http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/1227cardsinsider1227.html
Green's silence seems like hint
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 27, 2006 12:00 AM
Ask coach Dennis Green about the Cardinals' future, and he'll paint the rosy picture of a team on the rise, one with young stars under contract for several more seasons, ready to burst on the scene.
What Green hasn't done for weeks, however, is include himself when discussing that future.
He'll talk about how the team is built around receiver Anquan Boldin and safety Adrian Wilson, two Pro Bowlers who re-signed with the team during Green's three-year tenure.
He'll discuss the bright future of quarterback Matt Leinart, the development of the offensive line and the potential of outside linebacker Karlos Dansby. But not once has he said anything about continuing to coach those players in 2007.
Not once has Green referred to any plans for next year, the final season of a four-year contract. That's because his firing must seem inevitable even to him.
If Green's not fired a day or two after the season ends Sunday in San Diego, it will be surprise to everyone.
Over the years, Green has joked that he occasionally allows reporters a window into his thoughts. That window remained shut during a weekly news conference Tuesday morning.
"Never," he said when asked if he thinks about his future with the team. "I got a great future. I've got a fantastic family and sports have been very successful, as far as employment. I never give that any thought at all."
The Cardinals job was never just another stone on Green's career path. Now 57, Green knew this was likely his last stop. He had coached a lot of years, made a lot of money, and taking on the daunting job of turning around the Cardinals must have seemed worth it, especially for $10 million for four years.
And if he got fired? Well, returning to a home in Del Mar, Calif., with a nice family and $10 million is not bad as severance packages go.
He understands the speculation about his job; he just doesn't want to participate in it. Recently he put his hand up to cut off a reporter's question about his future. On Tuesday, he said he took no offense at the line of questioning.
"No, I was in the media a lot, too," he said, referring to his work at ESPN before joining the Cardinals. "I know you got to do your jobs. I don't have a problem with that. It's just, like I say, I don't get tired of answering it but I always answer it the same way, which is truthfully."
Green did glimpse back a little Tuesday, saying he had no regrets about anything he's done in his three seasons with the team.
"I never regret anything. It's just not part of my makeup," he said. "It really isn't. Like I say, I know I'm a very blessed man. I've been in the game a long time. I've had a lot of success in the game, so I don't have to operate with regrets. All I know is every day, I've done the best I could do. It was my job to guide the ship, and that's what I've tried to do."
The ship, he thinks, is in much better shape than when he arrived, even though Green's record after 47 games (16-31) is just one game better than his predecessor, Dave McGinnis, had after almost three full seasons. And McGinnis had the added burden of salary-cap problems.
Most of the team's key young players are under contract through at least 2008. There is enough talent to compete for a playoff of berth, especially in the NFC, where an 8-8 record can get a team in.
But given the opportunity Tuesday to campaign for returning in 2007, Green declined. He was asked if he had a burning desire to return next year.
"You know, I'm not going into any of that stuff. I'm really not," said Green, who then seemed to tiptoe close to going into that stuff. "I think . . . you know . . . like I said, I'm not going to discuss any of that stuff."
Green's silence seems like hint
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 27, 2006 12:00 AM
Ask coach Dennis Green about the Cardinals' future, and he'll paint the rosy picture of a team on the rise, one with young stars under contract for several more seasons, ready to burst on the scene.
What Green hasn't done for weeks, however, is include himself when discussing that future.
He'll talk about how the team is built around receiver Anquan Boldin and safety Adrian Wilson, two Pro Bowlers who re-signed with the team during Green's three-year tenure.
He'll discuss the bright future of quarterback Matt Leinart, the development of the offensive line and the potential of outside linebacker Karlos Dansby. But not once has he said anything about continuing to coach those players in 2007.
Not once has Green referred to any plans for next year, the final season of a four-year contract. That's because his firing must seem inevitable even to him.
If Green's not fired a day or two after the season ends Sunday in San Diego, it will be surprise to everyone.
Over the years, Green has joked that he occasionally allows reporters a window into his thoughts. That window remained shut during a weekly news conference Tuesday morning.
"Never," he said when asked if he thinks about his future with the team. "I got a great future. I've got a fantastic family and sports have been very successful, as far as employment. I never give that any thought at all."
The Cardinals job was never just another stone on Green's career path. Now 57, Green knew this was likely his last stop. He had coached a lot of years, made a lot of money, and taking on the daunting job of turning around the Cardinals must have seemed worth it, especially for $10 million for four years.
And if he got fired? Well, returning to a home in Del Mar, Calif., with a nice family and $10 million is not bad as severance packages go.
He understands the speculation about his job; he just doesn't want to participate in it. Recently he put his hand up to cut off a reporter's question about his future. On Tuesday, he said he took no offense at the line of questioning.
"No, I was in the media a lot, too," he said, referring to his work at ESPN before joining the Cardinals. "I know you got to do your jobs. I don't have a problem with that. It's just, like I say, I don't get tired of answering it but I always answer it the same way, which is truthfully."
Green did glimpse back a little Tuesday, saying he had no regrets about anything he's done in his three seasons with the team.
"I never regret anything. It's just not part of my makeup," he said. "It really isn't. Like I say, I know I'm a very blessed man. I've been in the game a long time. I've had a lot of success in the game, so I don't have to operate with regrets. All I know is every day, I've done the best I could do. It was my job to guide the ship, and that's what I've tried to do."
The ship, he thinks, is in much better shape than when he arrived, even though Green's record after 47 games (16-31) is just one game better than his predecessor, Dave McGinnis, had after almost three full seasons. And McGinnis had the added burden of salary-cap problems.
Most of the team's key young players are under contract through at least 2008. There is enough talent to compete for a playoff of berth, especially in the NFC, where an 8-8 record can get a team in.
But given the opportunity Tuesday to campaign for returning in 2007, Green declined. He was asked if he had a burning desire to return next year.
"You know, I'm not going into any of that stuff. I'm really not," said Green, who then seemed to tiptoe close to going into that stuff. "I think . . . you know . . . like I said, I'm not going to discuss any of that stuff."
.
