Defensive-oriented coach not what Arizona Cardinals need
By Jim Koch
The current state of the Arizona Cardinals indicates that they’d be better off with a head coach who specializes in offense
The Arizona Cardinals have taken their search for a new head coach out into the public. Over food and drinks, their second meeting with a particular head coaching candidate reportedly went very well. If that is true, then Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim may be on the verge of a big mistake.
The Carolina Panthers’ Steve Wilks was the one pitching the Cardinals’ brass this past Friday night. According to people who’ve worked with him, the 48-year old is a bright assistant who’s ready to take the next step in the NFL. Wilks has coached in the league since 2006 and spent last year as Carolina’s assistant head coach/defensive coordinator.
Those aren’t bad credentials by any means. There’s just one problem though. Is a defensive-minded head coach the right fit for Arizona at the present time?
One just has to look at how the Cards’ 2017 campaign went down to figure out what the organization currently needs. The fact that the squad’s defense was exceptional over the last part of the season must be taken into consideration. It would be a shame to change such a successful scheme, despite the fact that the architect of it, James Bettcher, is obviously in limbo.
Another reason to shoot for an offensive-oriented sort is the Cardinals’ current situation at quarterback. At the moment, the club has no signal-callers under contract for 2018. Starting from scratch at the most-important position on the team with a head coach who’s forte is defense may not be the best thing to do.
Wilks isn’t the only coach from the defensive side of the ball who’s still being considered. Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will likely be interviewed this coming week for the second time. New England Patriots linebackers’ coach Brian Flores still seems to be in the mix as well.
The previously-mentioned Bettcher has also been interviewed for the gig. The 39-year old has been heavily-endorsed by ex-coach Bruce Arians. Best-case scenario is that an offensive candidate gets named to the post and retains Bettcher to run the defense that finished 2017 so strongly.
What’s left as far as offensive-minded possibilities? Arizona has already been turned down by their two top choices, both from the offensive side. Pat Shurmur looks set to be named head coach of the New York Giants and Mike Munchak decided to remain the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line coach.
Although he’s been talked about as a possibility for offensive coordinator, Todd Haley has yet to be mentioned as a successor for Arians. The former Cards’ assistant would be an excellent head coach for the franchise. The 50-year old Haley is certainly the most-qualified of the names that are floating around, but is seemingly being blackballed because of his abrasive nature.
Another offensive mind still under consideration is another Philadelphia Eagles’ assistant. John DeFilippo, Philly’s quarterbacks’ coach, has been praised for his stellar work with passers over the years. An area of expertise that would come in mighty-handily for the Cardinals right now.
Hopefully, the Wilks, Schwartz and Flores meetings won’t lead to any of the trio becoming the next head coach. What Arizona needs as we sit here today is a leader with an offensive flavor. Bidwill and Keim need to realize that before they make a decision they’ll be sorry for.