2007 Cardinals: Press Conference Impressions

[Twist18]

I was impressed by all the interviewing info they gave out to the fans. I don't remember them giving the list when DG was hired.

 

[Paso Fino]

If RG was responsible for the failure to adequately address the OL for three years, then we still are in deep trouble.

 

[BigRedArk]

That's what I'm really getting at here, though.

The decision making has somewhat remained the same (although I would argue that Mike and Rod have changed the way the Cardinals do business for the better).

Have the Cardinals record over the last three years been on Rod or the coaching staff? I would say the latter. And that's really what I'm more concerned about.

I am guessing though that since RG has the final decision role on all football matters that is a genuine concern. He will lead the way in choosing the new coach. I don't trust his judgement.

Furthermore all that talk from MB on him having final say could just be smoke and mirrors. The B's or Daddy could actually be making the final decisions instead. What I think we need is a good young up and coming GM that knows the league and knows lots of coaches and knows a solid one when he sees one. I am of course not talking about RG. A winning team starts at the GM level nearly always.

 

[kerouac9]

Rod Graves is Vice President of Football Operations. His job description on the web site is that he's responsible for everything that happens on the field.

If Rod waited until now to decide that he's going to take a stronger hand in personnel matters, or he sat back and let Denny make decisions that he thought were wrong for the team, does that really speak well for Graves' management strategies?

If he really wants a coach with "a plan", how does that speak for Graves' "plan" for the team? Could we possibly have an executive with a smaller vision for this franchise?

 

[Zeno]

What's more important --- the label on the bottle or what's in the bottle?

Very well put.

 

[Goodyear Card]

At least Billy Jr was running the press conference. Things could be worse. They could have fired Rod and the whole coaching staff and Billy Jr could be in charge of hiring a new GM and coaching staff.

 

[Russ Smith]

You might be right but I think it may be a big leap. There are coach hiring procedures that must be followed, including minoirty interviews. The poeple taht watch this process are watch dogs and see everything and you will be punished if one does not follow these hiring rules correctly. Detriot found out the hard way.

That's why I suspect it might be Chow, remember, Chow counts as a minority candidate. Obviously we can't have officially offered him, that would be tampering, but I suspect there's a connection there.

Just a hunch, not saying he's the guy I want just "all signs seem to be pointing to him." For example rumors we talked to Pete Carroll could simply be we wanted his input on Chow as a HC?

 

[john h]

So, it was Green then? That's what I'm trying to figure out here. I was always under the impression that the decisions were based on input from Green, Graves, Mike B etc and not one person.

From what I heard from Graves he had the final say on personell but took input from all and especially Green.

 

[Duckjake]

From what I heard from Graves he had the final say on personell but took input from all and especially Green.

The one thing everyone gave Green kudos for was improving the talent level.

So management spins things to make themselves look good by saying they had a strong hand in that as well.

 

[az jam]

Mitch, nice analysis. I heard the press conference late last night and was very impressed with the professional tone. My gut feel was that Graves really likes Rivera and he may be the top candidate. He is only 44 years and has an impressive resume having been a starter on the Ditka Bears championship team; lb coach with the Eagles when they were consistantly in the playoffs and now the DC for the Bears. He has always been associated with winning programs. Some of the other candidates are also very good.
I have no problem with them keeping Graves and also the better assistant coaches under contract. If the new HC has some of his own people lined up then he can cut them. It will be interesting to watch the process over the next several weeks. I don't have rose colored glasses but they are moving in the right direction.

 

[earthsci]

Remember though the group that watches this stuff are detialed oriented watch dogs with eyes everywhere. Just becuase the Cards have a good reputation doesnt mean they will cut them slack. Those watch dogs are vicious trust me.

I don't disagree with this because it is the absolute truth. I just want to point out that the Cardinals have an excellent reputation with the NFL for their minority hiring practices.