Ken Whisenhunt is coming in tomorrow for 2nd interview

[D-Dogg]

The worst of all the choices.

HE is the OC correct? On a team that wins with defense. YAY i couldnt be more not excited.

He won the freaking super bowl for them. Well, Whisenhunt and the refs. With a completely overrated QB to boot.

 

[Evil Ash]

Let's take a deep breath and review the bidding.

Within a couple of days of the final 1st interview, we heard a rash of conflicting rumors about who wowed the Bidwills, RG and some players.

Then came the "Sherman to Interview"/"Short List" announcement, with every one of the 8 candidates (save Pendergast) mentioned at least once as a front runner.

Then, late yesterday and today, there were rumors in all the media; most suggesting that Sherman was the front runner, he brought his wife with him for his second interview and he could be signed as early as today. (In fact, NFL Talk (??) actually reported that Sherman had signed.

And now, Whisenhunt's name has surfaced as the another 2nd interviewee (scheduled for tomorrow) with possibly others to follow.

What does this tell us? (1) that no one (I mean no one) from the local media knows precisely what's going on, (2) that Sherman and Whisenhunt are 2 out of probably a small group of candidates still in play and (3) the Cardinals aren't going to say any more than they don't want to say until they're ready. I'd add a speculative (4) that no one - including Cameron, Caldwell, Chow, Grimm or Rivera - can be ruled out until the Cardinals indicate they've been ruled out.

(Sound of pop-top squishing on next Bud can). Ahhhh!

I was just about to post something along these lines. The simple truth of the matter is we have absolutely no idea who is favored or not in the coaching hunt and neither do any of the reporters around here. It seems like its a guessing game at this point

It seems that the Cards FO is doing a very good job of being tight-lipped on this situation. Rivera was the favorite early, then Chow, then Grimm, then Sherman, now Whisenhunt ... it just keeps going and going.

The reports from Urban and Somers (both damn good reporters) that I posted this morning even contradicted each other. Yet people want to think that Jurecki's report is a sure thing. Sorry folks I'm not buying it

 

[ajcardfan]

I think it's highly likely that either Rivera or Cameron could still wind up with a shot at this job.

 

[pinnacle]

Kent Somers was on 910 AM this evening....around 6:45 PM or so....

He stated that if anyone is making predictions regarding who will be the next coach or is talking about front runners...they are speculating....including members of the media, etc...he said the decision has not been made and only a handful of people really know what is going on....and none of them are talking....

FYI....

 

[D-Dogg]

Kent Somers was on 910 AM this evening....around 6:45 PM or so....

He stated that if anyone is making predictions regarding who will be the next coach or is talking about front runners...they are speculating....including members of the media, etc...he said the decision has not been made and only a handful of people really know what is going on....and none of them are talking....

FYI....

This is what I've been thinking...they are playing this incredibly close to the vest and aren't releasing anything. Nobody knows what is going on but them.

 

[Buckybird]

just say no to Wisenhunt

He has left the STeeler offense in far worse shape than when he started

He has ruined a good young QB in just one year

He was boring in his press conference

you know, just the usual complaints

Wisenhunt is a very innovative play caller on offense and could do wonders
for this offense. As far as making the Steeler "O" worse you are crazy! They
played half the season without Hines Ward and a few w/o Big Ben and their
Rb also missed a few games. They played pretty decent down the stretch as
they tried to climb back in the playoff picture. Who better: Q/Fitz or Ward/
Holmes; Pope or Miller; Edge or Parker; Leinart or Ben; Cards Oline or Pitts
Oline? I will give us the edge 3-2!!! Wisenhunt will make this team better
offensively and hopefully give this team what it really needs most, a tough
mentality and winning attititude that he learned from a long time winning
program.

GO 's

 

[PACardsFan]

If the Cardinals are truly interested in Rivera, Cameron or Caldwell, they can't do anything until that individual's team is either eliminated or wins/loses the SB. In the meantime, why not pass the time by continuing to interview. If the Cardinals stopped interviewing & yet didn't name a HC, it would be obvious to our competition who we are after. In addition to wanting to know as much about a candidate as possible, it's smart not to show our hand.

 

[az jam]

Cards bring Whisenhunt back for second interviewBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com



Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, one of the hottest candidates during the current NFL hiring cycle, will meet a second time with Arizona officials on Friday, as the Cardinals continue their follow-up round of interviews aimed at finding a successor to the deposed Dennis Green.


League and team sources confirmed to ESPN.com and to ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Whisenhunt was to arrive in the Phoenix area on Friday, the second candidate called back by the team. Whisenhunt originally met with Cardinals executives last Friday.


Whisenhunt, 44, remains a candidate for the Steelers opening and for the Miami Dolphins vacancy. He also interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons job, which went to former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino.


Cardinals vice president Rod Graves said earlier this week that the team had reduced its list of candidates and would summon finalists for a second round of interviews. Houston Texans assistant head coach Mike Sherman, the former Green Bay Packers head coach, had his second interview with the Cardinals brass on Thursday but was not offered the job.


Graves declined to say how many candidates will be brought back for second interviews, but the number is believed to be three or four. Unless the Cardinals widen the search unexpectedly, Green's successor will come from the group of candidates interviewed the first time over the past week. Among the others in that group were Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow, San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.


That the Cardinals have called back Whisenhunt for a second session is not surprising, given that his first interview with Arizona executives was said to have gone very well.


An Atlanta native who played collegiately at Georgia Tech and then played tight end for the Falcons for four (1985-88) of his nine NFL seasons, Whisenhunt certainly seems a good fit for a Cardinals team that is loaded with young offensive talent.


A fearless play-caller and adept at creating advantageous matchups, Whisenhunt has been Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator since 2004. Under his stewardship, the Steelers offense statistically ranked No. 7 in the NFL in 2006. The Steelers were 16th in 2004 and 15th in 2005, when they won Super Bowl XL.


Although some perceive Whisenhunt's strengths as the creative use of formations, motion and personnel packages, he also believes in a power-based running game.

 

[kerouac9]

Herm Edwards?

This article that Russ found is fascinating.

Herman Edwards, NYJ — Although he clearly has his own style, Edwards is a Schottenheimer guy through and through. An assistant in Kansas City for six seasons, he also worked under Dungy in Tampa Bay before taking over the Jets in 2001. Edwards initially made his name as a player for Dick Vermeil in Philadelphia.

Interesting, huh? I don't like Herm Edwards as a game-day coach, but his record is as difficult to impeach as Mike Sherman's is. He really seems to know how to get to players. He's as good at that as he is bad at managing game clocks.

 

[kerouac9]

Is he (Chan Gailey) really a failure?

10-6 (playoff loss to Cards) and 8-8 with one of the most loaded rosters in NFL history isn't all that great an accomplishment, is it? Also, he totally mismanaged the Dallas players by taking the reins off of them in the lockerroom. It was under Gailey's "leadership" that Michael Irvin stabbed another player in the neck at training camp because he wanted to cut in front of him to see the barber.

 

[D-Dogg]

10-6 (playoff loss to Cards) and 8-8 with one of the most loaded rosters in NFL history isn't all that great an accomplishment, is it? Also, he totally mismanaged the Dallas players by taking the reins off of them in the lockerroom. It was under Gailey's "leadership" that Michael Irvin stabbed another player in the neck at training camp because he wanted to cut in front of him to see the barber.

I don't think he's a good coach, but I wouldn't call him a failure.

Plus, Switzer had already done his number on that roster...he took Jimmy's boys and let the inmates run the asylum. Frankly, Chan was lucky to control them as long as he did.

 

[kerouac9]

Maybe Gailey's good at the college level, but so are a lot of bad NFL coaches. I don't really follow college football, so I have no idea.

 

[D-Dogg]

Chan is interviewing for the Steeler job, and Cowher recommended him. Don't recall where I saw that; I've read a ton of stuff today.

 

[Redsz]

I really have mixed feelings about Whisenhunt. The guy was pretty much lusting after the Steelers job at a Cardinals press confrence. That just doesn't sit well with me. But on the other hand, he has shown to be talented and a good coach so far.

I personally like Mike Sherman alot more than Whisenhunt.

 

[JeffGollin]

We Haven't Plumbed The Following Area

Maybe we should approach the head coaching situation the way some folks write marketing plans and many authors write mystery novels - "Start at the end and work backward."

Where are the Cardinals now, and what do they need to be successful?

One person's opinion?

- The Cardinals are pretty solid at the offensive skill positions and their offensive line, though improved, could use more talented players and still has a way to go.

- They have some roster holes on defense - at WLB, CB, FS and could use a little more depth everywhere. (Which HC, working with Graves, would be the best talent evaluator?)

- They could use more imaginative play calling on offense (Whisenhunt? Chow? Cameron?)

- They need to be mentally tougher everywhere (Grimm? Rivera?)

- They need to execute with more precision and less miscues (which HC would best address this?)

- Not my priority, but the front office feels the day to day coaching process must be better organized and the HC "should have a vision" of what he wants the Cardinals to be when they grow up (Sherman?)

So, folks, when you put all of this together, who in your opinion would be the best fit for the Cardinals?

 

[red desert]

Gambo also reported that Mike Price got the ASU job. He's rarely right.

However, I do believe that Bill will not let anyone else choose. Nothings changed, shocker.

WORST OWNER IN ALL OF SPORTS

I hope he's wrong about my boy, Price. I'd rather he stay at UTEP.

 

[Mulli]

Wow. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04053/276075.stm

 

[DKCards]

This is what I've been thinking...they are playing this incredibly close to the vest and aren't releasing anything. Nobody knows what is going on but them.

DeAnna does......... Well at least she knows how is coming and going

 

[NavyVet]

Chan is interviewing for the Steeler job, and Cowher recommended him. Don't recall where I saw that; I've read a ton of stuff today.

This doesn't surprise me if true. Cowher is famous for throwing his assistants under the bus, never giving them their due credit. Cowher was the face of the Steelers, but everyone knows that Whisenhunt and LaBeau ran the show.

I'd love to see Whisenhunt here and Dick LaBeau running our D.

 

[D-Dogg]

DeAnna does......... Well at least she knows how is coming and going

Yeah, I'm waiting on her to say that Chow is coming in.

 

[D-Dogg]

Wow. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04053/276075.stm

Yeah, he was my original first choice for the job....his media interview and lost-puppy-dog act for the Steelers soured me on him from a motivation standpoint, but he'll be a damn fine head coach wherever he goes.

Chow, Grimm, Whiz....I'm down with any of those guys.

 

[Mulli]

Yeah, he was my original first choice for the job....his media interview and lost-puppy-dog act for the Steelers soured me on him from a motivation standpoint, but he'll be a damn fine head coach wherever he goes.

Chow, Grimm, Whiz....I'm down with any of those guys.

No to Cameron?

 

[D-Dogg]

No to Cameron?

Nah, he's not really all that interesting to me. I sure wouldn't hate it, but I haven't really seen things from him that I absolutely love. I do think he'd be successful here, but LDT can make anyone look good.

He's no Sherman though, that's for sure.

 

[Mulli]

Nah, he's not really all that interesting to me. I sure wouldn't hate it, but I haven't really seen things from him that I absolutely love. I do think he'd be successful here, but LDT can make anyone look good.

He's no Sherman though, that's for sure.

I just figured Cam would use an offense that ran the football and used the TE. What do I know, though?

 

[D-Dogg]

Wow. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04053/276075.stm

Something from that article that I think is interesting:

"He'll make the call that makes the most sense, that requires calm and presence. He won't be plucking things out of the air or choking on a hot dog. Coaches do all kinds of crazy stuff; there is a legion of ways they can panic in those situations. This guy is cold-blooded in the clutch."

How long have we needed a guy like that?