Originally posted by Holian
What if old dollar Bill goes to Rod Graves and gives him this option: I will let you spend 10-12 million dollars in up front signing bonus money to go out and get a bigtime free agent or two or you can spend that 10-12 million to bring in a bigtime head coach and a great staff. If you choose the first option you get to spend bottom feeder money on a coach but if you choose the second option you are going to be very limited on free agent spending.
What do you do?
If Bill Bidwill gives Rod Graves the above option, it will just perpetuate the mediocrity that the Cardinals franchise has been muddled in for such a long time.
While I don't think it would cost 10 to 12 million to build a coaching staff, it might take 3 to 5 million alone to get a quality head coach. This would be a big step for the Cards IMO. Because, IMO, a "quality" coach will more than likely demand autonomy, including input on the draft and free-agency. Also, if the Cards sign a "quality" coach, it may be a message to the league that they finally wish to compete. They may find themselves able to sign free-agents for salaries commensurate with what other teams are signing players. Instead of having to overpay to bring in players, or losing players that sign elsewhere to play for less money.
As another poster indicated, the Cards need both. Scimping on either will keep the Cards as cellar dwellers. But, I will say that in this era of the Salary Cap, and "parity" (except where the Cardinals are concerned), a great coach is probably more important than ever. But, alas, in this age of "parity", I don't think the Cards' talent is on a par with the rest of the league; therefore, even a great coach would have the "deck stacked against him".