A+ Performances from Cardinals' HC Candidates

[Mitch]

All of them excelled on the big stage last night:

John DeFilippo---the job Doug Peterson and he did in prepping Nick Foles was stellar.

Jim Schwartz---has to be one of the top 4-5 defensive coordinators in the NFL. Had BA hired him 3 years ago, would the Cardinals still be in the playoffs?

Keith Armstrong---two playoff games in a row his STs come up with huge plays, plus K Matt Bryant has been the pentacle of accuracy.

Matt Patricia---best Pats' pass rush we've seen in a while, once Conklin injured his knee, MP loaded up the right side and got after Mariota big-time.

Brian Flores---the Pats stifled the Titans' running game and put constant pressure on Mariota.

Today's Watch:

Mike Munchak

Pat Shurmur

 

[82CardsGrad]

Jim Schwartz---has to be one of the top 4-5 defensive coordinators in the NFL. Had BA hired him 3 years ago, would the Cardinals still be in the Playoffs?

Mitch, you don’t really believe that our defense is what’s kept us out of the post season... do you???

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, you don’t really believe that our defense is what’s kept us out of the post season... do you???

The defense came undone in the NFC Championship game in 2015 and has not been the same since. A top experienced DC could have changed all of that. Over the past 2 years, put any pressure on this defense in meaningful games and it wilts. It's poorly designed and undisciplined.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The defense came undone in the NFC Championship game in 2015 and has not been the same since. A top experienced DC could have changed all of that. Over the past 2 years, put any pressure on this defense in meaningful games and it wilts. It's poorly designed and undisciplined.

And yet it’s been a consistent Top 10 and often a Top 5 defense with Bettcher at the helm. And sorry Mitch, the biggest reasons as to why we have only 1 post season W during the BASK era was our offense, specifically injuries to our offense... Our defense was always good enough to get us more wins in the playoffs had we been able to field a legit offense.

 

[JeffGollin]

Damned if we do...

Those who hope Minnesota loses(so that we might land Shurmer & Keenum earlier) will have to endure a barrage of criticism toward Pat and Casey for being "losers."

 

[Mitch]

And yet it’s been a consistent Top 10 and often a Top 5 defense with Bettcher at the helm. And sorry Mitch, the biggest reasons as to why we have only 1 post season W during the BASK era was our offense, specifically injuries to our offense... Our defense was always good enough to get us more wins in the playoffs had we been able to field a legit offense.

Top 10? Top 5? What defense are you talking about? Leaning on meaningless stats is a veneer. Yes, injuries to the offense hurt, but that's also in part a result of poor protection schemes and ridiculously predictable play calling which often included trying to run ad nauseum between the tackles versus a stacked box with no fullback. Plus, STs were consistently poor. But, even when the offense got the lead in many of the games, the defense gave it right back. Repeatedly. Half-time adjustments were alarmingly and conspicuously undetectable. Same old script week after week.

The coaching on this team the past two years has been subpar in all three phases.

 

[juza76]

Holding Atlanta offense to zero points in the second half is pretty amazing
Thats the most impressive result since the playoff started

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

First domino falls: Patricia heading to the Lions.

 

[BillsCarnage]

Damned if we do...

Those who hope Minnesota loses(so that we might land Shurmer & Keenum earlier) will have to endure a barrage of criticism toward Pat and Casey for being "losers."

Exactly. And this applies to all candidates still in the POs.

 

[az jam]

First domino falls: Patricia heading to the Lions.

Probably will happen but can't make a deal until Pats' season is finished. Giants wanted him and most likely will go after Shumur. Cards could end up with either Wilks or Munchak. But who knows as everything is pretty fluid.

 

[JeffGollin]

First domino falls: Patricia heading to the Lions.

Source?

No further contact between NE coaches and other teams (incl Detroit) until/unless those teams are out of the playoff and SB chase.

 

[thephoenixson28]

Source?

No further contact between NE coaches and other teams (incl Detroit) until/unless those teams are out of the playoff and SB chase.

Adam Shefter

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Source?

No further contact between NE coaches and other teams (incl Detroit) until/unless those teams are out of the playoff and SB chase.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...tricia-expected-next-head-coach-detroit-lions

Can't be "official" yet, but sounds like it's a done deal.

 

[slanidrac16]

Hey mitch . Hypothetically if we hire Shurmur and is happy with Bettcher wouldn’t he point out the style and shortcomings of this defense and dictate and tweak changes to make our D more effective? It’s such an interlocking game of offense, defense and special teams. This offense has fallen off so drastically over the last two years that it’s had to affect the defense and the defensive calls. I’m ready to kick Betcher out the door but I’m second guessing with what I’m hearing from other media sources. I do know one thing, if this offense averages 30 points a game suddenly this defense will appear a lot better.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Hey mitch . Hypothetically if we hire Shurmur and is happy with Bettcher wouldn’t he point out the style and shortcomings of this defense and dictate and tweak changes to make our D more effective? It’s such an interlocking game of offense, defense and special teams. This offense has fallen off so drastically over the last two years that it’s had to affect the defense and the defensive calls. I’m ready to kick Betcher out the door but I’m second guessing with what I’m hearing from other media sources. I do know one thing, if this offense averages 30 points a game suddenly this defense will appear a lot better.

Bettcher has proven he's just average. In the past 3 years, the defense has regressed, despite having one of the best pass rushers and best CB's in the game. Bettcher hasn't gotten any HC interviews, aside from one in AZ, and hardly any interest around the league as a DC...that should tell you all you need to know.

 

[Mitch]

Hey mitch . Hypothetically if we hire Shurmur and is happy with Bettcher wouldn’t he point out the style and shortcomings of this defense and dictate and tweak changes to make our D more effective? It’s such an interlocking game of offense, defense and special teams. This offense has fallen off so drastically over the last two years that it’s had to affect the defense and the defensive calls. I’m ready to kick Betcher out the door but I’m second guessing with what I’m hearing from other media sources. I do know one thing, if this offense averages 30 points a game suddenly this defense will appear a lot better.

Pat Shurmur has been a HC before, so he knows as well as anyone that it is best to hire your own staff. Sure, Shurmur could mentor Bettcher, but that can be an awkward situation right from the get-go. Shurmur will want a DC he can place his complete trust in, particularly seeing that he will be focused on rebuilding the offense. Hiring someone he trusts is paramount.

What are you hearing from other media sources about Bettcher that has you second guessing? If he was thought of so highly around the league, why hasn't he gotten a HC interview outside of Arizona?

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

McDaniels to Colts picking up steam. Mike Tomlin called the Giants and told them to take Wilks...Wilks and Shurmur remain the Giants top targets. AZ trying to choose between Shurmur, Munchack, Wilks, and Flores. Guessing AZ will be the last to choose out of the bunch...aka glad these guys don't day trade.

 

[slanidrac16]

Pat Shurmur has been a HC before, so he knows as well as anyone that it is best to hire your own staff. Sure, Shurmur could mentor Bettcher, but that can be an awkward situation right from the get-go. Shurmur will want a DC he can place his complete trust in, particularly seeing that he will be focused on rebuilding the offense. Hiring someone he trusts is paramount.

What are you hearing from other media sources about Bettcher that has you second guessing? If he was thought of so highly around the league, why hasn't he gotten a HC interview outside of Arizona?

I know the Bears interviewed him for their DC should Fangio decided to leave( which I was hoping for). Hub Arkush gave an edge to Fangio but said « Bettcher was right up there ». Don’t know what anybody thinks of Hub Arkush but that’s what he said. You are way more astute in the x’s and o’s than I could ever dream. But I do believe teams that average 30 pts. a game help their defense tremendously. Our defense has had no margin of error because we never seemed to be playing with a lead. I’m not sure Bettcher not getting a HC interview is a fair evaluation. We always hear about a guy being a great coordinator but not a head coach.

 

[Metcalf Rules]

McDaniels to Colts picking up steam. Mike Tomlin called the Giants and told them to take Wilks...Wilks and Shurmur remain the Giants top targets. AZ trying to choose between Shurmur, Munchack, Wilks, and Flores. Guessing AZ will be the last to choose out of the bunch...aka glad these guys don't day trade.

That makes sense. If Luck comes back strong, you’ve got one of the best QBs in the game. If not, there’s Brissett who McDaniels has familiarity with.

As far as Shurmer goes, if the rumors are true about him bringing Keenum, I think Arizona’s lack of a qb is kind of an advantage. If he goes to the Giants do you want to be the guy who replaced Eli Manning with Case Keenum? I just think he has better chance of selling Keenum as the starter in Arizona than NY.

I’m confident Michael Bidwill will make the right choice and Steve Keim will work well with whoever they choose.

 

[Buckybird]

Top 10? Top 5? What defense are you talking about? Leaning on meaningless stats is a veneer. Yes, injuries to the offense hurt, but that's also in part a result of poor protection schemes and ridiculously predictable play calling which often included trying to run ad nauseum between the tackles versus a stacked box with no fullback. Plus, STs were consistently poor. But, even when the offense got the lead in many of the games, the defense gave it right back. Repeatedly. Half-time adjustments were alarmingly and conspicuously undetectable. Same old script week after week.

The coaching on this team the past two years has been subpar in all three phases.

Yessir!

Regardless of the stats this defense has had mental lapses, sucked in zone, blown many big leads & repeated tackling issues.

Our defense at times has played well at times, but many times doesn’t pass the eyeball test on TV. But yeah stats matter lol

People tend to also not realize we played some pretty pedistrian offense this season & when we did play good offenses, we were dominated

 

[Mitch]

I know the Bears interviewed him for their DC should Fangio decided to leave( which I was hoping for). Hub Arkush gave an edge to Fangio but said « Bettcher was right up there ». Don’t know what anybody thinks of Hub Arkush but that’s what he said. You are way more astute in the x’s and o’s than I could ever dream. But I do believe teams that average 30 pts. a game help their defense tremendously. Our defense has had no margin of error because we never seemed to be playing with a lead. I’m not sure Bettcher not getting a HC interview is a fair evaluation. We always hear about a guy being a great coordinator but not a head coach.

Yes, I think you are correct. Getting a HC interview is not necessarily a fair evaluation. I don't know Hub Arkush. I am surprised he would rate Bettcher right up there with a seasoned and highly regarded veteran like Vic Fangio. I can see the positives in Bettcher, he's young and growing on the job. But, imo, he's one of the main reasons why Patrick Peterson got only 2 All Pro votes last year and only 4 this year...and why Tyrann Mathieu has under-achieved the last two years. They are two of the top three highest paid players on the defense. Has Bettcher been able to motivate them? Hold them to the highest standards?

 

[Mitch]

That makes sense. If Luck comes back strong, you’ve got one of the best QBs in the game. If not, there’s Brissett who McDaniels has familiarity with.

As far as Shurmer goes, if the rumors are true about him bringing Keenum, I think Arizona’s lack of a qb is kind of an advantage. If he goes to the Giants do you want to be the guy who replaced Eli Manning with Case Keenum? I just think he has better chance of selling Keenum as the starter in Arizona than NY.

I’m confident Michael Bidwill will make the right choice and Steve Keim will work well with whoever they choose.

Word on twitter today, Metcalf, is that the Vikings are considering using the f-tag on Keenum. Either to keep him or get something in return via a trade. This may be their way of blocking the Shurmur/Keenum package deal.

 

[slanidrac16]

Word on twitter today, Metcalf, is that the Vikings are considering using the f-tag on Keenum. Either to keep him or get something in return via a trade. This may be their way of blocking the Shurmur/Keenum package deal.

Geez, I see it very hard to justify paying Keenum 20+ million a year, Especially if he would be losing Shurmur.

 

[Buckybird]

Word on twitter today, Metcalf, is that the Vikings are considering using the f-tag on Keenum. Either to keep him or get something in return via a trade. This may be their way of blocking the Shurmur/Keenum package deal.

Imo that’s plain ass dumb

 

[GatorAZ]

McDaniels could replace Belichick if he retires soon. Seeing as Kraft is riding with Brady till the end you keep Josh with him. He is extending his career with his offense calling.