Raising Zona
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The Arizona Cardinals must do whatever it takes to hire Joe Hortiz

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 26, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (center) is introduced to the media with (from left to right) national scout Joe Hortiz , head coach John Harbaugh , general manager Ozzie Newsome and director of college scouting Eric DeCosta at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (center) is introduced to the media with (from left to right) national scout Joe Hortiz , head coach John Harbaugh , general manager Ozzie Newsome and director of college scouting Eric DeCosta at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens have had a winning culture since their inception in 1996, and the Arizona Cardinals would do well to mimic that. 

Last week, I was singing Adam Peters’ and Ran Carthon’s praises. But with no interviews going on for either candidate, the Cardinals will most likely consider the names they already talked to. Those names include the following:

  • Ian Cunningham
  • Quentin Harris
  • Joe Hortiz
  • Monti Ossenfort
  • Jerry Reese
  • Adrian Wilson

The Cardinals need to avoid two names on this list at all costs: Harris and Wilson. Anyone connected to the Steve Keim regime is a bad idea, so let’s hope the two are nothing more than last resorts.

Joe Hortiz is the most eye-catching name on the list given his time with the Baltimore Ravens, one of the NFL’s most successful franchises, despite having started operations in 1996. Hortiz has been with the organization since their third season in 1998. He worked under the legendary Ozzie Newsome, who served in the role between 2002 and 2018, and is now the team’s executive vice president.

Joe Hortiz will bring a winning approach to the Arizona Cardinals

Hortiz was initially an area scout before the Ravens promoted him to the director of college scouting in 2009. In 2019, he became the co-director of player personnel alongside former Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis in 2019.

Hortiz was part of the Ravens when they drafted not one but two franchise quarterbacks in Joe Flacco (2008) and Lamar Jackson (2018). He was there when Baltimore started piecing together its legendary defense that helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl Championship in 2000, and he also played a pivotal role in the team’s win in 2012.

Since he arrived in Baltimore, the Ravens have finished under 0.500 just six times. They also won six division titles, and made the playoffs 14 times. Hortiz has also worked under just three head coaches (Ted Marchibroda, Brian Billick, John Harbaugh), so he also knows a thing or two about helping to bring stability to the position.

Cardinals fans better hope that AFC coach hangs onto his job. light. Must Read

Overall, there isn’t a better candidate on this list than Joe Hortiz. Arizona Cardinals fans have been starved for a consistent winner since the team arrived in the desert in 1988. While they have seen flashes, especially in the late 2000s to the mid 2010s, it hasn’t been enough for this franchise to regularly threaten the playoffs.

Article Source: Report: Monti Ossenfort, Hortiz interviewing for Cardinals’ GM job Friday by Arizona Sports 

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