Arizona Cardinals Defense Will Survive If Bowles Leaves

Oct 28, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Todd Bowles along the sidelines prior to playing the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. The Falcons defeated the Eagles 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

I’ll be honest, I was surprised at the great job Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles did this season.  Having come off a great defensive campaign in 2012 with Ray Horton as the defensive coordinator and given the inconsistent results Bowles came up with in the past, I wasn’t sure the hire of Bowles would pay off.  I’m glad it did.

However, now with Bowles out interviewing for head coaching positions and possibly may get one of them, I feel confident that given the defensive personnel the Cards currently have and given that head coach Bruce Arians would select the right guy if he needed to replace Bowles.  Of course it’s all roses if Bowles stays.  Continuity certainly is an ingredient for success.

The fact that the Cards defense got better in 2013 over such a good 2012 season should speak volumes.  Now you know why Bowles is a hot commodity.  Bowles though has put a system in place that I would think Arians would want to keep in place somewhat, so look for a guy similar to Bowles should he leave.  I’m not going to predict who could replace him because not all the head coaching spots have been filled.  Plus, Bowles still may end up staying.  I won’t speculate on anything right now except for the opinion I believe the Cards would be alright with him but much better with him.