Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Per reports, MB&SK have now conducted preliminary interviews with James Bettcher (AZ), Pat Shurmur (MIN), John DeFilippo (PHI), Jim Schwartz (PHI), Matt Patricia (NE), Brian Flores (NE), Mike Munchak (PIT), and are scheduling interviews with Steve Wilks (CAR) and Keith Armstrong (ATL).
Here are some thoughts on each candidate:
Bettcher---BA has recommended a package of Bettcher as HC with Mike McCoy as OC and Chuck Pagano as DC. While Bettch made strides throughout his 3 years as DC, his defense this year gave up a lot of points in the majority of the games that the Cardinals had to win in order to qualify for the playoffs. Yes, once again the defense looked dominant when the games were meaningless. McCoy was fired during the season as the Broncos' OC---the chief complaints being the lack of QB and WR production and lack of execution. Pagano did a remarkable job keeping his Colts competitive in almost every game, despite having QB Andrew Luck for the entire season. He's a good defensive coach and per reports John Harbaugh wants him back as DC in Baltimore.
I think the Cardinals need a clean slate. Bettch is still a promising young coach, but there is a reason why he is not garnering interest from the other teams who are currently searching for a HC. He needs to have success at DC elsewhere and then will become a legit HC candidate.
Shurmur---I would think by now that he has to be the Cardinals' top choice. He fits all of MB&SK's criteria the best from and experience and track record of success standpoint. Word is he would bring QB Case Keenum with him and that he would groom a young QB behind Keenum.
If the Cardinals want Shurmur, they will need to push the envelope sooner than MB would like. Shurmur and Patricia are the hottest candidates out there and it looks like Patricia is going to sign with the Lions.
DeFilippo---What pushes JDF down the list a little is the uncertainty of who he could bring with him as coordinators. His plan would be to call the plays himself and per Seth Cox of ROTB, his choice for OC would be Eagles' WR coach Mike Groh. Cox also reports that JDF likes Phillip Daniels (asst. DL coach PHI) as a potential DC, but is also open to keeping an incumbent DC (which would be Bettcher in AZ).
If what Seth Cox says is true---in my opinion, this makes me less confident in JDF as the right coach for right now. Yes. he would be very good at developing a young QB, but it is typically in a new HC's best interest to hire his own staff. Naturally, Bettcher would be disappointed that MB&SK would choose someone as young and inexperienced as JDF over him. What JDF needs are experienced coordinators like Sean McVay hired in LA. if JDF can't get an experienced DC to come on board with him, then it would be harder to gamble on JDF.
Schwartz---I don't see him as the right guy for the Cardinals. Not sure of what his plan on offense would be---if he could bring DeFilippo with him as OC, then that would put him right up there. Chances are that won't happen.
Patricia---if the Cardinals were enamored with him, then they have to try to outbid the Lions, which will be difficult to do seeing as Patricia has a Patriots connection with the Lions' Exec VP Bob Quinn.
Flores---if JDF is having challenges trying to put together a package of coordinators, one would wonder whether Flores, this early in the game, would have an attractive package for the Cardinals (the only team that has interviewed him to date).
Munchak---MJ and other think he's the Cardinals' top choice. By all indications, Munch has been very happy in Pittsburgh and at his age (57), is he really all that passionate about becoming a HC again? What package of coaches could he present to MB&SK? While I do not doubt what a boost it would be to re-building the OL with Munch in charge, can he bring the right coordinators with him? His immediate PA and OL connection with Steve Keim is a plus, but also could be a negative if Keim is once again perceived as the "little brother." Keim, imo, needs to start exerting himself as GM.
Wilks---his defense had a rough day in New Orleans yesterday and with the Saints all season. But, in general, Wilks' defenses are aggressive, well disciplined and very physical. The physical, disciplined style of play is attractive---no question. This is what the Cardinals need. And perhaps he would switch the Cardinals' defense over to the 43, if they could sign a very good UFA MLB or draft Georgia's Raquan Smith in the 1st round. MB&SK are going to like Wilks' energy and passion. But, is he the right coach at this time?
Armstrong---the only way he is a serious candidate is if he has a package of coordinators that MB&SK could wrap their arms around.
With reports out of New England that Bill Belichick could be looking to move on, should/would MB&SK make some inquiries? I have never gotten the sense that Belichick has taken the Cardinals all that seriously in the past...but with the talent the Cardinals have on defense---maybe BB would be willing to take a good look at coming to AZ?
The problem with this is---can the Cardinals gamble on being the last team to hire a new HC again this time around? Chances are that no one will know what Belichick intends to do until after the Super Bowl.
My instincts say---push hard right now to sign Shurmur. He makes the most sense for a team that is this uncertain at QB.
Here are some thoughts on each candidate:
Bettcher---BA has recommended a package of Bettcher as HC with Mike McCoy as OC and Chuck Pagano as DC. While Bettch made strides throughout his 3 years as DC, his defense this year gave up a lot of points in the majority of the games that the Cardinals had to win in order to qualify for the playoffs. Yes, once again the defense looked dominant when the games were meaningless. McCoy was fired during the season as the Broncos' OC---the chief complaints being the lack of QB and WR production and lack of execution. Pagano did a remarkable job keeping his Colts competitive in almost every game, despite having QB Andrew Luck for the entire season. He's a good defensive coach and per reports John Harbaugh wants him back as DC in Baltimore.
I think the Cardinals need a clean slate. Bettch is still a promising young coach, but there is a reason why he is not garnering interest from the other teams who are currently searching for a HC. He needs to have success at DC elsewhere and then will become a legit HC candidate.
Shurmur---I would think by now that he has to be the Cardinals' top choice. He fits all of MB&SK's criteria the best from and experience and track record of success standpoint. Word is he would bring QB Case Keenum with him and that he would groom a young QB behind Keenum.
If the Cardinals want Shurmur, they will need to push the envelope sooner than MB would like. Shurmur and Patricia are the hottest candidates out there and it looks like Patricia is going to sign with the Lions.
DeFilippo---What pushes JDF down the list a little is the uncertainty of who he could bring with him as coordinators. His plan would be to call the plays himself and per Seth Cox of ROTB, his choice for OC would be Eagles' WR coach Mike Groh. Cox also reports that JDF likes Phillip Daniels (asst. DL coach PHI) as a potential DC, but is also open to keeping an incumbent DC (which would be Bettcher in AZ).
If what Seth Cox says is true---in my opinion, this makes me less confident in JDF as the right coach for right now. Yes. he would be very good at developing a young QB, but it is typically in a new HC's best interest to hire his own staff. Naturally, Bettcher would be disappointed that MB&SK would choose someone as young and inexperienced as JDF over him. What JDF needs are experienced coordinators like Sean McVay hired in LA. if JDF can't get an experienced DC to come on board with him, then it would be harder to gamble on JDF.
Schwartz---I don't see him as the right guy for the Cardinals. Not sure of what his plan on offense would be---if he could bring DeFilippo with him as OC, then that would put him right up there. Chances are that won't happen.
Patricia---if the Cardinals were enamored with him, then they have to try to outbid the Lions, which will be difficult to do seeing as Patricia has a Patriots connection with the Lions' Exec VP Bob Quinn.
Flores---if JDF is having challenges trying to put together a package of coordinators, one would wonder whether Flores, this early in the game, would have an attractive package for the Cardinals (the only team that has interviewed him to date).
Munchak---MJ and other think he's the Cardinals' top choice. By all indications, Munch has been very happy in Pittsburgh and at his age (57), is he really all that passionate about becoming a HC again? What package of coaches could he present to MB&SK? While I do not doubt what a boost it would be to re-building the OL with Munch in charge, can he bring the right coordinators with him? His immediate PA and OL connection with Steve Keim is a plus, but also could be a negative if Keim is once again perceived as the "little brother." Keim, imo, needs to start exerting himself as GM.
Wilks---his defense had a rough day in New Orleans yesterday and with the Saints all season. But, in general, Wilks' defenses are aggressive, well disciplined and very physical. The physical, disciplined style of play is attractive---no question. This is what the Cardinals need. And perhaps he would switch the Cardinals' defense over to the 43, if they could sign a very good UFA MLB or draft Georgia's Raquan Smith in the 1st round. MB&SK are going to like Wilks' energy and passion. But, is he the right coach at this time?
Armstrong---the only way he is a serious candidate is if he has a package of coordinators that MB&SK could wrap their arms around.
With reports out of New England that Bill Belichick could be looking to move on, should/would MB&SK make some inquiries? I have never gotten the sense that Belichick has taken the Cardinals all that seriously in the past...but with the talent the Cardinals have on defense---maybe BB would be willing to take a good look at coming to AZ?
The problem with this is---can the Cardinals gamble on being the last team to hire a new HC again this time around? Chances are that no one will know what Belichick intends to do until after the Super Bowl.
My instincts say---push hard right now to sign Shurmur. He makes the most sense for a team that is this uncertain at QB.
