Head Coaching Search Analysis

[Arizona's Finest]

Well like the rest of you I have waited around with bated breath to find out who in fact will be leading this team for at least the next three years. As many as you already know this hire could make or break the careers of Leinart, Wilson, Boldin, and Fitz which is why this is so important. I am going to list the candidates why or why not they may come and I look from feedback for why or why not I am wrong in my assessments. There is no clear cut stud on the list but a few intriguing candidates remain. In chronological order of interviews:

Rivera –

Pros - I like many of you are intrigued by Rivera. IMO he will bring some much needed passion and accountability to this team. I like his persona as a coach and I think he has been around enough intelligent minds that it has to have rubbed off on him

Cons – I have many with Rivera. First of all I HATE his offensive philosophy. I want to take advantage of the weapons we have and I think it is possible to be a strong running team while still being a pass first team. He just wants to smash mouth and while that is the ideal in the NFC of yesteryear I have serious reservations if that is the way to go with our current personnel. Not only that but as has already been pointed out he has numerous studs on that defense and IMO they have never really compensated for the losses of Harris and Brown earlier in the season. Besides the defense is Lovie’s brain child. Not Rivera’s. As Mac proved passion and intensity can only take you so far. In fact the best run teams in the NFL (Pats and Eagles – the model we proclaimed to be following a couple years ago) don’t have fire and brim stone guys but rather guys who out think the opposition. Like it or not that is todays NFL. Not only that but he wants to bring in unknown quantity in former QB Wade Wilson as OC? Are you kidding me? Do you really want the keys to Leinart in this guys hands? Hasn’t he already screwed up Rex Grossman. I would feel a lot better about Rivera if he was forced to keep Krucz and Loney but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Thumbs Down

Mike Sherman –

Pro’s: Detailed and with head coaching experience. Has a good offensive game plan and will coach these guys up.

Con’s: Where the hell do I start? I don’t understand where all the love for this guy comes from with some of you guys. Number one he is an ABSOLUTE retread. Why do we want to get a guy who won with Holmgren’s guys and one of the best QB’s of our generation and then steadily lost the team and his winning percentage as time went on. Green Bay drafted horribly while he was there and his most recent job was with the freaking HOUSTON TEXANS! Its not like they were some kind of offensive juggernaut this year and he had quite a bit of input. And they have talent there too. Who does he bring in as a DC? I warn you Cardinal fans – Sherminator - bad bad idea…..

Un-equivical Thumbs Down

Ken Wisenhut –

Pro’s: I actually really like how innovative he is. He has been with a team that runs the ball well and had a QB manage the game. I think he would be able to pluck a young stud DC off that Pittsburgh staff too. All indications are that he is HC material and being considered by the Steelers for any Cardinal fan has to be a plus.

Con’s: His offense didn’t look to hot this year. He has little experience (I don’ t think that’s such a bad thing) Is his heart really in it? Seems like he would rather be coaching the Falcons or Steelers.

Thumbs up

Cam Cameron

Pro’s: Worked wonders with Brees and Rivers. Did somethings with a offense that had no WR’s – what would he do with Fitz and Boldin. Seems like the Chargers did not miss a step with Rivers taking over and credit has to go to Cameron. Had the sense to turn down the Raiders

Con’s: Was a head coach before in college and that didn’t work out so well. Has a lot of weapons on that offense and Gates and LT will make a lot of guys look smart. Is a Marty Schottenheimer protégé (Yikes!)

Thumbs Up

Jim Caldwell

Pro’s: Worked with Peyton and Edge. Indy is consistently one of the top offenses.

Con’s: How much tutoring does Peyton really need? Wasn’t Tom Moore calling the plays? DIdn’t look so hot when he took over for Dungy during last years tragedy. Really I don’t know enough about him but the jump from QB coach to HC is a big one

Thumbs Down

Norm Chow

Pro’s: Norm Chow is exactly in the mold of Andy Reid and Sean Peyton in that he is the thinking man’s coach. He will out game plan you and even more importantly adjust at half time. He has worked with way too many QB’s that are successful for it to be a fluke. Has a past relationship with Leinart, Deuce, and Wilson. The B’s love him and will listen to his input. Has worked under Pete Carroll, Jeff Fisher, and Lavell Edwards. Stoic non plussed by the media. Picking him will show the franchise player how much faith we have in him. Adjusts to his personnel (see: Young, Vince). Should be well traveled enough that he can sign up a good DC. I think it is safe to say that our offense will be a success at the very least. Even if Clancy is retained I think Chow is a big enough improvement gameplanning offensively that we can win big next year.

Con’s: You have to wonder why he hasn’t been offered a job yet even at lesser lights like UA and Stanford? I think this is due to his inability to recruit players and boosters and that is SO important in college but means nothing in the NFL. Has only had limited NFL experience (but has had success) and is a little old. Don’t know about his ability to evaluate talent.

Overwhelming Thumbs up

Russ Grimm

Pro’s: Just his name sounds intimidating. Has worked with the Steelers O-line for years and could be the kind of exacting demanding guy this team needs. Understands personnel and could possibly get something (anything!) out of Oliver Ross

Con’s: O line coach to HC? Bad idea…What are his x’s and o’s ability?

Thumbs Down

Conclusion: Well I think its pretty apparent who I want. Maybe Chow would have trouble handling the HC duties in full but we know our offense would be good. Plus it has to be stated his understanding of offense gives him an understanding of complex defense as well like the opposite way with Bill Belicheck. I have reservations about him learning on the job but I also know there were likely reservations about Payton too. I keep bringing that name up but I truly see him as a guy who could make that kind of leap with us. I also want to give credit to the Falcons for thinking outside the box. I think he is going to be an exceptional coach and kudos to them for going that route. I pray my Cardinals make the right choice as well……

 

[Skkorpion]

Chow - yes. Sherman - no. Prefer offensive coach.

 

[CardNots]

Interesting comments on KTAR by a former defensive player who had played for Fassel(?) while he was coaching here.

He was asked why the Cardinals would consider a offensive minded person for the head coach position when the defense is the one side that needs help. He said Fassel would go to the defensive players during a game and explain what the opposing team's offense was trying to do to them. He had said it really helped the defense.

I think in lieu of this information I would be ok with Chow as HC.

 

[Mulli]

Interesting comments on KTAR by a former defensive player who had played for Fassel(?) while he was coaching here.

He was asked why the Cardinals would consider a offensive minded person for the head coach position when the defense is the one side that needs help. He said Fassel would go to the defensive players during a game and explain what the opposing team's offense was trying to do to them. He had said it really helped the defense.

I think in lieu of this information I would be ok with Chow as HC.

This made me think of Billick's team being a defense-oriented team, and Dungy's being offense-oriented.

 

[Totally_Red]

Nice Analysis

As many have said, I can live with any of the choices except Clancy. My first choice would be one of the offensive coordinators, but I'm not in the interview process with Rod Graves and Michael Bidwill. If Chow wows with his press comments, he may be the frontrunner.

 

[D-Dogg]

If Chow wows with his press comments, he may be the frontrunner.

I don't think he will have a wow press conference....but as long as he has a wow interview, that's great.

 

[Billy Flynt]

Caldwell is the QB coach and Assistant HC for the Colts. Not that far of a reach.

 

[Ed Burmila]

Caldwell is "Assistant HC" to Dungy. That said, I don't think he's worth much. Peyton Manning is practically his own offensive coordinator, and he calls his own plays (seriously) when they go no-huddle.

Saying that he is a great QB coach is like saying our WR coach is terrific because Boldin and Fitzgerald got 1000 yards. Jim Caldwell may be a great coach, but a fire hydrant could coach Peyton Manning.

 

[Redsz]

Mike Sherman –

Pro’s: Who does he bring in as a DC?

If he brings in Jim Bates (who he has a long standing friendship with) then I would certainly bump Sherman up my list.

What I also liek about Sherman is the offense he runs. I think Boldin and Fitz would thrive in a west coast scheme.

 

[Pariah]

What I also liek about Sherman is the offense he runs. I think Boldin and Fitz would thrive in a west coast scheme.

Under Sherman the Packers passed A LOT in the red zone, or more specifically, inside the 10. Seemed like once they got down there they'd play-action and Favre would find Franks in the back of the EZ.

Sherman would have to be salivating at doing that with our receivers.

 

[Ed Burmila]

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If he brings in Jim Bates (who he has a long standing friendship with) then I would certainly bump Sherman up my list.

What I also liek about Sherman is the offense he runs. I think Boldin and Fitz would thrive in a west coast scheme.

That's actually a very good point. Never thought of that. Bates is a candidate for some HC spots on his own, but if he came along with Sherman that would really help balance his offensive focus.

However, what did Sherman and Bates accomplish together in GB? Not much. And they had some talent to work with. So you could make an argument either way for Sherman.

 

[john h]

Chow - yes. Sherman - no. Prefer offensive coach.

Did Chow stay at the Holiday Inn Express last night? If he did then I am on board.