Cardinals Announce Coaching Moves

[Jim O]

Coaching Moves: Miller Promoted, Ward Added
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 21, 2007



Tempe, AZ -- The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that Mike Miller has been promoted from offensive assistant to wide receivers coach and also announced the hiring of Dedric Ward as offensive quality control coach.

A veteran of seven seasons as an NFL assistant, Miller originally joined the Cardinals coaching staff on Feb. 6. He started his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1999-2003), working with Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and assistant head coach/offensive line Russ Grimm before moving to the Buffalo Bills as quality control/tight ends coach in 2004 and tight ends coach in 2005. He spent the 2006 season as the quarterbacks coach with the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europa.

Ward comes to the Cardinals after spending the 2006 season as the wide receivers coach for Missouri State. A veteran of eight seasons in the NFL as a receiver with the New York Jets (1997-2000), Miami Dolphins (2001-02), Baltimore Ravens/New England Patriots (2003) and Dallas Cowboys (2004), Ward began his coaching career last season with the Bears after retiring from football following the 2004 season. A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ward played in 103 regular-season games (26 starts) during his NFL career with 167 receptions for 2,307 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with 123 punt returns for 1,026 yards.

 

[abomb]

Does anyone know what "offensive quality control coach" actually does?

 

[abomb]

Does anyone know what "offensive quality control coach" actually does?

Nevermind.

http://www.williams.edu/athletics/news.php?id=8021&sport=10&year=2004

Sounds cool.

 

[perivolaki]

I believe the quality control coaches do a lot of the computer work. They gather info and statistics about what kind of plays teams run from certain formations in different downs and distances and from different areas of the field. They also keep track of the types of plays that are run with different offensive or defensive packages in the game This allows the coaches to form game plans based off of opposing teams tend to do in certain situations. I'm sure they do other things as well but I believe their primary job is to assisst in devoloping the game plan by gleaning statistal information about opposing teams.

 

[kerouac9]

Weird that we couldn't find a legit WR coach to take this job. Jurecki used to talk about whispers about Larry Fitzgerald's coachability and the way he runs routes. I wonder if there's something in the NFL coaching fraternity that hasn't made it out to us yet.

 

[Mulli]

Please define "legit"

Not like the guy has been selling insurance or running a bed and breakfast.

 

[kerouac9]

Please define "legit"

Not like the guy has been selling insurance or running a bed and breakfast.

Like a guy who wasn't just promoted because they couldn't find anyone better? Maybe a guy who had some experience as a WR coach in the past at any level? I mean, I don't really need to see Jerry Sullivan back, but wasn't there anyone else who could continue to develop our most important offensive assets? No one else wanted this job?

 

[Jetstream Green]

Quality control...that means he checks the quality of the water...Now thats some quality H2O!

 

[Mulli]

Like a guy who wasn't just promoted because they couldn't find anyone better? Maybe a guy who had some experience as a WR coach in the past at any level? I mean, I don't really need to see Jerry Sullivan back, but wasn't there anyone else who could continue to develop our most important offensive assets? No one else wanted this job?

You have a point.

 

[Mitch]

The reality is that OC Todd Haley will be coaching up the WRs...and be in charge of coordinating the passing game, as he did in Dallas. Whiz is calling the plays, so this will give Haley plenty of time to focus in on the receivers.

 

[ajcardfan]

You have a point.

Yes, it's now blindingly obvious to me that both of our Pro Bowl WRs are coach-killing cancers that no one wants to touch with a ten-foot pole.

 

[Skkorpion]

I like Whisenhunt bringing in a few fresh young faces as coaches. I remember Dedric Ward as a dynamic WR, a home run guy. I'd guess he'll be helping Miller with the WRs.

 

[Dback Jon]

Yeah, I am sure nobody in the NFL wants to coach boldin, fitz, etc.

 

[Mulli]

I bet Haley wished he could still get to coach TO.

 

[kerouac9]

Yeah, I am sure nobody in the NFL wants to coach boldin, fitz, etc.

Man, your sarcasm is definitely appreciated, but doesn't the fact that we didn't find anyone who wanted to coach our Pro Bowl wide receivers speak for itself?

I'd really like to hear an alternate explanation. I'm not indicting anyone, but the fact of the matter is that we looked for over a month for a WR coach and no one more qualified than a guy who coached QBs in NFL Europe last season wanted the job.

 

[ajcardfan]

Man, your sarcasm is definitely appreciated, but doesn't the fact that we didn't find anyone who wanted to coach our Pro Bowl wide receivers speak for itself?

I'd really like to hear an alternate explanation. I'm not indicting anyone, but the fact of the matter is that we looked for over a month for a WR coach and no one more qualified than a guy who coached QBs in NFL Europe last season wanted the job.

How about the obvious? 1) It's late to be hiring any coach. 2) We don't know who applied.

I think there's a much more plausible, less controversial explanation. Like, the Bidwills are trying to save money by hiring the cheapest possible WR coach!

 

[john h]

Does anyone know what "offensive quality control coach" actually does?

Why of course: He checks the "offensive quality control". Duh!

 

[CardLogic]

I'd really like to hear an alternate explanation. I'm not indicting anyone, but the fact of the matter is that we looked for over a month for a WR coach and no one more qualified than a guy who coached QBs in NFL Europe last season wanted the job.

Here's a take...

What's the incentive for an acknowledged WR guru to come in to coach what is arguably already the best WR group in the NFL? How much improvement can there be in Boldin, Fitz, et al? Wouldn't such a guru prefer to go to a team struggling with their passing game, WR's in particular, to "coach them up" into formidable recieving threats.

The WR coaches work will be noticed and acknowledged more with a team; unlike the Cardinals; where the recievers are not functioning at a high level.

 

[Pariah]

Like a guy who wasn't just promoted because they couldn't find anyone better?

Sounds to me like the guy was ready to be promoted to WR's coach. I think his resume sounds pretty good.

Who else would you have liked to have seen in his place?

 

[Dback Jon]

Sounds to me like the guy was ready to be promoted to WR's coach. I think his resume sounds pretty good.

Who else would you have liked to have seen in his place?

You know this just shows how cheap the Bidwills are. 0-16 here we come.

 

[General Chaos]

How about the obvious? 1) It's late to be hiring any coach. 2) We don't know who applied.

I think there's a much more plausible, less controversial explanation. Like, the Bidwills are trying to save money by hiring the cheapest possible WR coach!

Exactly. Most staffs are set, and its hard to get someone to make a lateral switch this time of year.

 

[Jetstream Green]

We do not need a WR coach, we need a Speed coach to see if there is any way to get Boldin or Fitz to run faster...oh wait, we have speed burner Johnson...surrrrre we do.

 

[lobo]

Man, your sarcasm is definitely appreciated, but doesn't the fact that we didn't find anyone who wanted to coach our Pro Bowl wide receivers speak for itself?

I'd really like to hear an alternate explanation. I'm not indicting anyone, but the fact of the matter is that we looked for over a month for a WR coach and no one more qualified than a guy who coached QBs in NFL Europe last season wanted the job.

Needless to say you are entitled to you point of view. But I am not sure what it is. First you clearly say that "We didn't...." I assume you were in the group. In the next paragraph you claim you are not indicting anyone. Who are you crapping? Of course you are. The fact is you don't have a clue how capable Miller is or how capable Ward is do you?

Do yourself a favor and stop being so impressed by so called names. Jerry Sullivan melted down like a snowcone in Phoenix in July once they gave him more responsibility here as OC. I wouldn't pay him with your money.

One of our brethren said that Haley will take most of that responsibility, and I am sure that is so. If you recal KW said out the outset that Haley will be able to do that.

 

[CardinalChris]

Weird that we couldn't find a legit WR coach to take this job. Jurecki used to talk about whispers about Larry Fitzgerald's coachability and the way he runs routes. I wonder if there's something in the NFL coaching fraternity that hasn't made it out to us yet.

I remember hearing rumors about this too, but I seem to have an interveiw in my mind after his rookie year where he credited Boldin with showing him the importance of improving those things to become a better player. Of course, it was a couple of years ago and I am unsure where I read it.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Whiz must have figured out that Mike Miller who was in house already was better than the other options available at this point in the off season ...

I still think Fitz has some work to do on his route running that can be improved which would make him that much more dangerous ...