IT's Official: Wiz and Graves extended!

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Two sentences, bolded in the following quote, from Kent Somers blog, which I feel are very significant. The first indicates a character trait in Ken Whisenhunt that I admire. The second demonstrates that the character indicated in the first, backed up by tangible results will open doors and wallets.

Kent Somers said:
The coach absolutely would not talk about a new contract and never went to management asking for one. But I know he was ready when Michael Bidwill approached him about a new deal a few weeks ago.

Whisenhunt, probably like any first-time head coach, saw things over the past three years that he wanted changed, or clarified. He believes strongly that an indoor facility will help the team be better prepared early in the year because it won't be practicing in the desert heat. He desired some other things, too, that would make the daily job of running a football team

much easier.

I'm not sure what was agreed to. But from what I've heard, Michael Bidwill was accomodating in negotiations.

The first head coach contract extension since the Cardinals arrived in Arizona. In my opinion, they could not have chosen a better man!

And props to the Bidwills for stepping up!!! :koolaid:
 
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You see, this is how it's done, Rod...

;)
 
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DemsMyBoys

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I've got to believe that re-signing Whiz will go farther than anything else we could have done to demonstrate to our competition that we are going to remain committed to the quest for the Lombardi here in the desert. Thus, I believe that we have flipped the switch that will light the way for players, from around the league who also want this, to gravitate toward the desert. This was a much needed response to those in the media who have been cautioning that Whiz may bolt if we don't lock him up soon.

Next step-----some quality free agent signings.

I think you've nailed it Catfish.

And thank you Michael.
 

Crazy Canuck

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Was he part of the squad that took us to the SB? Sure. Could we have done it w/o him? Absolutely.

This is not a blind eye opinion. Since 2002, we've only had one 1st rounder signed before training camp. Until Denny Green came along, the talent on this team was sub par. His resume is average at best. Now that we are a top-tier NFL team, we could afford to have someone with more experience, better negotiating skills and a bigger sense of urgency.

JMO, but I think he has ridden the coat tails of good scouting by Green and excellent coaching by Whis.

Please inform us all as what scouting Green was personally doing during his tenure?
 

TJ

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Please inform us all as what scouting Green was personally doing during his tenure?

I don't like the implication of your post but I'll help you out anyway

As evidence, the 2004 draft, which brought us much of the talent that got us to the SB. Fitz, Dansby, Dockett, A. Smith (although not with us).

2005 got us Rolle...and really not much else unfortuantely

2006 got us Leinart, Lutui, and Watson

Free agents

2004 Bertrand Berry

2005 Kurt Warner, Okeafor

2006 Edge

All have had impact one way or another to get us to the SB.

And in addition, the funniest post game outburst in NFL history ;)
 
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Crazy Canuck

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I don't like the implication of your post but I'll help you out.

As evidence, the 2004 draft, which brought us much of the talent that got us to the SB. Fitz, Dansby, Dockett, A. Smith (although not with us).

2005 got us Rolle...and really not much else unfortuantely

2006 got us Leinart, Lutui, and Watson

Free agents

2004 Bertrand Berry

2005 Kurt Warner, Okeafor

2006 Edge

All have had impact one way or another to get us to the SB.

And in addition, the funniest post game outburst in NFL history ;)

There was no "implication" for you to get concerned about, and thank you for your helpful research.

The scouting department throughout the period reported to Graves, and no head coach has the time to do much more than review some tape provided by the scouting department, and offer his suggestions.

I think Green's greatest service over the period was to argue that drafts driven by need were a recipe for mediocrity.

I thank him for that, and little else.
 

TJ

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There was no "implication" for you to get concerned about, and thank you for your helpful research.

The scouting department throughout the period reported to Graves, and no head coach has the time to do much more than review some tape provided by the scouting department, and offer his suggestions.

I think Green's greatest service over the period was to argue that drafts driven by need were a recipe for mediocrity.

I thank him for that, and little else.

I agree in a sense that Green's only contribution was to bring talent to the team. As for his coaching prowess, he left it all in Minnesota.

In a perfect world, I wish Green could have been retained in some fashion in the FO, but that would never happen in any walk of life in the NFL
 

RugbyMuffin

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Awesome. Great news.

Whiz is here till at least 2013. That is great news.
 

Duckjake

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The scouting department throughout the period reported to Graves, and no head coach has the time to do much more than review some tape provided by the scouting department, and offer his suggestions.

I'm interested in why you say this. What else does the head coach have to do from the end of the season until late April? They don't have any practices to run or game plans to develop. Of course with Green he might have gone on a 3 month fishing trip.

I would think that free agency and the draft would be the number one priority for any head coach during that time. Almost 4 months should be plenty of time to look at the 150-200 guys you might want to draft.
 

Shane

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Whiz wouldnt accept an extension if he didnt think this team could and will be built into a winner. The ownership must have shown him personally that they are willing to do what he thinks is the best way to do that. Apparently Whiz thinks letting Dansby and Rolle walk is ok. That's enough right there to make completely cool with it.
 

Crazy Canuck

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I'm interested in why you say this. What else does the head coach have to do from the end of the season until late April? They don't have any practices to run or game plans to develop. Of course with Green he might have gone on a 3 month fishing trip.

I would think that free agency and the draft would be the number one priority for any head coach during that time. Almost 4 months should be plenty of time to look at the 150-200 guys you might want to draft.

Well, the College season is over, so where precisely would you go to see talent beyond the combine, and perhaps a few personal sessions? Ergo... you left with reviewing game tape and reports from the scouting department, grading them, and offering your suggestions to the mix.

(and don't discount Green's love of fishing...;)
 
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Regarding Whiz extension...


Somewhere Denny Green is cursing himself, "They were who I thought they were! If only I would of won that damn Monday night game!"
 
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Duckjake

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Well, the College season is over, so where precisely would you go to see talent beyond the combine, and perhaps a few personal sessions? Ergo... you left with reviewing game tape and reports from the scouting department, grading them, and offering your suggestions to the mix.

(and don't discount Green's love of fishing...;)

Ok I see what you're saying in relation to a head coach scouting.

The thing that separates one head coach from another then is his ability to take the info from the combine, the scouting reports, and watching of game film and use that to make the right decisions on what players you think will best fit your system and help you win football games.

Green was apparently better at this than most of our previous coaches. But we do have to give credit to the front office for keeping guys like Boldin,Hayes,RWells,Dockett,and Fitz on the roster long term.

However, it isn't that great that the only first round selection to stay past his initial contract in the last several years is Larry Fitzgerald. (Note: Leonard Davis may have extended past his rookie deal but I don't know for sure.)

The teams we like to tout as smart money managers who let guys go rather than pay them big money seem to do it after the second contract rather than the first.
 

Crazy Canuck

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Ok I see what you're saying in relation to a head coach scouting.

The thing that separates one head coach from another then is his ability to take the info from the combine, the scouting reports, and watching of game film and use that to make the right decisions on what players you think will best fit your system and help you win football games.

Green was apparently better at this than most of our previous coaches. But we do have to give credit to the front office for keeping guys like Boldin,Hayes,RWells,Dockett,and Fitz on the roster long term.

However, it isn't that great that the only first round selection to stay past his initial contract in the last several years is Larry Fitzgerald. (Note: Leonard Davis may have extended past his rookie deal but I don't know for sure.)

The teams we like to tout as smart money managers who let guys go rather than pay them big money seem to do it after the second contract rather than the first.

I agree, but - even on this point - it is either inspired or limited by that coaches background. If his pedigree is defence, he may be great at judging "D" talent off of tape... and not be particularly adept at judging "O" quality.

I would imagine that he'd turn to his coordinators and position coaches for additional input.

This is why I've never really bought into the idea of the Head Coach as the prime evaluator of talent, and thus the draft.

It's a collaborative effort, where either the GM or Coach gets the credit or blame depending on the bias of the sports media, and by extension fans.

In Indy, Bill Polian is the genius... and you would wonder if Tony Dungy had anything much to say in his tenure.

The reality, in all probability, was that Dungy had his shopping list and Polian and the scouting staff went to the super market.

I suspect that is the essence of the Whiz - Graves relationship on acquiring players.
 
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lobo

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Yep, I still think the guy is average at best.

He has a big offseason ahead of him that take could away some of my doubts of what he really brings to the franchise.


Share if you please

3 other average (borderline, per you post)
3 below average
3 above average

thank you
 

Crazy Canuck

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As a number of you should know and those of you who don't it is either illegal or a sin to put catsoup (ketchup,,,take your pick) on any type of sausage.

Only in the USA - and it's catsup! ;)
 

kerouac9

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3 other average (borderline, per you post)
3 below average
3 above average

thank you

Above Average: Bill Polian (Indianapolis), Ozzie Newsome (Baltimore), A.J. Smith (San Diego)

Average: Jerry Jones (Love him or hate him, he's found competitive coaches and brought a lot of talent to Dallas, but it hasn't all come together for them yet), Rick Speilman (Vikings--the way they got Allen was a steal), Jerry Reese (aggressive, but some big mistakes, too)

Below average: Mike Brown (Bengals), Gene Smith (Jaguars), Al Davis
 

Buckybird

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3 other average (borderline, per you post)
3 below average
3 above average

thank you

above ave- Ozzie Newsome, Mickey Loomis (NO), Bill Polian

average- Jerry Reese (NYG), Rick Smith (Hou), Scot McGlaughlan (Niners)

below avg-Dan Snyder (Vinny Cerrato), Al Davis, Mike Brown
 
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Shane

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Per NFL network Whiz is one of the top 5 highest paid coaches in the NFL after new contract! :notworthy
 

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