If they love Clancy so much, why didn't they make him the HC?

[Ed Burmila]

Don't get me wrong, I think that would have been a terrible idea. Clancy Pendergast is just moments of brilliance sandwiched between long periods of "Prevent" defenses, zone coverage, and 11-yard cushions.

But I think it's fairly obvious that Graves loves him and wants him to stay. We're not exactly the 1985 Bears. We had three straight losing records with Pendergast as DC. So isn't it unrealistic to have a HC search and already be putting pressure on them to keep old assistants? If they love Clancy so much just give him the damn job rather than hiring a new coach, pretending he has freedom to make decisions, and then sticking him with assistants from a 5-11 team.

Do we really want continuity? I don't want to "continue" anything that went on in the last 3 years, which was a lot of losing.

 

[Sandan]

But I think it's fairly obvious that Graves loves him and wants him to stay.

How do you figure that Ed ? He is going to have to convince the Wiz that he deserves to stay.

If they love Clancy so much just give him the damn job rather than hiring a new coach, pretending he has freedom to make decisions, and then sticking him with assistants from a 5-11 team.

Again Ed like everybody else on this bender, you are just assuming this inspite of RG saying exactly the opposite.

 

[CardinalChris]

He's just not ready yet. When/if that consistency develops, this guy will be a hot commodity.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

I was not impressed with our defense last year, but the year before that Clancy had something going. If he is asked to leave, they need to replace him with another DC with experience- which history shows won't happen. We can't has some former LB coach learning on the fly.

In Clancy's defense, everyone has a bad year at their job at some point. If he stays, hopefully he learned from his mistakes and puts a good product on the field.

 

[Ed Burmila]

I don't know what to tell you, Ian. If you can't infer that from Graves' comments (and the fact that they didn't fire the entire staff) I think you're being purposefully obtuse. I don't know why you expect us to pretend that Whisenhut has total freedom to do whatever he wants and then treat it as a huge surprise when he "decides" that Clancy pendergast is simply the best choice for the job. Sounds like a Kangaroo Court verdict rather than a real decision by the new coach.

Clancy has coached this defense to three straight ten-plus loss seasons. I really find it hard to believe he's the BEST possible candidate for the job. But I'm sure that's what Whisenhut will "decide".

If I'm wrong and he fires Clancy, you can come straight to this thread for my profuse apology for doubting you and impugning Graves.

 

[joeshmo]

How do you figure that Ed ? He is going to have to convince the Wiz that he deserves to stay.

Well he was the only coach to meet with any of the interviewees, why didnt they meet with all the other coaches to, why did they give him a token interview for HC. So I think you can easily come to a very well thought out speculation along with Graves comments that Pendy is and will be apart of the package with any coach they hired for HC.

 

[ajcardfan]

Well he was the only coach to meet with any of the interviewees, why didnt they meet with all the other coaches to, why did they give him a token interview for HC. So I think you can easily come to a very well thought out speculation along with Graves comments that Pendy is and will be apart of the package with any coach they hired for HC.

Well, I, for one, hope nidan is right. I hope Whisenhunt fires him if he wants to. If not, then I hope that Graves' brillance has allowed us to hold onto a championship-level DC.

Just for once I'd like to see the vigorous defenders of the Cardinals' methods get the chance for "I told you so.".

 

[Ed Burmila]

Their love for Clancy sounds a lot like how they fell in love with McGinnis. If Clancy stays then they didn't learn anything from that experience.

This franchise loses. Year after year after year, all it does is lose. They should be on their knees BEGGING a new guy to come in and clean house. Instead they're "being prudent" and making "suggestions" about continuity from last year's terrific 5-11 record.

 

[Sandan]

RG said that's it's up to the new HC who he keeps, I'm happy with that.

As for CP, he has shown good things and bad things, Mr. Wizard will have to decide where the balance lies.

Personaly I don't know enough to have real preference.

 

[conraddobler]

Well, I, for one, hope nidan is right. I hope Whisenhunt fires him if he wants to. If not, then I hope that Graves' brillance has allowed us to hold onto a championship-level DC.

Just for once I'd like to see the vigorous defenders of the Cardinals' methods get the chance for "I told you so.".

Heck me too, go CP jockers go.

 

[Ed Burmila]

We'll see what happens, but I'm pretty sure you're the only person who chooses to take everything Rod Graves and the Bidwills say at face value. Don't get testy at the rest of us for choosing to be a liiiiiitle bit skeptical given the fact that Graves and the Bidwills have done absolutely nothing but lose every year.

You keep pointing out that "same old cardinals" is unfair because there are new people with new ideas in charge - Mike B and RG. But Whisenhut's impending "decision" to keep Clancy around sounds a lot like old Cards rather than something new. This organization has never given coaches free reign - except for Buddy Ryan, and that blew up in their faces. But it's time for them to get over that, isn't it? It was 13 years ago.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

We'll see what happens, but I'm pretty sure you're the only person who chooses to take everything Rod Graves and the Bidwills say at face value. Don't get testy at the rest of us for choosing to be a liiiiiitle bit skeptical given the fact that Graves and the Bidwills have done absolutely nothing but lose every year.

You keep pointing out that "same old cardinals" is unfair because there are new people with new ideas in charge - Mike B and RG. But Whisenhut's impending "decision" to keep Clancy around sounds a lot like old Cards rather than something new. This organization has never given coaches free reign - except for Buddy Ryan, and that blew up in their faces. But it's time for them to get over that, isn't it? It was 13 years ago.

Well stated. Until the Cardinals have back-to-back winning seasons, Mike B and Graves will always have a target on them and people won't trust what they say. I honestly beleive they "think" they are doing the right thing, and "think" they are moving the team in the right direction, but the W-L column is the proof. I'm sure Graves is a good guy, but every organization has politics embedded within it...

 

[CardinalChris]

I don't know what to tell you, Ian. If you can't infer that from Graves' comments (and the fact that they didn't fire the entire staff) I think you're being purposefully obtuse. I don't know why you expect us to pretend that Whisenhut has total freedom to do whatever he wants and then treat it as a huge surprise when he "decides" that Clancy pendergast is simply the best choice for the job. Sounds like a Kangaroo Court verdict rather than a real decision by the new coach.

Clancy has coached this defense to three straight ten-plus loss seasons. I really find it hard to believe he's the BEST possible candidate for the job. But I'm sure that's what Whisenhut will "decide".

If I'm wrong and he fires Clancy, you can come straight to this thread for my profuse apology for doubting you and impugning Graves.

Two years ago his defense was top 10 in yards allowed. This year we were 5th in takeaways. Neither team was all that great on talent and VERY young. It is like the Adrian Wilson syndrome. We see a lot of Wilson, but remember his mistakes and blown coverage. The rest of the league sees it also, but realizes those plays are greatly outweighed by the good ones. I think a lot of us view Clancy the same way. Trusth is the guy is inventive, enthusiastic and about 2 years away from being a HC in this league. You just don't throw a guy like that away. Do I hate the 10 yard cushion? Yes, but there are reasons for doing it that the average fan does not see or care to know. Clancy is at worst an above average DC with average at best talent.

And yes, I am pretty sure Clancy was give to Whisenhut.... "You don't have to retain thses guys, but it would be in your best interest" But if you believe in Clancy, and many NFL people do, why wouldn't you?

 

[joeshmo]

Two years ago his defense was top 10 in yards allowed.

What was hs D ranked in points allowed?

And he hasnt been inventive since his first year here.

 

[joeshmo]

But if you believe in Clancy, and many NFL people do, why wouldn't you?

What makes you say this? Who are these people besides the Cards FO.

Make me a believer on Pendy people, I am really trying to especially after I really liked his first year here.

 

[Mulli]

I seriously thought that this thread was:

If they love Clancy so much, why didn't they marry him?

 

[kerouac9]

RG said that's it's up to the new HC who he keeps, I'm happy with that.

As for CP, he has shown good things and bad things, Mr. Wizard will have to decide where the balance lies.

Personaly I don't know enough to have real preference.

No, he didn't. He said that the retained assistants will be evaluated by RG "along with input from the new HC." That makes it pretty clear who has the final say on the coaching staff.

Whether or not Rod Graves would override the wishes of his/the Bidwills' new HC hire is pure speculation on your part.

 

[D-Dogg]

I hated Pendy's schemes this year, and his wussified playcalling when QBs were limping or in trouble.

I'm going to this one and give him the benefit of the doubt that it was because of Denny that his defense played soft, and with 15 yard cushions. I hope it wasn't Pendy, but we will find out soon enough (if Whiz retains him).

 

[CardinalChris]

What makes you say this? Who are these people besides the Cards FO.

Make me a believer on Pendy people, I am really trying to especially after I really liked his first year here.

I listen to a lot of Sirius, and many of the insider on there comment on him. I can't say I have heard it straight from a league source, just the comments that many of the guy on the radio who have NO affiliation with Az have said. Again, how much do we complain about Wilson, but outside of our little message board people think he is one of the best in the league?

As for inventive... I thought he did a decent job last year with Berry's injury using Wilson to blitz. This year? I think he had a down year. But, I also think we overrate our defensive talent. At best he has an average defensive unit.

Answer me this then. Who do you hire? What is your solution? I think you also have to look at Clancy and realize that you may not be able to do better.

 

[Duckjake]

Two years ago his defense was top 10 in yards allowed. This year we were 5th in takeaways. Neither team was all that great on talent and VERY young.

Not on defense. In fact last years defense was probably older than any D we've had since Ryan.

No rookie started. Only one 2nd year player, Rolle, started. The defensive line has 27 years combined. The two safeties have 19 combined seasons in the NFL, the Linebackers 13 years. The corners 10. The overall average is 6.2 years.

A far cry from the McGinnis years when they averaged 6.2 months in the NFL.

 

[D-Dogg]

Again, how much do we complain about Wilson,

I don't know, how much do we? He's pretty much universally loved on this board and very few complaints. He's the defense's Boldin...there are a few misguided haters, but most on this board love the crap out of the guy.

 

[CardinalChris]

I don't know, how much do we? He's pretty much universally loved on this board and very few complaints. He's the defense's Boldin...there are a few misguided haters, but most on this board love the crap out of the guy.

I'd say this was the first year fans did. Maybe I am just reading the wrong quotes, but I see a lot of "he can't cover" and "He should have wrappped up" posts on here. In the last year, as he's gotten more national attention, the comments have lessened.

 

[D-Dogg]

I'd say this was the first year fans did. Maybe I am just reading the wrong quotes, but I see a lot of "he can't cover" and "He should have wrappped up" posts on here. In the last year, as he's gotten more national attention, the comments have lessened.

The people who hate players tend to be a ton more vocal than those that don't.



I know before AW got his extension, people had issues. General consensus last season was that he got robbed for the Pro Bowl.

 

[CardinalChris]

Not on defense. In fact last years defense was probably older than any D we've had since Ryan.

No rookie started. Only one 2nd year player, Rolle, started. The defensive line has 27 years combined. The two safeties have 19 combined seasons in the NFL, the Linebackers 13 years. The corners 10. The overall average is 6.2 years.

A far cry from the McGinnis years when they averaged 6.2 months in the NFL.

Not saying much for a franchise that is constantly rotating cheap, young labor in. We had 3 starters over 30, and the guys behind them (Griffith, Berry and Chike) were 3 years or less in the league. The defensive line, despite those bookends average under 4 years experience. We only had one starting LB over 4 years of experience. 4 of our top 6 DBs were 3 years or less. Being young for the Cardinals does not make it a young defense.

 

[Duckjake]

Not saying much for a franchise that is constantly rotating cheap, young labor in. We had 3 starters over 30, and the guys behind them (Griffith, Berry and Chike) were 3 years or less in the league. The defensive line, despite those bookends average under 4 years experience. We only had one starting LB over 4 years of experience. 4 of our top 6 DBs were 3 years or less. Being young for the Cardinals does not make it a young defense.

What? That doesn't make any sense. The guys sitting on the bench are young so the Cards have a very young team? The guys sitting on the bench are young on every team. It is the nature of the game. Teams can't afford to have a bunch of veteran, read more expensive, players on the bench.

This isn't baseball where guys routinely play for 10-15 years. 3-4 years in the NFL makes you a veteran. 6-8 years makes you a seasoned veteran. 8 or more years makes you an offensive lineman.