Bickley: Cardinals must keep strength guru John Lott

[splitsecond]

I can't believe anyone would entertain the argument that Lott is expendable after hearing player after player after player sing his praise the last couple years. So he had some bad years in Cleveland? He hasn't lately, and I would say that chalking it up to luck over experience is a little bit ignorant.

 

[bg7brd]

I don't know if I made this clear but I am of the opnion that we would keep on trucking without good ol' Rod. You can disagree if you like.

I don't see him as the impetus behind Wiz being hired (Mike B), as the brains behind our drafts (Wiz and Kiem), or our new found success on the field (Wiz).

Just my opinion but I think his track record prior to Wiz speaks for itself. And if he left as long as the people mentioned above stayed I can't think of one capacity where we would suffer.

Can you?

So basically, all of the bad things are Graves' fault and he gets zero credit for anything good. That's a little silly don't you think.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

As you said... just your opinion.

Not being in the Cards FO, I don't have a true first hand view, so I limit mine to the simple, undeniable fact that Rod has been part of a team that brought winning football to AZ over the past three years. And, I mildly suspect, he'll be here a long time to your evident chagrin.

Actually my view on Rod has evolved. Where before I saw him a bottleneck to success now I applaud him for staying out of the way. So it wouldn't be to my "chagrin" if what we have in place kept growing.

But that doesn't mean I feel he isn't much more then a figure head. Personally I would rather have someone dynamic in that role who was working with Mike B, Wiz and Kiem and making things happen but its better then having someone get in the way and making BAD decisions. As you pointed out I am not privy to what happens in the FO but ill use logic/timelines to determine Rod def doesn't deserve a lions share of the crediit. To me that would like lauding Luc Longley for the mid 90's Bulls championships. He was there but wouldn't you rather have say, David Robinson?

Anyway back to the topic at hand - Graves prove your value and get Lott locked in

 

[Arizona's Finest]

So basically, all of the bad things are Graves' fault and he gets zero credit for anything good. That's a little silly don't you think.

Again I'm not really "blaming" him for anything. He's just there. Let me ask you this: If god forbid Wiz was to leave and Kiem took a promotion, would you have faith that Rod could build it back up and we wouldn't miss a beat?

Lol I sure as hell hope not or the Kool aid of the last three years has gotten you a little too drunk. Again personally I want as many dynamic visionary leaders as possible and I don't think Graves is either of those.

But you can if you like

 

[RedRob]

The back and forth on this thread to me reveals the underlying concern most (if not all) of us have with the off season to come. Given the importance of A) addressing key players' contracts B) addressing asst coach contracts C) the handling of Whiz's contract D) Graves's contract E) salary cap (or lack thereof) etc.

As Jeff G alluded to history has given us the right to be pessimistic.

It's easy for us to back up the Bidwill's bank truck and open the doors for Lott, I believe what we'd like to see is this organization taking the opportunity at hand and capitalizing on it. See the Patriots, Colts, Eagles as examples of organizations that for many years are elite teams; it can be done in today's NFL. Will the Bidwills seize the opportunity or flounder it?

 

[perivolaki]

FWIW Bickley and MJ were talking about Lott on their radio show today.

They did say that while they're not sure what Lott's salary is it is rumored to be in the top 10 for strength coaches in the NFL and he could even be the highest paid or very close to it.

They both said they wanted him back but conceded that this could all be just negotiation tactics.

 

[perivolaki]

I can't believe anyone would entertain the argument that Lott is expendable after hearing player after player after player sing his praise the last couple years. So he had some bad years in Cleveland? He hasn't lately, and I would say that chalking it up to luck over experience is a little bit ignorant.

Agree.

But again couldn't this logic be applied to Rod Graves?

He made some mistakes at first but seems to have learned from them and has been a pretty steady hand the last few years.

Another thing that adds to Lotts popularity and hurts Graves is that Lott is outgoing and in your face and has players saying great things about him.

Graves is quiet and doesn't tip his hand much if at all. GMs are also not going to have players singing their praises often. For instance Graves let Smith walk last year and Pace the year before that. It had many fans and players grumbling but in the end both may have been wise decsions.

GMs are often not popular with players or fans and they must make tough unpopular choices.