmost respect of his peers in the Big Ten as he was awarded the Big Ten Coach of the Year honor.
As I wrote a couple of days ago a pairing of Bill O'Brien as HC and Jason Licht as GM could be Lennon-McCartney-esque.
Which of these coaches would bring the most immediate buzz to Arizona as it tries to find a way to climb back into contention in the now red hot NFC West?
For the immediate, I believe it would be Andy Reid.
For the long-term---that's a harder call, but I am inclined to believe it would be Bill O'Brien.
Wild Cards?
Todd Haley, OC, Steelers. Funny that TE coach Freddie Kitchens has thus far been detained---a harbinger of a Todd Haley hiring, perhaps? Rick Bartel rightfully deemed Haley "abrasive"---and I thought was quite insightful when he said that Haley would wear out his welcome in 3-4 years, but that he would sure have the team's attention early on. One thing about Haley that intrigues me is how well he helped to develop an already good Larry Fitzgerald---which obviously speaks to Haley's commitment to excellence.
Yes, he's volatile and even petulant at times---but so was his mentor, Bill Parcells. The problem is Haley doesn't seem to have the sense of humor to go along with his ornery demeanor---which is what made Parcells so endearing to his players. Tension is important---but there also has to be a release valve every now and then, or else pressure makes people and teams crack.
The one wild card that would fascinate me---as I have written previously---is Chip Kelly, HC, Oregon. There is no more competitive, innovative and aggressive coach in all the world of football than this guy.
For immediate and long term buzz---to me, Chip Kelly would top the list like a skyrocket---
I love that he already has won battles with Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh---and I think it would be amazing to watch them all get after each other in the NFC West. In a test of wills, I like Chip Kelly.
That said---the positives for all the candidates on this list are so attractive that the Cardinals would appear to be in very capable hands with any of them.
As Andy Dufresne said---"Hope is good thing, Red, maybe the best of things."
Here's to hoping that the next Cardinals' head coach can dig a tunnel back to the top of the NFC West.
Happy New Year everyone. Best wishes to you all. GO Cardinals in 2013!
Many thanks to Rod Graves, Ken Whisenhunt and the offensive coaches for their key roles in getting the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl. The thrill of that achievement and near win will always remain the most cherished chapter to date in Arizona Cardinals' lore.
There's no longer any reason to harp on the reasons why it was time for them to move on.
I hope that Graves, Whisenhunt and the offensive coaches all land handsomely on their feet---wherever that may be for each of them.
To The Present:
Many thanks to Mr. Michael Bidwill for his alacrity and determination in making these difficult decisions---one could tell from the way he spoke about Rod Graves, Ken Whisenhunt and their wives that Bidwill considers them family.
Bidwill has clearly taken a firm and resolute hold of the reins---and his determination seems more fierce and steadfast than ever.
I believe that Bidwill truly understands what we fans wish---and his fervent desire for the Cardinals to get "back to winning football games" is a refreshing refrain.
While Bidwill didn't provide the specific criteria for what he is looking for in the new head coach---one comment stood out---when he was aked about the QB situation Bidwill said that it wasn't just about "finding" the QB, it was about "developing" him.
Clearly---what irks Bidwill more than anything else is not seeing a stronger development of the talent that is already on the roster.
This is what makes me all the more confident in Bidwill's mindset and his purpose.
For example, when you draft a RB in the first round---you have to develop him.
I believe the roster is as talented as it has ever been---on the defensive side of the ball, it's the most confident it has been in eons.
Now---the new coach needs to elevate the confidence of the offensive talent---and he will need to do just as Bidwill asserts: develop that talent.
A Look Ahead
Thus far we know of Bidwill's first three HC candidates---and a reported fourth. All four candidates are impressive choices:
1. Mike McCoy, OC, Broncos.
The irony of this choice is that some people will say that McCoy is just riding Peyton Manning's jerseytails the way Whisenhunt rode Kurt Warner's.
However, McCoy did very well with Kyle Orton---to the tune of Orton becoming the #4 QB in passing yards in 2010.
The following year, McCoy tailored his offense to accommodate the unique skills of Tim Tebow---and the results were the #1 rushing offense in the NFL in 2011---and a remarkable trip to the second round of the AFC playoffs.
What's refreshing about McCoy's versatility and creativeness is that his system will be catered to the strengths of his personnel.
As for Manning, I remember being very impressed seeing an interview with him following his first week of Broncos' training camp---and he must have mentioned three times how impressed he was with Mike McCoy.
2. Andy Reid, HC, Eagles.
When Mike Bidwill referred to the term "develop" with regard to the QBs and the talent on the football team, there are few coaches in this era of the NFL who develop QBs and offensive players the way Reid does.
The knock on him is that he hasn't won the big one.
But, to win the big one you have to knock on the door---and Reid has knocked on that door an impressive number of times in his career.
Perhaps---the next knock will be the charm.
As an offensive planner---this guy is a masterful X's and O's coach---
Put it this way---with Andy Reid, not only would the Cardinals finally be able to run a successfully designed and executed screen pass---the Cardinals would have 5-6 different screen passes in their playbook.
And while Reid is a proponent of the West Coast offense---he loves to bait you and then throw over the top of you.
It would also be something to watch as to what plans Reid would have for Larry Fitzgerald. Reid would not concede that double teaming Fitzgerald means not trying to get his the ball. Reid would have Fitzgerald in motion and rubbing off defenders and the other WR routes.
Fitzgerald under Reid, imo, would be reinvented.
Plus, Reid would find a way to add the deep threat WR that we have needed all along. Clearing out the intermediate zones is a staple of Reid's offense.
3. Ray Horton, DC, Cardinals
He's a hot name out there now for good reason---he took a once pathetic and hapless defense and turned them quickly into a force to be reckoned with.
What I found most impressive about him was that despite the team being 1-6 last year and now out of playoff contention, Horton was able to fire up the defense nonetheless---and once they got a taste of his magic, they were thirsty for much, much more---even when game after game they were on the field way too many times.
4. Bill O"Brien, HC, Penn St.
This young coach has earned the attention of football experts everywhere. He's an offensive mastermind who understand the nuances of effective preparation and planning.
To do what he did with Penn St. last year in light of all the handicaps is nothing short of sensational. Obviously, he won the utmost respect of his peers in the Big Ten as he was awarded the Big Ten Coach of the Year honor.
As I wrote a couple of days ago a pairing of Bill O'Brien as HC and Jason Licht as GM could be Lennon-McCartney-esque.
Which of these coaches would bring the most immediate buzz to Arizona as it tries to find a way to climb back into contention in the now red hot NFC West?
For the immediate, I believe it would be Andy Reid.
For the long-term---that's a harder call, but I am inclined to believe it would be Bill O'Brien.
Wild Cards?
Todd Haley, OC, Steelers. Funny that TE coach Freddie Kitchens has thus far been detained---a harbinger of a Todd Haley hiring, perhaps? Rick Bartel rightfully deemed Haley "abrasive"---and I thought was quite insightful when he said that Haley would wear out his welcome in 3-4 years, but that he would sure have the team's attention early on. One thing about Haley that intrigues me is how well he helped to develop an already good Larry Fitzgerald---which obviously speaks to Haley's commitment to excellence.
Yes, he's volatile and even petulant at times---but so was his mentor, Bill Parcells. The problem is Haley doesn't seem to have the sense of humor to go along with his ornery demeanor---which is what made Parcells so endearing to his players. Tension is important---but there also has to be a release valve every now and then, or else pressure makes people and teams crack.
The one wild card that would fascinate me---as I have written previously---is Chip Kelly, HC, Oregon. There is no more competitive, innovative and aggressive coach in all the world of football than this guy.
For immediate and long term buzz---to me, Chip Kelly would top the list like a skyrocket---
I love that he already has won battles with Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh---and I think it would be amazing to watch them all get after each other in the NFC West. In a test of wills, I like Chip Kelly.
That said---the positives for all the candidates on this list are so attractive that the Cardinals would appear to be in very capable hands with any of them.
As Andy Dufresne said---"Hope is good thing, Red, maybe the best of things."
Here's to hoping that the next Cardinals' head coach can dig a tunnel back to the top of the NFC West.
Happy New Year everyone. Best wishes to you all. GO Cardinals in 2013!
