Prediction: Horton---Whipple---Spencer

[Mitch]

The Cardinals cannot let Ray Horton leave Arizona. They desperately need to generate a buzz this off-season, not only to put the team's fortunes in the hands of a coach who the players will rally around, but to ensure that the University of Phoenix stadium remains sold out for next year and years to come.

The NFC West is quickly becoming the best division in the NFL---the 49ers, Seahawks and Rams all have relatively new head coaches who have already created positive buzzes for their teams---and all three of them have young, good QBs to go with productive running games and tough, tenacious defenses.

What could be a very interesting choice for offensive coordinator is Mark Whipple, who is currently developing QB Brandon Weeden as the QB coach in Cleveland.

Take a look at how Whipple fits:

* Played at Camelback High School, where he was named Arizona High School Scholar/Athlete of the year in 1975.

* As a college head coach at University of Massachusetts, he won the Division 1AA National Championship in 1998.

* Was the QB Coach for the Steelers in 2004-2006 on the same staff as Ray Horton, and was instrumental in the development of Ben Roethlisberger.

* Was an offensive assistant with the Eagles in 2007-2008---where he helped to develop Kevin Kolb.

* Was the OC/Asst. HC at the University of Miami from 2009-2010.

The Arizona roots---the familiarity with Ray Horton---the familiarity with Kevin Kolb (if the Cardinals are able to re-sign him to a reasonable contract)---

And when Horton is named HC---keeping Kevin Spencer as ST coach would seem to be a no brainer.

Horton will likely keep all of his defensive coaches---and will name one of them DC, although he would continue to run the show on defense, no question.

Whomever is named as OC---will have the leeway with Horton to hire the offensive staff.

Another OC candidate with Arizona ties is Philly's Marty Mornhinweg who coached at NAU twice, the second time as OC in 1994. But---if Andy Reid is hired in San Diego, NY (Jets) or Dallas---he'd bring MM with him.

Other Possible OC Candidates (if let go):

Brad Childress---Cleveland
Rod Chudzinski---Carolina
Scott Linehan---Detroit

Of the three I could see Horton wanting Chudzinski, who was the last OC in Cleveland to coach their offense into the NFL's top 10 (in 2007), and sent 4 offensive players to the Pro Bowl---surely Horton would have remembered him well, having coached against him in the AFC Central.

As much as it would be great to have Norv Turner as OC---he might take a year off or even retire at this point. No harm going after him. Not sure if he would sign up for OC under a rookie HC, however.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I think Rivera will be let go in Carolina...He would be my pick for DC...Runs a similar system to Horton.

 

[Shane]

I think Rivera will be let go in Carolina...He would be my pick for DC...Runs a similar system to Horton.

???

Wasnt Rivera a 4-3 Defensive coach his whole time with the Bears??

 

[RON_IN_OC]

???

Wasnt Rivera a 4-3 Defensive coach his whole time with the Bears??

He replaced Wade Phillips in San Diego as DC...and kept that system in place...3-4. He was linebackers coach under Wade.

 

[Buckybird]

1) IMO Andy Reid will take a year off also...it's been 14 long years with no break time for the mustached one to spend time with his family

2) I like Kolb, but he can't be counted on because of injuries. Outside of trading for Romo or Rivers their isn't many options in improving the worst QB situation in the NFL regardless of whose the OC.

3) Mitch is Whipple really your best option? The Browns passing game & Weeden haven't been all that impressive & the U hasn't had a solid QB in like 15 years. How about someone from the Saints or GB?

4) would Horton even want the HC job in Az even though he knows its defensive players with a terrible offense...a possible troublesome situation from the start given its bad Oline, QB issues & less than productive RBs.

 

[AZ Native]

1) IMO Andy Reid will take a year off also...it's been 14 long years with no break time for the mustached one to spend time with his family

2) I like Kolb, but he can't be counted on because of injuries. Outside of trading for Romo or Rivers their isn't many options in improving the worst QB situation in the NFL regardless of whose the OC.

3) Mitch is Whipple really your best option? The Browns passing game & Weeden haven't been all that impressive & the U hasn't had a solid QB in like 15 years. How about someone from the Saints or GB?

4) would Horton even want the HC job in Az even though he knows its defensive players with a terrible offense...a possible troublesome situation from the start given its bad Oline, QB issues & less than productive RBs.

Agreed

 

[ap11]

Great post Mitch. I do like the whipple idea as well. Something to keep an eye on for sure....how bout David shaw or Vic fangio incase we blow all of this up?

 

[Mitch]

1) IMO Andy Reid will take a year off also...it's been 14 long years with no break time for the mustached one to spend time with his family

2) I like Kolb, but he can't be counted on because of injuries. Outside of trading for Romo or Rivers their isn't many options in improving the worst QB situation in the NFL regardless of whose the OC.

3) Mitch is Whipple really your best option? The Browns passing game & Weeden haven't been all that impressive & the U hasn't had a solid QB in like 15 years. How about someone from the Saints or GB?

4) would Horton even want the HC job in Az even though he knows its defensive players with a terrible offense...a possible troublesome situation from the start given its bad Oline, QB issues & less than productive RBs.

I am not sure if Whipple is the best option---whenever I have seen him calling plays, he's danged good. AT UMass he is a legend---his teams were scoring like Chip Kelly's. Whipple got the only real good year out of Jacori Harris...and he brought some buzz back to the U's offense---but had to go when Randy Shannon was fired.

I think he is doing a very good job with Brandon Weeden who has been very competitive as a rookie.

Sometimes---the under the radar guys are just the right fit.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

What happened to Chip Kelley?

 

[Mitch]

What happened to Chip Kelley?

I would go wild if the Cardinals signed him---but we are talking the Cardinals here and Kelly is the hottest name on the market. When have the Cardinals ever hired any HC who was a hot name?

Just trying to be realistic.

Hiring Horton would be right up the Bidwills' alley---it's convenient and right in front of their noses.

This is a prediction---not necessarily what I would do, although, I love the buzz that Horton has created for this defense and so I would be happy with Horton, as long as he continues to run the defense, which I am sure he will.

What I also like about Whipple is his experience in working with QBs, which obviously we need more than anything right now.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I would go wild if the Cardinals signed him---but we are talking the Cardinals here and Kelly is the hottest name on the market. When have the Cardinals ever hired any HC who was a hot name?

Just trying to be realistic.

Hiring Horton would be right up the Bidwills' alley---it's convenient and right in front of their noses.

This is a prediction---not necessarily what I would do, although, I love the buzz that Horton has created for this defense and so I would be happy with Horton, as long as he continues to run the defense, which I am sure he will.

What I also like about Whipple is his experience in working with QBs, which obviously we need more than anything right now.

I was re-reading your post about Whipple. I knew there had to be a Massachusettes connection in there somehwere .

 

[Mitch]

I was re-reading your post about Whipple. I knew there had to be a Massachusettes connection in there somehwere .

Actually---Whipple is very good friends with two of my best friends. We went to see him coach for the Eagles versus the Pats in a pre-season game four years ago. One of my friends conned the elevator operator to take us down to the field for pre-game---he said he was a Pennsylvania congressman---it was hysterical---the elevator guy bought it---so we met up with Whip on the field until they had to go back to the locker room.

 

[Southpaw]

I am not sure if Whipple is the best option---whenever I have seen him calling plays, he's danged good. AT UMass he is a legend---his teams were scoring like Chip Kelly's. Whipple got the only real good year out of Jacori Harris...and he brought some buzz back to the U's offense---but had to go when Randy Shannon was fired.

I think he is doing a very good job with Brandon Weeden who has been very competitive as a rookie.

Sometimes---the under the radar guys are just the right fit.

Whipple got a bad rap in Miami. He and Shannon were at odds most of the time, but Jedd Fisch is the guy who finally got something out of Jacory Harris, not Whipple.

When Rivera gets canned, Rob Chudzinski, OC, will end up out, unless he gets the gig. If Chud does not get that gig or another HC job, he would be a worthy consideration. If he can get quality plays out of Newton, he is the real deal.

 

[BigRedArk]

I would go wild if the Cardinals signed him---but we are talking the Cardinals here and Kelly is the hottest name on the market. When have the Cardinals ever hired any HC who was a hot name?

Just trying to be realistic.

Hiring Horton would be right up the Bidwills' alley---it's convenient and right in front of their noses.

This is a prediction---not necessarily what I would do, although, I love the buzz that Horton has created for this defense and so I would be happy with Horton, as long as he continues to run the defense, which I am sure he will.

What I also like about Whipple is his experience in working with QBs, which obviously we need more than anything right now.

All this talk about Horton being a hot target for a HC position somewhere in '13 has me wondering...as a HC will he coach from the sidelines or upstairs in the booth?