2007 Cardinals: Coaching Search Notes...Sherman versus Rivera

[Mitch]

General Sherman

Mike Sherman is a tireless detail man...his work ethic is par excellance...and was a major factor as to why his teams at Green Bay won three consecutive division championships. Few offensive coaches know how to balance the run and pass the way Sherman does...

The second time around may be a charm for Sherman...he understands the work it takes to build a winner and he would relish the opportunity to win in a program that has not won.

The second time around was a charm for Bill Belichick, wasn't it? What do Sherman and Belichick have in common? Work ethic. Two days ago, when Belichick protogee Eric Mangini was discussing his mentor's greatest strengths to the New York media, Mangini said, "The most admirable thing about Belichick is that his success has not changed his remarkable work ethic."

The Cardinals need a HC who won't be outworked by anyone. They also need a detail man, a first-rate organizer, a coach with a special knowledge of one side of the ball (preferrably on offense, IMO)...and they need a disciplinarian (is there really any question about that?). Sherman fits the bill (The Bill!) here.

The only question about Sherman is his relationship with the players. He has been known to communicate to players at times through his assistant coaches...the Cardinals also need, IMO, a hands-on communicator...thus, does Sherman recognize that the second time around he had better be a more effective communicator? If he does, and past players can attest to Sherman's ability to motivate them when he does communicate with them, then Sherman may well be the best choice for the Cardinals.

I wonder what plan Sherman would have for the defense...does he have a specific DC in mind? IMO, Clancy Pendergast needs to go to "How to Cover" school...because his coverage schemes and techniques have been downright putrid...and no matter how well the Cardinals do on offense, if the defense still can't cover, and the special teams still surrender momentum on every critical play, the Cards will still find ways to lose more ballgames than the ones they win.

What truly separates Sherman from the other candidates is his head coaching experience. To me, this makes Sherman all the more attractive...especially seeing as the Cardinals haven't had much luck in hiring inexperienced coaches...in other words, coaches who have to learn their trade while on the job. That doesn't mean to say that one or more of the attractive coordinators the Cardinals are interviewing won't be successful. But, changing the Cardinals' fortunes for any coach who comes in here will be an especially daunting task, regardless of the talent base.

Ron Rivera

Rivera would be a sexy pick. His Bears are the class of the NFC right now after years of languishing near the cellar of the NFC Central. What's especially attractive is the Bears' defensive prowess which has been built by a system that simplifies the schemes in order to allow the players to capitalize on their instincts...and to promote the philosophy of "every man to the football."

Rivera would be a hands-on coach and despite his head coaching inexperience, it is likely that he would develop a winning mindset in the Cardinals' players...so much so that it may be an aggressive, hands-on coach like Rivera to get the most out of the likes of Leonard Davis, Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle.

The question about Rivera, other than inexperience, is whether the Cardinals can afford to hire a defensive minded head coach when the fortunes of the franchise rest more significantly on the shoulders of second year QB Matt Leinart.

It appears that recently retained OC, Mike Kruczek has done a very good job with Leinart thus far...and Krucz showed some tangible promise as a play caller and schemer...therefore, would Rod Graves and Michael Bidwill have enough faith in Kruczek and line coach Steve Loney to be able to go ahead and hire Rivera? Even more importantly, would Rivera welcome Krucz and Loney into his staff? Does Rivera have his own choice for OC? Would Rivera's choice be yet another inexperienced, unproven play caller in the NFL?

Edgerrin James said it..."Do what's best for Matt." The question is...would Matt Leinart be better off with an offensive guru as head coach?

My answer is yes. As much as I like Rivera...and I like him a lot...the Cardinals have not had a true offensive guru as head coach in decades...and in my way of thinking, if Leinart can play at a Pro Bowl level, the Cardinals may finally blossom into Super Bowl contenders for the first time ever.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

To me, the best best quality that Sherman has is that Ron Wolf saw fit to hire him in Green Bay.Wolf is probably the most respected GM out there so, if he reccomends him, there must be something to him.I remember at the time that Wolf said he thought he was interviewing the next Mike Holmgren when he interviewed Sherman. I'm sure he'll come in with a plan that Graves is looking for.

 

[Duckjake]

To me, this makes Sherman all the more attractive...especially seeing as the Cardinals haven't had much luck in hiring inexperienced coaches..

They didn't do too well in hiring experienced coaches either in Ryan and Green. Tough to use history as a judge with a team that has gotten only one full season playoff appearance out of the last 8 Head Coaches.

My answer is yes. As much as I like Rivera...and I like him a lot...the Cardinals have not had a true offensive guru as head coach in decades...and in my way of thinking, if Leinart can play at a Pro Bowl level, the Cardinals may finally blossom into Super Bowl contenders for the first time ever

On the other hand the two best seasons since moving to Arizona were under Ryan 8-8 and Tobin 9-7. Both defensive coaches.

The wild card in this discussion however is, as you say, Leinart. The Cardinals have not had a top rated young NFL stereotype QB since Lomax retired. I'm for shoring up the defense but it might be time to hitch the wagon to the stud horse and see where it takes us.

 

[doctor]

I kinda tend to lean towards Sherman as well. You have to remember he was in GB 6 yrs. That says a lot. I really really like his work ethic and previous experience. Denny was a lazy ass. My only question is his communication with players. I definetly dont want Wade Wilson as OC.

I really like the line-up of Sherman as HC...... Jim Bates as DC..... Pete Rodriquez as SP. The are all hard workers and great Teachers. Something again, Denny wasnt.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Too bad Chow wasn't still at USC.

Rivera HC and Chow OC would be nice.

Maybe Steve Sarcisian? (sp?)

 

[Goldfield]

Mitch I usually agree about 99.9% with your thoughts, but this time I disagree about the need for an offensive minded HC.

When you have a team like the Cardinals, who have a QB that seems to have a very good future ahead of him. Then add probowl talent to the skill positions(Boldin,Fitz,Edge). That side of the ball should take care of it self. With that kind of talent it wont take superman to coach it and make it effective.

On the other hand, D wins games. Think how good this team could be if our D was even 3/4's as good as the Bears D has been. We need a CB & an OLB for sure, but add that to a good D minded HC I think we become an extremely balanced team.

IMO A Balanced team that is led by Matt Leinart will win ALOT of games....

 

[D-Dogg]

Rumor that Wade Wilson would be Rivera's OC, as he was his choice previously if he'd had taken a HC job (linked on here somewhere). But I could see Rivera keeping Coach K on as Matt's QB coach (where he was before).

I don't like the player communication style with Sherman, especially coming on the heels of Denny who mastered in delegation. I'd much prefer a hands on coach, especially for this defense.

I'd also like to see whomever gets the job to not retain Clancy, which if Sherman is the choice I see Clancy staying (unless Sherman could coax Bates out to be DC which would actually be a very good plus on Sherman's side, to me. Bates is a hell of a DC.).

I think the offense will do well with a GOOD coach, even if he isn't offensive minded. There are serious weapons there. The defense has talent, but really needs serious coaching up. And if we improve special teams to give shorter fields to our offense and longer fields for our defense, everything will be gravy.

 

[az jam]

I prefer Rivera over Sherman. I feel he will bring in a high energy "smashmouth physical approach. (Rivera's words). I just don't know if Sherman has that hunger anymore. He seemed very subdued at the press conference. I think we need excitement and IMO Rivera can bring that to the team.

 

[PrescottLooie]

Hey Doc, what's the problem with Wade Wilson as OC ? Could you elaborate please.

 

[Captain Matt]

Anyone think the Biddies like ALL of the O-line experience that Sherman brings? I know we showed a heart-beat late in the year and I'm all for keeping the final line-up on the field, but there are quite a few middle-of-the-road FA O-linemen out there this season....... Sherman has had like 6 postitions as an O-line coach/O-coordinator and a lot of experience in personnel. I wasn't sold on him when I first heard the name, but am starting to understand the attraction. The only question that keeps nagging at me is what did he bring to the Texans? Was he stifled by the management/coaching staff or was he ineffective? Or are the players there really that terrible?

 

[devilfan02]

I wonder what plan Sherman would have for the defense...does he have a specific DC in mind? IMO, Clancy Pendergast needs to go to "How to Cover" school...because his coverage schemes and techniques have been downright putrid...and no matter how well the Cardinals do on offense, if the defense still can't cover, and the special teams still surrender momentum on every critical play, the Cards will still find ways to lose more ballgames than the ones they win.

Agree 100%. I don't understand the Pendy infatuation at all

 

[BigRedArk]

I think the offense will do well with a GOOD coach, even if he isn't offensive minded. There are serious weapons there. The defense has talent, but really needs serious coaching up. And if we improve special teams to give shorter fields to our offense and longer fields for our defense, everything will be gravy.

I agree D. Shouldn't a good DC know a good offense when he sees one and vice versa. Seems like Rivera with a good OC and QB coach should be able to come up with a good offensive game plan each week. Does it really matter what side of the ball a prospective HC candidate has expertise in? A good, thourough(sp), and smart HC that surrounds himself with good and creative assistants is what may really be needed.

 

[Mitch]

I do like Rivera for the mindset he would bring...and his defensive philosophy is very impressive...

What I am not sure of is how detailed and organized he is...

With Sherman, I am sure...

And, IMO, sexy can wear off rather quickly...it's the day to day organization and attention to detail that wins in the long run.

I sure would like to know what kind of a plan Sherman has for the defense and who he would have in mind for DC. If this plan and his choice for DC is a real good one, I'd be inclined to go with him.

Maybe I am too conservative, but Sherman's experience and his record of success as a head coach are most appealing to me.

I like Norm Chow too...but I wonder if Matt Leinart would get a little too comfortable with Chow in place...and Chow has never been a head coach anywhere before, as many of you have mentioned.

The most intriguing candidate to me is Russ Grimm. He brings attitude to the table, and like I said on a previous post if he brings Mark Whipple (Steelers' QB coach who ran amazing offenses leading UMASS to a NCAA Championship, Div. 1AA) with him as OC...the Cardinals would be the NFL version of Boise State. Also, I bet Grimm has a great plan for the defense...maybe even coaxing Dick LeBeau to join him as his DC. Now that would be a package that would have me excited...and to think of what Grimm would do to even further the progress on the offensive line!

Cam Cameron...my hunch is he will be the Dolphins' new coach...with Whisenhunt going to Atlanta...and if Grimm doesn't sign in Arizona (and Arizona tabs Rivera), I could see either Washington snagging him (after all he is an old Hog) if Gibbs steps down or Al Davis wooing him to Oakland.

 

[devilfan02]

I don't see Gibbs stepping down this year. He's made it clear he will stay for at least one more year and then make a decision. My bet would be Dan Snyder will be in constant contact with Bill Cowher throughout the next year and he will be the next Skins HC.

If Grimm takes the Oakland job over the Cardinal job then he's a complete idiot who will be out of football in 2 years. I have made it clear that the Cardinals ownership and management are a bunch of idiots but there is no conceivable way that Grimm would choose Al Davis' Raiders over the Cards. We have arguably the best situation (behind Pitt) while Oakland has by far the worst

 

[Mitch]

I don't see Gibbs stepping down this year. He's made it clear he will stay for at least one more year and then make a decision. My bet would be Dan Snyder will be in constant contact with Bill Cowher throughout the next year and he will be the next Skins HC.

If Grimm takes the Oakland job over the Cardinal job then he's a complete idiot who will be out of football in 2 years. I have made it clear that the Cardinals ownership and management are a bunch of idiots but there is no conceivable way that Grimm would choose Al Davis' Raiders over the Cards. We have arguably the best situation (behind Pitt) while Oakland has by far the worst

Yes, but the context was...if Grimm isn't hired by the Cardinals, I could see him winding up in Oakland.

 

[WildBB]

General Sherman

Edgerrin James said it..."Do what's best for Matt." The question is...would Matt Leinart be better off with an offensive guru as head coach?

My answer is yes. As much as I like Rivera...and I like him a lot...the Cardinals have not had a true offensive guru as head coach in decades...and in my way of thinking, if Leinart can play at a Pro Bowl level, the Cardinals may finally blossom into Super Bowl contenders for the first time ever.

What might be best for Leinart is what's best for the whole team. Defense wins Championships. It's not just a cliche'. With that in mind hiring Rivera seems to me the way to go. Just a little more secondary talent and a stronger WSLB who can really get after it, this can be an exceptional team. IMO Leinart will succeed with the talent around him. Keep the present coaches (Kruczak and Loney) as both have made some big strides and add an OC or assistant OC who specializes in play calling and gametime analysis. Heck hire two or make Kruczak OC or assistant OC. We've been saying its time to really get some exceptional talent in the coaches on BOTH sides of the ball. Just do it!

 

[devilfan02]

Yes, but the context was...if Grimm isn't hired by the Cardinals, I could see him winding up in Oakland.

Now I got ya. I was thinking you were suggesting he would choose Oak over here. I would lock myself in a dark room for days if that happened

 

[WildBB]

The wild card in this discussion however is, as you say, Leinart. The Cardinals have not had a top rated young NFL stereotype QB since Lomax retired. I'm for shoring up the defense but it might be time to hitch the wagon to the stud horse and see where it takes us.

I think Leinart will still be successful if you hire a DC as head coach. Especially if Kruczak is retained IMO.

 

[lobo]

Maybe I am too conservative, but Sherman's experience and his record of success as a head coach are most appealing to me.

not necessarily too conservative, but a non emotional look and looking at the body of work...i feel the same way...not too crazy when i first heard his name "but upon further review" hey, that is a heckuva body of work...would not have gotten top spot in green bay without ron wolf heavy endorsement....great record alas one bad year...so what...his spot in texas is really a staff position like most of the assistant hc jobs are..we could do a whole lot worse than this..the learning curve for mike is going to be very short...no doubt guys like rivera have to start somewhere...landry/vince/shula all did...he might turn out to be the next great rookie coach. i like the menu the killer b's and graves put on the table...something like a real good buffet!!!