Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The fact that Carson Palmer is so eager to return this season from his broken left arm, may very well be a clear signal that he wants to play again in 2018. After all, he is signed through 2018, and despite the ups and downs of this season, Palmer looks rejuvenated and hungry as ever to play at a high level.
If that is the case, one would imagine that BA, health permitting, might do everything he can to, like Palmer, finish out the last year (2018) of his contract.
The prospect of Palmer's and Arians' return are in the hands of Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim. In some ways it would seem that Bidwill and Keim are ready to move on to the next chapter---with a new head coach---and with finally drafting a QBOF. Keim spent the off-season stockpiling 2018 draft picks. Next year's roster is likely to look radically different than this year's. The Cardinals may very possibly go from having one of the oldest rosters to having one of the youngest.
My instinct tells me that Bidwill and Keim believe the Arians should make his health a priority...they are extremely thankful for the job Arians has done in bringing back a winning culture to Arizona, but that culture has weakened somewhat now and it is time for new leadership.
If BA indicates he wants to return, then Bidwill could ask him to retire in order to avoid them having to fire him. If BA balks at that, Bidwill would have to make the tough decision to let Arians go. Bidwill made that decision after two difficult years under Ken Whisenhunt, so there is some precedent there.
But now the issue becomes whether Bidwill and Keim want Carson Palmer to return, sans BA. Well, seeing as Palmer has one year left on his contract and it might not be ideal to start a rookie QB right away, keeping Palmer for another year could make sense, while the new coaching staff grooms the QBOF. Palmer is good with young QBs and that's another plus.
The question is: would Palmer return if BA retires? It likely would depend on the new head coach. If Palmer likes the choice, then yes. if not, maybe he asks to be traded or he retires.
In looking at the possible head coaching candidates that might be most appealing to Bidwill and Keim, I think 3 in particular stand out. The key is---the Cardinals want to build the team around RB David Johnson. Thus, an offensive-oriented head coach is preferred, not only for Johnson, but for straightening out the offensive line, and just as importantly for developing the rookie QBOF. (Note: I do not see the Cardinals hiring a college coach---they need someone experienced, someone the players would show the highest respect for). Therefore, here are the three candidates (in alphabetical order):
1. Tom Cable (Asst. HC/OL coach Seattle).
* Has head coaching experience. He actually did a good job getting the Raiders back to .500 in his first full year as head coach, but the mercurial Al Davis did not stick with him.
* Is regarded as one of the top offensive line coaches in the NFL.
* Would not call the plays. Would oversee the entire team and all three phases.
* Has the personality, charisma and gravitas of a head coach.
* Plus, hiring him weakens the arch-rival Seahawks.
2. Todd Haley (OC Pittsburgh)
* Has head coaching experience, albeit a tough experience in Kansas City working with a GM he did not mesh well with.
* Offensive guru, who would likely call the plays.
* Knows how to get the most out of RBs and WRs. He helped Fitz take his game to its highest level. Worked very well with Jamal Charles and Le'Veon Bell.
* Has strong ties to Cardinals, Bidwill, Keim, Fitzgerald.
* Is at times petulant and irascible. Has he mellowed some?
3. Scott Linehan (OC Dallas).
* Has shown an ability to forge a dominant offensive line.
* Has shown an ability to win with a rookie QB and a rookie RB.
* Very good in-game adjustment maker.
* Would likely call the plays.
* Pretty even keeled. Kind of Norv Turner like. Does he have the charisma to be a good head coach?
Of these three, I think the best choice is Tom Cable. Cable would make this team tougher and more physical, especially up front. I think he and Steve Keim would be an excellent match. It would be good this time around to have a head coach who doesn't call the plays, but one who could help build the team where it needs to be built---in the trenches. Cable would bring a hunger and a passion and a blue-collar stamp on the team. Plus, he knows the NFC West as well as anyone, and his experience with QB Russell Wilson would help big-time if the Cardinals draft a dual-threat QB. Here's a film session with Tom Cable:
I also think he would switch the defense to a 4-3 in the Seahawks' type mold. For that purpose, i could see Cable hiring the Seahawks' Asst. head Coach/defense, Rocky Seto as DC. Seto is a tackling technique guru, which is exactly what the Cardinals need. Here's a film session with Rocky Seto:
If not Cable, I would pick Linehan over Haley because I think Linehan is a more steadying force. But, if Bidwill and Keim really like Haley, then that's proof enough for me that he could be the right coach to move the team forward. They know Haley as well as any candidate, so if they put their trust in him, that would be significant.
If that is the case, one would imagine that BA, health permitting, might do everything he can to, like Palmer, finish out the last year (2018) of his contract.
The prospect of Palmer's and Arians' return are in the hands of Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim. In some ways it would seem that Bidwill and Keim are ready to move on to the next chapter---with a new head coach---and with finally drafting a QBOF. Keim spent the off-season stockpiling 2018 draft picks. Next year's roster is likely to look radically different than this year's. The Cardinals may very possibly go from having one of the oldest rosters to having one of the youngest.
My instinct tells me that Bidwill and Keim believe the Arians should make his health a priority...they are extremely thankful for the job Arians has done in bringing back a winning culture to Arizona, but that culture has weakened somewhat now and it is time for new leadership.
If BA indicates he wants to return, then Bidwill could ask him to retire in order to avoid them having to fire him. If BA balks at that, Bidwill would have to make the tough decision to let Arians go. Bidwill made that decision after two difficult years under Ken Whisenhunt, so there is some precedent there.
But now the issue becomes whether Bidwill and Keim want Carson Palmer to return, sans BA. Well, seeing as Palmer has one year left on his contract and it might not be ideal to start a rookie QB right away, keeping Palmer for another year could make sense, while the new coaching staff grooms the QBOF. Palmer is good with young QBs and that's another plus.
The question is: would Palmer return if BA retires? It likely would depend on the new head coach. If Palmer likes the choice, then yes. if not, maybe he asks to be traded or he retires.
In looking at the possible head coaching candidates that might be most appealing to Bidwill and Keim, I think 3 in particular stand out. The key is---the Cardinals want to build the team around RB David Johnson. Thus, an offensive-oriented head coach is preferred, not only for Johnson, but for straightening out the offensive line, and just as importantly for developing the rookie QBOF. (Note: I do not see the Cardinals hiring a college coach---they need someone experienced, someone the players would show the highest respect for). Therefore, here are the three candidates (in alphabetical order):
1. Tom Cable (Asst. HC/OL coach Seattle).
* Has head coaching experience. He actually did a good job getting the Raiders back to .500 in his first full year as head coach, but the mercurial Al Davis did not stick with him.
* Is regarded as one of the top offensive line coaches in the NFL.
* Would not call the plays. Would oversee the entire team and all three phases.
* Has the personality, charisma and gravitas of a head coach.
* Plus, hiring him weakens the arch-rival Seahawks.
2. Todd Haley (OC Pittsburgh)
* Has head coaching experience, albeit a tough experience in Kansas City working with a GM he did not mesh well with.
* Offensive guru, who would likely call the plays.
* Knows how to get the most out of RBs and WRs. He helped Fitz take his game to its highest level. Worked very well with Jamal Charles and Le'Veon Bell.
* Has strong ties to Cardinals, Bidwill, Keim, Fitzgerald.
* Is at times petulant and irascible. Has he mellowed some?
3. Scott Linehan (OC Dallas).
* Has shown an ability to forge a dominant offensive line.
* Has shown an ability to win with a rookie QB and a rookie RB.
* Very good in-game adjustment maker.
* Would likely call the plays.
* Pretty even keeled. Kind of Norv Turner like. Does he have the charisma to be a good head coach?
Of these three, I think the best choice is Tom Cable. Cable would make this team tougher and more physical, especially up front. I think he and Steve Keim would be an excellent match. It would be good this time around to have a head coach who doesn't call the plays, but one who could help build the team where it needs to be built---in the trenches. Cable would bring a hunger and a passion and a blue-collar stamp on the team. Plus, he knows the NFC West as well as anyone, and his experience with QB Russell Wilson would help big-time if the Cardinals draft a dual-threat QB. Here's a film session with Tom Cable:
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I also think he would switch the defense to a 4-3 in the Seahawks' type mold. For that purpose, i could see Cable hiring the Seahawks' Asst. head Coach/defense, Rocky Seto as DC. Seto is a tackling technique guru, which is exactly what the Cardinals need. Here's a film session with Rocky Seto:
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
If not Cable, I would pick Linehan over Haley because I think Linehan is a more steadying force. But, if Bidwill and Keim really like Haley, then that's proof enough for me that he could be the right coach to move the team forward. They know Haley as well as any candidate, so if they put their trust in him, that would be significant.
