Is BA done?

[Cbus cardsfan]

Let me start by saying I'm a huge BA fan and would love for him to come back, IF, he was mentally into it.

But, watching him on the sideline Thursday and some of his comments lately have me thinking he is just riding out the season and retiring. I'm not one to put much into a coach being rah rah or reading body language but Arians, to me, just looked resigned to the fact they were going to lose in the 4th quarter. They showed no urgency in their play calling/getting to the LOS and Arians usually has some fire but he just looked stoic and reserved. I think he knows when CP went down that any chance of a run to the playoffs went with it. Him, CP, and Fitz wanted to make one last run and now it's not happening due to all the injuries and such. Plus, with the way he treats/plays rookies, I don't think he wants any part of going through a rebuild.

The first red flag for me was about a week to 10 days ago when he mentioned David Johnson was likely going to be out for the year even though nothing has changed in regards to his recovery. If nothing changed, his projected return date was coming up soon. I believe a healthy CP and a brighter outlook that there would be a completely different vibe and something along the lines of making a run when DJ returned.

Maybe I'm way off base but Arians is usually a pretty fiery guy and big talker. Lately, it's just kind of been coachspeak and a more subdued BA.

 

[Mitch]

While this is pure speculation, it wouldn't be a surprise if MB and SK approached BA last off-season about his health and asked BA whether he should retire. BA may have assured them that he felt he could coach this year, but it would be his last year.

What may support this theory is how low-key Steve Keim was this off-season and how committed he was to accumulating 2018 compensatory draft picks. Keim has been setting up the rebuild for over a year now.

You are right, Cbus, BA seems very subdued. It looks like he's at his wit's-end with this team and the repeated mistakes that are costing the team ball games, but he understandably doesn't want it to further affect his health.

 

[az jam]

He is not the same for sure. He had the surgery to remove cancer from his kidney in Februrary that was kept secret. We really don't know anything about his health. He is close to his wife and may have told her this will be his last season. I know that I am speculating here but I do think he will retire after the season. I also think that Michael Bidwill and Keim also know this.

 

[AZCrazy]

Fighting a battle you know is lost does create a subdued atmosphere, to be fair. This whole season has no chance of being successful and they know it.

 

[Ronin]

It hurts me to say this but I think he’s done

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

My money is on him retiring at seasons end if not sooner. Maybe he wants to be the Cardinals winniest coach when he goes out? You can def tell he hasnt been himself since his health probs a season or two ago. Lost that drive and fire. No one would blame him if he wanted to retire to his forever house and I hope he does.

 

[redheat]

I think they are actually going to give it one more try next year with CP, fitz and AD.

 

[BigRedRage]

I think they are actually going to give it one more try next year with CP, fitz and AD.

I don't see AD on the team next year with DJ returning

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[BillsCarnage]

I don't see AD on the team next year with DJ returning

Yeah, not gonna happen. Too bad the NFL doesn't have a later trade window - say the last week in Nov - closer to the PO's like Baseball. Maybe they could trade AP and get some picks back.

As for BA, this is the type of situation that a younger coach sharpens his teeth on, so to say. This being BA's first HC job (not counting Indy) and his age, I think it's 50/50.

If the Cards decide to go young Micheal and Keim at least owe BA the courtesy to see if he wants to coach a younger team. BA may want to or he may not want to. I do think it'll be BA's decision with MB and SK's support either way.

Maybe he wants to be the Cardinals winniest coach when he goes out?

Maybe, but doesn't he need 4 more wins? I think that includes PO's. Either way it's going to be tough the rest of this year to get them.

 

[Paso Fino]

It would be nice if you could clone the Ram's coach. What a turn around.

 

[TJ]

If Fitz and Palmer retire, I would like to see a new coach in the mix. Not because I don’t like BA (whom I really like), just that this team would need a rebuild.

 

[Cards_Campos]

Really? Listen BA did well when we were stacked just like Whiz did .....but when the cubbard is a little bare ..he cant make a dinner. BA's loyalty to Amos Jones first and foremost has cost us 1 maybe now 2 playoff appearances. The Special Teams unit is horrible and thats an insult to Horrible. Bettcher is over his head....plays zones when Blitzed or man is needed and then plays man when zones are needed. Never adjusts at halftime. We need a young and firey coach just like the Rams got. I'm telling you a name I would love and there are rumors where he missed coaching. John Gruden would do wonders for us. But that is wishful thinking probably. BA needs to retire at the end of the season. Only way and I mean only way I would want him back his if Amos and Bettcher are gone plus!!!! Fitz says he will comeback only if BA is here. I doubt he would say that though.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I don't think BA wants to go through a rebuild with a new QB and they will try to squeeze this out as long as possible.

He also doesn't want to fire any of his coaches, but I think that will have to be a requirement to try one more year with CP, and Fitz (if he returns)

 

[PACardsFan]

I live on York, PA where both he and his wife are from. They still have family in this area. His wife wanted him to retire 5 years ago, but she wanted wanted him to have his shot at being a HC. They have been together since they were 15. I think she wins. He’s one of a kind & will be missed.

 

[football karma]

BA is a realist. he cant say it, but when you lose your best offensive player, your starting QB, your starting LT, your leading sack guy from last year to injuries --your playoff chances go to ZERO.

He knows this.

 

[clif]

He’s done. They put all their eggs in one basket. That’s why they went with a vet team and have been hard on the young guys. They are playing for next year. This is it.

 

[cardpa]

Yeah, not gonna happen. Too bad the NFL doesn't have a later trade window - say the last week in Nov - closer to the PO's like Baseball. Maybe they could trade AP and get some picks back.

As for BA, this is the type of situation that a younger coach sharpens his teeth on, so to say. This being BA's first HC job (not counting Indy) and his age, I think it's 50/50.

If the Cards decide to go young Micheal and Keim at least owe BA the courtesy to see if he wants to coach a younger team. BA may want to or he may not want to. I do think it'll be BA's decision with MB and SK's support either way.

The real problem with this is Arians is going to want to keep his coaching staff intact and they haven't shown the ability to coach up young players.

 

[BigRedRage]

I don't think BA wants to go through a rebuild with a new QB and they will try to squeeze this out as long as possible.

He also doesn't want to fire any of his coaches, but I think that will have to be a requirement to try one more year with CP, and Fitz (if he returns)

Keim can handle the firings.

 

[Stout]

If Fitz and Palmer retire, I would like to see a new coach in the mix. Not because I don’t like BA (whom I really like), just that this team would need a rebuild.

This team needs a rebuild now; it needed one in the offseason. It's the failure to see that and adjust that has me wanting a clear out and rebuild after this season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Really? Listen BA did well when we were stacked just like Whiz did .....but when the cubbard is a little bare ..he cant make a dinner. BA's loyalty to Amos Jones first and foremost has cost us 1 maybe now 2 playoff appearances. The Special Teams unit is horrible and thats an insult to Horrible. Bettcher is over his head....plays zones when Blitzed or man is needed and then plays man when zones are needed. Never adjusts at halftime. We need a young and firey coach just like the Rams got. I'm telling you a name I would love and there are rumors where he missed coaching. John Gruden would do wonders for us. But that is wishful thinking probably. BA needs to retire at the end of the season. Only way and I mean only way I would want him back his if Amos and Bettcher are gone plus!!!! Fitz says he will comeback only if BA is here. I doubt he would say that though.

To be fair, the cupboard wasn't bare, the plates just fell off the shelves in this case.

John Brown, Tyrann Mathieu, and Michael Floyd.

Those were pretty important pieces. Young, talented, and playmakers.

All gone in a matter of a year and half, via injury, never to return again.

Couple that with some poor Keim draft choices, and you get the roster BA is currently coaching.

Arians DEFINITELY has some skin in all this, but those players above all vanishing really hurt the Cardinals as it would any team.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

BA is a realist. he cant say it, but when you lose your best offensive player, your starting QB, your starting LT, your leading sack guy from last year to injuries --your playoff chances go to ZERO.

He knows this.

Add John Brown, Michael Floyd, and Tyrann Mathieu as players who they have also lost to injury, and worse won't come back to form.

David Johnson
Carson Palmer
Michael Floyd
John Brown
DJ Humphries
Markus Golden
Tyrann Mathieu
Tyvon Branch

That is a lot of talent sitting on the sideline, or lost.

Again, Arians has skin in this as well, since this is HIS coaching staff. But, the last two seasons have been a nightmare scenario for any club.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Add John Brown, Michael Floyd, and Tyrann Mathieu as players who they have also lost to injury, and worse won't come back to form.

David Johnson
Carson Palmer
Michael Floyd
John Brown
DJ Humphries
Markus Golden
Tyrann Mathieu
Tyvon Branch

That is a lot of talent sitting on the sideline, or lost.

Again, Arians has skin in this as well, since this is HIS coaching staff. But, the last two seasons have been a nightmare scenario for any club.

Agree and not only a long injury list but players at the most key positions on a team in QB, LT, pass rusher. And also the player considered a top MVP candidate in Johnson.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think BA can still coach a very good offense.

I think, like so have said, that BA has other considerations which will cause him to retire.

He is the best head coach I have seen for Arizona.

He wasn't perfect.

I have less faith in Keim than I did a couple years ago.

I hate organizational turnover.

If this team is smart, they copy the Rams. Get a offensive head coach. Spend on a top line defensive coach. Building around Peterson and Jones, and developing all the young players is a faster fix than the offense.

 

[TJ]

This team needs a rebuild now; it needed one in the offseason. It's the failure to see that and adjust that has me wanting a clear out and rebuild after this season.

There was nothing to indicate that it needed a rebuild in the offseason. You had a franchise QB under center, the best RB in the league, a strong WR corp, and an abundance of talent on defense. If BA, Fitz, and Palmer retire, then yes, a 1-2 year rebuild will be in the works.

 

[PJ1]

BA doesn't even go after the officials like he once did. The fire seems to be dimming. He did a great job with the Cardinals. Also don't believe he will be back.