[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tuna Power? [/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ron Wolfley[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cardinals Analyst[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ken Whisenhunt is the new head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. This is a good thing. He has a plan. He has a pedigree. A plan is good, especially when it comes within the context of a winning background. The only question one needs to ask himself is this: Is it possible to put “Cowher Power” in a can of Tuna? We’re going to find out. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bill Cowher is a legendary head coach who decided to go on sabbatical. Bill Parcells (The Tuna) is headed to the Hall of Fame and also decided, in the same year, to step into that coaching good night. These two men have influenced the National Football League as much as anyone else in the era of free-agency and the salary cap. The modern era will carry their mark for years to come. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Both are considered to be “hard-nosed” coaches. Both demanded much from their players. Both have held the Lombardi Trophy high and both of them had a plan, a philosophy as to how the game of football was going to be played. Whether you called it Cowher Power or Tuna Ball, the muddy field was their sandbox. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Masters in the dark art of blunt instrumentation, Cowher and Parcells have left a “full-cage” legacy on the game, a style of football the Visigoths would appreciate. The similarities between the two coaches’ philosophies are self-evident. Cowher and Parcells employed a brand of football that consisted of ramming the pig down the opponent’s throat, playing aggressive, in your face defense, controlling field-position through excellent special teams play and, most importantly, winning football games while beating you over the head with the club of football fundamentals. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This legacy has been passed on to Whisenhunt and this no-nonsense, get-the-job-done-without-making-empty-promises philosophy hasn’t been seen here in The Basin of the Sun for quite a while. Anybody ready for a little Cowher In A Can? How about a big, steaming bowl of Tuna Power? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In the immortal words of Oliver Twist, “More, sir…” [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I wanted to write this piece weeks ago but held my tongue – and my breath. I wanted to see Whisenhunt’s staff assembled. The hiring of assistant coaches and the quality of those hires says much about whether that coach will evolve or bring the influence and philosophy from his mentors. Based on Whisenhunt’s staff, break out the frying pan. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The power of Cowher seems evident: Russ Grimm was brought in as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach and Kevin Spencer will be the new special teams coordinator. These are excellent hires and give Whisenhunt the opportunity to implement his system. It is one thing to have a philosophy and quite another to enforce it. These two men get it and the familiarity they share allows Whisenhunt to focus on other areas of the team. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Tuna is well represented, too. No less than three assistants have direct ties to Bill Parcells and, make no mistake, they were brought here for a reason: to reinforce Whisenhunt’s philosophy – which appears to be Cowher’s philosophy and Parcells’ philosophy. Richie Anderson played for Parcells, offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, coached for Parcells and Maurice Carthon, running backs coach, played and coached for Parcells. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There seems to be a theme here, which is totally natural and expected. Bringing in coaches from other teams that do not share your philosophy would be akin to Plato hiring Beavis as his apprentice. Whisenhunt needs to know he has like-minded people working for him and with him, reinforcing his style of football without having to coach the coaches. This may not seem like a big deal to some but it is the difference between a staff that keeps its continuity, its harmony and a staff that has had three-offensive coordinators in three years. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Clancy Pendergast will come back as Whisenhunt’s defensive-coordinator and this is a good thing. Ownership wanted to see Pendergast get a shot at being on Whisenhunt’s staff but that’s not why he’s here. Pendergast, philosophically, is the 4-3 version of Bill Cowher’s 3-4 defense and Whisenhunt had a choice to include him on his staff – or not. Clancy loves to bring the heat and so did Cowher. Pendergast is an up-and-coming coach in the NFL. He’s young, energized and his schemes are cutting edge stuff. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In 2005, the Cardinals had the 8th ranked defense in the league with suspect talent. In 2006 the defense slipped. But upon closer examination, why the defense slipped becomes apparent. How does a defense rank #11 in the NFL in red-zone defense in touchdown conversions allowed and rank #29 in points allowed? How does a defense that was tied for #5 in takeaways give up so many yards/game? How does a defense that finished in the top half of the league in sacks/pass attempt yield 7.08 passing yards/play? Easy, poor secondary play in general and poor cornerback play, specifically. Only two-teams in the NFL gave up more passing yards/play than the Big Red – TWO. Somebody was getting beat deep and wide receivers were scoring touchdowns outside of the red zone. Teryl Austin, the new defensive back coach from Seattle, has a lot of work to do. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The possibilities for 2007 look good and it has everything to do with the staff that Whisenhunt has put together. Two oaks in the coaching tree of the NFL have grown together and the Parcells/Cowher influence should be fun to watch…if you happen to like broken facemasks, bloody noses and blocking fullbacks! [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But this philosophy is nothing new to Ken Whisenhunt. I know Ken Whisenhunt. I’ve watched Ken Whisenhunt play the game of football at the highest level our species has to offer and he played it well. “Whizzer” played the game the way it’s supposed to be played: he asked no quarter and he gave no quarter. His physical-first-mentality, learned as a player, suited Cowher perfectly and made him a natural selection for the Steelers OC job. He prospered under Cowher and earned a reputation as a masterful play-caller. Exploiting particular match-ups, pounding the opponent into the ground and tossing in a few Tricky Dick plays became the hallmark of a Whisenhunt called game. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He was one of the first “H-backs” introduced to the NFL. An H-back was part tight-end, part fullback and all cannon-fodder. Whizzer excelled in the brutal realm of wham-blocks and lead blocks and was greatly respected throughout the league. This cruel position uniquely prepared Whisenhunt to become one of the better offensive minds in the league. H-backs understand and appreciate the running game, how important it is to the success of the team; they also were involved in the passing game, not only in protection but also in the passing pattern as well. This experience and responsibility in all phases of offensive football has given Whisenhunt an edge and maximized his field-cred with players. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This is important and it matters to players. Whizzer has been there. He played in the league for a long time – and it wasn’t before the merger. This will resonate with veterans, giving them perspective on Whisenhunt’s demands. When a player knows his coach has played in the NFL – for nine-years – that player will always give the coach the benefit of the doubt. They must respect him for what he’s done in the league. For a new coach, getting respect and the benefit of the doubt from his players is imperative. It doesn’t mean he won’t have to win them over or prove himself over time, it just means they’ll give him an honest chance to do so. Players don’t have to like their coach; they don’t have to admire him. It doesn’t matter how much success the he’s had in the NFL or what his pedigree may be. Players need to respect their coach. Whisenhunt will get that respect, immediately. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All of this smells good to me, like analgesic wrapped in a heat-pack. Things are changing in the Land of Big Red and Ken Whisenhunt being hired testifies to the direction this organization is headed. Although the best laid plans of mice and pedigrees are difficult things to quantify, the days of fruitless football in Arizona may be numbered. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]University of Phoenix Stadium has created a paradigm shift within the organization. The Cardinals can compete with the rest of the league on the same playing field others have enjoyed for years. The hiring of Whisenhunt and Grimm, the signing of Edgerrin James, the drafting of Matt Leinart (a franchise quarterback) and the extensions offered to key players are confirmation of the changing environment in Tempe. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One doesn’t need to be Scully or Mulder to see what is happening. It’s why Ken Whisenhunt chose to come here and why I think he’ll change the fortunes of this franchise. Whisenhunt can take the X-file and put it in the circular-file. He knows: [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The proof is out there. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1526[/FONT]
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[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tuna Power? [/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ron Wolfley[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cardinals Analyst[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ken Whisenhunt is the new head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. This is a good thing. He has a plan. He has a pedigree. A plan is good, especially when it comes within the context of a winning background. The only question one needs to ask himself is this: Is it possible to put “Cowher Power” in a can of Tuna? We’re going to find out. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bill Cowher is a legendary head coach who decided to go on sabbatical. Bill Parcells (The Tuna) is headed to the Hall of Fame and also decided, in the same year, to step into that coaching good night. These two men have influenced the National Football League as much as anyone else in the era of free-agency and the salary cap. The modern era will carry their mark for years to come. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Both are considered to be “hard-nosed” coaches. Both demanded much from their players. Both have held the Lombardi Trophy high and both of them had a plan, a philosophy as to how the game of football was going to be played. Whether you called it Cowher Power or Tuna Ball, the muddy field was their sandbox. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Masters in the dark art of blunt instrumentation, Cowher and Parcells have left a “full-cage” legacy on the game, a style of football the Visigoths would appreciate. The similarities between the two coaches’ philosophies are self-evident. Cowher and Parcells employed a brand of football that consisted of ramming the pig down the opponent’s throat, playing aggressive, in your face defense, controlling field-position through excellent special teams play and, most importantly, winning football games while beating you over the head with the club of football fundamentals. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This legacy has been passed on to Whisenhunt and this no-nonsense, get-the-job-done-without-making-empty-promises philosophy hasn’t been seen here in The Basin of the Sun for quite a while. Anybody ready for a little Cowher In A Can? How about a big, steaming bowl of Tuna Power? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In the immortal words of Oliver Twist, “More, sir…” [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I wanted to write this piece weeks ago but held my tongue – and my breath. I wanted to see Whisenhunt’s staff assembled. The hiring of assistant coaches and the quality of those hires says much about whether that coach will evolve or bring the influence and philosophy from his mentors. Based on Whisenhunt’s staff, break out the frying pan. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The power of Cowher seems evident: Russ Grimm was brought in as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach and Kevin Spencer will be the new special teams coordinator. These are excellent hires and give Whisenhunt the opportunity to implement his system. It is one thing to have a philosophy and quite another to enforce it. These two men get it and the familiarity they share allows Whisenhunt to focus on other areas of the team. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Tuna is well represented, too. No less than three assistants have direct ties to Bill Parcells and, make no mistake, they were brought here for a reason: to reinforce Whisenhunt’s philosophy – which appears to be Cowher’s philosophy and Parcells’ philosophy. Richie Anderson played for Parcells, offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, coached for Parcells and Maurice Carthon, running backs coach, played and coached for Parcells. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There seems to be a theme here, which is totally natural and expected. Bringing in coaches from other teams that do not share your philosophy would be akin to Plato hiring Beavis as his apprentice. Whisenhunt needs to know he has like-minded people working for him and with him, reinforcing his style of football without having to coach the coaches. This may not seem like a big deal to some but it is the difference between a staff that keeps its continuity, its harmony and a staff that has had three-offensive coordinators in three years. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Clancy Pendergast will come back as Whisenhunt’s defensive-coordinator and this is a good thing. Ownership wanted to see Pendergast get a shot at being on Whisenhunt’s staff but that’s not why he’s here. Pendergast, philosophically, is the 4-3 version of Bill Cowher’s 3-4 defense and Whisenhunt had a choice to include him on his staff – or not. Clancy loves to bring the heat and so did Cowher. Pendergast is an up-and-coming coach in the NFL. He’s young, energized and his schemes are cutting edge stuff. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In 2005, the Cardinals had the 8th ranked defense in the league with suspect talent. In 2006 the defense slipped. But upon closer examination, why the defense slipped becomes apparent. How does a defense rank #11 in the NFL in red-zone defense in touchdown conversions allowed and rank #29 in points allowed? How does a defense that was tied for #5 in takeaways give up so many yards/game? How does a defense that finished in the top half of the league in sacks/pass attempt yield 7.08 passing yards/play? Easy, poor secondary play in general and poor cornerback play, specifically. Only two-teams in the NFL gave up more passing yards/play than the Big Red – TWO. Somebody was getting beat deep and wide receivers were scoring touchdowns outside of the red zone. Teryl Austin, the new defensive back coach from Seattle, has a lot of work to do. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The possibilities for 2007 look good and it has everything to do with the staff that Whisenhunt has put together. Two oaks in the coaching tree of the NFL have grown together and the Parcells/Cowher influence should be fun to watch…if you happen to like broken facemasks, bloody noses and blocking fullbacks! [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But this philosophy is nothing new to Ken Whisenhunt. I know Ken Whisenhunt. I’ve watched Ken Whisenhunt play the game of football at the highest level our species has to offer and he played it well. “Whizzer” played the game the way it’s supposed to be played: he asked no quarter and he gave no quarter. His physical-first-mentality, learned as a player, suited Cowher perfectly and made him a natural selection for the Steelers OC job. He prospered under Cowher and earned a reputation as a masterful play-caller. Exploiting particular match-ups, pounding the opponent into the ground and tossing in a few Tricky Dick plays became the hallmark of a Whisenhunt called game. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He was one of the first “H-backs” introduced to the NFL. An H-back was part tight-end, part fullback and all cannon-fodder. Whizzer excelled in the brutal realm of wham-blocks and lead blocks and was greatly respected throughout the league. This cruel position uniquely prepared Whisenhunt to become one of the better offensive minds in the league. H-backs understand and appreciate the running game, how important it is to the success of the team; they also were involved in the passing game, not only in protection but also in the passing pattern as well. This experience and responsibility in all phases of offensive football has given Whisenhunt an edge and maximized his field-cred with players. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This is important and it matters to players. Whizzer has been there. He played in the league for a long time – and it wasn’t before the merger. This will resonate with veterans, giving them perspective on Whisenhunt’s demands. When a player knows his coach has played in the NFL – for nine-years – that player will always give the coach the benefit of the doubt. They must respect him for what he’s done in the league. For a new coach, getting respect and the benefit of the doubt from his players is imperative. It doesn’t mean he won’t have to win them over or prove himself over time, it just means they’ll give him an honest chance to do so. Players don’t have to like their coach; they don’t have to admire him. It doesn’t matter how much success the he’s had in the NFL or what his pedigree may be. Players need to respect their coach. Whisenhunt will get that respect, immediately. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All of this smells good to me, like analgesic wrapped in a heat-pack. Things are changing in the Land of Big Red and Ken Whisenhunt being hired testifies to the direction this organization is headed. Although the best laid plans of mice and pedigrees are difficult things to quantify, the days of fruitless football in Arizona may be numbered. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]University of Phoenix Stadium has created a paradigm shift within the organization. The Cardinals can compete with the rest of the league on the same playing field others have enjoyed for years. The hiring of Whisenhunt and Grimm, the signing of Edgerrin James, the drafting of Matt Leinart (a franchise quarterback) and the extensions offered to key players are confirmation of the changing environment in Tempe. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One doesn’t need to be Scully or Mulder to see what is happening. It’s why Ken Whisenhunt chose to come here and why I think he’ll change the fortunes of this franchise. Whisenhunt can take the X-file and put it in the circular-file. He knows: [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The proof is out there. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1526[/FONT]
Not Sure I agree with that.....
.
He has a terrible radio voice too, but it is obvious during games that he knows what he is doing better than the previous color man on Cards broadcasts(by a large margin).
