Time Magazine Article

[daytripper]

Dont know if this link has already been posted re: Michael B and the Cards


http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/article/0,9171,1531327,00.html

 

[BigRedArk]

Good article.

 

[CardLogic]

During one particularly bleak period, from 1993 to 1996, the Cardinals went through three head coaches, firing the first, Joe Bugel, after he failed to meet Mr. B's public ultimatum that the team win at least nine games. "That was a terrible decision. The team was headed in the right direction, and then you're starting all over," says ABC football analyst Ed Cunningham, who played for the Cards from 1992 to 1995.

Jake Plummer, the club's former QB, who led the team to its January 1999 play-off victory against the Dallas Cowboys, blames the downturn on the loss of experienced players like Lomas Brown and Larry Centers to free agency because the Bidwills didn't want to pay up. Comparing his Broncos career, he was 13-3 last season, with his Cardinals stint, Plummer says consistency makes all the difference. "I've had the same linemen in front of me for the last three years. Keeping a nice, tight group of guys goes a long way toward winning."

The last two times the Cardinals appeared to be on the verge of getting over the hump poor management decisions created disaster.

I believe that management has changed for the better! This year has not and will not be a repeat of the years past.
Keep up the good work, Michael, Rod, Denny!!!

 

[football karma]

There is something to be said for consistency --

Jeff Fisher turned in a bunch of 7-9 and 8-8 type seasons, but Bud Adams stuck with him and was rewarded with a stretch of playoff runs and a SB appearance

Holmgren didnt exactly light it up his first four years -- but they stuck with him ( at least as coach) -- and were rewarded

 

[JeffGollin]

There is something to be said for consistency --

I'd like to chew this one over out loud and then modify that statement.

Maintaining consistency is vital to the long term success of an organization; but that assumes that what you're being consistent about is good.

I do not think, for example, that when your running attack averages 71 yards per game, this means you should "stay the course."

I'd rather rephrase that comment to convey that ownership and management should (a) know what will work, (b) be strong enough to stay with what will work so that (c) sound principles pay off in the long run.

Knowing what will work requires such qualities as experience, brains, open-mindedness and accurate sense of reality.

Staying with what will work requires patience, confidence that you know what you're doing (and that you have a good support team to rely on).

But staying with what may not work (because you're scared, indecisive, ignorant or arrogant) is dumb.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Very in depth Article, thanks for the link. It makes me so much more happier, reading that reminds me just how sucky it has been to be a Card fan, Cards are no longer a laughing stock, this is so nice!!!

 

[CardLogic]

Remind me again...
Go throw 3 more picks and explain to how us how you've completed those passes hundreds of times sometimes things just go badly.

Call off the dogs Russ!! I am no Plummer booster... I think his statement on it's own has merit. Note: This thread is not about Jake Plummer.

 

[DeAnna]

If you want factual error, the article states the Cards have the longest playoff drought in the NFL - not true.

Hey, no one twisted the Bidwills' arms to offer him that obscene contract. Would you turn it down if it was offered to you?

 

[DeAnna]

 

[Russ Smith]

Call off the dogs Russ!! I am no Plummer booster... I think his statement on it's own has merit. Note: This thread is not about Jake Plummer.

Messages deleted. Dogs called off.

 

[Lloydian]

If you want factual error, the article states the Cards have the longest playoff drought in the NFL - not true.

Yes it is. After the 1998 season, every team has made the playoffs except the Cardinals and the Texans, and you can hardly call the Texans out for not making the playoffs when they didn't even play.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I'd like to chew this one over out loud and then modify that statement.

Maintaining consistency is vital to the long term success of an organization; but that assumes that what you're being consistent about is good.

I do not think, for example, that when your running attack averages 71 yards per game, this means you should "stay the course."

I'd rather rephrase that comment to convey that ownership and management should (a) know what will work, (b) be strong enough to stay with what will work so that (c) sound principles pay off in the long run.

Knowing what will work requires such qualities as experience, brains, open-mindedness and accurate sense of reality.

Staying with what will work requires patience, confidence that you know what you're doing (and that you have a good support team to rely on).

But staying with what may not work (because you're scared, indecisive, ignorant or arrogant) is dumb.

Very good points ...

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Yes it is. After the 1998 season, every team has made the playoffs except the Cardinals and the Texans, and you can hardly call the Texans out for not making the playoffs when they didn't even play.

I think you missed Detroit and Cleveland.

 

[DeAnna]

Yes it is. After the 1998 season, every team has made the playoffs except the Cardinals and the Texans, and you can hardly call the Texans out for not making the playoffs when they didn't even play.

hmmm...when did Detroit last make the playoffs??

 

[Lloydian]

I think you missed Detroit and Cleveland.

In 1999, the 8-8 Detroit Lions were the worst Wild Card team to make it. Washington beat them 27-13 in the Wild Card round.

In 2002, the 9-7 Cleveland Browns were the worst Wild Card team to make it. Pittsburgh beat them 36-33 in the Wild Card round.

 

[Scot1]

Interesting article.

I wish the "classy" Graves had found a better expression when referring to 'a core of players "who we consider bell cows,"....'

It did kill me when Lomas Brown and those other two players were let go. Took the heart right out of the team. At the time, I was happy we were able to retain Plummer, though. It just seemed like, even in that somewhat up period, for every good decision made, they'd turn around and make a really bad one. I think we've raised the ratio of good decisions to bad--that may be enough to win out.

 

[daytripper]

My 2 cents
A quick search of Time web site doesnt show any other in depth NFL team articles. That said for Time to chose to publish an article about this team speaks volumes to the upside of this franchise
Are we going to the SB this year? Probably not.
Is there FINALLY a light at the end of the tunnel? Hell yes!!
Once we fix our Oline woes, and we will IMO, next offseason, will will be riding a perenial winner for several years to come.
The downside is that we will have to endure another agonizing season before the real fun begins.
Good things come to those who wait!