MB said about the HC search that he wasn't going to focus strictly on what side of the ball the best candidate would come from---that what he was looking for was a coach who embodies three things: leadership, holding people accountable and performance.
It is clear that he is focused on the offensive side of the ball---which is fine---if he makes that clear, especially to Ray Horton, whom he has left twisting and writhing in the wind.
But even worse---doesn't it seem readily apparent that Ray Horton fits the criteria to a tee:
Leadership?
How about motivating a once hapless and pathetic defense to play harder than it ever has despite a dispiriting and demoralizing 1-6 start---? That's when players usually throw in the towel, especially in Arizona.
How about creating an identity on defense that the Cardinal haven't seen in ages---certainly not one this aggressive, this energetic and this creative.
Holding People Accountable?
Think it was easy for Horton to stand up to revered Cardinal veterans such as Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett?
How about the job Horton has done with Kerry Rhodes whom Horton held to far higher standards than the previous defensive coaches?
How about the standards Horton has set for Calais Campbell and Daryl Washington? Patrick Peterson? We are looking at 3 absolute stars in the making.
Performance?
Stifling the likes of Tom Brady and Matt Ryan---both at their own home stadiums???
Some people say, yeah, but what about the 58-0 Seattle disgrace?
To me that one was a reaction to CKW's quitting on the team and the defense in NYC---and all the commotion and excessive penalties over Darnell Dockett's refusal to "lay down."
This became even more clearer to me the next week when Dockett went to Horton and said we are ready to get after the Lions---and boy oh boy were they---they once again stifled a very good QB in Matthew Stafford and basically won the game all on their own.
Has a Cardinal defense ever been more aggressive or creative---OR FUN TO WATCH?
Ray Horton is by far the most special thing that has happened to the Cardinals since Kurt Warner.
Ray Horton deserves the HC job---no one deserves it more, or fits MB's own HC criteria better...we have witnessed all of it first hand---Horton has accomplished everything with OUR own players who value and trust him and even identify with him---and best of all, they play their tails off for him with energy and an exhilarating sense of excitement.
I like Bevell and Arians---but---I don't see either one of them motivating the Cardinals out from the cellar of the NFC West the way Ray Horton can.
