Dennis Green was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2004-2006
As my colleague Jim Koch put it earlier today, Dennis Green wasn’t the most successful coach in Arizona but he sure did leave his trail behind in just three seasons as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
On Friday, green passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 67. Green may not have won Super Bowls or even had a winning season in the desert but he did know how to find good players.
It can be suggested that without Dennis Green, the Cardinals likely do not even sniff the Super Bowl two years after he left in 2008. The roster was made up with many guys he brought in.
He drafted Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, and Darnell Dockett. He brought in free agents Bretrand Berry and Kurt Warner. He made the Cardinals first really big free agent splash in 2006 with the signing of Edgerrin James.
Needless to say there was a lot of reaction from former and current Cardinals. There was also reaction from around the NFL.
Coach I'm crushed to hear of your passing! God bless your wife and children! Thank you for what you did for me. #rip pic.twitter.com/U3iOzEuBva
— Bertrand Berry (@btrain92) July 22, 2016
My heart goes out to family of my former coach Denny Green - we lost a good man way too soon!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) July 22, 2016
Can't believe this... I was gonna speak on him this coming Monday. I still will, thanks a lot coach😔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/PuRCT58wfY
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) July 22, 2016
Denny Green was a great coach and a great man. He treated us like true professionals. Thank you… https://t.co/cULGwMUa4u
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) July 22, 2016
Just got the news of the passing of Denny Green. He did so much for me. Was looking forward to saying thanks at HOF. Tomorrow not promised.
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) July 22, 2016
So sadden and caught off guard with this news. My condolences go out to his family and loved… https://t.co/1BbFhj5C3O
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) July 22, 2016
Daaaaaaaammmmnnnn.... R.I.P. Dennis Green... #AZBIRDGANG "DG put together the talented Cardinals… https://t.co/2nzznIxWxd
— Edgerrin James (@EdgerrinJames) July 22, 2016
RIP Dennis Green. #RestEasy
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 22, 2016
We are saddened over the loss of coach Dennis Green. Our thoughts are with his family.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 22, 2016
[https://t.co/cewlLQHlRN] pic.twitter.com/l2GpowyAWj
Clearly he touched a lot of people and is going to be missed. These reactions are just the tip of the iceberg of tributes and comments that poured in over Twitter all day Friday.
He may have not had the greatest success on the field here but helped build a team that eventually would succeed in Arizona. He was well liked and loved around the game. He will leave a void that can’t be filled. RIP Dennis Green.