Green & Email Note

[Harry]

Thanks for the questions on Green. With all the info out there, I am surprised anyone wants my point of view, but here it is since a few of you asked.

I think it's a good hire within limitations. I think Green will take the Cards to the playoffs in two years, but I don't think he lasts out the contract. Problems will start the first time money limitations preclude the signing of a "must have" player, especially if the problem is with the lack of bells and whistles in the contract.

I look for a solid diverse coaching staff. That is probably of a good description of the offense as well. He will probably go slower than I would like in building the defense, but the Cards will be a lot more fun to watch. He will attract veteran FAs.

Keep in mind his record in the playoffs is 4-8. It's one thing to get to the dance and quite another to come home with a trophy.

My favorite fun thought is how lucky the Cards are to not be in the NFL East. Parcells, Gibbs and the best team at this point is the Eagles. That will be one powerful division in the coming years. I don't have the Giants on the list as they made the worst choice possible for a coach.

As to email, I delete a lot without reading it. If you send me something please put the word "Cards" in the subject or I might accidentally kill it.

Thanks for asking.

 

[Pariah]

Hi Harry--

Good takes.

No disrespect intended in this next comment, but who are you? Why are people clammoring for your opinion?

Just curious. I usually enjoy your articles very much.

 

[Brian]

Originally posted by Pariah
Hi Harry--

Good takes.

No disrespect intended in this next comment, but who are you? Why are people clammoring for your opinion?

Just curious. I usually enjoy your articles very much.

Anquan came from Harry's sperm. Isn't that enough?

j/k

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by Pariah
No disrespect intended in this next comment, but who are you? Why are people clammoring for your opinion?

All of his predictions have come true. He said 3 or 4 wins...it happened...etc...

 

[Brian]

Originally posted by arthurracoon
All of his predictions have come true. He said 3 or 4 wins...it happened...etc...

All of my predictions come true!!

If not then you just read them wrong!

 

[pinnacle]

I think harry has logged off....from what I understand he was or used to be a scout...not sure if he was part time/full time or whatever...but he also used to know or be connected to someone in the Cardinals organization - not sure that person is still here....

A few years ago (probably on another board) I thought he talked about college games he was going around to in the Southeast and players he was scouting...not sure in what capacity....I was not under the impression it was for the Cardinals...

Of course..I could have him confused with someone else...

 

[arthurracoon]

oh i didnt know that...well...that too

 

[TheCardFan]

Originally posted by Harry
I think it's a good hire within limitations. I think Green will take the Cards to the playoffs in two years, but I don't think he lasts out the contract.

The only real issue in my mind. Let's start going to the playoffs, worry about the other stuff later.

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by Pariah
Hi Harry--

Good takes.

No disrespect intended in this next comment, but who are you? Why are people clammoring for your opinion?

Just curious. I usually enjoy your articles very much.

Pinnacle is pretty much dead on. But Im quite certain that Harry was employed in the NFL as a talent scout for many years. He knows his stuff!

He also knows more than one person in the business to say the least! Hes certainly connected!

 

[CardinalMike]

3 years ago I think it was(The year we drafted Thomas Jones), We had a live draft chat. Harry predicted every single Cardinals selection correct it was as if the warroom called Harry to inform him before they actually made the selection. For me that is when I realized that Harry really knows his football and for me his opinion carries alot more weight then most others that I read, including national sports writers.

Cardinal Mike!!

 

[Harry]

Setting the record straight.

I have never been paid by anyone for scouting, unless you count expenses, free tickets, press box access or sideline passes. I do have some football background, but a lot more as a writer (I have been paid for that). I became a draft junkie about the same time Mel K did. Some of the guys who cover the draft also do pro scouting, such as Dave Te Thomas, Gary Horton, and Frank Coyle among others. A couple of people in that category noticed my writings (Sporting News, NFL Digest, Rivals) and did on frequent occasions ask me to evaluate players for them. Often the requests were here in Florida, since I had easy access, though I have also covered All-Star games for them, as well. I got something of a reputation for spotting what I liked to call underlays. Pete Rose can define that for you, but Boldin is the perfect example. I had him the third best in the country, while others had him far lower. Brad Meister was one of the players I touted who really moved up the boards, though I have no idea if my contribution impacted that.

I have been asked if I have an interest in doing it professionally, but I actually have a successful career apart from sports.

I did at one time know people in the Cards' organization and the commissioner's office, but they are long gone and I no longer cultivate those leads, since I don't intend to return to writing regularly. I lost a kidney to cancer a few years ago and that sort of changed my priorities. I do still evaluate a player here and there, but not like the old days. I had 4 VCRs; would record about a dozen games off the satellite plus cable and spend the week watching tapes. I regularly attended UF, FSU and Miami games as well as UCF, USF and a couple of smaller colleges. Now I just watch games and ask questions of my former draft colleagues if I need to know something. I donated most of my library, so don't expect much in the way of historical numbers from me. I'm not the "old stats" guy anymore.

Mike's recollection of the 2000 draft was a fun memory. I believe he was at Cardinal HQ that day. We were doing a live chat on the net, which I was chairing. Mike was giving us the inside scoop on what was happening there. Everyone got Thomas Jones. I predicted Thompson in the second round and I think Mike said we were the only ones in the press corps making that prediction and they were all quite impressed when it went down that way. By round three, it sounded like they were skeptically giving Mike a hard time, and looking for the "amateurs" to fail. I projected Darwin Walker as the choice. When the Cards selected him, we petty much blew everyone's mind. After that, we were always taken seriously, though we had actually done well in previous years and no one noticed. However, we never had a better year than 2000 and we had the perfect audience for it.

I got involved with all these boards when Alan Schuster noticed some of my post on the Sporting News site and I guess he figured out I seemed unusually well versed in NFL background. I was writing a professional column then, but no in the area of sports. I started writing for Rivals I think when Mike moved into the picture.

As to who emails me for opinions, that's their business if they want to identify themselves. I don't mean to offend you, but I am way too late in the game, if this is a credibility question. No offense was taken. I've found out I learn a lot more if I ask questions, so feel free. You just ask one I don't feel free to answer. My email is no secret, but I don't promise to answer each and every one. Like I said, I am working with a new set of priorities.

 

[wierwolf]

Like they said earlier. Let's get to the playoffs first. That would be great just to get to the playoffs 12 times. That would be a HUGE step with this franchise. Past is past. Give him a chance. This is a totaly different situation, with more upside. So let him prove himself.

 

[Pariah]

Wow. Sounds like you've been leading a fun life, Harry. Sorry to hear about the cancer--I hope that's a distant memory for you. You must really enjoy what you're doing to turn down a scouting job!

Thanks for the insights (about you and the NFL)!

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Harry
I lost a kidney to cancer a few years ago and that sort of changed my priorities.

I didn't realize you were a fellow Cancer survivor. Isn't it amazing how much your life has changed. Kind of put everything into perspective for me and I too changed my priorities.

 

[Wild Card]

Originally posted by Harry
My favorite fun thought is how lucky the Cards are to not be in the NFL East. Parcells, Gibbs and the best team at this point is the Eagles. That will be one powerful division in the coming years. I don't have the Giants on the list as they made the worst choice possible for a coach.

Harry:

Would you be willing to explain your low opinion of the Giants' hire of Tom Coughlin? That organization clearly thought Coughlin was their best available choice--even after being turned down by him a decade ago--judging by the speed with which the deal got done.

I suspect, given your in-depth knowledge of Florida-based sports teams, that you may have some first-hand knowledge and observations of Coughlin during his stint with Jacksonville that most of us lack. Thanks in advance.

WC

 

[john h]

Originally posted by Harry
Setting the record straight.

I have never been paid by anyone for scouting, unless you count expenses, free tickets, press box access or sideline passes. I do have some football background, but a lot more as a writer (I have been paid for that). I became a draft junkie about the same time Mel K did. Some of the guys who cover the draft also do pro scouting, such as Dave Te Thomas, Gary Horton, and Frank Coyle among others. A couple of people in that category noticed my writings (Sporting News, NFL Digest, Rivals) and did on frequent occasions ask me to evaluate players for them. Often the requests were here in Florida, since I had easy access, though I have also covered All-Star games for them, as well. I got something of a reputation for spotting what I liked to call underlays. Pete Rose can define that for you, but Boldin is the perfect example. I had him the third best in the country, while others had him far lower. Brad Meister was one of the players I touted who really moved up the boards, though I have no idea if my contribution impacted that.

I have been asked if I have an interest in doing it professionally, but I actually have a successful career apart from sports.

I did at one time know people in the Cards' organization and the commissioner's office, but they are long gone and I no longer cultivate those leads, since I don't intend to return to writing regularly. I lost a kidney to cancer a few years ago and that sort of changed my priorities. I do still evaluate a player here and there, but not like the old days. I had 4 VCRs; would record about a dozen games off the satellite plus cable and spend the week watching tapes. I regularly attended UF, FSU and Miami games as well as UCF, USF and a couple of smaller colleges. Now I just watch games and ask questions of my former draft colleagues if I need to know something. I donated most of my library, so don't expect much in the way of historical numbers from me. I'm not the "old stats" guy anymore.

Mike's recollection of the 2000 draft was a fun memory. I believe he was at Cardinal HQ that day. We were doing a live chat on the net, which I was chairing. Mike was giving us the inside scoop on what was happening there. Everyone got Thomas Jones. I predicted Thompson in the second round and I think Mike said we were the only ones in the press corps making that prediction and they were all quite impressed when it went down that way. By round three, it sounded like they were skeptically giving Mike a hard time, and looking for the "amateurs" to fail. I projected Darwin Walker as the choice. When the Cards selected him, we petty much blew everyone's mind. After that, we were always taken seriously, though we had actually done well in previous years and no one noticed. However, we never had a better year than 2000 and we had the perfect audience for it.

I got involved with all these boards when Alan Schuster noticed some of my post on the Sporting News site and I guess he figured out I seemed unusually well versed in NFL background. I was writing a professional column then, but no in the area of sports. I started writing for Rivals I think when Mike moved into the picture.

As to who emails me for opinions, that's their business if they want to identify themselves. I don't mean to offend you, but I am way too late in the game, if this is a credibility question. No offense was taken. I've found out I learn a lot more if I ask questions, so feel free. You just ask one I don't feel free to answer. My email is no secret, but I don't promise to answer each and every one. Like I said, I am working with a new set of priorities.

Harry: You sure sound like the real deal to me and I will certainly pay more attention to you insight and post. I understand your prioritiy issues as my wife lost both breast to cancer 3 years ago. This does change your way of thinking. Now look into your crystall ball and tell me what round you see Cedric Cobbs the running back out of Arkansas goining. I have followed this guy since he was in high school and he sure looks like a sure fire RB in the NFL to me and will perhaps be a sleeper if there is such a thing.

 

[SunCityCarl]

Harry,

Thanks for all your insight & the quick history lesson. I had a feeling you were more deeply involved in the scouting thing! Keep on writing & good health!!!

 

[Harry]

I have been very fortunate to have a terrific life, which I should be around to enjoy for many more years to come. I think I stole this from a movie, but I told my wife a while back that I feel like my life has exceeded my dreams.

By the way, scounting doesn't pay all that good for being on the road all the time.

I would say he definitely goes on the first day. Of course, it is yet to be determined which backs will be in the draft. If they held it today, he goes late 2 or early 3. I doubt he goes to the combine, but he must run well on pro day. He's listed as 4.5. If that holds up and he shows he can catch the ball in stride, he could move up slightly. I love the guy's blocking. Blitzers beware of this guy.

My take on Coughlin is just like everyone else who doesn't like the selection. His is not just tough, he's too tough. He could win, but they'll need to change almost all the players to make it happen.

 

[Wild Card]

Originally posted by Harry
My take on Coughlin is just like everyone else who doesn't like the selection. (He's) not just tough, he's too tough. He could win, but they'll need to change almost all the players to make it happen.

Harry:

Maybe, but I can't wait to see how Coughlin deals with problem child/ former Pro Bowl TE Jeremy Shockey. (Cue Don Meredith singing, "Turn out the li-i-ights, the party's over... ")

WC

 

[Mike Olbinski]

When Harry said "Mike" in his post, he was talking about me.

Harry used to be our main football writer when we started on Rivals.com. He was good, very, very good, and that draft day when he got the first three picks correct just built on his already great reputation.

He knows his stuff, and even today, we post his articles on the frontpage. He doesn't have as much time to write like he used to, so people are always eager to find out what he has to say.

I do remember that draft day...I would tell a few people around me who Harry predicted, and then it would come true and they looked at me like "how the heck?". What a blast.

Mike

 

[RedRob]

Rivals. That seems like a century ago. Biggest difference? High speed internet.