arthurracoon
The Cardinal Smiles
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 15, 2004 12:00 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0115cards0115.html
Alex Wood's watch was still set to Eastern time Wednesday, so it was a little unfair to ask the Cardinals' new offensive coordinator to give a detailed evaluation of the players he has inherited.
But Wood, Cincinnati's receivers coach this past season, thinks he has some tools with which to work.
"We know this is a talented football team," he said just after the team confirmed his hiring. "We have a big offensive line, and those guys can create some creases and some seams. I think we've got a talented corps of receivers, and we have an outstanding tight end (Freddie Jones). We've got some talented guys at the quarterback position, as well."
Wood said he has long been "enamored" of quarterback Jeff Blake, and that he was impressed with Josh McCown two years ago at the scouting combine.
"I think the game has always been about being able to run the football," Wood said. "If we can run the football successfully, all those other things will fall into place."
Three other members of Dennis Green's coaching staff were officially announced Wednesday: Kirby Wilson, running backs coach; Richard Solomon, defensive backs; and Steve Wetzel, strength and conditioning coach.
Solomon and Wetzel worked under Green during his tenure with the Vikings. Wilson spent the past two seasons as Tampa Bay's running backs coach. Before that, he worked at the University of Southern California, the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, former Bears offensive line coach Bob Wylie has been hired to coach the offensive linemen, but the Cardinals did not confirm that.
Wood, 48, spent the past five seasons in the NFL, four with Minnesota and one with Cincinnati. Before that, he was a college coach for 21 years, most notably as an assistant at Miami under Dennis Erickson and as head coach at James Madison.
He compiled a 23-22 record there before joining Green's Vikings staff in 1999 as quarterbacks coach, working with Daunte Culpepper.
In Cincinnati last year, he coached starting receivers Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick, who enjoyed the best seasons of their careers.
This is Wood's first experience as an NFL coordinator. He's taking over an offense that finished 27th in total yards per game and was last in scoring.
"Alex Wood has been destined to be one of the top coaches in the NFL for a long time," Green said in a statement. "He has touched every base throughout his career. . . . He's ready for the next step."
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 15, 2004 12:00 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0115cards0115.html
Alex Wood's watch was still set to Eastern time Wednesday, so it was a little unfair to ask the Cardinals' new offensive coordinator to give a detailed evaluation of the players he has inherited.
But Wood, Cincinnati's receivers coach this past season, thinks he has some tools with which to work.
"We know this is a talented football team," he said just after the team confirmed his hiring. "We have a big offensive line, and those guys can create some creases and some seams. I think we've got a talented corps of receivers, and we have an outstanding tight end (Freddie Jones). We've got some talented guys at the quarterback position, as well."
Wood said he has long been "enamored" of quarterback Jeff Blake, and that he was impressed with Josh McCown two years ago at the scouting combine.
"I think the game has always been about being able to run the football," Wood said. "If we can run the football successfully, all those other things will fall into place."
Three other members of Dennis Green's coaching staff were officially announced Wednesday: Kirby Wilson, running backs coach; Richard Solomon, defensive backs; and Steve Wetzel, strength and conditioning coach.
Solomon and Wetzel worked under Green during his tenure with the Vikings. Wilson spent the past two seasons as Tampa Bay's running backs coach. Before that, he worked at the University of Southern California, the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, former Bears offensive line coach Bob Wylie has been hired to coach the offensive linemen, but the Cardinals did not confirm that.
Wood, 48, spent the past five seasons in the NFL, four with Minnesota and one with Cincinnati. Before that, he was a college coach for 21 years, most notably as an assistant at Miami under Dennis Erickson and as head coach at James Madison.
He compiled a 23-22 record there before joining Green's Vikings staff in 1999 as quarterbacks coach, working with Daunte Culpepper.
In Cincinnati last year, he coached starting receivers Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick, who enjoyed the best seasons of their careers.
This is Wood's first experience as an NFL coordinator. He's taking over an offense that finished 27th in total yards per game and was last in scoring.
"Alex Wood has been destined to be one of the top coaches in the NFL for a long time," Green said in a statement. "He has touched every base throughout his career. . . . He's ready for the next step."
