This is what I remember Wilks saying:
“If it’s not broke, don’t worry about trying to fix it.”
Those were Steve Wilks’ words on Tuesday when the Cardinals’ new head coach not only was asked about the state of the team’s defense, but the unspoken concerns many in and around the organization might have had about his plans for a unit that has finished ranked among the NFL’s very best each of the past three years.
Wilks, after all, ran a 4-3 base defense as defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers last season. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have run a 3-4 defense since 2007 and have enjoyed plenty of success with it. During his introductory news conference, Wilks said he doesn’t plan to tear things up and start over with an entirely new defensive philosophy or scheme.
“You said it – we’ve been pretty good around here for a while,” he said. “I think one of the things you have to do, you evolve each and every year. Even back in Carolina, we tried to evolve each and every year. So, you’re going to evaluate the roster. You’re going to look at certain things that we did well, things we need to improve on, and try and make corrections in that fashion.
“I think the personnel is there. Again, someone asked me before about a 3-4, 4-3 (system). I’ve coached in both systems, and most importantly, once again, we’re not going to change too much."