I think Rivera is the favorite

[az jam]

Listening to the press conference I really got the opinion that Graves really likes Rivera as he has worked with him in the past. That could be one of the reason why they would keep some of the assistants especially Kruczek and Loney. This would enable Rivera to work on the defense which is his real specialty. Rivera is only 45 years with an impressive resume.

 

[RedRob]

Listening to the press conference I really got the opinion that Graves really likes Rivera as he has worked with him in the past. That could be one of the reason why they would keep some of the assistants especially Kruczek and Loney. This would enable Rivera to work on the defense which is his real specialty. Rivera is only 45 years with an impressive resume.

What he said, Rivera's our next coach based on what I'm hearing.

 

[General Chaos]

I really hope Rivera is hired. We just need to cheer that no more jobs open up (PIT mostly likely will).

 

[Shane]

Im not all that High on Rivera.

Lovie Smith was one helluva DC with the Rams. Defense is his specialty. How much of what we see from the Bears is Lovie Smith as compared to Rivera? Is he running Lovies system following Lovie's instruction etc????? So how much of their success is actually him?

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I'm not so certain based on that logic if Rivera is indeed the favorite.

Don't forget that Pendy, Bush, Brooks, and Courtright were also all retained....

I just dont envision Pendy returning as DC if the Cardinals did hire Rivera, since I bet they have many conflicting defensive philosophies/strategies (which I stated in another thread).... They wouldnt be able to coexist......

I honestly believe that the Cardinals need more of an offensive oriented coach, but its too hard to say who Im enamored with at this point... Most of the candidates named thus far seemed viable, but not one single one impacts me beyond belief.... however, its obviously still early in the process...

On another matter... I found it interesting that Jim Fassell wasnt listed as a potential option, however, I guess that proves how severely he bombed the last time.. the lack of preparedness then came back to haunt him....

 

[ajcardfan]

Im not all that High on Rivera.

Lovie Smith was one helluva DC with the Rams. Defense is his specialty. How much of what we see from the Bears is Lovie Smith as compared to Rivera? Is he running Lovies system following Lovie's instruction etc????? So how much of their success is actually him?

There's always questions like that about ANY candidate. (Except for someone like Parcells maybe.) If they were a head coach, it's "How much were their assistants responsible for?" If they are an assistant it's, "How much did they really do?" if the head coach was a specialist on their side of the ball. If it's a candidate who was a coordinator for a head coaching opposite (like Lovie with Martz) it's "Okay, they are good at ____________, but can they hire a good guy for the other side of the ball?"


That's what the interview process is supposed to clear up. But, with the guys we have running it, I'm not sure the right questions will even be asked.

 

[Goldfield]

Im not all that High on Rivera.

Lovie Smith was one helluva DC with the Rams. Defense is his specialty. How much of what we see from the Bears is Lovie Smith as compared to Rivera? Is he running Lovies system following Lovie's instruction etc????? So how much of their success is actually him?

In a way its one in the same. If the bears D is more Lovies system or not, Rivera has worked & learned from Lovie.

I dont know who would be a better hire as HC, But I do like a Defensive minded guy. With Leinart &CO our O will be fine. Our D needs all the help it can get.

 

[az1965]

That's what the interview process is supposed to clear up. But, with the guys we have running it, I'm not sure the right questions will even be asked.

This is key and frankly I have no confidence in this front office.

 

[Boyd Cardinal]

Im not all that High on Rivera.

Lovie Smith was one helluva DC with the Rams. Defense is his specialty. How much of what we see from the Bears is Lovie Smith as compared to Rivera? Is he running Lovies system following Lovie's instruction etc????? So how much of their success is actually him?

Agreed. The scheme they run in Chicago is very predictable and I feel their unit (Considering the talent) is underperforming. I realize the injury to Harris hurt, but still feel the unit is giving up way too much yardage in some games. If Riveria were hired the unit would have discipline, but I cannot envision him outscheming another coach. The Tampa 2 phiolsophy basically is here we are and try and beat us.

He is running the Dungy scheme that Smith learned while in Tampa. Why anyone is copying the Dungy scheme these days is beyond me. That unit in Indianapolis has been horrible.

 

[Duckjake]

The scheme they run in Chicago is very predictable and I feel their unit (Considering the talent) is underperforming.

Wow, 3rd in points allowed and 5th in yards is underperforming. Tough crowd.

Meanwhile the Cards finish 29th and 29th and keep their DC.




EDIT: I wonder if any team has ever finished first in rushing defense and last in passing defense like the Vikings did this year?

 

[Boyd Cardinal]

Wow, 3rd in points allowed and 5th in yards is underperforming. Tough crowd.

Meanwhile the Cards finish 29th and 29th and keep their DC.





EDIT: I wonder if any team has ever finished first in rushing defense and last in passing defense like the Vikings did this year?

I agree, Pendergast should be gone too. It is another prime example of how inept this franchise is. How long was the McGinnis style of defense allowed to hang around? His one heartbeat never posted a top 20 ranking in yards allowed. Why did this occur? It's kind of strange, but not counting the SF game Arizona has been running the scheme Chicago plays the last five to six games. The ran the Tampa 2 almost the entire game against Seattle and Denver. However, our DL play has been different than what Indy and Chicago play.

Chicago has a good defense, but with their talent it should be number 1 or 2 in yards allowed. Grossman is bad, but he hasn't put their D out on the field in bad position as much as Oakland did and they are ranked higher. I could be wrong, but when reading the Rivera's post some seem to feel we are getting the next great defensive guru. I disagree. Our situation reminds me of Indianapolis a few years ago. Mora was fired to make way for Dungy and his legendary defense from Tampa. Indy's defense was better under Mora and the Tampa 2 this year set a record for futility against the run. If we want a great defensive mind then I believe we are making a mistake by looking at Riveria. It is a very simplistic scheme that works well with great talent. (especially on the Dl and at Middle linebacker) In my opinion if that scheme is implemented we won't see any improvement without adding great players. I woul rather hire a great X's and O's guy.

 

[Stout]

Agreed. The scheme they run in Chicago is very predictable and I feel their unit (Considering the talent) is underperforming. I realize the injury to Harris hurt, but still feel the unit is giving up way too much yardage in some games. If Riveria were hired the unit would have discipline, but I cannot envision him outscheming another coach. The Tampa 2 phiolsophy basically is here we are and try and beat us.

He is running the Dungy scheme that Smith learned while in Tampa. Why anyone is copying the Dungy scheme these days is beyond me. That unit in Indianapolis has been horrible.

I know exactly when their defense started going downhill; it was when Mike Brown was lost for the season. Never been the same since then.

 

[Boyd Cardinal]

I know exactly when their defense started going downhill; it was when Mike Brown was lost for the season. Never been the same since then.

True, that injury did hurt. I hope if Riveria is hired he uses more Jim Johnson from his days as an assistant at Phily and less Lovie.

 

[JeffGollin]

I really hope we sever the Bears connection (that started with Buddy and continued under the watchful eyes of Tobin, McGinnis and Graves).

I am terrified of a return to the "go along to get along" policies characteristic of that period in Cardinal history. Please - No more Bear guys!

Ironically, the only former Bear who did catch my attention when he was available was Mike Singletary (whom Mac apparently opted not to hire as an assistant). He ended up as a highly regarded assistant under Nolan in SF.

 

[joeshmo]

I thought all things pointed to Rivera as well. But after listening the radio this morning and interviews with both Graves and Mike I have changed my mind.

In both interviews they seemed to talk a lot about offense, and I think one of them even had a slip of the tongue when talking about getting an Offensive minded coach.

A couple of other things that point to Chow.

1. He did wonders for Young another rookie QB and he has worked with and has knowledge of Matt.

2. Now some say he is a really bad interview but in our case that Cards already know who Chow is as Chow has already had lunch with the B's when Mac was here and has already been to the facility multiple times and talked with the upper management in the past multiple times, I didnt here the whole story so I am not sure why he has been to the facility or had lunch with the B's before.

3. The most important guy on our D endorses Chow as he had Chow on his coaching staff while in college, If I heard MJ on the radio correctly.

4. Edge, "Do right by Matt and all will be right"

5. I am sure Matt will endorse him.

6. That is 3 of our more important players on this team that like the idea of Chow. You get Boldin on board and the search is over.

I just think the signs are point to Chow right now, or at the least an offensive minded coach.

Also the rumors are that Wisenhunt really wants the Falcons job since he already has a home in the south.

 

[conraddobler]

I thought all things pointed to Rivera as well. But after listening the radio this morning and interviews with both Graves and Mike I have changed my mind.

In both interviews they seemed to talk a lot about offense, and I think one of them even had a slip of the tongue when talking about getting an Offensive minded coach.

A couple of other things that point to Chow.

1. He did wonders for Young another rookie QB and he has worked with and has knowledge of Matt.

2. Now some say he is a really bad interview but in our case that Cards already know who Chow is as Chow has already had lunch with the B's when Mac was here and has already been to the facility multiple times and talked with the upper management in the past multiple times, I didnt here the whole story so I am not sure why he has been to the facility or had lunch with the B's before.

3. The most important guy on our D endorses Chow as he had Chow on his coaching staff while in college, If I heard MJ on the radio correctly.

4. Edge, "Do right by Matt and all will be right"

5. I am sure Matt will endorse him.

6. That is 3 of our more important players on this team that like the idea of Chow. You get Boldin on board and the search is over.

I just think the signs are point to Chow right now, or at the least an offensive minded coach.

Also the rumors are that Wisenhunt really wants the Falcons job since he already has a home in the south.

I hope you're right I really do.

I have nothing against Rivera at all but Lovie Smith installed that defense it's his, it's got players light years ahead of ours in Caliber and the other side of the ball is where we have our best stars.

I'd rather not go that route IMO.

 

[az jam]

I also heard the morning show and the interview. MJ said that McGinnis would invite different college coaches to the Cardinal facility during his tenure here and Chow was one who came often. At one occassion he (Chow) and McGinnis had lunch with MR B and was well thought of by him. MJ is saying that Chow is high on the old man's list. Graves in the interview didn't go into specifics on the candidates. I just now got the feeling that they want an offensive minded coach. However, Graves is not really showing his cards so who knows.

 

[abomb]

Am I crazy in thinking that hiring Rivera could persuade Briggs to come to Arizona?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Am I crazy in thinking that hiring Rivera could persuade Briggs to come to Arizona?

Not crazy, just hallucinating.

 

[Sandan]

T That's what the interview process is supposed to clear up. But, with the guys we have running it, I'm not sure the right questions will even be asked.

Frankly if you are hiring a CEO or Head Coach, it's up to them to convince you they have a plan not you to extract it with astute questioning. By definition you are hiring a person who should know far more about the job then you do.

 

[ajcardfan]

Frankly if you are hiring a CEO or Head Coach, it's up to them to convince you they have a plan not you to extract it with astute questioning. By definition you are hiring a person who should know far more about the job then you do.

Okay, I'm not sure they won't be baffled by BS.

 

[az jam]

Okay, I'm not sure they won't be baffled by BS.

Like Denny did to them.

 

[JC_AZ]

Not crazy, just hallucinating.

As ALL NFL players will... follow the money! If Rivera ends up here, I believe that Briggs is close behind and rumor mill according to Chicago Tribune indicates that if Rivera ends up with a HC job, then Singletary would be his choice as DC...

 

[D-Dogg]

As ALL NFL players will... follow the money! If Rivera ends up here, I believe that Briggs is close behind and rumor mill according to Chicago Tribune indicates that if Rivera ends up with a HC job, then Singletary would be his choice as DC...

Well, IF all that was pretty assured then Rivera would be a fantastic pick.

I really like Singletary.

 

[wembley88]

i want a motivator, a leader, someone who paces the sidelines and rallies the team (like Carroll). Absolutely bring in the gurus as OC and DC but lets not hire an offensive or defensive genius as our main man if that's their only attribute.