Ray Horton: Thoughts?

[RugbyMuffin]

I think the guy is a hell of a coach. I think the guy is the best coach in the Arizona organization right now.

......but it feels wrong to say it.


Cause I know that is what I really feel about the situation, so the obvious answer to the obvious questions is yes, I would fire Whiz or whomever to keep Horton in AZ.

While I do like Whiz's PC, even keeled demeanor, I don't like it as much as the logic, reasoning, and straight forward comments I hear when Ray Horton speaks about situations we all see happen on the field.

You cannot deny the VAST improvement of our defense with practically the same personnel.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think the guy is a hell of a coach. I think the guy is the best coach in the Arizona organization right now.

......but it feels wrong to say it.


Cause I know that is what I really feel about the situation, so the obvious answer to the obvious questions is yes, I would fire Whiz or whomever to keep Horton in AZ.

While I do like Whiz's PC, even keeled demeanor, I don't like it as much as the logic, reasoning, and straight forward comments I hear when Ray Horton speaks about situations we all see happen on the field.

You cannot deny the VAST improvement of our defense with practically the same personnel.

I'd fire Whiz to keep Horton in Arizona as a DC. But, firing Whiz to replace him with Horton might mean we lose a great coordinator and replace a decent Head Coach with an untested rookie who may or may not have what it takes to coach a team. It's a tough situation. I think you have to take fear of losing Horton out of the equation. If the organization thinks he's just a DC marking time till he gets the job he's best suited for then great but most Coordinators have reached their peak at that position.

Steve

 

[Dr. Jones]

I think Horton is a good coach. I don't expect his scheming to last forever though. We need to generate more consistent pressure with Scho & Acho. I think he is definitely making the most of the talent he has.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I think Horton is a good coach. I don't expect his scheming to last forever though. We need to generate more consistent pressure with Scho & Acho. I think he is definitely making the most of the talent he has.

I agree, and have thought that myself, and then you just have to think of the consistency of the Steelers defense. They seem to succeed throughout the year, no matter the players.

Right now people have to realize Polumalu, Harrison, Hampton, and all those names we have known for 5+ years are hurt, old, etc., etc.

You need talent, there is no doubt about it, but the scheming seems to work year in and year out. And scheme is one thing, what I like about Horton is how he coaches, and how he has instant accountability.

His response about the Niners game was perfect. In a nutshell he said, the scheme was fine, we just didn't tackle. The problem was "want-to".

 

[az1965]

I'd fire Whiz to keep Horton in Arizona as a DC. But, firing Whiz to replace him with Horton might mean we lose a great coordinator and replace a decent Head Coach with an untested rookie who may or may not have what it takes to coach a team. It's a tough situation. I think you have to take fear of losing Horton out of the equation. If the organization thinks he's just a DC marking time till he gets the job he's best suited for then great but most Coordinators have reached their peak at that position.

Steve

Agree.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I think Horton will be a great head coach, but I also want to see how he does with the turbulence of a weak roster or a large number of injuries over a season to see how he handles that type of diversity.

I also wonder how much sway a coordinator has over who the position coaches are, if Horton is successful and a linebacker coach isn't producing, can Horton influence a change? That is an experience you want a head coach to have before you promote one.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I'd keep them both, which is the likely outcome for 2013.

 

[az jam]

I like Horton as the Dc not sure if he really is HC material. However, there are going to be probably at least 5 openings for a HC this off season. Because of the Rooney Rule he will get lots of interviews. Chances are we will lose him.

 

[Jetstream Green]

The position of head coach and DC are two totally different animals. Wade Phillips great DC, bad head coach. Todd Hailey good OC, bad head coach.

 

[mrbyte]

The position of head coach and DC are two totally different animals. Wade Phillips great DC, bad head coach. Todd Hailey good OC, bad head coach.

as my dad used to say 'Just because I can open my eyes underwater doesnt mean i'm a fish'

always made me laugh, but true

 

[52brandon]

I'm a big fan of Horton. I would do whatever it took to keep him at the DC position. Co-HC with Whiz? I dunno. The problem with him moving to HC (IMO) is that whether he's here or elsewhere, we would still need to replace him at DC. He deserves a raise/promotion. And Miller and Grimm deserve a spot in the unemployment line

 

[Reddog]

The position of head coach and DC are two totally different animals. Wade Phillips great DC, bad head coach. Todd Hailey good OC, bad head coach.

Totally agree. He may one day be a great head coach but I think he lacks the polish needed for the PR savvy ambassador aspects of the job. Earlier this season when he was feeling pretty darn good about himself and his D he was in the media talking about knowing when the Patriots were going to pass or run. Head coaches don’t do impulsive, self promoting stuff like that unless your last name is Ryan and that wears thin quickly. He will learn that stuff but actions like that or say watching Springsteen during half time of a super bowl that your team is playing in don’t come off as head coach moves. An owner or GM may not say it but will wonder about your judgment.

 

[Duckjake]

Totally agree. He may one day be a great head coach but I think he lacks the polish needed for the PR savvy ambassador aspects of the job. Earlier this season when he was feeling pretty darn good about himself and his D he was in the media talking about knowing when the Patriots were going to pass or run. Head coaches don’t do impulsive, self promoting stuff like that unless your last name is Ryan and that wears thin quickly. He will learn that stuff but actions like that or say watching Springsteen during half time of a super bowl that your team is playing in don’t come off as head coach moves. An owner or GM may not say it but will wonder about your judgment.

This is one of the main things that makes being a HC so difficult. If a coach is outspoken he gets hammered like Andy Reid does. If he isn't he gets bashed for being too bland or being too soft. It's a fine line indeed.

 

[Reddog]

This is one of the main things that makes being a HC so difficult. If a coach is outspoken he gets hammered like Andy Reid does. If he isn't he gets bashed for being too bland or being too soft. It's a fine line indeed.

Agreed. Thats why regardless of wheter we like them or not, guys like Belichick or even Whisenhunt find a persona that keeps them from catching heat and they stick with it in every circumstance. It really is an art.

 

[Snakester]

We need a big time passrusher and two cornerbacks to help him out. Horton really needs to demote William Gay bigtime. Gay is such a huge liability. The guy flat out sucks. I don't think Horton is going anywhere just yet. Our defense has been getting worse by the week. I'm not saying its Horton's fault, but it is happening.

 

[Stout]

Well, today, my thoughts are very unkind towards Horton and his defense.

 

[Duckjake]

We need a big time passrusher and two cornerbacks to help him out. Horton really needs to demote William Gay bigtime. Gay is such a huge liability. The guy flat out sucks. I don't think Horton is going anywhere just yet. Our defense has been getting worse by the week. I'm not saying its Horton's fault, but it is happening.

Makes me sad to have to watch Whitney Mercilus wreck havoc in his limited playing time for the Texans while Floyd is rendered basically useless in his limited playing time by our horrific offense.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

We need a big time passrusher and two cornerbacks to help him out. Horton really needs to demote William Gay bigtime. Gay is such a huge liability. The guy flat out sucks. I don't think Horton is going anywhere just yet. Our defense has been getting worse by the week. I'm not saying its Horton's fault, but it is happening.

We're tied with the league lead in sacks!

... and if other coaches are to take the blame for poor play, then Horton deserves a few nasty comments because he got out coached today.